Love audiobooks but hate spending too much on them? Audible offers a massive library of over 1 million titles, but many require credits to access. Credits are Audible's exclusive currency. They are flexible and can be used on any single audiobook, so it often makes sense to save them for higher-priced titles to get the most value.
Premium Plus members receive a set number of credits each month, but if you run low or want more, there are ways to earn them - even for free. In this guide, we will share 15 practical tricks to help you collect credits and enjoy even more audiobooks on Audible. First, we will look at how to get credits, then explore how to build your Audible library with or without them.
Part 1. What Are Audible Credits and How Do They Work?
Before you start collecting or spending credits, it helps to know how they work. Think of them as tokens to get almost any single audiobook you want. Saving them for higher-priced titles gives you more value for each one. They do expire after a while, so it helps to plan when to use them.
What Are Audible Credits?
Audible credits are a form of virtual currency that Audible gives you as part of certain membership plans. Each credit can be used for any single audiobook on the platform, no matter the price. Many listeners save credits for more expensive titles, which often cost $20 or more, to get the most value.
How Much Are Audible Credits?
Audible credits cost between $7.50 and $15 each, depending on the subscription plan. For example, using a credit on a $30 audiobook can save you the full cost. The standard Premium Plus plan gives 1 credit per month for $14.95, while annual plans offer better value, such as 12 credits for $149.50, which comes to about $12.45 per credit. When used on higher-priced books, credits can be worth $15 to $25 each in real-world value.
🟢 Premium Plus plan – 1 credit per month: $14.95 per credit
🟢 Premium Plus plan – 2 credits per month: $11.48 per credit
🟢 Premium Plus Annual plan – 12 credits: $12.46 per credit
🟢 Premium Plus Annual plan – 24 credits: $9.56 per credit
How Audible Credits Are Issued
Credits are added automatically each month with a Premium Plus subscription. Your first credit comes when signing up, and new credits are added every month. Audible also sometimes gives bonus credits through promotions, seasonal deals, or challenges, which can add several extra credits per year at no cost.
Do Audible Credits Expire?
Credits usually expire 12 months after they are added. You will also lose any unused credits if you cancel your Audible membership. To keep credits, maintain an active membership or, in some cases, pause the subscription instead of canceling.
Can You Transfer Audible Credits?
Credits cannot be transferred to another account, so they stay tied to your subscription. You cannot move them directly, but Audible lets you gift audiobooks purchased with credits so others can have them.
Can You Gift Audible Credits?
You cannot gift credits directly, but you can gift an Audible membership for 1 to 12 months, giving the recipient 1 credit per month. Current Audible members who redeem a gift membership will receive all the credits from the membership at once.
Part 2. How to Get Audible Credits for Free
If you are on a tight budget, there are ways to get credits without spending money. Free trials, special promotions, and other perks can add credits to your account. The key is knowing where to look and grabbing them when rare opportunities appear.
Tip 1: Sign Up for Audible Premium Plus
The simplest way to start accumulating credits is by subscribing to Audible Premium Plus. With this subscription, you'll receive 1-2 credit, along with other perks like access to exclusive sales and discounts. This means you can redeem audiobooks of your choice without spending any money. Plus, new subscribers often receive bonus credits as a welcome gift, allowing you to kickstart your audiobook collection without any upfront cost. Follow these steps to get free Audible credits:
- Visit the Audible website.
- Click on "Try Audible Free."
- Select the Audible Premium Plus plan.
- Enter your payment details. (You'd better set an alarm for the expiration date, in case the you get charged automatically.)
Wanna how to get Audible free trial? You come to the right place. We'll tell you details about it.
Tip 2: Return/Exchange a Book
Already subscribed to Audible Premium Plus and enjoying the credit stream? Audible allows members to return or exchange audiobooks they are not satisfied with, even if they have already used a credit to purchase them. By taking advantage of this policy, you can effectively regain the credits spent on a book you didn't enjoy and use them to acquire a different title of your choice.
Want to return Audible audiobooks but don't know how? Here are two easy ways to help you return it, with the points to note when you're returning an Audible book.
✳️ Bonus Tip:
Here's a clever trick: you can keep Audible books without spending extra credits. First, download the audiobooks to your device before returning them. This way, you can store multiple books using just one credit. But be careful - Audible monitors user activity, so avoid returning too many books in a short time.
To make this work, you'll need ViWizard Audible Converter. This tool lets you extract the audiobook files, giving you the freedom to listen to them even after returning the book. With just one credit and smart use of the return policy, you can build a library of audiobooks without breaking the rules.
A unique and innovative Audible audiobook converter to convert any protected Audible audio book from AA or AAX formats to universal formats, including lossless audio, MP3, AAC, FLAC, M4A, M4B, 2AV, AC3, and more in an easiest yet fastest way ever and with up to 100× super faster speed.
Tip 3: Redeem an Audible Gift Card
If you receive an Audible gift card, you can redeem it for credits to add to your account. Gift cards are available for purchase online or in select retail stores and can be used to instantly boost your credit balance, allowing you to acquire audiobooks without spending any of your own money. To redeem an Andible gift card, you can simple:
- Find the claim code from your gift emial or gift card.
- Go to Audible Gift Redemption page and enter your claim code in the provided space.
- Click the Redeem button.
- After redemption, you'll receive the credits or audiobooks associated with your gift.
If you wish to send your favorite audiobook to others as gifts, you have to purchase it at first. If you receive a gifted audiobook from Audible, you can find it in your email box. Then you have the ability to add it to your library.
Tip 4: Join Audible's Refer a Friend Program [No Longer Work]
Audible's "Refer a Friend" program rewards members for referring new users to the platform. By sharing your unique referral link with friends or family members, you can earn bonus credits when they sign up for Audible Premium Plus. This program not only incentivizes word-of-mouth promotion but also allows you to accumulate additional credits simply by introducing others to the benefits of Audible membership.
Part 3. How to Earn Extra Audible Credits Cheaply
One credit per month may not always be enough, but you do not have to spend much to get more. Finding low-cost ways to earn additional credits can help you build a bigger audiobook library.
Tip 1: Get Amazon Prime
Linking your Audible account with Amazon Prime offers several benefits, including access to Audible Originals, exclusive discounts on audiobooks, and additional credits. Prime members may also receive promotional offers that provide extra Audible credits or discounts on credit bundles, allowing you to stock up on credits at a reduced price.
Tip 2: Buy Extra Credits
Audible offers the option to purchase additional credits beyond those included in your membership plan. While this incurs an additional cost, buying extra credits can be a cost-effective way to acquire more audiobooks without waiting for your next monthly credit to become available. Consider purchasing credit bundles or taking advantage of special discounts to maximize savings.
After you've been a member for 30 days, you'll see an option to buy an extra credit bundle. The 3-pack is usually priced a little cheaper than the regular cost per credit. However, it's crucial to note that you must have less than 2 available credits in your account to be eligible for this offer. If you have 2 or more credits, you won't need to buy more. You can contact Audible's customer service to inquire about purchasing the 3-pack early before your first 30 days are up. Alternatively, use your existing credits, and you'll see an option to stock up and buy a bundle when eligible.
Tip 3: Take a Specific Offer
Audible frequently runs special promotions or offers that provide opportunities to earn free credits. These offers may include bonus credit giveaways, limited-time discounts on membership plans, or exclusive deals tied to specific audiobooks or genres. By keeping an eye out for these promotions and taking advantage of them when available, you can accumulate extra credits and expand your audiobook library at no additional cost.
Part 4. How to Use Audible Credits to Buy Audiobooks
It is important to know how to use your credits to get audiobooks effectively. Check your balance to make sure your credits are used before they expire.
Use the Audible Mobile App (Android & iOS)
Step 1 On your phone or tablet, open the Audible app.
Step 2 When prompted, sign in with your Amazon or Audible account.
Step 3 At the bottom of the app, tap Search and type the title or author of the audiobook you want.
Step 4 In the search results, tap the audiobook to open its details page.
Step 5 On the audiobook page, tap Buy with 1 Credit to use one of your credits for this title.
Step 6 Tap Confirm Purchase in the popup to complete the credit redemption.
Use Audible on the Web (Audible.com)
Step 1 Open your web browser and go to audible.com, then click Sign In at the top right.
Step 2 Enter your Amazon or Audible account email and password to log in.
Step 3 Use the search bar at the top to find the audiobook you want.
Step 4 On the search results page, click the audiobook to open its product page. You can also see details like narrator, length, and rating.
Step 5 Click Buy with 1 Credit to use a credit for that audiobook.
Step 6 On the checkout screen, click Confirm Purchase to complete the redemption.
Part 5. How to Get Audible Audiobooks Without Credits
Not every audiobook requires a credit. Discounts, sales, and other promotions can help you get titles even if you are out of credits.
Tip 1: Share Audible Books
Amazon Household Sharing lets you share your Audible library with friends and family - even if they aren't Audible subscribers. Here's a smart idea: you can team up with people online to create a shared family library. All you need is an Amazon account to join or start an Audible family library and share audiobooks.
This method is much better than relying on free Audible credits, which only give you one book per credit. With family sharing, you get access to a whole library of audiobooks without the limits.
Need to share books on Audible? This guide covers different ways to share Audible books with others, including the official solutions and an alternative method.
Tip 2: Get Books with Narration in Kindle Unlimited
Many Kindle Unlimited books come with Audible narration at a lower cost than using a credit in Audible. This way allows you to listen to audiobooks without using Audible credits. Here's how to do it:
- Get a Kindle Unlimited free trial.
- Visit the page for books with narration in Kindle Unlimited.
- Click on the book you're interested.
- Click on "Read and Listen for free."
- Now, you can borrow the book and read the book with the Audible narration without spending a credit.
If you are a both Audible and Kindle fan, you must have known Audible Narration. This article is going to teach you how to get and add Audible Narration to Kindle.
Tip 3: Get Audiobooks from LibriVox
LibriVox is a non-profit platform that offers free audiobooks of public domain works, all read by volunteers. You don't need Audible free credits or a subscription - just download or stream books anytime. To get free audiobooks on LibriVox, you need to:
- Visit the LibriVox Website.
- Search the book you want in the search bar.
- Click on a book to stream online or download the MP3 file.
Tip 4: Get a Library Card
Many local libraries offer free audiobook loans through apps like Libby, OverDrive, and Hoopla. With just a library card, you can access thousands of audiobooks - no Audible free credits needed! Here's how to do it:
- Visit your local library or check their website to sign up. Many libraries allow online registration.
- Install Libby, OverDrive, or Hoopla on your phone or tablet. These apps work just like Audible but are completely free.
- Enter your library card details to unlock thousands of free audiobooks.
- Search for a book, borrow it, and start listening for free
Tip 5: Access Audible Books from Audible Plus Catalog
Another great way to get free audiobooks in Audible - without using credits - is through the Audible Plus catalog. This section includes thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and exclusive content that don't require Audible credits.
A witty way to do it is first sign up for a free trial on Audible, and download the books from Audible Plus Catalog with a converter. This way, you can get free audiobooks on Audible and keep them forever without spending credits!
Part 6. How to Back Up and Manage Your Audible Audiobooks With or Without Credits
Your collection is only useful if it is organized and safe. ViWizard Audible Converter is one of the best ways to back up multiple Audible audiobooks at once on Windows and Mac. It can download and convert audiobooks at the same time without requiring any special files like AA or AAX. Simply log in, select the titles, and start downloading. Make sure to choose a format, as ViWizard supports Lossless (default), MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, and FLAC. You can also edit ID3 tags or keep the originals, and use the "Split" feature to divide a long audiobook into smaller parts by chapters, hours, or minutes. This makes it easy to access your files and listen offline without needing another subscription to keep Audible Plus titles.
Key Features of ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter
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- Convert Audible audiobook to unprotected audio formats like MP3
- Split Audible book into several smaller segments by chapter or by time
- Support playing Audible audiobooks on any device or media player
- Handle the conversion of Audible audiobooks up to 100× faster speed
Step 1Open the Program and Sign In
Start ViWizard Audible Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. The software includes a built in Audible web player, so you can access your library directly inside the program. Sign in with your Audible account to load all the audiobooks you have purchased. Once logged in, your full collection will appear and be ready to process.
Step 2Choose MP3 as the Output Format
Before converting anything, open the settings or preferences section. Select MP3 as the output format if your goal is maximum compatibility and long term storage. MP3 files can be played on phones, tablets, car systems, MP3 players, and most media software. You can also adjust bitrate, sample rate, and audio channels if needed. Higher bitrates preserve better sound quality. Choose a clear output folder so you can easily find your saved audiobooks later.
Step 3 Add the Audiobooks You Want to Save
Browse your Audible library within the program and select the titles you want to keep. Click the Add button to move them into the conversion list. You can convert one book at a time or select multiple titles in batches, which is useful if you plan to back up your entire library.
Step 4Convert and Save Your Files
After confirming your selections, click the Convert button to begin. The program will process the audiobooks and export them as MP3 files while preserving chapter markers and basic metadata such as title and author. When the conversion finishes, open the output folder to access your files.
Part 7: Tips and Tricks to Maximize Your Audible Credits
Finally, there are simple ways to make each credit go further and get the most value from your Audible account.
Skill 1: Redeem Credits on High-Priced Audiobooks
Each Audible credit is worth the same no matter the retail price of the audiobook. To get the most value, use your credits on books that cost $25–$40 or more. Avoid using credits on books under $15, which are better purchased with cash. Always check the cash price before spending a credit to make sure you are getting the most value per credit.
Skill 2: Take Advantage of 2-for-1 and Bonus Promotions
Audible sometimes runs promotions where you can get two audiobooks for the price of a single credit or offers like "spend 3 credits, get 1 free." During these deals, one credit can effectively get you two high-value books, stretching your credits further.
Skill 3: Prioritize Long Audiobooks
Long audiobooks give more listening hours per credit, which increases value. For example, a 30-hour A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin provides far more content than a 3-hour novella. If your goal is to get the most listening time from each credit, choose longer titles when redeeming credits.
Skill 4: Don't Let Credits Expire
Audible credits expire after 12 months, and any unused credits are lost if you cancel your subscription. Redeem all credits before they expire to avoid losing value.
Skill 5: Use Returns Strategically
If you redeem a credit on a book and do not enjoy it, Audible allows you to return it and get your credit back. This protects your credits, but it should be used as a safety net rather than a regular way to sample books.
Skill 6: Compare With Whispersync Add-Ons
If you already own the Kindle version of a book, Audible may offer the audiobook as a very low-cost Whispersync add-on, often $1.99–$7.49. Paying cash in this case saves your credit for a more expensive title and ensures maximum value.
Skill 7: Maximize Each Credit on Expensive, Long, High-Value Titles
The best way to use Audible credits is on books that are expensive, long, and high in value. Avoid using credits on cheap, short, or discounted titles to make sure each credit gives the most hours and dollars.
Conclusion
Currently, you may know how to get free Audible credits in different ways. Audible is the best platform to stream audiobook for an audiobooks lover. Sometimes Audible will launch events or discounts to make users get credits free or cheaper. You can follow the news from it. If you opt to get Audible physical files and download the audiobooks you like for saving on your devices, ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter is what we highly recommend. It's a great tool to back up Audible audiobooks.
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Matt Smith, a digital entertainment industry enthusiast at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing insightful commentary and solutions for music and media-related topics, including industry trends, analysis, and recommendations.
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