Choosing the perfect Audible gift membership can be challenging with multiple plans available. This comprehensive guide breaks down Audible Plus vs Premium Plus to help you select the ideal gift for any audiobook lover in your life.
- Audible Plus ($7.95/month): Unlimited access to 11,000+ included titles, perfect for casual listeners
- Audible Premium Plus ($14.95/month): Includes Plus Catalog plus 1 monthly credit for any premium title
- Gift Membership Benefits: Recipients get immediate access to credits and Plus Catalog
- Current Members: Gift credits are added immediately without interrupting existing plans
- Best Value: Premium Plus offers the most flexibility for serious audiobook enthusiasts
- Market Share: 63% – Amazon Audible controls the majority of US audiobook publishing
- Cost Savings: 55% – Average audiobook retail price is $33 vs Premium Plus at $14.95/month
- Content Library: 500,000+ titles available in Audible’s premium catalog
- Plus Catalog: 11,000+ included titles with 68,000+ hours of listening
Understanding Audible Gift Memberships
Gifting an Audible membership provides the recipient with access to one of the world’s largest audiobook libraries. Unlike traditional gifts, an Audible membership offers ongoing entertainment and educational value that lasts for months. According to Audible’s official gift center, gift memberships can be customized with various designs and delivery options, making them perfect for any occasion.
When you gift an Audible membership, the recipient receives immediate access to either the Plus Catalog (with Audible Plus) or both the Plus Catalog and monthly credits (with Premium Plus). The beauty of gifting Audible is that you don’t need to be an Audible member yourself – anyone with an Amazon account can purchase gift memberships easily.
Detailed Plan Comparison: Audible Plus vs Premium Plus
| Feature | Audible Plus | Audible Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $7.95/month | $14.95/month |
| Plus Catalog Access | ✓ 11,000+ titles | ✓ 11,000+ titles |
| Monthly Credits | None | 1 credit per month |
| Premium Selection | Not included | ✓ 500,000+ titles |
| Keep Audiobooks Forever | No (access ends with membership) | ✓ Yes, credits-redeemed titles |
| Exclusive Member Sales | Limited access | ✓ Full access |
| Best For Gifting To | Casual listeners, budget-conscious | Audiobook enthusiasts, specific title seekers |
Audible Plus: The Budget-Friendly Option
Audible Plus functions like a streaming library card for audiobooks. For $7.95 per month, recipients gain unlimited access to over 11,000 titles in the Plus Catalog. This includes Audible Originals, podcasts, sleep and meditation content, and a rotating selection of popular audiobooks.
Ideal gifting scenario: Perfect for casual listeners who enjoy discovering new content without specific titles in mind. It’s also excellent for people who primarily listen to audiobooks during commutes, workouts, or while doing household chores.
Limitation to consider: Titles in the Plus Catalog are only accessible while the membership remains active. Once the gift period ends or if the recipient cancels, they lose access to these titles. There are no credits to purchase specific audiobooks to keep permanently.
Audible Premium Plus: The Complete Audiobook Experience
Audible Premium Plus combines the best of both worlds: unlimited streaming from the Plus Catalog plus one monthly credit that can be redeemed for any title from the premium selection of nearly 500,000 audiobooks. This is the plan that most closely resembles the traditional Audible experience that made the service famous.
Key advantage for gifting: Any audiobook purchased with a credit becomes the recipient’s permanent property. Even if they cancel their membership later, they keep all titles redeemed with credits forever. This makes Premium Plus particularly valuable for gifting to serious readers who want to build their personal audiobook library.
Premium Plus members also enjoy exclusive member discounts (up to 30% off additional purchases), access to daily deals, and 2-for-1 credit sales. According to user reports, these additional savings can make the effective cost per audiobook as low as $7-10 for voracious listeners.
Gift Membership Options and Pricing
Audible offers several gift membership durations to fit different budgets and occasions. Unlike regular subscriptions, gift memberships are pre-paid and provide immediate value to the recipient.
- 1-Month Gift: $15 (1 credit + Plus Catalog access)
- 3-Month Gift: $45 (3 credits + Plus Catalog access) – Most popular option
- 6-Month Gift: $90 (6 credits + Plus Catalog access)
- 12-Month Gift: $150 (12 credits + Plus Catalog access) – Best value per credit
Note that gift membership prices are slightly higher than regular subscriptions ($15 vs $14.95 for one month) but provide the convenience of pre-paid gifting without monthly billing for the recipient.
Step-by-Step Gifting Process
Gifting an Audible membership is surprisingly simple and can be completed in just a few minutes:
- Visit Amazon’s Audible gift membership page (no Audible account required)
- Select your preferred plan duration – 3-month is the most popular balance of value and commitment
- Customize your gift with delivery method (email or print), design template, and delivery date
- Complete checkout using your Amazon account payment method
- The recipient receives redemption instructions and can start their membership immediately
The entire process mirrors buying an Amazon gift card, making it familiar and straightforward for anyone who has shopped on Amazon before.
Advanced Gifting Strategies
Beyond the basic membership options, consider these advanced strategies to maximize the impact of your Audible gift:
Combining with Specific Audiobook Gifts
For special occasions, consider gifting both a membership and a specific audiobook title. This approach lets the recipient start listening immediately while their credits accumulate for future use. It’s particularly effective for new Audible users who might appreciate guidance to their first title.
Timing Your Gift
Schedule gift deliveries to coincide with the recipient’s vacation, commute changes, or seasonal activities. A gift timed before a long road trip or during holiday downtime often gets more immediate use and appreciation.
Progressive Gifting
For budget-conscious gifting, start with a 1-month Premium Plus membership. If the recipient enjoys it, you can always extend with additional gift memberships later. This approach lets you test the waters before committing to longer durations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I gift Audible to someone who already has a membership?
A: Yes! Current Audible members can redeem gift memberships. They’ll receive all credits immediately without interruption to their existing plan. However, current Audible Standard members won’t gain access to the Plus Catalog or exclusive sales through a gift redemption.
Q: Will I know if the recipient redeems their gift?
A: Yes, Audible will notify you when your gift is redeemed, so you can be sure your thoughtful present was received and activated.
Q: What happens if I gift a specific title someone already owns?
A: If you gift a specific audiobook title (separate from a membership) that the recipient already owns, Audible’s system will prevent the duplicate purchase, ensuring your gift isn’t wasted.
Q: Is Audible free with Amazon Prime?
A: No, Audible membership is separate from Amazon Prime. However, Prime members do occasionally get access to limited