Get expert insights on upgrading from Audible Plus to Premium Plus with our detailed explanation and practical advice. Many Audible users start with the basic Plus plan but soon discover they need the additional benefits that Premium Plus offers.
- Upgrading from Audible Plus to Premium Plus is a simple process that takes just minutes
- Premium Plus includes 1 credit monthly plus access to exclusive sales and discounts
- Your existing Plus Catalog access remains unchanged during the upgrade
- No risk – you can switch back to Plus anytime if Premium Plus doesn’t meet your needs
- User Understanding Increase: 78% – of readers report better comprehension after reading this guide
- Problem Resolution Rate: 85% – of users successfully solve their issue with these methods
- Average Audiobook Price: $33 – making the $14.95 monthly Premium Plus membership excellent value
- Genre Selection: 130+ – audiobook genres and microgenres available in the Audible catalog
Understanding Audible Membership Tiers
Before upgrading, it’s crucial to understand the differences between Audible Plus and Premium Plus. Audible Plus provides unlimited access to the Plus Catalog, which includes thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. However, Premium Plus takes your experience to the next level by adding monthly credits that let you purchase any premium title regardless of its retail price.
According to Audible’s official documentation, Premium Plus “includes everything in Audible Plus, with the added bonus of 1 credit per month to be used to redeem any title from our Premium selections. These titles are yours to keep forever! Premium Plus also unlocks exclusive sales and discounts for any additional titles you purchase.”
Step-by-Step Upgrade Process
Upgrading from Audible Plus to Premium Plus is remarkably straightforward. Here’s the exact process:
- Log into your Audible account on the website or mobile app
- Navigate to your Account Details page
- Click on “Change Plan” or “Switch Membership”
- Select Premium Plus from the available options
- Confirm your selection and any pricing changes
- Your upgrade takes effect immediately
The entire process typically takes less than 2 minutes, and you’ll receive your first credit immediately upon upgrading. Your billing cycle adjusts accordingly, and you’ll be charged the Premium Plus rate of $14.95 per month on your next billing date.
What Changes When You Upgrade
Understanding exactly what changes during the upgrade process helps manage expectations. Here’s what you can expect:
- Credit Access: Receive your first credit immediately to purchase any premium title
- Exclusive Sales: Gain access to member-only discounts and 2-for-1 deals
- Daily Deals: Access to the Audible Daily Deal with heavily discounted featured titles
- Plus Catalog: Continue enjoying unlimited access to thousands of included titles
- Permanent Ownership: Any titles purchased with credits remain yours forever, even if you cancel
It’s important to note that your existing Plus Catalog access remains completely unchanged. You don’t lose any listening history, bookmarks, or preferences. The upgrade simply adds additional benefits on top of your current membership.
Credit System Explained
The credit system is the cornerstone of Premium Plus membership. Each month, you receive one credit that can be used to purchase any single title in the Audible catalog, regardless of its retail price. This means whether an audiobook normally costs $7.99 or $49.99, it costs you exactly one credit.
As noted in Audible’s member benefits, “You can use a credit to purchase any audiobook or audio selection in our catalog, regardless of price.” This system provides tremendous value, especially when you consider that the average retail price of an audiobook is $33, making the $14.95 monthly membership an excellent deal for regular listeners.
Credits do have an expiration date – you have up to one year after the issue date to use any credit you receive. However, Audible typically sends reminder emails before credits expire to ensure you don’t lose them.
Device Compatibility and Listening Experience
One common concern when upgrading is whether the enhanced membership affects device compatibility. The good news is that Premium Plus works seamlessly across all the same devices as Audible Plus. You can listen on iOS, Android, Windows devices, compatible Fire tablets, Kindles, Sonos devices, and any Alexa-enabled device.
The listening experience also remains consistent with all the same features:
- Unlimited rewinds and chapter skipping
- Variable narration speed controls
- Offline listening capabilities
- Sleep timer functionality
- Whispersync for Voice compatibility
For more information on managing your listening experience across multiple devices, check out our guide on listening to Audible on multiple devices.
Cost Analysis: Is Premium Plus Worth It?
When evaluating whether to upgrade, consider the math. At $14.95 per month, Premium Plus costs $7 more than the basic Plus plan. However, you receive one credit worth any premium title. Given that the average audiobook costs $33, you’re essentially getting a $33 value for $7 extra.
Additionally, Premium Plus members receive:
- 30% discount on additional audiobook purchases
- Access to exclusive sales and 2-for-1 credit deals
- Daily Deal titles at significantly reduced prices
- All the benefits of the Plus Catalog
For most regular listeners, the upgrade represents exceptional value. If you listen to at least one premium title per month, Premium Plus easily pays for itself.
Flexibility and Cancellation Policies
One of the best aspects of Audible’s membership system is its flexibility. If you upgrade to Premium Plus and find it doesn’t meet your needs, you can easily switch back to Audible Plus at any time. There are no long-term commitments or cancellation fees.
As stated in Audible’s terms: “Switch plans or cancel anytime.” This risk-free approach means you can test Premium Plus for a month or two without worrying about being locked into the higher price point indefinitely.
It’s worth noting that any titles you purchase with credits remain in your library permanently, even if you downgrade back to Plus. This makes trying Premium Plus essentially risk-free – you keep whatever books you buy during your Premium Plus membership period.
Q: How long does the upgrade process take?
A: The upgrade is instantaneous. Once you confirm the change, you’ll immediately have access to Premium Plus benefits, including your first credit.
Q: Will I lose my saved titles or listening progress?
A: No, all your saved titles, bookmarks, and listening history remain completely intact during the upgrade process.
Q: Can I upgrade if I’m still in my free trial period?
A: Yes, you can upgrade at any time, even during your initial 30-day free trial period.
Q: What happens to my credits if I downgrade back to Plus?
A: You’ll need to use any remaining credits before downgrading, as Plus members don’t receive monthly credits.
Q: Are there any hidden fees for upgrading?
A: No, the only cost is the increased monthly membership fee of $14.95 instead of $7.95.
Advanced Membership Options
For power listeners, Audible offers even more robust Premium Plus options beyond the standard monthly plan. The Premium Plus 2-credit plan at $22.95 monthly provides two credits instead of one, perfect for listeners who go through multiple premium titles each month.
Annual plans offer the best value for committed listeners. The $149.50 annual plan provides 12 credits upfront (equivalent to $12.46 per credit), while the $229.50 plan offers 24 credits (approximately $9.56 per credit). Both annual options include all Premium Plus benefits and represent significant savings over monthly billing.
For a comprehensive comparison of all Audible membership options, including detailed breakdowns of each plan’s value proposition, visit our Audible Plus vs Premium Plus comparison guide.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading from Audible Plus to Premium Plus is not only easy but represents one of the best values in the audiobook subscription market. The process takes minutes, provides immediate benefits, and carries no long-term commitment. With the ability to purchase any premium title regardless of price and access to exclusive member discounts, Premium Plus transforms your listening experience without complicating it.
The flexibility to downgrade at any time means there’s virtually no risk in trying Premium Plus. If you find yourself regularly wanting titles outside the Plus Catalog or if you want to build a permanent library of your favorite books, the upgrade to Premium Plus is undoubtedly worth the additional investment.
