You're paying for stories you don't have time to hear. It happens. We sign up for the free trial to listen to that one buzzy memoir everyone is talking about, and suddenly, six months have passed. Your bank statement shows a recurring $14.95 charge—or maybe more if you’re on the Premium Plus annual plan—and you realize you’ve got a mountain of unspent credits sitting there. You want to amazon cancel audible subscription plans before the next billing cycle hits, but there is a massive catch that trips up almost everyone.
If you just hit delete and walk away, those credits vanish. Poof. Gone.
Honestly, it's one of the most frustrating parts of the Amazon ecosystem. Audible is technically a separate entity owned by Amazon, so while your login is the same, the rules for how they handle your digital "wallet" are unique. You can’t just go into your standard Amazon Prime settings and expect a one-click solution that protects your assets. You have to be tactical about it.
The Credit Trap: What Happens When You Quit
Before you even touch that cancel button, look at your account balance. If you see a number higher than zero next to your credits, stop.
Amazon’s policy is pretty rigid: when you cancel a paid membership, any remaining credits earned through that membership are forfeited immediately. It doesn't matter if you paid for them yesterday. Once the membership is inactive, the "currency" of the store becomes invalid. This is why people get so heated on Reddit and consumer forums. They feel like they bought something they aren't allowed to keep.
However, any books you have already "purchased" with those credits stay in your library forever. You bought them. You own the digital rights to listen to them whether you have a subscription or not. The trick to a successful amazon cancel audible subscription move is to spend every single credit before you finalize the breakup. Even if you don't know what you want to listen to yet, buy something. Anything. You can always exchange it later if you haven't listened to it, but you can't reclaim a lost credit.
How to actually cancel (The Step-by-Step)
Don't try to do this through the app on your iPhone or Android. Because of the "app store tax" (the cut Apple and Google take from in-app purchases), the interface is often stripped down. You might find a "Manage Subscription" button that just loops you back to your phone's general subscription settings, which sometimes fails to communicate properly with Audible's backend.
- Open a mobile or desktop browser (Safari, Chrome, whatever) and head to Audible.com.
- Sign in and hover over "Hi, [Your Name]!" at the top.
- Click "Account Details."
- Look for the "Cancel membership" link at the bottom of the "Membership details" section.
- Prepare for the gauntlet of "Are you sure?" screens.
Amazon will try to tempt you. They might offer you a "Switch to a cheaper plan" option, like the Audible Plus tier which doesn't give you credits but lets you stream the "Plus Catalog." Or, they might offer you a half-off deal for three months. If you’re truly done, keep clicking "Continue to Cancel."
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The "Pause" Alternative
Sometimes you don't actually want to leave; you just have too many books and not enough time. If that's the case, cancelling might be overkill.
Audible allows you to pause your membership once every 12 months for a period of one to three months. During this hiatus, you don't pay the monthly fee. You keep your credits. You can still listen to your library. You just don't get new credits until the pause ends. It’s a solid middle ground if you're just feeling overwhelmed by your "to-be-read" pile but know you'll want that new Stephen King release in ninety days.
But let’s say you’re firm. You’re done. You’ve spent the credits. You’ve clicked through the three pages of "Please stay!" offers. You get the confirmation email. Is that the end?
Common Pitfalls and the "Hidden" Membership
Wait. There’s a weird glitch that happens. Some users report that they amazon cancel audible subscription orders only to find a charge from "Audible" or "Amzn*Audible" appearing a month later.
This usually happens for one of two reasons. First, you might have two accounts. It sounds silly, but if you’ve ever logged in with an old email address or a different Amazon account (maybe a spouse’s), you might be paying for a second sub without realizing it. Second, there is the "Audible channels" or "Audible Plus" aspect that sometimes gets bundled with other promotions.
Check your "Memberships & Subscriptions" page on the main Amazon site, not just the Audible site.
- Go to Amazon.com.
- Account & Lists > Your Memberships & Subscriptions.
- Verify that nothing is listed as "Active."
If you see an active subscription there that didn't show up on the Audible site, you've found the culprit. It’s a classic case of the left hand not talking to the right hand in a massive corporate structure.
What about your data?
One thing people worry about is their listening history and bookmarks. If you cancel, does Amazon wipe your progress?
Thankfully, no. Your library remains intact. All the books you bought with credits or cash are still there. You can download the app on a new phone three years from now, sign in, and your books will be waiting. What you do lose access to is the Plus Catalog—those thousands of "free" titles that come with a paid membership. It’s like Netflix; once you stop paying, the movies go away, even if they were in your "My List" yesterday.
Why it's harder than it should be
Consumer advocates often point to Audible as an example of "Dark Patterns"—design choices intended to make it difficult for users to stop a recurring payment. The fact that credits expire upon cancellation is the biggest hurdle. In some regions, like California or the EU, consumer protection laws are getting stricter about this. There have been legal challenges arguing that since a credit is "bought," it shouldn't just vanish.
For now, though, the "use it or lose it" rule is the law of the land for most of us.
If you're having trouble with the website—maybe the "Cancel" button is greyed out or you're getting a "server error"—don't just give up. Use the "Contact Us" feature. Audible’s customer service is actually surprisingly good. If you tell them, "I tried to cancel and it didn't work," they will often refund the most recent charge and cancel the account for you manually. They’d rather lose your $15 than have you file a chargeback with your credit card company, which costs them much more in fees.
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Final Moves for a Clean Break
You’ve spent the credits. You’ve ignored the 50% off deals. You’ve confirmed the cancellation in your email inbox.
The last thing to do is a quick audit of your devices. If you have an Alexa or an Echo, your Audible account is linked. Sometimes, saying "Alexa, read my book" can trigger a prompt to restart a trial if you aren't careful. It’s rare, but it’s annoying.
Also, keep an eye on your "Amazon Household" settings. If you share your Prime benefits with a partner or roommate, your Audible cancellation might affect their ability to listen to shared books, depending on how your family library is configured.
Ultimately, the process to amazon cancel audible subscription tiers is a test of patience. It’s designed to be a "sticky" experience. But by following the browser-based path and emptying your credit bank first, you can leave without leaving any money on the table.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your credits immediately. Log into the desktop site and check your balance in the top right corner.
- Go on a "buying spree." Use every single credit on titles you’ve been eyeing. Even if you don't listen to them today, they are yours to keep forever.
- Check for "ghost" accounts. Verify your status on both the Audible "Account Details" page and the Amazon "Memberships & Subscriptions" dashboard to ensure no secondary billing remains active.
- Confirm via email. Search your inbox for "Membership Cancellation" to ensure the system registered your request. Save this email; it is your proof if a rogue charge appears next month.