Books make the greatest gifts, yet for many people, finding the time to sit down and read is easier said than done. However, audiobooks – offer the perfect solution for your busy friends and family.
It lets them listen to incredible novels while driving the kids to school, working out at the gym, doing household chores, or during a long commute. And they complete reading a book by just listening to it, without devoting an extra from their routine schedule to reading from the textbook.
How to Give the Gift of Audible?
If you have a friend or family member who would appreciate the gift of an audiobook, then Audible is the way to go. They’re the world’s largest provider of digital audiobooks, and you can find pretty much any title you can think of in their vast library.
But if you’d like to deliver the gift of reading via Audible, the process can seem a little confusing if you’ve never done it before.
So, in this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about gifting Audible to your friends and family, whether you’re considering a one-off title or a fully paid subscription.
And, if you’ve been lucky enough to receive an Audible audiobook or subscription as a gift, I’ll explain how to redeem those, too.
How to Purchase an Audible Audiobook as a Gift?
You can purchase Audible audiobooks as gifts using your debit or credit card, or, if you’re already an Audible subscriber, you can use your Audible credits, too.
Simply follow the steps below.
Sign in
Visit audible.com and sign in to your Audible account. If you’re not an Audible member, don’t worry, you can also sign in via your Amazon account.
Browse the Catalog
Once you’ve signed in, browse the Audible catalog to find the title you’re looking for. Click on the thumbnail to open the audiobook’s product details page, and click ‘give as a gift.’
For some audiobooks, you’ll need to click the ‘more options’ tab first.
Choose How You Would Like the Gift to be Sent
Next, you’ll be taken to the gift details page, where you’ll be presented with two options; send the audiobook via an automatically generated email, or print it out as a gift voucher and present it to your friend or family member in person.
Fill in the Details
Complete the form underneath the gifting options, making sure to include the recipient’s name (and email address if required) as well as your own name and an optional gift message.
If you’ve chosen to email the audiobook, choose the date you would like it to be sent (e.g., today, or next week, on their birthday.)
Then, when you’ve filled in all the details, click ‘continue.’
Finalize Your Gift
You’ll now be taken to the ‘finalize your gift’ page. Review the information and make sure all details are correct. Select ‘buy for $XX.XX,’ choose your payment method, and click ‘confirm purchase.’
Check Your Order Confirmation
Once your purchase is confirmed, you’ll be directed to the Thank You page, where you’ll find a summary of your order. You’ll also receive an email confirmation, too.
If you’ve chosen to print your gift, you’ll find easy-to-follow instructions for this here.
How to Purchase an Audible Subscription as a Gift?
An audible subscription is a gift that keeps on giving, as it allows the recipient to choose between thousands of audiobooks for several months or even a whole year.
Whichever level of subscription you choose, your friend or family member will receive one free premium title every month, which is theirs to keep forever. They’ll also get unlimited access to the Audible Plus catalog, which is packed full of free audiobooks, audible originals, and podcasts.
So, if you’re looking to give the gift of an Audible subscription, follow the steps below.
Visit the Gift Center
Visit Audible’s Gift Centre page, making sure you’re signed in to your Audible or Amazon account.
Choose a Subscription
When you arrive at the Gift Center, you’ll be given four subscription length options; one month, three months, six months, or twelve months.
Select the one you’d like by clicking the corresponding ‘select gift’ tab.
Fill in the Details
Next, you’ll be taken to the ‘gift details’ page, where you’ll be asked to choose between sending the Audible subscription via automated email or printing it off and presenting it to the recipient yourself.
Once you’ve selected your preferred option, fill in the details below, including your name, the recipient’s name (and email address, if required), and the date you’d like them to receive their gift if you send it via email.
Whichever delivery method you’ve chosen, you’ll also have the option of filling in a personalized gift message.
Customize Your Gift
You’ll now be taken to the ‘customize your gift’ page, where you can choose a card to accompany the Audible subscription.
If you don’t see something you like right away, use the drop-down box to browse more card options by theme.
Finalize Your Gift
Once you’ve selected a card, you’ll be taken to the ‘finalize your gift’ page, where you can review your purchase details.
Make sure all the information is correct, and when you’re happy, click the ‘buy now’ button. Select the payment method, and click ‘confirm purchase.’
Check Your Order Confirmation
Once your Audible subscription purchase is confirmed, you’ll be taken to a Thank You page with a summary of your gift order. You’ll also receive an email confirmation with detailed instructions for printing the voucher if you’ve chosen to deliver it in person.
And that’s it! Now, your loved one will receive one free title every month, for each month of their subscription, along with all the benefits of Audible Plus, too.
Once their Audible membership expires, their account will automatically be paused, so there’s no need to cancel it before the end of the final month.
I’ve Been Given an Audible Audiobook as a Gift: How do I Redeem it?
Redeeming an Audible audiobook gift is quick and easy.
If You Received Your Gift Via Email
- Go to your inbox and open the email with the subject line ‘You’ve received a gift on Audible from XXX.’
- Enter the code, and click the ‘redeem your gift’ button, followed by ‘redeem on Audible.’
If You Received Your Gift in Printed form
- Go to the Audible ‘redeem gift’ page and enter the code on your card or voucher.
- As above, click the ‘redeem your gift’ button, followed by ‘redeem on Audible.’
No matter how you received your audiobook gift, you’ll need an Audible account to use it.
Once you’ve entered your code, you will be directed to sign in if you’ve not already done so. If you don’t have an Audible account, you can create one for free by following the on-screen instructions.
Once you’ve signed in and redeemed your gift, you’ll be taken to a ‘Thank you’ page. The audiobook should now appear in your library, and you can start listening immediately.
What Happens if I’ve Been Given an Audiobook I Already Own?
Don’t worry if a friend or family member has sent you a code for an audiobook already in your Audible library. You’ll automatically receive either credits or a coupon for the value of the gift, depending on how the original purchase was made. You can then use these to select any audiobook you choose.
I’ve Been Given an Audible Subscription as a Gift: How do I Redeem it?
The steps to redeem an audible membership are the same as the steps for redeeming an audiobook gift above.
Once you’ve signed in and redeemed your gift using the unique code, you’ll be directed to a welcome screen confirming your membership details. Your monthly credit will appear on your account, and you can select any audiobook you choose and start listening immediately.
What if I Already Have an Audible Membership?
If you’ve been gifted an Audible subscription, but you already have one of your own, don’t worry. All gifted credits will be automatically added to your existing account.
Conclusion
Audible is a fantastic way to share the joy of reading with your friends and family, especially if they don’t have much free time to sit down with a book each day.
So, next time you’re faced with choosing the perfect gift for your loved ones, why not send them an Audible audiobook? Or, even better, get them a subscription so that they can explore Audible’s vast catalog for themselves.
If you’re already an Audible member, or you’re wondering what to do with your new subscription, be sure to check out our post on the best audiobooks in the Audible Plus catalog in 2022.
And if you’ve never used Audible before, check our comprehensive beginner’s guide to help you get started.