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A January 2020 report said some YouTube Premium subscribers were offered one free creator channel membership per month. YouTube’s current help guidance says channel memberships are not included in Premium benefits, so the old offer is not a benefit subscribers can count on today.
What did the reported Premium offer include?
HotHardware reported on January 27, 2020, that some YouTube Premium subscribers saw an offer to choose one channel membership for that month, with the membership valued at up to $5. The report said the offer had been seen in Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. It did not establish a global launch, and said it was unclear whether YouTube would roll the offer out broadly. Read HotHardware’s January 2020 report.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Google Play gift code | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Google Play gift code | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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MasterCard Physical Gift Card – $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
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Google Play gift code | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Google Play Physical Gift Card | $75.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The article also relayed reports from users who said they were charged despite the offer, and that customer-service representatives seemed unfamiliar with it. Those were reports about that historical offer, not evidence of how YouTube handles memberships today.
Does YouTube Premium include channel memberships now?
No. YouTube’s current guidance explicitly lists channel memberships as separate from YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium benefits. The current help pages reviewed do not establish whether the 2020 promotion still exists anywhere, so treat its present availability as unconfirmed rather than as a standing Premium feature. YouTube Premium benefits and channel memberships.
#1 Best Overall
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
Premium is a platform subscription; a channel membership is a paid program tied to a particular creator. They differ in scope, included benefits, and price: Premium does not cover a channel membership, and each creator sets the membership levels and perks viewers can choose.
What does a channel membership buy?
Membership benefits and prices vary by creator and level. To check a channel’s current offer, select Join on that channel; if you are already a member, select See perks. Review the listed price and benefits before paying. YouTube’s channel membership guidance.
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
YouTube says creators can configure up to six membership levels, each with between one and five perks. Higher-priced levels build on lower ones, so they include the perks from the levels below them. YouTube’s guidance for setting up membership levels.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Possible perks include early access to public videos and custom emoji; creators may also reserve more involved perks for higher tiers. These are examples, not standardized benefits that every channel membership includes. YouTube creator tips for channel memberships.
Rank #3
- Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- Double check if the URL/website is genuine before entering card details online. Do not provide any gift card details (example: claim code) to someone you do not know or trust. There are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- If you believe that your Card has been lost or stolen, notify Mastercard immediately by calling 1-833-791-7288. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. Your Amazon.com Balance cannot be used to purchase Mastercard gift cards.
How should you decide whether to join?
- Open the creator’s channel and select Join to inspect the available levels, prices, and perks.
- Compare the specific perks you would receive with what you want from that creator; benefits differ by channel and level.
- Decide whether the creator membership is worth its separate price. Do not assume a YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium subscription pays for it.
YouTube’s refunds guidance also treats channel memberships separately from Premium subscriptions. YouTube refund guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift cards can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, peel or gently scratch label and enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift card, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
Rank #4
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
