Apple Music charging me to download music as a member

Perhaps you are confusing the iTunes Store, from which you can purchase songs and albums, with Apple Music, which is the subscription service from which you can select songs for download to your Mac and devices as long as you keep your subscription active.

Both may be viewable in the Music app but in two different areas of the Music sidebar.

The iTunes Store may be excluded from view by going to Music app > Settings > General tab and unchecking the box to Show: iTunes Store.

• Buy music from the iTunes Store on your Mac - Apple Support

• Apple Music Subscription - Apple

• Apple Music App User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

The songs that you download from the iTunes Store cost money, but are yours to keep even if you do not have an active subscription.

Offline listening copes of Apple Music subscription songs do not cost extra (above and beyond the subscription), but will work only for as long as you are a subscriber.

+1

Good clarification, my friend! 👍🏽