Xbox Live billing frequently asked questions
Two-Month Trial Offer
Q: If I want to buy one of the selected games from the store, is it clear which ones contain the Xbox Live free trial card?
A: Games that include free trial cards state so clearly on their covers. A sticker on the front of the box indicates that a free trial card is inside. If you aren't sure, ask your retailer to help you.
Q: Can I get a free trial card without buying anything?
A: No. The trial cards are available only with the purchase of specially marked Xbox Live enabled games or through other promotional offers where a purchase is also required (such as a subscription to a provider's broadband Internet service).
Q: I am already an Xbox Live subscriber. Can I give my free trial card to a friend?
A: Yes, but your friend will need an Xbox Liveenabled game to sign up for Xbox Live using the trial card. Any Xbox Live game or Starter Kit disc will work, including the one that came with the trial card.
Q: Can I set up more than one free trial account if I buy more than one game with free trial cards inside?
A: Yes, you can use multiple free trial codes to start multiple trial accounts on your Xbox console, but you must have different Gamertags for each account. You must have a credit card to create an account. Up to 10 accounts can be held on a single credit card.
Q: Does the free trial include an Xbox Communicator voice headset?
A: No, the Xbox Communicator is sold separately.
Q: Do I need an Xbox Communicator to play?
A: You can play Xbox Live without an Xbox Communicator, although you won't be able to use voice chat during games; that is, you won't be able to talk to other players. The experience is way better using the Xbox Communicator.
Q: Do I have to purchase a Starter Kit after the two month free trial expires?
A: No. After the two months are over, you will automatically become an annual subscriber to the Xbox Liveservice, unless you modify your subscription to another type of renewal.
Q: Do I need a credit card to take advantage of the free trial?
A: Yes, you must have a credit card to sign up.
Q: Will I receive a reminder about the renewal from free trial to an annual subscription?
A: You will receive a renewal reminder email approximately 30 days before the end of your trial period. You can modify your trial to a monthly subscription if you want to, provided you do so before your renewal date. If you want to cancel, you can do so by calling the Xbox Live support line.
Q: What if I forget to cancel when the two-month free trial is over?
A: Your account will be converted to an annual subscription, which you can cancel at any time by calling the Xbox Live support line.
Q: Can I use the 12-month subscription card within an Xbox Live Starter Kit to renew my trial subscription?
A: Yes. You can use the subscription code on the 12-month card that comes in the Starter Kit to extend your trial subscription - by doing so, you will not lose your Gamertag or your Xbox Live stats. If you enter the code in the subscription area of the Xbox Dashboard, your two-month free trial will become a 12-month subscription.
Q: When I switch from the two-month free trial to an annual subscription, will I lose my stats?
A: No. All account specifics such as your Gamertag and friends list remain intact through the switch so that you can continue to build your legend online.
Q: I am already an Xbox Live subscriber. Can I use my two-month free trial card to renew my subscription?
A: No. The two-month free trial card can only be used to create new Xbox Live accounts, not to renew existing accounts.
Annual Renewals
Q: I bought a Starter Kit last year and I am up for renewal soon. Will my current subscription renew into a monthly offer or a yearly offer?
A: If you allow your subscription to auto-renew without doing anything, your subscription will be renewed into an annual subscription on your one-year anniversary date. If you prefer to be renewed into a monthly offer, you must modify your subscription section of the Xbox Dashboard by selecting Monthly from the renewal options.
Q: Can I change my gamertag at my upcoming renewal period? I'm tired of the one that I selected last year.
A: Because the Xbox Live service strives to provide an online community atmosphere, you cannot change your gamertag right now. Friends lists, stats, and other elements of the service remain consistent if gamertags remain the same.
Q: If I enter a subscription code from an XboxLive Starter Kit to renew my initial subscription, what will happen to my initial subscription?
A: If you currently have a 12-month initial subscription (from a Starter Kit) and you modify your subscription by entering another subscription code, your current subscription will not be affected. Your renewal subscription will be modified to an additional 12-month subscription that will begin after your initial subscription ends.
Q: If I enter a subscription code from an XboxLive Starter Kit after my initial subscription has already been renewed, will I be charged the full amount for that renewal subscription?
A: If your initial subscription has already renewed into a monthly or annual subscription and you modify your subscription by entering a code from a Starter Kit, your active subscription will be prorated and you will receive a refund for any unused time on the service. Your new active subscription will be a 12-month subscription that begins on the date that you enter the subscription code.
Monthly Renewals
Q: I don't want to pay for a full year of XboxLive, but instead want to pay monthly. What do I need to do?
A: Specify in the Xbox Live Now Dashboard that you want to renew into a monthly subscription. Once your current subscription ends, you will be renewed to a monthly subscription.
