Account Management Considerations
for Xbox 360
Thinking about picking up an Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system? Here's what you need to know about how your Xbox Live account will change when you start playing with Xbox 360—and what this means for account management using your original Xbox video game system.
We also recommend that you check out our account migration FAQ for Xbox 360.
Q: What happens to my existing membership (which I started with the original Xbox system) when I activate my membership for use with Xbox 360?
A: At the end of your current billing cycle, your account automatically renews to an annual Xbox Live Gold Membership.
To renew your membership as a different membership type using Xbox 360:
- Migrate your account information to your Xbox 360 console from the Xbox Dashboard using the procedure Recover Gamertag from Xbox Live.
- Select your gamer card from any area of the Xbox Dashboard.
- Select Account Management, Memberships.
From here you can update your membership to renew to your preferred membership type.
Q: Can I use prepaid cards the same way after I migrate my account information to Xbox 360?
A: No. With your original Xbox system, applying a prepaid card will generate an Xbox Live service refund to the credit card we have on file, providing that your account was set to auto-renew to an annual membership prior to entering the pre-paid card.
With Xbox 360, it's different. The membership period associated with any prepaid card you enter will be stacked onto your existing service time, extending the duration of your membership rather than altering your method of payment. This means that if you use the prepaid card with Xbox 360, no refund will be issued and you will end up with an additional year of service.
If you want just one year of service and a refund of your auto-renewal fee, be sure to submit your prepaid card in the Xbox Dashboard for your original Xbox system prior to migrating your account information to your Xbox 360 system.
Important
Once you've migrated your account to Xbox 360, you'll no longer be able to access Account Management on your original Xbox console. Don't worry—you'll still be able to play games on Xbox Live with either system! You'll just need to manage your account on your Xbox 360 console.
Q: I began an annual membership on an original Xbox console and I have since migrated my membership to Xbox 360. Will my current membership renew to an annual membership?
A: If you allow your membership to automatically renew, your membership will be renewed to an annual membership on your one-year anniversary date.
To renew your membership as a different membership type using Xbox 360:
- Activate your account for use with Xbox 360 from the Xbox Dashboard on your Xbox 360 console.
- Select your gamer card from any area of the Xbox Dashboard.
- Select Account Management, Memberships.
From here you can update your membership to renew to your preferred membership type.
Q: I began a monthly membership on an original Xbox console and I have since migrated my membership to Xbox 360. Will my current membership continue to renew to a monthly membership?
A: If you allow your membership to automatically renew, your membership will be renewed to a monthly membership on your next billing date.
To renew your membership as a different membership type using Xbox 360:
- Activate your account for use with Xbox 360 from the Xbox Dashboard on your Xbox 360 console.
- Select your gamer card from any area of the Xbox Dashboard.
- Select Account Management, Memberships.
From here you can update your membership to renew to your preferred membership type.
Q: Now that I'm using Xbox 360, I don't want to use a credit card to pay for Xbox Live service; I want to pay as I go. Can I do that?
A: Yes, you can. If you created your Xbox Live Gold Membership on an Xbox 360 console using a prepaid card, your membership will automatically renew to an Xbox Live Silver Membership at the end of your membership period. You can use another prepaid card to restore your membership to an Xbox Live Gold Membership. Better yet, activate your prepaid card before your Xbox Live Gold Membership expires so that you don't miss out on all the benefits of your Xbox Live Gold Membership.
Q: I have a prepaid card. Should I use it before or after I migrate my membership to an Xbox 360 system?
A: You should decide when and where you apply your prepaid card based on how you want to use it.
If you only want to extend your Xbox Live membership by one year—using the prepaid card instead of your credit card—you should submit your prepaid card through the Xbox Dashboard for your original Xbox system, before you migrate your account to Xbox 360. If you apply the prepaid card before your auto-renewal date, your credit card will not be charged for an additional year. If you apply the prepaid card after your auto-renewal date, we'll accept the prepaid card as payment and automatically refund your credit card. See Xbox Live Service Refunds for detailed information about refunds for service with the original Xbox system.
If, on the other hand, you want to stack your time—adding a full year of Xbox Live service to however much time you have remaining on your existing membership—then you should use the prepaid card after you migrate your account to your Xbox 360 system.
Important
Once you've migrated your account to Xbox 360, you'll no longer be able to access Account Management on your original Xbox console. Don't worry—you'll still be able to play games on Xbox Live with either system! You'll just need to manage your account on your Xbox 360 console.
Q: Having already migrated my account to Xbox 360, what happens if I cancel my Xbox Live Gold Membership?
A: If you have an annual Xbox Live Gold Membership that was purchased with a credit card and you cancel it within 60 days of creating it (based on settlement date when funds were assessed to your credit card), you will receive a full refund. This refund policy applies to Xbox Live Gold Memberships only.
