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518 of 550 found the following review helpful:
Prepaid Is BetterDec 19, 2006
By J. Gable To start off, I'd like to say that X-Box Live is amazing and worth every penny. Online gaming is incredibly fun and quite a good way to pass time.
That aside, there are downsides to X-Box Live that can be avoided through prepaid cards. Number one, you always run the risk that unwarranted transactions will be made if your credit card information is stored on your X-Box 360 system. It may not happen all that often, but it's best to avoid it all together.
The biggest reason to buy prepaid Xbox Live card is the renewal process that happens when you don't use one. If you order X-Box Live through your system, it'll renew every time your subscription runs out. This wouldn't be a problem except that it's not that easy to cancel. Instead of canceling through your system, you have to go through the hassle of actually calling X-Box Live support. Even then, depending on the representative you get, you may be hassled to keep your subscription because they really don't want you to cancel it. I'm guessing that's part of their job to convince you to keep it, but it still is frustrating to the person that is trying to cancel it.
You'll have to go through this process every time you want to cancel if you don't use a prepaid card. Is that hassle really worth it? I don't think so. Therefore, avoid all of the problems by simply buying a prepaid card. You won't be sorry.
UPDATE: (3/6/2011): I updated this review about a year ago pointing out that you could disable the subscription on X-Box Live's website. As of this update, they've taken that feature away again. I'm guessing Microsoft must have seen a major increase on people who canceled their subscription, thus now forcing you to call their customer service hot-line again to cancel. Even if they add it back, just save yourself the hassle and get a prepaid card. You never have to worry about dealing with customer service that will try their hardest to get you to stay on as a recurring customer. Amazon also gives great deals throughout the year. You could save yourself $20 to $30 sometimes just by checking to see if Amazon has these prepaid cards on sale. What's not to love about that?
87 of 96 found the following review helpful:
xbox rocksDec 03, 2004
By Robin This site is the cheapest I have found for this card.
Do not pay for your live service monthly on your credit card.
It's alot cheaper to buy one of these cards every year.
172 of 205 found the following review helpful:
Cheapest Live Subsription OptionNov 05, 2009
By S. Taylor From what I can find this is the cheapest cost per month option available for a live gold subscription. Depending on the current price, it ranges from $2.9158 to $3.3325 per month. What I don't get is why this credit card sized subscription card comes in such wasteful packaging. It comes in a rather large plastic packaging, which requires it to be shipped in a box. You get free shipping, but how wasteful. Why doesn't amazon just offer the code online and not eat the cost of shipping and at the same time be a little greener?
151 of 181 found the following review helpful:
Two reasons to get this cardNov 12, 2004
By Timur Tabi There are only two reasons to get this Xbox Live subscription card. First, as a gift for someone who already has Xbox Live and wants to renew his subscription. Second, the normal yearly fee is $50, so if you can get this card cheaper than that, you'll save money.
This card is not a good way to get Xbox Live if you don't already have it. For that purpose, buy the starter kit (ASIN B000209V8K), which includes a free game, a headset, and a year subscription. Without the headset, Xbox Live is pretty boring.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
It is what it isJan 20, 2010
By Mark Zeller Find the card on sale every so often each year. Don't pay the full price. The Xbox Live Gold is stellar and I love it, but I don't see how they charge $50 or more a year and you don't get any freebies...other than advanced demo downloads. They need to throw a bone for a free song or discounted DLC or a free rental every so often. I have spent well over $1000 in my 3 years with the Xbox 360 on peripherals, games and downloads. 2% of my money spent as a gift would have paid for 1600 points of DLC...that would be a nice thank you from Xbox 360 for keeping their community alive and well.
based on 1114 reviews
( 1114 customer reviews )
