Moving from Xbox Live Gold to Silver?

[egparadigm]

How does one migrate from a Gold account to a Silver account? I hardly ever play on Live, so I don't see much point in continuing with Gold when my prepaid 12 months end next month.

How does a transfer effect achievements and the like? I contacted Xbox support by email but no response.

[Paulos G]

It will happen automatically. Your achievements will be unaffected. You need do nothing.

[jimmbob]

Yep, as soon as it runs out, it'll be silver.

[Number45]

If you're paranoid about them renewing (I know I always am) you can call them up and have it cancelled with immediate effect, that should do that trick.

[MiaBocca]

If you paid by credit card it will renew right? So you have to call them to cancel.

If you paid by points, it will just expire.

[Number45]

Yeah, that's my guess. Problem is they have my credit card on record (I've bought points with it) so I'm not sure whether they'll automagically use those details when my prepaid ends in October. :/

I'll probably cancel just to be on the safe side.

[Paulos G]

You should be able to manage your profile from Xbox.com if you want to change payment type or subscription details.

[MJ]

I had a credit card on file from Live on the Xbox and it was still on file when I ported my account to the 360, but when I used a subscription code for my current year, my credit card details are no longer there and no renewal option has been pre-selected.

[egparadigm]

Um - I have a credit card on file - does that mean I have to phone to cancel?

Out of interest: is it possible to change one's gamertag without paying if one is moving to silver? Also - do you know if I could finally disconnect my hotmail account from live?

[fahrenheit]

Well myself and a friend both had accounts linked to credit cards (migrated from the original Xbox). We both decided not to renew our accounts and both of our credit cards that the accounts were linked to had expired. His was due for renewal at the end of December last year and mine is due for renewal in April.

I instructed him to just let it go and hope that the account would resort to Silver, after all, they can't charge an expired credit card can they? WRONG! December ended and he was charged another 12 months to his NEW CARD!!! He hit the roof naturally.

Although the credit cards date had expired, the replacement card he received had the same number as his old card. The only way the transaction could have been legal would be for MS to guess the expiry date on his new card (which wasn't the same date as the old card).

He spent considerable time on the helpdesk sorting it out and I told him to be very careful about the words to use to tell the CSR that he didn't want to "cancel" the account, but to stop all payments on it (so he could retain his GT). He got there in the end and was refunded the 12 months charged, but I'm in the very same boat come April.

I have inquired about this rather dubious practice and have gotten nowhere. The solution I will use is to have my bank issue me an entirely new credit card with different number prior to the renewal date, that way MS can guess their little hearts out.

[Concrete donkey]

I paid for my subscription via prepaid card though have brought points using my credit card. My Gold live subscription is due to end in a few weeks and I keep getting emails from Microsoft reminding me to renew. Does this mean I don't have to worry about them renewing automaticly ?

[Number45]

To be honest I'd call them up to be sure.