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You are now chatting with 'Reina '

Reina : A wonderful day to you! Thank you for contacting Xbox Support. My name is Reina. May I know who am I chatting with?

you: Hi there.

you: I currently have $18.00 in my Microsoft account. I'd like to purchase one month of Xbox Live Gold. I head over to the subscriptions page, but it's requiring that I use either a PayPal or Credit Card to purchase, despite my having enough credit to purchase a month of gold. Can't I just purchase one month of gold using my Microsoft account balance?

Reina : Oh! I see, thank you for that information and clear issue description. If you don't mind me asking may I know your name please? So that I will be able to address you properly?

you: Bob

Reina : Thank you Bob.

you: Reina?

Reina : That is correct, with regards to the Microsoft Local currency that is used to purchase videos , games or items Online and for your account. This is considered a virtual money that is not yet being able to use for the Gold subscriptions.

Reina : I am still here Bob.

you: Oh, I was not aware of this. Is there no way for me to obtain a refund?

Reina : A refund for the Microsoft local currency?

you: I deposited a balance by using Bitcoin (a virtual currency).

you: Are you saying I can't use this balance to purchase Gold?

Reina : Yes that is correct, as you have already mentioned above that you will only be able to purchase a subscription using a credit card or paypal account.

you: I was reading a help guide that seems to say the opposite: https://commerce.microsoft.com/PaymentHub/Help/Right?helppagename=CSV_BitcoinHowTo.htm

Reina : We are currently suggesting for the Microsoft local currency to be of use for the subscription.

you: "You can now use Bitcoin to add money to your Microsoft account. Once you add money to your Microsoft account, you can use it as a payment option to buy apps, games, and other digital content from Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox Games, Xbox Music, or Xbox Video stores."

you: That seems to suggest that I will be able to purchase Xbox gold with my balance.

Reina : Yes that is correct, what it says there that you are able purchase those. There was none mentioned about the Xbox Live Gold subscription.

you: At no point on that web page does it suggest that I will not be able to purchase Gold with my balance. I find the web page misleading to say the least.

Reina : We will check on that web page for you Bob, I will definitely have this one reported.

Reina : Let me provide you the link for the Microsoft local currency.

you: Because I've just spent the past hour trying to figure out how to purchase a gold subscription with my balance to no avail. I also now have $18.00 locked into my Microsoft account when my main goal was to purchase Gold, but now I have neither gold nor my bitcoins.

Reina : I totally understand that one Bob. I know that you would have wanted to get a Gold subscription however as of now purchasing Gold subscription using a local currency or virtual money is not yet available.

Reina : Here is the link: http://support.xbox.com/en-US/billing/microsoft-points/microsoft-points-retire-faq

Reina : Just like before when the the Microsoft local currency was still a Microsoft points, this option is also not available.

you: I'm just curious as to why things other than Xbox live can be purchased with Bitcoin.

Reina : That is because it is considered as a virtual money only Bob, that is as far as I know. The Gold subscription needs a valid payment instrument (credit card/ paypal) we can use for us to purchase this. As the Gold subscription that being purchased from the web automatically renews and the system would want a stable payment instrument for the customer not to experience some issues when it renews already.

you: Alright Reina, thank you for your help today. Please pass on my displeasure with not being able to purchase gold with bitcoin credit, as well as the fact that the information available seems misleading.

Reina : Please don't worry as I will do my best here to file a report about the ads these 3rd party websites for them to make it clear with regards to their ads about the Microsoft local currency.

you: Would it be alright for me to share this chat with friends?

Reina : Yes, indeed that is totally fine Bob.

Reina : To email this chat session to yourself please click the icon above the chat window:

Reina : Just to make sure you have a copy on your email.

you: Thank you Reina, have a good night./morning :)

Reina : You are most welcome. Anything for a valued customer like you Bob.

Reina : I hope I was able to provide the information and assistance you needed.

Reina : It's always my pleasure.

Reina : Thank you for contacting Xbox customer support. Again, this is Reina your Overall Customer support. If you need any help in the future please feel free to chat or call us. Have a wonderful day.

info: Your chat transcript will be sent to <redacted> at the end of your chat.

Reina : Please always keep the good vibes and don't forget to "smile".

you: :)