I can't speak for anyone in the US but my last 12 month card cost me £26 in the UK and it's been that price for a few months now.

Afraid to quote me? Yeah, you usually run away.

Service fee isn't offsetting anything. If you buy it up front, you still pay the service fee. It just may be a cheaper service fee.

You cannot avoid this service fee if you wish to play online, which is up to 50% of a game, apps, features, etc.

Wow, you got me. I don't quote because I am "afraid". Even though just by replying, you are alerted to a new post in the thread. And you're free to quote me and respond. You're precious.

So as I thought, this is just more XBLG bellyaching. Feel free to argue it in any of the many of the XBLG threads you have already crapped up, this thread isn't really the place for it imho, so I won't be responding anymore down that rabbit hole.

Like I said, you usually run away from my arguments.

To respond to your initial piece of inanity...

I don't make a habit of returning to threads I am disinterested in, nor do I care to read through every comment. If you wish to reply to me, quote me, otherwise don't ninja respond to me so you can attain some perceived final blow. It's cowardice at its finest and I've become accustomed to such behavior from you. Grow up.

So you're accustomed to it, and yet still whining about it. Strange. Maybe get over it? I do find it hilarious how much thought you think goes behind it though. "perceived final blow" LOL. Again, precious.

If you want me to engage you regarding XBLG, there are threads for that. Hope that helps.

We'll see at the unveiling. Hear say means nothing until after that point.

This has nothing to do with the next Xbox.  The EFA plan is currently available on the Xbox 360, so what is the point of your comment, "I haven't read the post, but let me comment anyway?"

Whether or not things changed when Microsoft expanded the service to additional retailers, I can't be sure.  I went through the original user agreement and there was nothing about credit checks or credit cards.  However, the current agreement does require a credit check and credit/debit card for billing purposes.

Question if they do not take a credit card with purchase what is stopping people from pulling a cricket getting the cheap console and then not paying for xbox live at all

I have read it and I don't think Microsoft will reveal plans everything about their plans for payment until the unveiling or at least E3. Personally, I dont think their cellphone model is good for the industry, but it cant hurt to try it out and see if it succeeds. I think Microsoft is just using the 360 as a prototype to see how the business model could work for the 720. As I said, wait until the unveiling, everything until then is hear say for me. I am giving the speculation on Microsofts next gen a rest now until they open their mouths themselves.