Promotional Balance Expired Early

Bluedaze21 · Mar 31, 2017

I had a $20 credit that was set to expire today and I was under the impression I had through today to spend it. However, when I went to spend it I saw it had already expired. Can someone please restore this to my account so I can use it?

Thank you.

:)

Waynej · Mar 31, 2017

How to check your Xbox MSP expiry dates

I've seen some comments on this elsewhere in the forums, and while someone may have posted this before now, I've certainly not seen it.

For those unaware and concerned over their Microsoft points expiring, you can check the exact date that they expire. Sign into Xbox.com with your gamertag, click My Account at top right, goto Billing History and then click the Payment Options tab, this will display your recent Microsoft points purchases and their expiration date. Naughty, naughty, Microsoft. :nono:

All Microsoft points will expire 12-mths after their redeemed date. It's not just the points that you had on your account before they were converted to real currency, Microsoft points that you can still currently buy today will also expire after 12-mths.

If you don't like Microsoft vapourising your virtual money then you'd be best to stick to the new Xbox Gift Cards, but with Xbox One and day-1 digital right around the corner I am sure most of us will use this money up before it gets checked out and placed into BillyG's bank account.

And here's another bit of info from the FAQ, I'll bolden the interesting bit. It mainly states whenever you buy anything Microsoft automatically use the money that is closest to expiring.

What is the difference between promotional and non-promotional balances?

From time to time, and for marketing purposes, Microsoft may offer promotional gift cards that you can redeem to your Microsoft account. A promotional gift card may require that you redeem the value listed on the card, or use any redeemed balance, by a certain date or within a certain time period. Please refer to any terms and conditions associated with the promotion in question for specific details or restrictions.

Any balance in your Microsoft account that has not been designated as promotional will not expire. However, if you do not use your account balance for a prolonged period of time, the law may require us to consider your account balance abandoned. In that case, and in some countries where the law requires it, we may be obliged to transfer any non-promotional balance in your account to the appropriate government authority and you will have to retrieve your funds from the relevant authority. We will try to reach you and give you adequate notice before transferring your account balance.

When using your account balance to make a purchase at a participating Microsoft store, Microsoft automatically uses any promotional value in your account balance before any other value that is stored in your account, and does so in the order of the promotional value scheduled to expire first.Click to expand...
Click to expand...

The Viral Cyrix · Mar 31, 2017

Xbl account question

Promotional balance is always taken 1st

Bluedaze21 · Mar 31, 2017

It is also worth mentioning I previously spoke with "Chat" support and they directed me here, claiming this is the area that can reinstate the credit.

Smwutches · Nov 3, 2018

You would need to contact support and speak to billing to see if there is anything they can do, but generally there is no way to get funds back after they have expired. 1-800-4my-xbox if you're in the US/Canada or Contact Us | Xbox Support