Xbox Live Gold Activation

OK, Newbie here. I have purchased xbox live gold for the children and have no idea what happens now. There is no code to put in, no reference to how to use it, no further info on what to do to activate this. I paid via subscription for the year from MS.
My account shows this has been done, but I have received no code or any further information. I expected it to be available when the box is turned on, but nothing. I also expected it would be easy to find out what to do, but nothing seems to show an answer
to my issue. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance

:)

 

Xbox live code

paid for my Xbox live gold membership. Didnt receive an activation code.

 

Checking the Xbox Live code without activation

Hello. I got the card with an activation code gold status Xbox Live 1 month. Can I just find out if they are used without activation?

 

You have Xbox Live its showing you have a Gold Account on here just be careful when Xbox is due for renewal as Microsoft will automatically renew it

I use CD Keys for Xbox Live usually get a good price on there website

 

You should also get a comfirmation email sent to the email address linked to your account.

 

Thanks for the responses and I'll be mindful of renewals.

@DaftBadger: I did get a confirmation of purchase with the payment details, but nothing that had any link to an account or a activation code.

What would be the normal steps when you progress this? We have tried to set up a party, but it just keeps saying there was a problem with code: 0x80190193. I'll check this code out, but surely this should not be so difficult.

 

You don`t get a code if you pay direct to MS, you get automatically enrolled into XBL Gold.

You only get a code if you buy a pre-paid subscription card.

And as stated above, CDKeys is the place to go for Gold subscriptions, far cheaper than anywhere else.