Why can't I use $25 credit in my microsoft account to buy game apps?

Anonymous
2014-01-06T04:26:20+00:00

I received a $25 promo code from Best Buy when I purchased my new HP laptop. After following the directions, I was able to redeem the $25 and my microsoft account shows a balance of $25. When I try purchase a game app from the Microsoft store, I get prompted to enter my credit card information and am not given the option to use the $25 in my account. I tried contacting Microsoft support several times. First I was told I had wrong site, even though it was a link from the game I tried to purchase. (Which is showing as a Microsoft product by the way.)

Finally I was given a number to call for the Microsoft store support. After scanning my machine to find the problem, I got a sales pitch for their IT service. Needless to say they can't fix the numerous problems they found with new brand new laptop unless I purchase at least a 1 year plan for $175. Seriously, I am expected to pay over $100 so I can use my $25 of store credit.

Can anyone please tell me what I need to do to fix it so I can use this money in my Microsoft account to buy the game I want from the Microsoft store?  As of right now I am so turned off by the whole process which has taken up my entire evening, I'm ready to write off the money and move on. I don't really need the game apps anyway.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Microsoft Store

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Anonymous
2014-07-21T02:56:23+00:00

Just received an XBOX gift card and had a similar issue (cannot purchase a game add-on using "account" money).

However, when I logged on XBOX as myself, found the same item in store and made the purchase on XBOX, it used the account balance first, as expected.

Prior to purchase I did check in the account settings on XBOX that I could see the account balance > 0.

HTH,

Boris.

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Anonymous
2014-01-06T23:57:09+00:00

Hi,

I would suggest you to contact Microsoft Store support for better assistance:

**http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en\_US/DisplayHelpContactUsPage/**

Hope this information helps. If you need further assistance with Windows, let us know and will be glad to help.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-10-17T11:04:03+00:00

    My issue had to do with my regional settings being set wrong on my computer.

    In my case I was using a Windows based PC that once I changed from the default "USA" to "Canada" the purchase went through.

    I would check your regional settings make sure they are correct.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-11-09T17:50:17+00:00

    I figured it out. If you are on an Xbox One console, you can only use your giftcard balance to purchase Xbox One games. If you want to purchase an Xbox 360 games, you must purchase the game on an Xbox 360 console and then you can install the games on your Xbox One. Here is what happened to me:

    I got a $25 Xbox giftcard and redeemed it on my Xbox One console

    The games I wanted was Crysis for the Xbox 360 but I was not able to purchase the game using my giftcard balance

    So I went to the store from my Xbox 360 (from home go to "games" "A-Z" then flick on the letter that the title of the game starts with. In my case I clicked on "C"

    Then I went to Crysis and I was able to purchase it using my giftcard

    then I went back to my Xbox One console, went to the store, looked up Crysis, and I was able to install it on my Xbox One

    i hope this helps

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-12-28T19:06:09+00:00

    I contacted Microsoft, because I was having the same issue, it appears the Microsoft limits certain items from being purchase with a gift card.. I find this totally misleading as it should just be a straight "you gave us 25$ you can use 25$ wherever on MS sites (Store Xbow One etc.) but it appears they pick and choose what you can use.

    This is from the tech as I was trying to use it to purchase a 1 month sub for 1 dollar.

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