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How to save on Game Pass Ultimate

Game Pass Ultimate is an amazing service to have. Especially when you own a console and Win10 PC. Read on to learn how you can save on Game Pass Ultimate and enjoy all the games for a little less money.
Check out the March drops for Game Pass to see what I mean. New Game Pass March Drops.

Two ways to save on Game Pass Ultimate

Note: prices are based on EU, especially Belgium where I live. Be sure to check your local prices!

The Basics

Both ways that are going to be explained below resolve around the same mechanic. Namely the conversion of Xbox Live Gold time to Ultimate in order to save on Game Pass Ultimate. After the changes announced to Xbox Live Gold you could still save on Game Pass Ultimate.
But on 22/01/21 Xbox even recalled their price increase because of the backlash from the community. So all prices mentioned below are actual.

Conversion explained

Firstly any remaining Xbox Live Gold time on your account is converted to Game Pass Ultimate if you apply a Game Pass Ultimate code.
Eg: you have six months of Xbox Live Gold left on your account and you apply a three month code of Game Pass Ultimate. Thus converting those six months of Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Ultimate. Now you have a total of nine months Game Pass Ultimate.
So saving you the difference in cost on those six months on Xbox Live Gold.Amazing right? Now it can get even better. You can stack up to 36 months of Xbox Live Gold and convert it all to Game Pass Ultimate. Essentially that’s three years worth of Game Pass Ultimate savings!

Secondly if you already have a Game Pass Ultimate membership. You can still add Xbox Live Gold codes to your account. But these months will be converted at a lower ratio. See the table below.

Xbox Live gold conversion not a good save on game pass ultimate
From the Xbox.com website.

Save on Game Pass Ultimate efficiently

In the above example I used a three month code. Likewise you can use a one month code to upgrade your remaining time. Hence building your savings on Game Pass Ultimate even bigger.

In fact Xbox has a promotion running on Game Pass Ultimate that lets you upgrade for €1. Consequently if your Game Pass Ultimate time runs out it will automatically renew for the full price. On the one hand it’s a good deal to start but you have to keep an eye on when it ends. In order to avoid paying full price when the membership runs out.

As mentioned earlier adding Xbox Live Gold game time to your account is not efficient if you have Game Pass Ultimate already. In order to avoid losing any Xbox Live Gold game time you can do the following.
First let your Game Pass Ultimate end. After Game Pass Ultimate expires you add your Xbox Gold Live game time and top it off with Ultimate again. You will have the 1:1 conversion on your Xbox Live Gold game time. Ensuring the best way to save on Game Pass Ultimate.

Don’t forget to check your local shops that sell physical Xbox Live Gold cards. Some shops have savings card or point systems. These allow you to use your points or coupon to save even more money.

Save on Game Pass Ultimate – The promotion way

If you still have the promotion available you can use it to save the most. For the first time only. Also you will have to keep track of when it ends to cancel your membership.

Step 1
Top off your account with up to 36months of Xbox Live Gold.

Step 2
Apply the Game Pass Ultimate promotion on your account.

Step 3
Profit Save on Game Pass Ultimate.

The Numbers

Three times Xbox Live Gold 12 months:
€59.99 x 3 = €179.97
Game Pass Ultimate promotion:
€1
Total:
€178.97

If you compare this to three years of Game Pass Ultimate.
Note: Game Pass Ultimate twelve month cards aren’t available here. So this calculation is based on the three month cards.

Four times Game Pass Ultimate:
€38.99 x 4 = €155.96
This times three for the price of three years:
€155.96 x 3 = €467.88
Total:
€467.88

The difference?
€287.91 is what you will save on Game Pass Ultimate using this method.

Save on Game Pass Ultimate – Non-promotion way

If the promotion isn’t available you can still use this method. You will save a little less. But still enough to use it.

Step 1
Top off your account with up to 36months of Xbox Live Gold.

Step 2
Use a one month Game Pass Ultimate card.

Step 3
Profit Save on Game Pass Ultimate.

The Numbers

Three times Xbox Live Gold 12 months:
€59.99 x 3 = €179.97
One month Game Pass Ultimate:
€12.99
Total:
€192.96

If you compare this to three years of Game Pass Ultimate.
Note: Game Pass Ultimate twelve month cards aren’t available here. So this calculation is based on the three month cards.

Four times Game Pass Ultimate:
€38.99 x 4 = €155.96
This times three for the price of three years:
€155.96 x 3 = €467.88
Total:
€467.88

The difference?
€274.92 is what you will save on Game Pass Ultimate Using this method.

Game Pass UltimateMethod 1Method2
Xbox Live Gold€0€179.97€197.97
Game Pass Ultimate€467.88€1€12.99
Total€467.88€178.97€192.96
Savings on Game Pass Ultimate€0€287.91€274.92
Save on Game Pass Ultimate stonks meme

Stijn Ginneberge

Posts published: 123

Gaming for me is about experiencing their stories, overcoming challenges, living in fantasy worlds and exploring alien planets. You can also find me in the local game store or on an airsoft field.