Description of the Microsoft Points system for Zune

This article describes the Microsoft Points system and the "Pay as you go" option that you can use in the Zune Marketplace.

Microsoft Points is a value storage system that is used by Zune, by Xbox LIVE, and by other Microsoft properties. You can purchase Microsoft Points, and then you can redeem those points for digital content and for other items. When you purchase something, the Microsoft Points balance in your account is reduced by the number of points that the item cost.

You can also purchase content in the Zune Marketplace by using the "Pay as you go" option. By using this option, you can purchase Microsoft Points for your Zune account, and then you can redeem those points for digital content in the Zune Marketplace. The "Pay as you go" option has the following benefits:

• A credit card is not required if you purchase points from a participating retailer.
• You own the content that you purchase by using points.
• You can burn to a CD any music or music videos that you purchase by using points.
  Exception You cannot burn "Download to Own" TV videos to a CD.

You can purchase points in the following ways:

• By using a credit card at Zune.net
• By using a credit card in the Zune Software by clicking Settings, clicking Account, and then clicking Buy Points
• By purchasing a Microsoft Point card at a participating retailer and then redeeming the points at Zune.net or in the Zune Software by clicking Settings, clicking Account, and then clicking Redeem code

Note If you use an existing Windows Live ID for Xbox when you sign up for Zune, you can share Microsoft Points between Xbox and Zune.

You can use the following forms of payment to purchase Zune Points at Zune.net:

• Credit cards: Visa, Master Card, Discovery, and American Express
• Debit cards: Visa and Master Card
  
  Note You must meet the following requirements to use a debit card for a Zune subscription:
  • Your debit card must have either a Visa logo or MasterCard logo.
  • Your debit card cannot have restrictions on subscription-based or Internet purchases.
    Note If you do not know whether your debit card has restrictions on subscription-based or Internet purchases, contact the financial institution that issued the card for more information.
  • You must have more than $1 available in your debit card account.

If you have insufficient points to buy an item, you can purchase additional points in the Zune Marketplace by using the Buy Points option when you purchase content. To view your current point balance, click Settings, and then click Account in the Zune software. You can also view your points balance and your payment history on the Billing Account Management (BAM) Web site. For more information about BAM, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For Zune, the following increments of Microsoft Points amounts are available: