How to get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for only $5 for up to 36 months

The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription costs $15 every month, but there is a trick you can use to get up to 36 months for only $180 (or even less), bringing the cost down to $5 per month.

This is possible because Microsoft wants to lure users to the service, so the company has a promotion that allows you to bring any prepaid time you have left on Xbox Live Gold to the Game Pass service at the same rate.

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service that gives you unlimited access to download and play over 100 high-quality games using the Xbox Live network on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, or PC.

• How Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Ultimate works
• How to convert Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Ultimate

How Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Ultimate works

If you are a new Game Pass customer, you can add three years of prepaid Xbox Live Gold (which you can usually find online for $60 or sometimes even for $50). As you join the Game Pass Ultimate service, the process will allow you to convert the time left to the new service up to 36 months.

The only caveat is that anything higher than 36 months will be lost. As a result, it is best to get only as close as possible to make the most out of the deal.

For instance, if you have zero time left on Xbox Live Gold, you could get two 12-month prepaid paid cards or online codes. When you add each code, the process should prompt you to turn on recurring payments, and doing so should reward you with an extra month for each code you add, bringing the total to 26 months. And when you sign in for the first time for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, buying one month for $1, you will get three months free, bringing the total month count to 29.

If you can find the 12-month Xbox Live Gold prepaid subscription for $50 (usually in Newegg), the cost will be $101 for the 29 months of Game Pass. Instead of $435, if you paid $15 each month, you would save around $334.

How to convert Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Ultimate

To transfer your remaining Xbox Live Gold prepaid time to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft account.

2. Click the Service and subscriptions tab.

3. Under the “Xbox Live Gold” section, click the Manage link.

4. Click the Redeem a card or code link.

   

   Quick tip: You can always get a 12-month prepaid card on many online retailers, such as Amazon.

5. Confirm the 25-character code.

6. Click the Next button.

   

7. (Optional) Turn on the recurring payment options to get an additional month.

   

   Quick note: If you do not want recurring payment, you can turn it off from the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate settings in your Microsoft account.

8. Click the Confirm button.

9. Repeat steps No. 2 through 8 to redeem even more prepaid time.

10. Click the Service and subscriptions tab.

11. Under the “Xbox Live Gold” section, click the Manage link.

12. Under the “Payment settings: section, click the “Upgrade or cancel subscription for Xbox Live Gold” drop-down menu and select the Upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate option. (Or click this link to access the Game Pass Ultimate official page.)

    

13. Click the Join button.

    

14. Click the Continue button.

    

15. Click the Subscribe button.

    

Once you complete the steps, you can start using the Game Pass Ultimate benefits, including downloading and playing over 100 high-quality games, online gaming, xCloud game streaming, and exclusive discounts for purchasing games.

After the period ends, you will need to pay $14.99 per month to continue with the service, but you can always opt out and continue with the Xbox Live Gold membership only.

The only caveat about this is that it is a one-time deal for new Game Pass customers. After switching, adding more Xbox Live Gold prepaid time can be converted to Game Pass, but at an equivalent rate.

Update January 21, 2022: This guide was published on March 2021, and it’s been revised to make sure the process is still accurate. Although Microsoft may updated the website design, the steps still apply to complete the task.