Xbox All Access is a great option if you can’t afford outright to buy an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. It’s changed how gamers buy or upgrade new Xbox consoles for four years – offering players the option to pay for their Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S via a monthly payment plan rather than a one-off payment. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundled in, you’re getting serious value for your money.
In August 2018, Microsoft first announced the launch of Xbox All Access, a service that – at the time – was exclusive to the US and only applied to the Xbox One S or Xbox One X console. Now though, this model has been rolled out worldwide, allowing gamers to upgrade or purchase a new Xbox Series X|S at launch, and it’s still going.
But how exactly does Xbox All Access work, is it cheaper in the long run, and – most importantly – is it really the right payment option for you? We’ve put together this handy guide to tell you everything you need to know – including how to sign up and save cash on the Xbox Series X price.
Xbox All Access
Xbox All Access: where to order
Xbox Series X console orders have been live for the last two years, alongside those for the cheaper and less powerful Xbox Series S orders. So, if you’re looking to jump into an Xbox Series X|S today, you’re able to do so via Xbox All Access.
UK customers can join Xbox All Access to order their console too, either through Smyths (opens in new tab) Game (opens in new tab), or Microsoft (opens in new tab), right now. While stock levels were pretty much non-existent for the longest time, largely thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and global semiconductor shortage, supply has certainly eased in recent months.
For those in the US who wish to order via Xbox All Access, Best Buy (opens in new tab), GameStop, Target (opens in new tab), Microsoft Store (opens in new tab), and Walmart (opens in new tab) all offer the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S via Xbox All Access. Much like the UK, supply has also eased in the last few months, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a console.
What is Xbox All Access?
Xbox All Access is a subscription service that sees you pay a monthly cost towards your Xbox console, rather than paying a huge amount of money up front. It’s a bit like a mortgage – without the interest – or the way we pay for smartphone contracts.
The subscription service not only includes your Xbox console, but also bundles in 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. That grants access to cloud streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming, hundreds of Xbox games via Game Pass, over 60 EA games via EA Play and first-party Xbox titles, including the likes of Halo Infinite. All in return for a fixed two-year contract.
The Game Pass subscription applies to the platform on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Considering how many games Xbox Game Pass Ultimate grants access to, Xbox All Access could be a more affordable option for heavy-use gamers who can’t afford an upfront cost. The price of the console, plus the subscription service, comes in roughly just $10 more than the subscription service costs alone.
However, All Access could potentially work out to be a more expensive option in the long run for those unlikely to use these add-on services.
Xbox All Access: how much does it cost?
The amount you pay per month depends on which console you decide to ‘subscribe’ to. The Xbox Series X bundle will set you back $34.99 / £28.99 / AU$46 per month, with a fixed contact of 24 months. This bundle includes 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and is available now. An Xbox Series X has an upfront cost of $499 / £449 / AU$749.
The Xbox Series S bundle will set you back $24.99 / £20.99 / AU$33 per month, with a fixed contact of 24 months. This bundle includes 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and, like the Xbox Series X bundle, is also available now. An Xbox Series S will have an upfront cost of $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499.
There is no upfront cost and 0% APR, either. You will, however, start being charged interest if you miss two consecutive payments, so we don’t recommend signing up unless you have stable income. We cannot emphasize this enough, Xbox All Access is a contract and missing payments could negatively affect your credit score. It’s not a subscription service to be entered into lightly.
Xbox All Access: important things to know
Before you sign up for Xbox All Access there are some crucial details to be aware of:
If you return the console, you are still responsible to pay for Xbox Game Pass
Xbox All Access is subject to the Microsoft Store standard return policy. This means your chosen console has a 30-day return policy. However Xbox Game Pass is not returnable and is non-refundable. It’s also worth noting you can’t revert Game Pass Ultimate back to a standard Game Pass package once you’re signed up – nor can you cancel it to reduce payments.
Can I cancel Xbox All Access?
The short answer is no, when you purchase the bundle you are signing up for a 24-month contract – which isn’t to be taken lightly. But check with the retailer you purchase from.
It’s yours to keep after the two years
Signing up for Xbox All Access apparently means you own the console and the 24 month Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold memberships outright upon purchase. But, in reality, until you make all your payments, it’s not really yours – which is why Microsoft asks for your current console back when you choose to upgrade before the minimum payment time.
Microsoft Limited Warranty only covers the Xbox console for one year (90 days for the controller and accessories)
If it malfunctions after that then you are responsible for any repair costs and monthly payments will continue until the remaining balance on your Dell Preferred Account is paid in full.
Outstanding balances at the end of 24 months are subject to APR
Rates range from 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR. The Minimum Interest Charge is $2.
A full credit search needs to be conducted
To sign up for Xbox All Access you need to sign up for a credit agreement with the relevant financier for your region In the UK, this is Klarna Bank AB, who will run a full credit search on you. To apply through Klarna, you must be a permanent UK resident, and be at least 18 years of age.
“When you apply for Financing with Klarna, Klarna will make a full credit search with credit reference agencies who will supply credit information,” the Xbox All Access FAQs state. “The agencies will record details of the search, which can be seen on your credit file, whether or not credit is granted. This record will also be visible to third parties and may affect other organizations’ future decisions on whether or not to provide you with credit. For any questions relating to the credit check process, contact Klarna’s customer support team. Missed and late payments will be reported to credit bureaus and could impact your credit score.”
In the US, Xbox All access finance is provided by Citizens One, so you need to open a Citizens One Line of Credit. Citizens One has no fees, but late payments may be reported to the credit bureaus. Like with Klarna, a full credit check will be run before your line of credit is approved.
More information is available at Microsoft’s website (opens in new tab).
Xbox All Access: available countries
Xbox All Access had a limited launch initially. Previously available in just the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, Microsoft has since rolled out the service to even more countries worldwide.
Here are the countries and retailers that will have Xbox All Access:
- Australia at Telstra
- Canada at EB Games
- Denmark at Elgiganten
- Finland at Gigantti
- France at FNAC
- New Zealand at Spark
- Norway at Elkjøp
- Poland at Media Expert
- Portugal at Worten
- South Korea at SK Telecom
- Sweden at Elgiganten
- UK at GAME and Smyths Toys
- United States at Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Microsoft Store, and Walmart
Xbox All Access games
Xbox All Access doesn’t explicitly come with games, but the inclusion of 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the bundle sees you getting access to loads of top Xbox titles.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate grants access to over 400 Xbox games via Game Pass, some of which are available to play on Android mobile devices, thanks to Xbox Cloud Gaming. Game Pass titles include the complete Gears of War, Forza, and Halo series’, plus much more.
In addition, you’ll have access to the biggest first-party Xbox titles as they launch, like Hellblade 2. EA Play has been included in the subscription service since 2020, granting players access to more than 60 of EA’s top games including FIFA 22, Need for Speed and The Sims; while Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda means Skyrim and Fallout also joined the service.
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