Starting in March, Microsoft's program partner Passport Unlimited will be taking complete control over the Diamond program and will begin charging an annual fee. $6.95 a year to be exact. Registration is closed until the transfer is complete and current members will keep their membership free of charge until their 2008 expiration date when Passport Unlimited will require payment to renew. Honestly, the program isn't super useful and we don't see many people forking over $7 to keep access to a free Taco Johns softshell taco coupon. Then again, those tacos are mighty tasty.
[Via Gamertag Radio]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1-08-2008 @ 11:35AM
Tony said...
I signed up for this over a year and a half ago. I never received my card. Any time I'd try to sign in or request a new one it'd tell me I already did. I eventually just gave up... I'm not paying $7 to go through that again.
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1-08-2008 @ 11:37AM
Louis said...
Haha, seriously? Pay for the Diamond card. You have to be kidding me. That thing is so worthless.
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1-09-2008 @ 2:13AM
DWells55 said...
Agreed. Although this was a mostly worthless service, I think it's completely ridiculous that Microsoft is taking away benefits of Xbox Live Gold, especially in light of the recent troubles. For me this is really the straw that broke the camel's back and as a result I've written an open letter to Microsoft on their forums for anyone who's interested - http://forums.xbox.com/17809534/ShowPost.aspx
1-08-2008 @ 11:39AM
Lucipher said...
bahhhh......whatever. i just wanted it so i could have a card with my gamer tag on it. i have never used it for the coupon aspect. i will not be paying the new $7 fee. but, i will be keeping the card.
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1-08-2008 @ 1:27PM
ushman said...
Thats why I wanted one too, still haven't got it tho!
1-08-2008 @ 11:41AM
Adam said...
Maybe with the fee their will be better offers.
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1-08-2008 @ 11:42AM
Adam said...
there* fuck :(
1-08-2008 @ 1:53PM
elmersglue said...
thats what i was thinking
1-08-2008 @ 11:44AM
Knight Marquise said...
Hmm...have =never= used my diamond card, can't see why I'd pay anything to continue to not use it.
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1-08-2008 @ 11:44AM
Neon Jebus said...
Oh man, that's rich!
You have to be kidding me. Maybe they'll use the extra money to get Live up and running.
I want to sit in one of these meetings that result in decisions like this. I want to sit in one so that when I hear the suggestion be made, I can stand up, walk over to the one that said it, and smack them upside their head.
"Are you out of your ever lovin' mind you idiot!"
My Fanboy tastes are starting to sour and it isn't going to be much longer until I'm all about telling M$ to eat my backside. With syrup.
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1-08-2008 @ 11:50AM
AnOffday said...
I've had a card, but the offers suck. I remember one was like 10% off a home security system, and a free month of pet insurance. It's just the most retarded crap. Not too mention we already pay 50 bucks for Live. Looks like my card is going in the trash.
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1-08-2008 @ 12:07PM
Paul said...
yeah i know most of the offers are like that.....i remember when it first came out the only place i used it at was quiznos. they had a buy one get one free offer there for any sub. now that was a pretty good deal but then they just randomly stopped doing it. i haven't used my diamond card since then. like someone else said i wonder if the offers are going to get better since they are charging us for it now. i mean surely they have to get people to actually pay for these things.
1-08-2008 @ 11:51AM
Scott said...
I'm also in the "have it never used it" club. Its even in my wallet. But what, I have to memorize everywhere on the planet that I get a 5% discount if i buy a combo meal? And now you are going to charge for this chore?
Who are the ad wizards that came up with this one?
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1-08-2008 @ 11:52AM
Modeps said...
I got my card, I've never used it.
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1-08-2008 @ 11:53AM
andyg8180 said...
gheyyyyest thing ever... i used it for 10% off a target product... but i could have found another coup anywhere else... They have some frickin nerve charging us when XBOX LIVE IS SUCKING ASS AND IM PAYING $50 A YEAR FOR IT NOT TO WORK!!!
sorry...
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1-08-2008 @ 11:53AM
Neon Jebus said...
Also I didn't notice but you said something about Taco Johns Dustin.
Man that was one of the best parts of being in Iowa for a week. Taco John tater tots are amazing.
Sadly I had the coupon to Carl's Jr. for a free burito. I live in Indiana, which means we have Hardee's and they don't offer mexican food. And most of the other offers were terrible and just junk.
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1-08-2008 @ 4:58PM
Dustin Burg said...
Potato Oles do rock, especially with nacho cheese. Yummy!
1-08-2008 @ 11:55AM
Larry *not allowed to say cheevo* said...
Wow... really? First of all, it took me six months to receive my card, and I've never really used it. It's cool to have that little card with your gamertag on it, but membership fee? WTF? Whatever, good bye diamond card. I have to say that this development, while it doesn't really affect me, it's rather annoying. Nickels and dimes my friends.
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1-08-2008 @ 11:56AM
HazyCloud said...
For all those that have not used it, the diamond program offers rent one get one for movies and games at all Hollywood Video locations. That alone is worth my 7 bucks.
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1-08-2008 @ 11:59AM
Neon Jebus said...
I'm shocked you still have an open location near you. All the stores in my area shut down 3 months ago.