Xbox All Access: A pathway to Project Scarlett but read the fine print

Microsoft’s new Xbox All Access program provides a decent value and sensible pathway to upgrade to the next-gen Xbox, Project Scarlett, but read the fine print.

Don’t own an Xbox One? Planning on upgrading to whatever the next-gen Xbox will be (currently referred to as Project Scarlett)? Well, Microsoft has the perfect solution for you!

Announced today, Xbox All Access is a new program that allows you to purchase a brand new Xbox and finance it (through Citizens One) for 24 months, while also providing two years worth of access to Xbox Game Pass and a console upgrade option to Project Scarlett once it launches.

There are currently three options to choose from, varying in monthly price depending on which console you prefer.

The cheapest option is an all-digital Xbox One S for $19.99 a month (for 24 months). There mid-tier option is the standard Xbox One S for $22.99 a month (for 24 months). Both bundles provide 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and the option to upgrade to Project Scarlett after 18 months of payments. There is some fine print that’s worth reading, however, including the mention of a $20 upgrade fee from the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition.

The third and most expensive option is for the Xbox One X console bundle that costs $30.99 a month (for 24 months). A key difference here, besides the power of the current Xbox, is that you’re eligible for the upgrade after just 12 months.

At first glance, it sounds like a pretty straight-forward, simple and affordable path to upgrade. There’s no downpayment and you get access to Xbox Game Pass (which is already a great value). But that’s why it’s important to read the fine print.

The presentation of Xbox All Access makes it seem like you pay for 24 months and get a free upgrade to the next-gen Xbox console. However, that’s not the case. As the legal terms and conditions note:

"If you meet certain eligibility requirements, you are eligible to upgrade your Xbox console purchased with Xbox All Access to the next Xbox console (coming late 2020) after making the equivalent of 18 monthly payments. In order to upgrade, you must trade in your existing Xbox console (in good condition) and purchase the next Xbox console with Xbox All Access, under a new 24-month agreement."

The eligibility requirements continues to explain:

"You must agree to enter into a new 24-month Xbox All Access contract with Citizens One or another Microsoft-approved financing partner. Financing is subject to approval by such partner and will be provided in accordance with such partner’s applicable credit terms and conditions."

So you aren’t getting the next-gen Xbox for free. You’re getting the current Xbox One at a financed rate which, in turn, offers you the option to upgrade at another financed rate over another 24-month period.