VIP starter kit and existing free account

I have a friend with an existing free account that put the time into leveling up a couple of characters already ( they've never spent any $$ yet to make it a premium or VIP account ) and wondering if they can apply the code from the VIP starter kit.
I know at the NCsoft store it says "cannot be applied to existing VIP or Premium accounts." and " can only be used to activate a new account, and cannot be used to apply gametime to an existing City of Heroes® subscription."

Does anyone have info about applying a VIP starter kit code to an existing Free account or is a person forced to make a "new" account?

If your friend's account was created after Freedom launched, and they've never purchased Paragon Points, then they should be able to upgrade to VIP during the promotion.

If I buy the VIP starter kit, and use those points to buy a costume part and then I decide to go back to a free account will I keep those parts or will they become unavailable?

I'm just getting back into playing CoV after 6 or so years away and I am trying to make heads or tails of the whole free/pay player system.

Like what is the difference between Premium Players and VIP players? This chart explains in game differences but do they pay a different monthly fee?

Chart

http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Account - differences between accounts. VIPs pay a monthly subscription. Free/Premium users do not pay any monthly subscription.

Anything you actively unlock will remain unlocked (via Paragon Points, Reward Tokens, etc.)

Note that you can't use the starter kit if you're using your old City account, since the starter kit can only be used on accounts that have NEVER had money spent on them, ever, including old subs or box codes. If you started a new account to play, you'll be OK with the starter kit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

Ok that makes sense thank you.

I had to start a new free account since its been so long since I played I have no idea what any of my old info is.

Thanks for the info BP. I didn't realise the points would be at the end of the month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Justice Just remember that when the VIP status lapses she will lose access to the Invention System unless you purchase a monthly IO license or buy enough Paragon Points to move her up the Reward Tiers high enough to permanently unlock IO's (Tier 7 completed = 27 Reward Tokens earned).

She's just looking to craft wings. As a "VIP-4-Lifer" myself, I'm making some assumptions, but I would guess that after she crafts the wings, they will be available on that character after the VIP status expires. After that, we can use the 400 points toward other costume parts.

She won't be using any IOs yet. For now, she's more interested in dressing up and exploring the city.

Points, and Tokens, are awarded the same day every month, not when your time begins or ends.
(Edit: I guess it is just the Paragon Reward Token that is awarded around the 26th or so of every month. It doesn't come at the end of your month of time, just near the end of the actual month on the calendar.)


Edit:
Yes, she keeps the costume pieces she crafts, but only on that character sadly.

Also, I think she has the right idea about the game. If you aren't having fun enjoying the world and visuals then you may as well be an accountant.

She should get her first 400 PP right off the bat, I did when I used VIP starter. And isn't it still Points first of the month and reward tokens Last of the month/billing date?

I updated my secondary account with the 99 cent VIP kit this morning & when I logged the account in the 400 points were already there ... the reward token won't come 'till the end of the VIP month.