This article describes the Microsoft Points system that you can use in Zune Marketplace.

Microsoft Points is a value storage system that is used by Zune, by Xbox Live, and by other Microsoft properties. You can purchase Microsoft Points and then redeem those points for digital content and for other items. When you purchase something, the Microsoft Points balance in your account is reduced by the number of points that the item cost.

You can purchase Points in the following ways:

By using a credit card at Zune.net

By using a credit card in the “Account Management” section of the Zune software

By purchasing a Microsoft Point card at a participating retailer and then redeeming the points at Zune.net or in the “Account Management” section of the Zune software

Note If you use an existing Windows Live ID for Xbox when you sign up for Zune, you can share Microsoft Points between Xbox and Zune.

There is a $150 limit on Microsoft Points that can be stored in an account. If you reach this limit, you must use some of the balance before you can add more points.

If you have insufficient points to buy an item, you can purchase additional points in Zune Marketplace by using the “Purchase MS Points” option in the "Account Management" section of the Zune software. You can view your Microsoft Points balance in the "Account Summary" section of Account Management. You can also view your points balance and your payment history on the Billing Account Management (BAM) Web site. For more information about BAM, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For Zune, the following increments of Microsoft Points amounts are available:

Purchase amount	Points
From participating retailers
$15.00 U.S.	1,200
$25.00 U.S.	2,000
$50.00 U.S.	4,000
From Zune.net or Zune Marketplace
$5.00 U.S.	400
$15.00 U.S.	1,200
$25.00 U.S.	2,000
$50.00 U.S.	4,000