How do I get a US Sirius Subscription? - Page 3 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

garbat · 2009-01-20, 12:12 PM

For those who signed up for the US sub, did you provide a Canadian billing address for your credit cards, and if so was this on-line (can you even do this) or on the phone.

Wouldn't they balk at this (at that point its got to look like a Canadian trying to get a US sub).

I really want to be able to get Sirius with the Best of XM (and can't wait for the merger talks here to come to a conclusion), however figured I would have to change the billing address for the CC to a US address. All info is appreciated.

Cheers.... Gary

starchoice · 2009-01-20, 02:18 PM

I doubt that you would be able to change your cc address to a US address. You would likely have to get a US card.

Why complicate things?

Call them and give them your "US address". Give them your credit card number. I've never had one refused. Some people claim they've been refused. If they refuse your card (and you don't want to push the matter), just tell them to bill you. Once you are in the system, go online and change your billing to cc and put in your number. At this point, you are not asked to put in a billing address for your cc.

I have never had a problem and I have 2 separate U.S. subs.

AFF · 2009-01-20, 02:35 PM

I finally got my US sub renewed. I had to use my Mastercard rather than my new Visa. When I tried my visa on the web it said that my visa billing address didn't match my Sirius "address". I tried my Mastercard and there was no issues.

garbat · 2009-01-20, 02:47 PM

You can actually change your billing address to a US address. Worked in Washington for a while (Monday through Friday) and changed one of my cards to down there for ordering things - much easier.

Since then, have also done it for a week to order something and have it shipped to a family member there (then switched it back).

That said would rather not do that if I don't have to. Will try the MasterCard option and see if that works without changing it.

Now the decision is when to do it (do I wait for a "sale" on a receiver or wait for the Mirage in May). Too many options.

verbatim · 2009-01-22, 10:55 AM

I just used the same U.S. address I gave them for my billing address also. They don't check. It's not a requirement for them to provide a billing address in order to charge your credit card. Companies can use it to verify that you aren't using a stolen card by verifying it with the credit card company, but they do not HAVE to check. In my case, I signed up for a lifetime subscription of Sirus plus Best of XM, and the charge showed up on my visa (checked online). I never gave them my real billing address over the phone. That was 9 days ago.

mickk · 2009-01-30, 12:20 PM

Quote:

if it's an older radio, it would depend on how old the chip in it is. Since you received your radio for Christmas, you should have no worries. All you need now is a US address and you'll be all set.

Well im out then after finding someone i know in the US. i don't think my old kenwood sirius box i got in 2006(purchased from sirius canada website) connected to my 2003 headunit in my car will work with US sub.

Guinnydog · 2009-02-05, 09:27 PM

I have had a US account for the past 4 years. I live in Vancouver and have friends living in Seattle. I use their address for both billing and contact, but use my own phone number and email address. I pay using my credit card. Never had a problem.

rileyparrish · 2009-02-06, 12:53 PM

They can tell if you are using a Canadian issued credit card, the BEST and EASIEST way to get a US subscription is to go to: www.xmfan.com, order a gift card from their store and they will e-mail you the code. Then call XM US or activate online using the gift card code and you are good to go, no credit card needed(except for verification they just may need the # but it doesn't matter).

mickk · 2009-02-09, 06:01 PM

yea but what do you do when the card is up? keep buying codes?

hockeymancw · 2009-02-10, 10:17 AM

I have heard that once you have an account, they will accept a canadian cc. So sign up with a gift card, then go online and add your credit card to the account. I switched credit cards this summer online without issue.

rileyparrish · 2009-02-10, 04:51 PM

Yes i can confirm this as well, the only reason for the initial gift card is because they VERIFY where the credit card is from during initial sign-up, after that you can put in whatever you want and it'll be fine.

Newb777 · 2009-04-07, 10:57 PM

This thread is a few months old and the wife is getting sick of listening to the crap on the radio. I can't stand French radio (no offense to the french, I love their movies just not french radio programming when I have to pay for it).

Just to clarify. Can I buy a brand new Sirius Radio from Costco, Best Buy, or Visions and hook up a US subscription to it? I'm still unclear if that's doable or not and if I can do it online or must I do it over the telephone via their special US number?

starchoice · 2009-04-08, 02:18 PM

Getting a U.S. sub is more user friendly with XM. You can also get a cheaper rate.

Newb777 · 2009-04-08, 09:02 PM

yeah, i heard that. except the hardware specials are not as good as with sirius though. in addition, nobody from sirius canada or usa is willing to say or [write] one way or another if having a canadian radio with a US sub will give you Canadian stations, aka as french channels. in absence of definitive proof, all we have is hearsay.

starchoice · 2009-04-08, 10:08 PM

XM U.S. has ALL the channels and this includes the French channels. Everything on a Canadian sub is on a U.S. XM sub.

I don't know what your gripe is with French channels. If you don't like a channel, you are not forced to listen to it. Change the channel!

I have never compared hardware prices but like anything else, there have been some great deals on XM hardware.

I haven't taken a count of French channels but I'm pretty sure there is no more than two or three.

2009-02-06, 12:53 PM	#38
rileyparrish Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rogers Specialist, Downtown Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 578	They can tell if you are using a Canadian issued credit card, the BEST and EASIEST way to get a US subscription is to go to: www.xmfan.com, order a gift card from their store and they will e-mail you the code. Then call XM US or activate online using the gift card code and you are good to go, no credit card needed(except for verification they just may need the # but it doesn't matter). __________________ Shaw Xtreme-I,HD(DCT3416),Phone \| Iphone 3GS,BlackBerry Bold (Rogers) \| 42" 1080P,7.1 Sound,Xbox 360 Elite,Blu-ray HTPC

2009-02-10, 04:51 PM	#41
rileyparrish Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rogers Specialist, Downtown Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 578	Yes i can confirm this as well, the only reason for the initial gift card is because they VERIFY where the credit card is from during initial sign-up, after that you can put in whatever you want and it'll be fine. __________________ Shaw Xtreme-I,HD(DCT3416),Phone \| Iphone 3GS,BlackBerry Bold (Rogers) \| 42" 1080P,7.1 Sound,Xbox 360 Elite,Blu-ray HTPC

2009-04-07, 10:57 PM	#42
Newb777 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	*Bump* This thread is a few months old and the wife is getting sick of listening to the crap on the radio. I can't stand French radio (no offense to the french, I love their movies just not french radio programming when I have to pay for it). Just to clarify. Can I buy a brand new Sirius Radio from Costco, Best Buy, or Visions and hook up a US subscription to it? I'm still unclear if that's doable or not and if I can do it online or must I do it over the telephone via their special US number?

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2009-01-20, 12:12 PM	#31
garbat Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5	For those who signed up for the US sub, did you provide a Canadian billing address for your credit cards, and if so was this on-line (can you even do this) or on the phone. Wouldn't they balk at this (at that point its got to look like a Canadian trying to get a US sub). I really want to be able to get Sirius with the Best of XM (and can't wait for the merger talks here to come to a conclusion), however figured I would have to change the billing address for the CC to a US address. All info is appreciated. Cheers.... Gary

2009-01-20, 02:18 PM	#32
starchoice Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,782	I doubt that you would be able to change your cc address to a US address. You would likely have to get a US card. Why complicate things? Call them and give them your "US address". Give them your credit card number. I've never had one refused. Some people claim they've been refused. If they refuse your card (and you don't want to push the matter), just tell them to bill you. Once you are in the system, go online and change your billing to cc and put in your number. At this point, you are not asked to put in a billing address for your cc. I have never had a problem and I have 2 separate U.S. subs.

2009-01-20, 02:35 PM	#33
AFF Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 671	I finally got my US sub renewed. I had to use my Mastercard rather than my new Visa. When I tried my visa on the web it said that my visa billing address didn't match my Sirius "address". I tried my Mastercard and there was no issues.

2009-01-20, 02:47 PM	#34
garbat Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5	You can actually change your billing address to a US address. Worked in Washington for a while (Monday through Friday) and changed one of my cards to down there for ordering things - much easier. Since then, have also done it for a week to order something and have it shipped to a family member there (then switched it back). That said would rather not do that if I don't have to. Will try the MasterCard option and see if that works without changing it. Now the decision is when to do it (do I wait for a "sale" on a receiver or wait for the Mirage in May). Too many options.

2009-01-22, 10:55 AM	#35
verbatim Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5	I just used the same U.S. address I gave them for my billing address also. They don't check. It's not a requirement for them to provide a billing address in order to charge your credit card. Companies can use it to verify that you aren't using a stolen card by verifying it with the credit card company, but they do not HAVE to check. In my case, I signed up for a lifetime subscription of Sirus plus Best of XM, and the charge showed up on my visa (checked online). I never gave them my real billing address over the phone. That was 9 days ago.

2009-02-05, 09:27 PM	#37
Guinnydog Rookie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	I have had a US account for the past 4 years. I live in Vancouver and have friends living in Seattle. I use their address for both billing and contact, but use my own phone number and email address. I pay using my credit card. Never had a problem.

2009-02-09, 06:01 PM	#39
mickk Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 517	yea but what do you do when the card is up? keep buying codes?

2009-02-10, 10:17 AM	#40
hockeymancw Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Calgary Posts: 937	I have heard that once you have an account, they will accept a canadian cc. So sign up with a gift card, then go online and add your credit card to the account. I switched credit cards this summer online without issue.

2009-04-08, 02:18 PM	#43
starchoice Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,782	Getting a U.S. sub is more user friendly with XM. You can also get a cheaper rate.

2009-04-08, 09:02 PM	#44
Newb777 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 295	yeah, i heard that. except the hardware specials are not as good as with sirius though. in addition, nobody from sirius canada or usa is willing to say or [write] one way or another if having a canadian radio with a US sub will give you Canadian stations, aka as french channels. in absence of definitive proof, all we have is hearsay.

2009-04-08, 10:08 PM	#45
starchoice Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,782	XM U.S. has ALL the channels and this includes the French channels. Everything on a Canadian sub is on a U.S. XM sub. I don't know what your gripe is with French channels. If you don't like a channel, you are not forced to listen to it. Change the channel! I have never compared hardware prices but like anything else, there have been some great deals on XM hardware. I haven't taken a count of French channels but I'm pretty sure there is no more than two or three.