I made the call on 1/19/16, after resubscribing on 12/31/16 and my card processing on 1/1/16. I was told that because the advertisement had left my launcher, I was no longer eligible for the free game time. I was debating on resubbing, but the free time made my decision easier. I was well within the time frame to receive this offer, and I firmly believe that I should get it. If a time limit is imposed, then responding within that time should be honored. To me, this is a case of false advertising. I would not have resubscribed at this time if this offer was not available. I was also unaware that it was for select accounts, so my wife also resubscribed. We even went as far as to get our son to create an account and subscribed him, along with paying for a month for a good friend of ours. (a birthday gift)
I received a survey email with no survey link later that day. I proceeded to send a lengthy email describing the situation and how the situation was handled very poorly by the rep who answered my call. I even asked that a supervisor call me and provided my phone number.
CSR's response? An email stating that all account/billing issues were handled over the phone and to call them. REALLY????? I am not about to go through the hold time again, just to have someone read me a script instead of escalating the ticket as requested.
In short, I paid for 4 accounts, believing that all would get the free time because all were either new or resubs before the expiration date of the offer.
At this point, EA, unless things change, you are going to be losing accounts over this issue. Not just mine, either. There are plenty of other people out there, some of whom I see have posted here, that either have noticed this bait and switch or will be noticing it over the next two weeks.
