Which starter pack should you buy first?

For a first purchase, prioritise game access and a spend you can afford over a promised best ship. First Flight supplies the listed starter; its loaners let you sample mining, salvage and cargo for 30 days without buying three extra hulls. Their availability is not a performance recommendation.

If you are undecided, start with access and try the loaners

The official package catalogue checked on 25 October 2026 lists Star Citizen First Flight Pack. Its observed price is $45 on offer / $60 list, USD before tax. This is a dated source quote, not a guaranteed future checkout total. The former seven named starter packages were not in that listing or available at their earlier purchase links.

First Flight includes the RSI Aurora Mk II, Star Citizen Digital Download, 10,000 UEC and six-month insurance. Check the current product before paying. A standalone ship provides no new game licence, and spending more is optional.

Try three roles with 30-day loaners

The product description also includes 30-day loaner access to Drake Golem for mining, MISC Fortune for salvage and Crusader Intrepid for cargo. Those are temporary loans, not three permanent extra ships. Check your PC requirements and alpha expectations first; this is not our own gameplay benchmark.

Add your referral at signup or within 24 hours on a new unlinked account. You may buy later. The standard 50,000 account UEC benefit is separate from a promised alpha wallet or a checkout discount. Domux can earn a Recruitment Point when the account owns a Game Package and reaches $40 in eligible fresh-money spending; gifts and store credit do not count. Signup steps · Current starter guide.

Buying for someone else: the new gift checkout

Before choosing a package for a friend, check the recipient’s existing game access. RSI’s new gift flow uses the Buying as a gift? option at checkout; only products offering that option qualify. A ship without a game entitlement does not replace a Game Package. RSI’s 27 October FAQ says the new process takes effect on 30 October 2026. The recipient needs an RSI account with a confirmed email address to redeem the emailed gift code.

Gift orders cannot use store credit. The gift is sent automatically after the transaction completes. If unclaimed after 30 days, the buyer is refunded automatically. Existing Hangar gifts and gift codes keep their earlier rules. RSI says purchase referral credit stays with the buyer; receiving a gift does not satisfy the recipient’s own qualifying cash-spending requirement. Official gifting FAQ.

Check a protected access pledge before changing packages

A pledge marked as protected Game Access cannot be reclaimed for store credit or gifted, but can still be upgraded with a CCU. RSI named 1 November 2026 as the end of the selection window; do not assume you can freely move that protection later. Check the access marker and contents before planning a package exchange. RSI’s protected-access instructions · Official access FAQ. Sources checked 1 November 2026.