Star Citizen gift cards and gifting explained
Give game access or store credit with a clear understanding of RSI's gifting restrictions and referral rules.
By Domux. Updated 2026-11-02.
Read this first: RSI offers both giftable pledges and gift cards. The recipient needs their own RSI account. A new account can use a referral code at registration, but receiving a gift does not satisfy the separate spending requirement for the referrer's Recruitment Point. RSI referral conditions
Choose between giving game access and giving store credit. Check your friend's existing access first so you do not buy a duplicate package or a standalone ship that lacks a game licence.
Does Star Citizen have gift cards?
Yes. An RSI gift card becomes store credit after the recipient accepts and reclaims it. It does not itself provide game access, increase the recipient's eligible cash spending or grant Backer status. See RSI's gift card instructions for the current waiting periods and redemption steps.
Keep signup rewards and recruiter spending separate
The standard referral reward is 50,000 account UEC for a new account registered with a valid code. Game access requires a Game Package outside public trials. The separate $40 USD fresh-money spending rule determines the referrer’s Recruitment Point, not a different signup bonus. Alpha aUEC crediting can be delayed when a code is added later.
Gift checkout changed on 30 October 2026
Sources checked 1 November 2026: RSI's 27 October gifting FAQ names 30 October as the start of the new process. It replaces buying a new pledge into your own Hangar to send later. Existing Hangar gifts and gift codes keep their earlier rules.
- Check the recipient's account and game access. They need an RSI account with a confirmed email address to claim the gift. A new account can be created after the gift email arrives. Follow the signup guide while referral entry is still available; the separate gift redemption code is not a referral code.
- Select Buying as a gift? at checkout. Only items offering that option can be gifted through the new process. The buyer must be signed in, and store credit cannot pay for a gift order.
- Expect automatic delivery. The recipient is emailed a redemption code after the transaction completes. They can use the email link or RSI's gift redemption page while signed in. The item appears in their Hangar when claimed; it does not first appear in the buyer's Hangar. Delivery cannot be scheduled for a later date.
If the gift remains unclaimed after 30 days, RSI says the buyer is automatically refunded and notified. The recipient receives the item's badges and perks, while purchase referral credit stays with the buyer. Receiving a gift still does not count as the recipient's own eligible fresh-money spending.
Check protected game access before planning a transfer
A protected Game Access pledge cannot be gifted or reclaimed for store credit. It can still be upgraded with a CCU. RSI named 1 November 2026 as the selection-window cutoff; do not assume that protection can be freely moved later. Check the marker in My Hangar and the official protected-access instructions before planning an exchange.
If your friend prefers to buy directly, they can create their own account using the signup link with the code and compare current starter packages. Reimbursing a purchase is an arrangement between you; it is not an RSI discount or a guarantee of an event reward.
Sources and updates
By Domux. Public RSI profile, enlisted 3 January 2016.
Edited 2 November 2026. Source checks and historic signup observations have separate dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can you gift Star Citizen to a friend?
RSI's gifting FAQ names 30 October 2026 for the new checkout process. Choose an item offering Buying as a gift?, use no store credit, and have the recipient redeem the emailed code on an RSI account with a confirmed email. Existing Hangar gifts and codes retain their earlier rules.
Does Star Citizen have gift cards?
Yes. The recipient accepts and reclaims the RSI gift card to receive store credit. This does not provide game access by itself or count as the recipient's cash spending or Backer status.
Do you get the referral bonus from a gifted Game Package?
Signup referral entry and a gift redemption code are separate. RSI says purchase referral credit stays with the buyer; receiving a gift does not satisfy the recipient's own qualifying fresh-money spend. Temporary event incentives have their own published rules.
What happens if the recipient does not claim the gift?
The new gifting FAQ says an unclaimed gift is automatically refunded to the buyer after 30 days. Gift delivery is automatic after the transaction and cannot be scheduled for later.
What is the best way to give Star Citizen as a gift?
Ask whether the recipient already owns game access. An eligible Game Package can provide access; a gift card provides store credit. If they prefer to choose their own package, compare current official offers and agree separately how you will cover the cost.
Ready to claim the 50,000 UEC?
The signup link pre-fills STAR-JTV7-FXLR. RSI advertises the bonus after buying a Game Package. The $40 fresh-money threshold determines the referrer's Recruitment Point.
Enlist with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR ✓ Verified referral code · Today: 13 November 2026Add the code at signup or within 24 hours of creating your account. That is not a deadline to buy. A free account can join public Free Fly events during their announced windows. Special event rewards have separate rules. RSI rules