Can You Take Money Out of Your Battle.net Account?
The short, direct answer is no, you cannot directly withdraw money from your Battle.net account. Once funds are added to your Battle.net Balance, they are essentially locked within the Blizzard ecosystem. You cannot transfer this balance to any other payment method, such as PayPal, bank accounts, or credit cards. These funds are solely intended for purchasing digital products and services within the Battle.net platform. This is a crucial distinction to understand before adding funds to your Battle.net account.
Understanding Battle.net Balance
What is Battle.net Balance?
Battle.net Balance acts as a digital wallet within the Blizzard ecosystem. You can add funds to it using various payment methods, and then use that balance to purchase games, in-game items, services, and other digital content available on the Battle.net platform. Think of it as a closed-loop system, designed to facilitate transactions within its own sphere.
How to Get Battle.net Balance
You can obtain Battle.net Balance in a couple of ways:
- Purchasing directly from the Battle.net Shop: You can buy digital Battle.net Balance using a variety of payment methods that are supported. Be sure to check the restrictions to make sure that the method you’re selecting is compatible with the specific item you wish to buy.
- Redeeming Battle.net Gift Cards: These cards, often available at retailers, can be redeemed on your Battle.net account, adding their value to your Battle.net Balance.
- Gifts from other Battle.net users: While you can’t transfer balances, you can receive Battle.net Balance as a gift from another user who has bought it as a present from the Battle.net shop.
What Can You Do With Your Battle.net Balance?
Your Battle.net Balance can be used to purchase:
- Blizzard Games: This includes the digital versions of popular games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, StarCraft, and others.
- In-Game Items: Skins, mounts, loot boxes, and other cosmetic and gameplay-enhancing items can be purchased using your balance.
- Services: Game time subscriptions, character transfers, faction changes, and other account services are also available.
- Digital Content: Additional content like expansions, downloadable content (DLC), and virtual currency (like COD points) within Blizzard games.
Essentially, your balance is designed to give you flexibility within the Blizzard universe, but this convenience comes with the limitation of not being able to withdraw the funds.
Why Can’t You Withdraw From Battle.net?
This policy is in place for a variety of reasons, mainly:
- Closed-Loop Ecosystem: Blizzard wants to keep the funds within their ecosystem, promoting purchases within their digital storefronts.
- Transaction Efficiency: It streamlines the purchase process on their platform, simplifying transactions for users.
- Financial Control: It allows them tighter control over their financial transactions and reduces the complexities involved in handling various withdrawal requests.
- Security: It provides a more controlled and secure environment for financial transactions by reducing the need to directly manage withdrawals to various external banking systems.
Alternative Methods to Manage Your Funds
While you cannot directly withdraw your Battle.net Balance, there are a few alternatives you might consider:
- Gifting to Friends: If you have an excess of Battle.net Balance, you could purchase items or balance for your friends within the Battle.net community. This way, your funds can still be put to good use.
- Strategic Purchasing: Make sure that you have a specific item in mind that you intend to buy before you add funds to your Battle.net balance. This can reduce the amount of balance sitting unused on your account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Battle.net Balance
1. Can I transfer Battle.net Balance to another account?
No, it is not possible to directly transfer your Battle.net Balance to another user’s account. However, you can purchase Battle.net Balance as a gift for another account through the Battle.net shop.
2. Does Battle.net Balance expire?
No, currently there is no expiration date for Battle.net Balance once it has been added to your account. This means you can hold onto it for however long you choose without needing to worry about loss of funds.
3. Can I use a combination of my card and Battle.net Balance to pay for a purchase?
No, payments for Battle.net products cannot be split between multiple payment methods. If your balance isn’t sufficient for the product, you will need to first top up your Battle.net Balance to cover the full price.
4. How long does it take for my Battle.net Balance to appear after a purchase?
Usually, the balance appears within ten minutes of a successful purchase. However, in rare cases, it can be delayed up to 48 hours. You can review the status of your top-up order in your Transaction History page.
5. Can I get a refund for my Battle.net Balance?
Yes, Blizzard will refund purchases of Blizzard Balance within 14 days of purchase, as long as you haven’t spent the currency yet.
6. Can I purchase Call of Duty (COD) Points with my Battle.net Balance?
Yes, you can use your Battle.net Balance to purchase COD points within the Blizzard store if you play Call of Duty through the Battle.net app. You may need to top up your balance first.
7. What if I have trouble using my Battle.net Balance?
Make sure you are logged in to the correct Battle.net account with the balance. You will not see the option to pay with balance if there isn’t enough to cover the full price of the product. Balance can only be used in your own Blizzard account.
8. Can I sell my Battle.net games to get my money back?
No, your account and the games associated with it are licensed to you by Blizzard, not owned by you. Thus, they are not transferable, and you cannot sell them.
9. Can I use PayPal to add funds to my Battle.net Balance?
Yes, you can use PayPal to add funds, provided your PayPal account is verified and has a valid credit card or bank account associated with it.
10. Why can’t my Battle.net account make purchases?
Purchase restrictions may result from Parental Controls. You can adjust these settings in your Parental Controls Dashboard, or contact Blizzard support to remove them entirely.
11. What happens if my Battle.net account is banned?
Blizzard may ban or suspend accounts for violations of their in-game and forum policies. Check your email for details about the violation and any options for appeal.
12. Can I buy Overwatch Coins with my Battle.net Balance?
Yes, you can use your Battle.net Balance to buy Overwatch Coins as long as your balance can cover the full price, including any sales tax.
13. What happens if I initiate a chargeback on a Battle.net purchase?
Blizzard will likely remove the content from your account and in some cases may lock your account entirely. To resolve a chargeback you must contact Blizzard Support.
14. How can I redeem a Battle.net balance code?
Login to your Battle.net Account, click on your account name at the top right and select “Account Settings”. Then click the “Add a Game Key” button and enter the code.
15. Can I create a Battle.net account for my child?
In certain countries, children under a specific age cannot own a Battle.net account, it must be registered to a parent or guardian. Check local policies in your country before creating an account for a minor.
Conclusion
While the inability to withdraw funds from your Battle.net Balance can be a limitation, understanding its intended purpose helps to manage your finances within the Blizzard ecosystem. Remember that the Battle.net Balance is primarily for digital purchases within its own realm and is not intended to function as an open withdrawal account. By being aware of these guidelines, you can use your balance effectively and avoid any misunderstandings regarding its use.