the crysta option is a good deal if you do not have or want to use a debit or credit card. It is easy to buy. I use time card in Aion and wow and found it helpful just buy enough crysta to last you the year if you are the think ahead type. This waya you are not over purchasing. Plus also it keep you from ID theft by not putting your CC/ dc info up. I kore or less get 3 mnths worth so I'm only hving to buy it once every three mnths