Originally Posted by
Hvinire
You will receive the pre-order items, but the registration code for the Windows collector's edition cannot be used with a pre-existing Windows service account. To receive the in game items for the collector's edition, please use the digital upgrade.
However, the PS3 version can be registered to an existing Windows account, which would allow you to receive the collector's edition items.
Square Enix accounts can hold up to 8 separate service accounts, so there's no need to create a separate one. As long as you create a separate service account, you should be fine with just one Square Enix account.
If you buy the PS3 collector's edition, you'll be able to receive the collector's edition items granted you register the PS3 version to your legacy account. However, if you purchase the Windows collector's edition, it cannot be registered to your account, as your legacy account is considered a pre-existing Windows account.
Legacy status accounts are still treated the same as standard edition accounts in FFXIV:ARR, so If you have no interest in the physical items that come with the collector's edition, and have no intentions of playing on the PS3, using the digital upgrade will allow you to receive the collector's edition items with your current account.