Please help me understand payment methods!

Hey guys, I am really enjoying this game, nothing to complain about here!
One thing I don't understand completely is their payment methods.

I understand that I can choose to pay for the standard 30 days and if i pay for 60/90 days right away, I will get a little discount.
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I've been thinking about paying for 180 right now, as I know I will play for this long and of course I want to save a little wherever I can!

Here's the deal though, I don't really need more than the entry subscription, as I only will play on a single server and on one character. It does however seem like that I only can pay for an entry subscription 30 days forward, where the standard (and more expensive option) have the feature spoken about above. Is this a bug or is this how it's meant to be set up?

Also, is there any price difference paying in crysta compared to credit card?

I hope one of you can answer my question, thanks! :)

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/product/

Not sure if you looked at this page or if this even answers your questions sorry if you have and this isn't helpful to you.

I am not sure about crysta compared to credit card.

Sorry

Somebody with knowledge will have to answer your 1st part. As to Crysta there should be no difference between it and your CC. Personally I prefer Crysta. You can buy it anytime for the exact amount you want. It will just sit there til your sub comes due. for me it is better then hoping I have enough on my CC when the sub comes due.

The cost per month for the Standard 180 day and the Entry Subscription are the same price. Although, with the 180 day, you are paying for 6 months up front.

From a business standpoint, I believe part of the reason they don't allow you to select more than 30 days using the Entry Level Sub, is because of the Veteran Rewards. By choosing to pay the lower price, you cannot obtain all Veteran Rewards all at once.

Crysta price is the same from what my friend told me, it's just an alternate method for paying for folks that don't want to use a credit card or can't. If the price at 180 days is the same for entry or standard because of the discount I'd say don't question it and get the standard... you never know when you're going to wish you had a mule for storing extra crafting mats or need more sale slots for your financial empire :)