So 1.0 owners have to start paying the monthly fee immediately?

[Nix]

It is proof that they are still giving the free trial.

<psst> its called B3 and B4.

B3 and B4 are not free trials.

You don't sell a game, say "Here's 30 days free!... But you could have only redeemed those 30 days during beta."

Free trial means you are waived a subscription fee during a time when you would normally have to pay.
Last time I checked, people don't pay for beta access.

[Duuude007]

B3 and B4 are not free trials.

Then why would Yoshida say it is.

- All FFXIV service account holders qualify as testers in phase 3.

[source]

You get free access if you played 1.0, without need to apply to beta. In B3 practically everything in launch is present.
You can try it out as if it were the international Open beta. There are no preconditions that you must treat it as a bug-hunting test to gain access to phase 3. Only a partial NDA.

tri·al (trl, trl) n.

• The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof: a trial of one's faith.
• An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments: a clinical trial of a drug.
• An effort or attempt: succeeded on the third trial.

Trial. 'Nuff said.