I'll just add my experience.

I think I started playing FFXIV last March/April. Decided I liked it and so signed up for a 6 month sub. Everything worked. I even purchased two more retainers since I'm such a pack rat. Then along comes October, It was at the same time as the Las Vegas Fan Fest. I get the notice that my sub was not renewed, despite it being on the same card that was used before. I did eventually find out about the 24hr lock out. That was after I had tried with three different banks. I could never get it to work.

Sadly because I enjoy FFXIV enough, I've been forced to go the time-card route. I've now purchased and used 2 60 day time cards. Even though it's the more expensive route, and I have to "consider if I'm still enjoying the game" every time I need buy another one.

I've really never experienced this type of situation in other games. We are literally saying "we would like to give you money" and the response is "No, Only if you stand on your head and use a hulu hoop and then maybe we might consider accepting your money".

I would also echo the "sell Crysta cards" suggestion. Good luck.