Time between end of EA and offical release

[Scratches]

does anyone know if you have to set up a payment play for the early access?

You don't.

Non-1.0 (new) players have until the 30th to apply a product code from the box, which gives them an extra 30 days.
1.0 players (legacy or not), have until the 10th to apply either a product code from the PS3 version (which will give them an extra 30 days) or payment information of some sort (cc / time card / crysta).
And since nothing is required to play until those dates (aside from pre-ordering or being a previous player), you're fine...