UEC vs aUEC: your bonus and your game purchase
Maintained by Domux. Editorial approach and referral disclosure
Keep the game price and your bonus credits separate. A referral adds 50,000 account UEC; buying access still uses money at RSI checkout. Here is how the four currencies work.
Create your RSI account with this code for the standard 50,000 UEC signup benefit. The Game Package price stays the same.
STAR-JTV7-FXLR Create account with code ✓ Verified referral code · Today: 3 October 2026The two balances a new pilot will see
UEC
For the released gameUnited Earth Credits are associated with your RSI account. The standard referral reward belongs here. RSI describes UEC as the currency for the final game's economy.
Check the account currency summary on the RSI website. UEC bundled with a pledge appears in that pledge's My Hangar contents and is treated separately.
aUEC
Can persist or resetAlpha United Earth Credits are earned and spent in the game during testing. Missions and current in-game shops use this temporary currency.
Patch notes explain whether the wallet carries over. Alpha gains and losses do not change your account UEC for release.
The currencies outside that alpha wallet
REC
Rental Equipment Credits are earned in Arena Commander and used there to rent equipment. They do not pay for a Star Citizen Game Package.
Store Credit
Store Credit comes from reclaiming eligible pledges or redeeming gift cards. It can pay toward eligible RSI store purchases. UEC and aUEC cannot be substituted for it. RSI currency definitions
Store-credit spending and gifted pledges do not count toward the referrer's $40 qualifying-spend requirement. RSI referral conditions
Which currency pays for what?
| Currency | Used for | Where to check it |
|---|---|---|
| UEC | Account credits for the released game; non-package UEC can contribute to alpha starting credits under RSI rules. | RSI account summary. Package credits are listed separately in My Hangar. |
| aUEC | Purchases and mission rewards inside alpha. | In-game wallet. |
| REC | Arena Commander equipment rentals. | Arena Commander. |
| Store Credit | Eligible purchases on the RSI Pledge Store. | RSI account and checkout. |
Can your referral bonus help while testing?
It can. With no existing aUEC balance to carry over, RSI builds the starting wallet from the patch's base amount plus UEC on the account outside a Game Package. Referral account credits can contribute through this rule. Credits included inside a package are excluded.
A code added in the 24 hour grace period may take longer to affect alpha aUEC. Add it at registration if you can, and check the account association if the balances differ.
Do you need to buy extra UEC?
Extra UEC is not required to obtain game access. Buy the Game Package you want and earn aUEC through missions during alpha. The referral reward is a separate account benefit, with no extra charge for using the code.
For an actual discount, compare official package offers or an eligible subscriber coupon. Account credits do not reduce the checkout invoice. Compare starter packs. RSI subscriber coupon terms
Earn alpha credits before buying more equipment
Use the missions available in your current build. Start with an activity your ship and equipment support, then check the mission's payout and requirements in-game. We do not promise a fixed income or a fastest route.
Mining requires the appropriate mining equipment; salvage has its own ships and tools. Do not buy a specialised ship because an old income guide quoted a payout. Follow the first-hour guide before optional spending.
What happens when the alpha wallet resets?
RSI's patch notes determine whether alpha progress carries over. A reset need not happen at every major version. aUEC is temporary, and losses or gains during testing do not affect your account UEC for the final game.
To check a missing balance, read RSI's currency definitions and the referral timing rules. Keep the account bonus, package UEC and alpha wallet separate.
FAQ
What is UEC in Star Citizen?
United Earth Credits are associated with your RSI account. RSI describes them as the released game economy currency. The standard referral reward adds 50,000 account UEC.
What is aUEC in Star Citizen?
aUEC is the temporary currency earned and spent during alpha testing. Its starting amount and persistence depend on the current patch.
What is the difference between UEC and aUEC?
UEC is account currency for release; aUEC is the alpha wallet. When no alpha wallet carries over, non-package account UEC is added to the patch base starting amount. Package UEC is excluded.
Can I convert UEC to aUEC?
Current alpha purchases use aUEC. Non-package UEC can contribute to a fresh alpha starting balance under RSI rules. Alpha purchases are paid in aUEC; account UEC follows the starting-balance treatment described by RSI.
Does the 50,000 UEC referral bonus reset on patches?
Alpha aUEC may reset or persist according to patch notes. RSI states that alpha gains or losses do not affect account UEC for release.
How do I earn UEC?
During alpha, gameplay pays aUEC. The standard referral reward is account UEC. Buying additional UEC is not necessary for game access.
What is REC?
REC means Rental Equipment Credits. Earned in Arena Commander, it is used for equipment rentals in that mode.