53% off the RRP, first time it's been sub-$40? Not bad timing if you were planning on picking up a PS5 on release (codes will stack), especially with all of the new games being added to PS Plus for PS5 owners.
Instructions to make a US PSN account http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2018/12/guide_how_to_create_a…
He means you wont be able to use Cloud Storage if you have separate AU account and you won’t be able to play DLCs on AU account if game is brought from US account.
But since you be using US account for everything so you don’t have to worry about it.
if you use the US PSN account as primary, then you will be fine but if you set that as primary and then use an AU/other region account, then you will miss out on cloud storage, unable to use even free dlc/themes/avatars.
Do I need to be "located" (VPN) in the US to use the US PSN or just login with a US account? - No VPN needed, you can just log into the US account.
Are there differences in the number of available games for US and AU? - There are generally more games on US PSN, and they are often cheaper
Can I buy a couple of these to get a, say, 3-year subscription? - Yes. PS+ stacks for multiple years. Mine goes up to December 2024.
Any downsides to going the US account route, from the perspective of a new user? - Payments can be a pain, sometimes PSN will not accept AU credit cards. In my case, I set up a US PayPal account and it works fine with an AU credit card linked to it. If this is an issue, just buy PSN credit off Amazon US or elsewhere. Also, movies/tv shows from PSN are regionally locked so you'll need to set up a smart DNS if you intend to rent/buy movies on US PSN.
I don't have an existing PS4, just waiting for my PS5, can I create a US PSN account (with the instructions in the link in the original post) without a console right now? - Yes you can.
Any other tips or thoughts to consider? - It is possible to run two PS+ accounts side by side. Currently both my AU account and US account have PS+, I only buy PS+ when it is on sale. A little more expensive than running one account, but at least I can get PS+ discounts on both stores and free games etc. I've done this just in case the US account becomes uneconomical to maintain (AU$ tanks etc). But really, running a US account is easy.
Up to $43.69 now
For anyone still curious, here’s a reply from CD Keys:
“All of our codes typically have an expiry date of one month, after which they can no longer be used”
![[US] PlayStation Plus 12 Month Membership Digital Code A$39.39 @ CD Keys](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/44/567044.jpg?h=e0b8700f)
what he meant was if you only made US Account for the sole purpose of PS Plus only and then use AU Account as your main gaming account and feed off PS Plus from US Account, you can play online with AU but you cant have the perks of PS Plus on AU Account. However, if you main use US Account for gaming on top of PS Plus then you get the perks. You will not miss on DLC. Example: AU Bought Game = AU Account to purchase DLC = US Account can then use the DLC bought by AU. But if AU Bought Game = Cannot buy DLC via US Account.
I've settled on this route of US Main Account for Gaming and Everything and AU Account for Game/DLC Purchases (I plan on Physical Games I got Disc Version)