Do you have to buy and subscribe to World of Warcraft?

Question

I just started playing World of Warcraft, I am on the Starter Edition, which allows you to level up to level 20. After you reach level 20 I know you need to buy the actual game, but when you buy the game to you also have to subscribe to it?

Answer 1

Yes, you'll have to buy the game as well as subscribe if you want to keep playing past level 20. However, when you buy the game (for $20), you get a free month (normally $15).

Answer 2

You can buy wow gamecards instead of subscribing if you don't want to (or can't) use a credit card to subscribe. You do have to have a credit card though to activate your account, which won't be charged if you cancel the subscription right away.

Quote from http://us.battle.net/support/en/article/account-creation-faq:

Keep in mind that you are not billed for the first month of the game. Thus, if you want to set up your account immediately, you can use a credit card. Then you can easily change your payment method at any time during your free month, before your paid subscription starts.

Also you can find online stores that sell wow gamecards with a discount which can be a real money saver.