UEC, and what the 50,000 bonus buys
The in-game currency explained, and what the signup bonus actually covers.
UEC is the money inside Star Citizen. The referral code gives a new account 50,000 UEC of it. Here is what UEC is, the aUEC twist, and exactly what 50,000 of it kits out.
What UEC is
UEC stands for United Earth Credits, the persistent in-game currency tied to your RSI account. You spend it on gear, weapons, ship components, rentals and consumables. The 50,000 UEC from the referral code is added to your account after a $40+ Game Package purchase.
UEC vs aUEC (the one bit of jargon)
Inside the live alpha you mostly handle aUEC (alpha UEC), the spendable currency that can be reset during a patch wipe. UEC on your account is the persistent balance. In practice the referral bonus gives you a large lump to start with, and you earn aUEC by playing. Do not overthink the distinction, the point is you start with a full wallet instead of an empty one.
What 50,000 UEC actually buys
| Item | Typical cost | Covered? |
|---|---|---|
| Medium armour set (full) | ~16,000 to 22,000 UEC | Yes |
| Primary weapon + magazines | ~7,000 to 12,000 UEC | Yes |
| Sidearm, multi-tool, meds | ~3,500 to 5,500 UEC | Yes |
| Food and drink for several runs | ~1,000 to 2,500 UEC | Yes |
| A ship-component upgrade | ~8,000 to 15,000 UEC | Often |
| A fresh character lands fully kitted, with a little spare. That is the value of starting with 50,000 UEC. | ||
In-game prices shift between patches, so treat these as ballpark. The takeaway holds: 50,000 UEC is a meaningful head start, not pocket change.
Frequently asked questions
What is UEC in Star Citizen?
United Earth Credits, the in-game currency tied to your RSI account. You spend it on gear, components, rentals and consumables. The referral code gives a new account 50,000 UEC of it.
What does 50,000 UEC buy?
Enough to fully kit a fresh character: a medium armour set, a primary weapon with magazines, a sidearm, multi-tool, meds, food and drink, with some left for a ship-component upgrade.
What is the difference between UEC and aUEC?
UEC is the persistent account balance. aUEC is the spendable currency inside the live alpha that can reset during a patch wipe. The referral bonus gives you a large starting lump either way.
Ready to claim the 50,000 UEC?
One click pre-fills STAR-JTV7-FXLR into the RSI signup form. Finish the account, buy a $40 or larger Game Package, the bonus is yours.
Enlist with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR