On changing the alternate e-mail address the message from Microsoft was that this could not be used for 4 weeks.  I duly waited 4 weeks and then changed the billing information [about 10 days ago] to include the new credit card number, though there was no facility to delete the old number - only to add the new one.

I am now informed that my ad-free account will be closed.

In addition to the actions I took above, I tried calling customer support - fairly early in the morning, several weeks ago - holding on for some 40 mins but receiving no reply.

I am appalled that Microsoft make an operation as simple as changing a credit card number so utterly difficult and frustrating - and treat customers with such disdain.  Even the title of this page is annoying: I don't want to 'create a question or start a discussion '  I JUST WANT YOU TO TELL ME - A REASONABLY INTELLIGENT PERSON - HOW TO RENEW MY CREDIT CARD DETAILS OR HOW TO CONTACT SOMEONE AT MICROSOFT WHO WILL PERFORM THIS SIMPLE OPERATION.  No other company I know of makes things so difficult.

Peter Evans, Edinburgh 2/11/13