Sorry, I forgot to say I did find your link and read it, it was the brazil VPN element that was confusing me, as its like 2 guides/threads in one!
rp2000
I did this recently, it's very simple really but I think people were using free VPN's that didn't put the IP location in Brazil so they had issues.
First make sure you do not have an active gamepass sub
Then buy up to 3 years of Gold either UK or Brazil to get it even cheaper.
If using the Brazil codes, connect to a VPN with a server in Brazil and check your ip location shows you as being in that country.
Go to microsoft.com/redeem in an incognito window to avoid any saved logins, login to your MS account and redeem the live codes, do not accept the free month for renewing if you want to add 3 years as it will take you over the max 36 months.
Log out, turn vpn off and then either use the xbox app or website to use the £1 upgrade offer. If you have already had a gamepass sub you can buy a 1 month Ultimate code from CD Keys for £8.99 and just add that on the xbox app. It will say you are buying 1 month of ultimate but if you check your subscriptions after it will be prepaid until however months of Gold you had.
It's only when you add Gold to an Ultimate sub that you get the rubbish conversion and existing customers with an expired gamepass sub can do the same thing but they might not have the £1 offer so just use a 1 month prepaid code instead.
Mine works out at £2.30 a month