[2022] 360 days of premium is on sale now

The simple answer is just to enjoy the game without Premium Account. You earn Premium Ships over time through accrual of Coal as well as participation in events, so they can provide assistance with credit griding should you be eyeing higher tier ships that have higher service costs.

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If you did want a "Pay-As-You-Go" system, there are short-term options:

https://na.wargaming.net/shop/wows/premium/ps_p_12869/

This is $3 and provides 2 Days of Premium Account ($2 value) as well as 500 Doubloons ($2 value)

https://na.wargaming.net/shop/wows/premium/ps_p_12849/

This is $1 for 1 Day of Premium Account. If you have the intention to play a lot during a single day.

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Use of the $48 for 360 Days (or 12,000 Doubloons purchased in-client) is very efficient in a long term sense. In effect, the heavy discount factors in the days which could be missed. That being said, if you play routinely then it does amount to a significant benefit.