All articles tagged with #microsoft rewards
Microsoft Rewards is set to receive a major May 2026 overhaul across Europe and other regions, renaming Level 1/2 to Silver/Gold and adding a Bing STAR Bonus that can award up to 2100 points per month. The rollout is region-specific and may differ by country, with the US not yet affected.
Microsoft is broadening its Rewards overhaul to UK and several additional countries in May, introducing three participation levels (Member, Silver, Gold) with lower daily search-point caps (15, 30, 60) and a Bing Star Bonus offering up to 300/900/2,100 points per month for genuine Bing searches; a future option to spend Rewards points directly on Xbox consoles is also on the way, though rollout timing outside the UK is not fully known.
Microsoft confirms that Xbox players will soon be able to spend Microsoft Rewards points directly at checkout in the Xbox Marketplace on consoles, though points can’t be used to redeem subscriptions. Game Pass subscribers can earn more points (up to four times) — double points for Premium, quadruple for Ultimate — when playing and shopping. The piece also notes a leadership shift, with Asha Sharma now Xbox CEO and signaling a renewed focus on loyal players, including discussions about Game Pass pricing and even Netflix bundling, though no date for the new points feature was announced.
Microsoft Rewards members can claim up to 10% off Xbox store credit on gift cards, available until October 14, 2025, offering a limited-time opportunity to save money on Xbox purchases by redeeming reward points.
Microsoft Rewards has launched a limited-time sale offering up to 10% off on select gift cards, including Xbox, with the discounts available until October 14, 2025, or while supplies last. The sale requires being a Level 2 member and is available in eligible regions, with discounts on Xbox, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon gift cards.
Microsoft Rewards is hosting a special Fall Savings sale in October, offering more value for points on gift cards for Xbox, Amazon, Starbucks, and Roblox, encouraging users to save their points for this promotion, though specific dates and regions are yet to be announced.
Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 in October 2025 but offers ways to extend support, including a free method using OneDrive backup and Microsoft Rewards points, or paid options through the ESU program. Upgrading to Windows 11 is free, but hardware requirements and user familiarity are barriers for some users.
Microsoft has released a major Xbox update that enhances cloud gaming by allowing users to stream their owned digital games on PC, with seamless save data transfer across devices, and now also enables earning Microsoft Rewards points through PC gameplay, significantly improving the gaming experience across platforms.
Microsoft has expanded its Xbox PC app to allow Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream their Xbox library, including console exclusives, directly to their PCs. The update also improves cross-device play, consolidates game libraries, and enhances rewards tracking, making it easier for players to access and enjoy their games across devices.
A gamer on Reddit shared how they saved for nearly two years using Microsoft Rewards points to buy an Xbox Series X almost entirely for free, sparking interest among other gamers to do the same for future consoles.
Microsoft has announced new free enrollment options for Windows 10's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for consumer PCs, allowing users to avoid a $30 fee by using Windows Backup, Microsoft Rewards points, or paying directly, with coverage from October 2025 to October 2026. These options are aimed at users ineligible for Windows 11 upgrades and represent a recognition of the large number of Windows 10 devices still in use. The process involves an enrollment wizard accessible through Windows settings, with broad rollout expected by mid-August.
Microsoft is incentivizing users to switch to Bing and Microsoft Edge through a new sweepstakes program under its Microsoft Rewards initiative. Participants can win up to $1,000,000 by performing simple tasks like using Bing for searches and installing Edge. The sweepstakes are available in select countries, including the US, UK, and Germany. Microsoft is also donating up to $500,000 to charities based on participant entries. The program aims to attract users to Microsoft's ecosystem by offering rewards for engaging with its products and services.
Xbox gamers are encouraged to activate the 'auto redeem' setting in the Microsoft Rewards app to automatically claim free store credit when enough points are earned. This feature ensures players don't miss out on rewards and is available in select countries including the UK, US, and Germany.
Microsoft has updated the Xbox Game Pass Quests program for 2024, removing game-specific quests and increasing the difficulty of earning reward points. Weekly quests now offer more points, but the "Quest Completionist" task requires more frequent play and achievement completion, leading to dissatisfaction among fans who feel the program now demands more time and effort for similar rewards.
Microsoft Rewards has made significant adjustments to how it awards points, with points for "other activities" dropping from 10 to 2. The weekly puzzle now only garners a single point. Microsoft has stated that the program is evolving but has no plans to discontinue it. Users have also reported issues with claiming points via the Xbox Rewards app.