For years, the Microsoft Rewards program has been a beloved perk for the Xbox ecosystem's most dedicated fans. By completing daily searches, earning achievements, and grinding through quests, players could stockpile points to score free months of Xbox Game Pass, effectively gaming for free. Now, in a move that has sparked frustration across the community, Microsoft is quietly removing the ability to redeem points for Game Pass subscriptions directly.
The change, which multiple users have reported seeing on their dashboards, is set to take effect on October 1st. While Microsoft has yet to make an official public announcement, the consistent reports from users confirm a significant devaluation of the program's most popular redemption option.
The notice on the rewards page informs users that they will soon need to use their points for Xbox gift cards instead. They can then apply the balance from those gift cards toward a Game Pass subscription. On the surface, it might sound like a lateral move, but a closer look at the point economics reveals a hefty price increase for subscribers.
A Bad Deal: The New Math for Game Pass Subscriptions
The core of the community's frustration lies in the raw numbers. Under the old system, a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate could be snagged for 12,000 points. The new method requires cashing in points for a gift card with enough value to cover the subscription cost.
This is where the problem arises. As highlighted by users on a dedicated Reddit thread, a $20 Xbox Gift Card currently requires 19,000 points. Since a month of Game Pass Ultimate is $19.99, a user would need to spend 19,000 points for what previously cost them only 12,000. That's a staggering 58% increase in the point cost for the same one-month subscription.
This shift makes the time and effort required to earn rewards feel significantly less worthwhile. What was once a straightforward path to a free subscription has become a convoluted and more expensive process.
The Grind Gets Harder: A Program in Decline
Long-time members of the Microsoft Rewards program have been sounding the alarm for months, noting that the program has been gradually becoming less lucrative. Points are harder to come by, with fewer opportunities to earn them and lower point yields from common activities. The removal of the direct Game Pass redemption feels like the final straw for many.
The program was designed to reward engagement, encouraging players to try new games on Game Pass, use Microsoft's Edge browser, and perform Bing searches. Now, many fans feel that their loyalty is being met with diminishing returns. The "grind" for points now offers a much less certain payoff, leaving gamers to wonder if the effort is still worth it.
Game Pass Subscribers May Soon Hear More Bad News
The devaluation of the Microsoft Rewards program is not happening in a vacuum. It coincides with a period of increasing costs across Microsoft's gaming division. In July 2024, the company raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for the first time in years. While there's no official word on another imminent price hike, the signs on the wall are troubling.
Earlier this summer, a discovery in source code, as reported by tech investigators, hinted at potential future price increases for Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) and other services. This, combined with recent price hikes for Xbox consoles in many international markets, paints a picture of a company seeking to boost revenue from its gaming segment from every possible angle.
What's Left for Reward Hunters?
With the direct path to Game Pass closing, gamers sitting on stockpiles of points are left with fewer attractive options. The hunt for discounted Xbox gift cards during seasonal sales events, like the one Microsoft typically holds in October, may become the new meta for cost-conscious players.
However, for those who relied on the Rewards program to afford their subscription, the future looks more expensive. The simple joy of converting daily digital chores into a free month of gaming is being replaced by a complex and costly points calculation, leaving a community of loyal fans feeling that their efforts are no longer appreciated.
What do you think about the changes to the Microsoft Rewards program? Let us know in the comments section below.