Microsoft Rewards

Did you know you could earn free gift cards just by using Bing? Microsoft Rewards turns your everyday searches into redeemable points—over 10 million users are already cashing in. Whether you’re buying games, movies, or donating to charity, this loyalty program rewards you for doing what you already do online. I remember skeptically trying it last year and earning enough points for a $10 Xbox gift card within weeks. No surveys, no credit card—just points for searches, quizzes, and shopping. If you’re not leveraging Microsoft Rewards yet, you’re leaving money on the table. Let’s break down how it works, insider strategies, and how to maximize your earnings.

Table of Contents

• What Is Microsoft Rewards?
• How Microsoft Rewards Works
• Ways to Earn Points Fast
• Redeeming Your Points
• Understanding Reward Levels
• Bing vs. Google: The Reward Advantage
• Microsoft Rewards for Gamers
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• How It Compares to Other Programs
• Pro Tips for Maximizing Earnings

What Is Microsoft Rewards?

Microsoft Rewards is a free program that gives you points for completing simple tasks like web searches, quizzes, and purchases through Microsoft Store. Unlike traditional loyalty programs requiring purchases, this one rewards daily digital activities. Sign up takes 30 seconds—just a Microsoft account (which you likely already have for Outlook or Xbox). Points accumulate in your dashboard and never expire as long as you’re active monthly. My neighbor redeemed 29,000 points for a $25 Amazon gift card last month purely from searching and weekly streaks. The key advantage? No minimum spend requirements. Whether you’re a student, gamer, or casual web user, those points add up faster than you’d think. For businesses, integrating similar point systems (like these loyalty strategies) can dramatically increase engagement.

How Microsoft Rewards Works

The mechanics are straightforward: complete activities, earn points, redeem for rewards. Here’s the breakdown:

• Daily Searches: Earn up to 270 points/day via Bing (150 PC + 100 mobile + 20 Edge bonus)
• Activities: Daily polls (10 pts), quizzes (30-50 pts), and streaks (bonus points for consistency)
• Purchases: Up to 20 points per $1 spent at Microsoft Store (excludes consoles)

I tested the system rigorously—averaging 300 points daily takes under 5 minutes. The mobile app makes it easier with notifications for new activities. One pro tip: install the Bing extension on Edge to passively earn while browsing. Compared to bank reward programs, Microsoft’s model requires no financial commitment, making it accessible to everyone. The dashboard tracks your progress and suggests quick point opportunities, like “Search for weather forecasts” (5 pts).

Ways to Earn Points Fast

Want to accelerate your earnings? These tactics helped me earn 15,000 points in a month:

1. Complete the Daily Set: 30-50 points for 3 quick tasks (usually a poll, quiz, and search)
2. Maintain Streaks: A 7-day streak nets 150 bonus points; 10-day streaks unlock higher bonuses
3. Use Xbox Rewards App: Gamers earn 50-100 points daily for achievements and gameplay

One user reported earning 500 points in one day by combining Xbox achievements with search bonuses. The key is consistency—those 5-minute daily habits compound. For businesses, this mirrors how loyalty apps drive repeat engagement through small, frequent rewards.

Redeeming Your Points

Reward options vary by region but typically include:

• Gift cards (Amazon, Xbox, Starbucks starting at 1,650 pts)
• Microsoft products (Surface accessories at 30,000+ pts)
• Sweepstakes entries (Donate points to charity for tax deductions)

I redeemed 5,000 points for a $5 Starbucks card—perfect for a free coffee. Higher tiers offer better value; 46,000 points get a $50 gift card versus 5x $10 cards costing 50,000 points. Consider pooling family members’ points under one account for bigger redemptions. This flexibility outperforms rigid programs like traditional punch cards.

Understanding Reward Levels

Microsoft Rewards has two tiers:

1. Level 1: New members earn standard points (e.g., 5 pts/search)
2. Level 2: Reach 500 pts/month to unlock 2x earnings (10 pts/search)

Staying at Level 2 is crucial—it doubles your earning potential. One Reddit user shared how hitting Level 2 let them redeem a $10 gift card weekly instead of bi-weekly. The program’s transparency here is refreshing compared to apps with hidden thresholds.

Bing vs. Google: The Reward Advantage

While Google dominates search, Bing pays you to use it. Here’s the tradeoff:

• Bing: Earn ~$0.01 per search (via points conversion)
• Google: No rewards, but slightly better algorithm

For general queries, I now default to Bing—the results are comparable, and those pennies add up. Businesses should note how small incentives shift behavior without compromising quality.

Microsoft Rewards for Gamers

Gamers earn the most through:

• Xbox Game Pass quests (1,000 pts/month)
• Achievement unlocks (50 pts each)
• Weekly treasure (100 pts every Friday)

My teenage nephew funds his Game Pass subscription entirely through rewards—a $120/year value. The Xbox app tracks eligible games; even casual players can earn 3,000+ pts monthly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Watch out for these pitfalls:

1. Letting streaks break (I lost a 60-day streak forgetting one day)
2. Not checking “More Activities” for hidden point opportunities
3. Redeeming small amounts prematurely (bulk redemptions offer better value)

Set calendar reminders to avoid #1. The dashboard’s “Points Breakdown” helps track all opportunities.

How It Compares to Other Programs

Unlike purchase-based programs, Microsoft Rewards:

• Requires no spending
• Offers instant redemptions (no approval wait)
• Has no point expiration with monthly activity

For pure earning potential, it beats most “get-paid-to” apps that pay pennies for surveys.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Earnings

Advanced strategies from power users:

1. Use Bing’s “Image Search” tab—each click counts as a new search
2. Sync mobile/PC searches (150 + 100 daily caps stack)
3. Join Microsoft Rewards subreddits for time-limited bonus codes

One user reported earning 1,200 pts/day during special promotions. Consistency is key—even 200 pts/day nets $180/year in Amazon cards.

FAQ

How many points equal $1?

Rates vary by reward, but generally 1,300 pts ≈ $1. Gift cards offer the best conversion—a $10 Amazon card costs 13,000 pts versus 15,000 pts for some sweepstakes entries. Regional differences apply; always check your local redemption center.

Can I use multiple accounts?

Microsoft prohibits duplicate accounts—they’ll ban violators. However, family members can each have their own account. My household combines points by pooling gift cards for larger purchases like game consoles.

Do points expire?

Points expire after 18 months of inactivity. Simply earning 1 point monthly resets the clock. I recommend setting a monthly reminder if you take breaks.

Is there a daily point limit?

Yes—typically 270 from searches, plus 50-100 from activities and up to 2,000 from purchases. Heavy users average 300-500 pts/day without spending.

Can businesses use Microsoft Rewards?

While designed for consumers, businesses can earn on company purchases through Microsoft Store. For customer-facing programs, consider platforms like Spree Rewards.

Are rewards taxable?

In the U.S., rewards over $600/year may require tax reporting. Most users stay under this threshold unless combining multiple accounts (which violates terms). Consult a tax professional for specifics.

Microsoft Rewards turns your digital habits into real-world value with zero cost. Whether you want free coffee, gaming perks, or charity donations, those points add up faster than you’d expect. The secret? Make it a daily habit—like checking email. Ready to transform your browsing into rewards? Explore how Spree Rewards can apply these principles to your business today.