How To Get Started With Microsoft Rewards

Starting with Microsoft Rewards is like finding loose change in your couch cushions—easy to miss but delightful when you realize it’s there.

I’ve spent years exploring digital rewards programs, and Microsoft Rewards stands out because it turns simple things—searching on Bing, playing Xbox games, or shopping—into real perks you can cash in on.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through everything you need—what it is, why it matters (trust me, it’s more than just a few points), how to sign up, how to actually earn stuff, and the best ways to redeem your points.

What Is Microsoft Rewards and Why It Matters

Microsoft Rewards is a loyalty program that pays you for using Microsoft services you likely already use—searching on Bing, using Microsoft Edge, shopping at their store, or even playing games on Xbox.

You accumulate points and turn them into things like gift cards, sweepstakes entries, or donations to causes you care about.

It’s worth jumping in because it really adds up. One Reddit user shared that after six years, they cashed out for a three-month Spotify subscription and four $100 Amazon gift cards—all from doing everyday things in their browser or on their console.

That’s not chump change—it’s a low-effort way to claim a little bonus for things you already do.

Getting Started

1. Sign in with a Microsoft account

Visit the Microsoft Rewards site and log in or create a Microsoft account—it just takes a minute.

2. Visit your Rewards dashboard

Once you’re in, you’ll see the dashboard. It shows your points, daily tasks, and ways to earn. Bookmark it because it becomes your go-to home base

3. Understand levels

There are two levels:

Level 1: you’re in the program.
Level 2: reach 500 points per month and unlock bigger perks like more points per search, discounts on Microsoft items, and sometimes surprise invites.

There’s also Level 2 + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which earns you even more when you’re a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber.

How to Earn Points

You earn just by doing everyday activities—no extra effort.

Search with Bing: search on PC or mobile, or use Bing in the Windows taskbar or Edge browser.
Shop: buy qualifying digital items from the Microsoft Store—games, movies, TV shows. Subscriptions and gift cards usually don’t count.
Daily quizzes & trivia: check your Rewards dashboard—there’s usually fun stuff like quick quizzes or trivia to boost points.
Xbox activities: play Game Pass games, complete special quests, or open the Rewards hub on your Xbox to explore opportunities.

Best practices to keep in mind:

Always stay signed in to your Microsoft account when using Bing, Edge, Xbox, etc.
Make Bing your default search so every search counts.
Use the Bing mobile app if you can—it’s easy to add points on the go.

How to Redeem Your Points

What you can get depends on how many points you’ve earned:

Sweepstakes entries: often start around 200 points.
Donations to nonprofits: typically available from around 1,000 points.
Gift cards (Microsoft, Xbox, top retailers): often from 1,600 to 5,000 points.

Some users note that 5,000 points might get you a reward worth around $5—so roughly 1,000 points per dollar.

Staying Smart and Avoiding Pitfalls

1. Watch your streaks or tasks

Some Xbox users saw streaks reset randomly due to a glitch. Microsoft is looking into it and has fixed issues like this before.

2. Account suspensions

There have been bugs where some accounts got suspended without cause—Microsoft acknowledged it and fixed the problem, but if you’re locked out, reach out to support

3. Point expiration

Don’t let points go stale—if you don’t earn or redeem within 18 months, you lose them

FAQs

Do points expire?

Yes—if you’re inactive for 18 months, unused points expire.

Can I combine Game Pass Ultimate with Rewards?

Yes! If you reach Level 2 and have Game Pass Ultimate, you get more earning power per dollar spent.

Is this available worldwide?

Yes, Microsoft Rewards is available in over 230 countries and regions.

Are sweepstakes worth entering?

Technically your chance of winning is very low—like 0.000055 % if you have 40,000 points. But hey, it’s free to enter

Wrapping Up

Starting with Microsoft Rewards is easy, unobtrusive, and while the gains may feel small at first, they quickly add up into something real.

Whether it’s a free month of Game Pass, a gift card toward a new game, or even a small donation, it’s a great example of getting value from what you already do online.

Give it a shot. Stay signed in, hit those daily tasks, and make it part of your routine. Before long, you’ll wonder why you didn’t join ages ago.

Now, I’m curious: What reward would you aim for first once you start earning points?