How to Get Xbox Live Gold Using Microsoft Rewards

If you’re like me, you love gaming but don’t love the idea of constantly paying for subscriptions. Xbox Live Gold is great for online play, free games, and member discounts—but what if I told you there’s a way to get it without spending actual money? Yep, it’s completely possible to earn Xbox Live Gold for free using Microsoft Rewards.

I’ve been doing this for a while now, and it’s one of those quiet little life hacks that gamers don’t talk about enough.

It’s easy, totally legitimate, and honestly kind of fun once you get into it. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how it works, step by step—plus a few tips to help you rack up points faster.

What Is Microsoft Rewards?

Before we jump into the “how,” let’s make sure we’re on the same page. Microsoft Rewards is a free loyalty program from Microsoft that gives you points for doing simple things like:

• Searching the web using Bing

• Completing quizzes and surveys

• Playing games through Xbox

• Shopping on the Microsoft Store

You can then redeem those points for various rewards—things like gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and of course, Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions.

The best part? You don’t need to buy anything or sign up for a paid plan. You just need a free Microsoft account, and you’re ready to start earning.

Why This Matters Right Now

Xbox Live Gold has evolved a lot over the years. While some players have shifted toward Game Pass, many still use Gold for online multiplayer and monthly free games.

If you’re gaming on a budget (or just want to stretch your money further), using Microsoft Rewards is a clever way to get that access without paying out of pocket.

Plus, with the ongoing integration between Xbox, Microsoft Store, and Bing, earning and redeeming points is easier than ever. Microsoft has turned what used to be a “nice extra” into a legitimate alternative to spending cash.

Step 1: Sign Up for Microsoft Rewards

If you haven’t already, head to rewards.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don’t have one yet, it only takes a minute to create.

Once you’re in, you’ll see your dashboard—it tracks your daily streak, shows you available activities, and lets you know how many points you’ve earned.

Pro tip: Bookmark the Rewards homepage. Visiting it daily makes it easier to remember to complete your tasks, and you can set reminders on your phone to keep your streak alive.

Step 2: Start Earning Points Daily

There are lots of ways to earn points, but the daily routine is where it really adds up. Here’s how I personally go about it:

1. Use Bing for searches.
Instead of using Google, I make Bing my default search engine. You earn points for every search you make—up to a daily limit (usually around 150 points per day on desktop and mobile combined).

2. Complete daily sets.
On your Rewards dashboard, you’ll find daily sets—three short activities, like a quiz, a poll, or a quick multiple-choice question. These take maybe a minute, and completing all three each day helps you build a streak bonus.

3. Play quizzes and earn bonuses.
There are weekly quizzes and challenges that pay more points. Some are themed around trending topics or Xbox games, and you can earn hundreds of points per week just from these.

4. Earn through Xbox.
If you’re on an Xbox console, you can also earn points by completing game-related activities. For example, you might get bonus points for earning achievements, playing specific Game Pass titles, or completing weekly Xbox tasks.

5. Shop (if you were going to anyway).
You can earn up to 1 point per dollar on digital purchases from the Microsoft Store. So if you were already planning to buy a game, DLC, or movie, using your Microsoft account gets you some points back.

Step 3: Redeem Points for Xbox Live Gold

Once you’ve collected enough points, you can redeem them for Xbox subscriptions. Here’s how:

• Go to the Redeem tab on your Rewards dashboard.
• Type “Xbox” in the search bar.
• Choose from the available options—this may include Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass, or Game Pass Ultimate (which also includes Live Gold features).
• Select the reward you want, confirm your choice, and you’ll receive a digital code.
• Redeem that code through your Xbox console or the Microsoft Store to activate your subscription.

That’s it—you’re now playing online for free, just from doing everyday stuff.

How Many Points Do You Need?

The exact number can vary slightly by region and by Microsoft’s current offers, but as a general guide:

• 1-Month Xbox Live Gold: around 6,800 to 7,000 points
• 3-Month Xbox Live Gold: around 20,000 points
• 1-Month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: around 12,000 points

To put that in perspective, if you consistently do your daily activities, it’s realistic to earn 7,000 points in about 3–4 weeks without spending any money.

Step 4: Maintain Your Streak and Stay Consistent

Microsoft Rewards gives you bonus points for maintaining a daily streak. For example, every time you hit a 10-day, 30-day, or 60-day streak, you’ll get extra points. It’s one of those little motivators that make a difference over time.

The trick is consistency. Even if you just log in for two minutes a day, it’s worth it. Think of it as checking in like you would on a mobile game—except you’re actually earning something valuable.

Bonus Tip: Stack Rewards with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

If you decide to upgrade from Xbox Live Gold to Game Pass Ultimate, your Gold time actually converts into Ultimate time at a 1:1 ratio when you redeem.

This means you can technically earn Gold through Rewards, then use that to extend your Ultimate subscription. It’s a clever way to get even more out of your points if you prefer having Game Pass benefits too.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few things I learned the hard way:

• Don’t forget to redeem before your subscription expires. If your Gold runs out, your online multiplayer will stop until you apply the next code.
• Don’t waste points on low-value rewards. Gift cards and sweepstakes entries may seem tempting, but Xbox subscriptions give you more bang for your points.
• Don’t skip mobile activities. The mobile version of Bing and the Rewards app often have extra bonuses that desktop users miss.
• Don’t expect instant results. Earning points takes consistency, not cash. Think of it like building up XP in a game—steady progress pays off.

FAQs

Do I need to pay to join Microsoft Rewards?

No. It’s 100% free. You just need a Microsoft account to start earning points.

Can I use Microsoft Rewards on console?

Yes. You can access it directly from your Xbox by opening the Microsoft Rewards app. You can complete tasks and track your points there too.

How long does it take to earn enough for Xbox Live Gold?

If you do your daily sets, quizzes, and searches consistently, you can usually earn a month of Xbox Live Gold in about three to four weeks.

What happens if I miss a day?

You’ll lose your streak bonus, but you can pick it up again the next day. Missing a day doesn’t erase your total points—it just resets your streak count.

Can I gift my Xbox Live Gold reward to someone else?

Yes. When you redeem for Xbox Live Gold, you’ll receive a code you can give to anyone. They can redeem it on their own account.

Final Thoughts

I’ve been using Microsoft Rewards to cover my Xbox subscriptions for a long time, and it’s one of those “why didn’t I start sooner?” things. It doesn’t cost anything, it fits naturally into your day, and it gives you something back for the time you already spend online.

If you’re looking for a way to keep your Xbox Live Gold active without dipping into your wallet, this is it.

So, what do you think—will you start using Microsoft Rewards to fund your gaming time?