If you’re like me, you love squeezing the most out of a rewards program.
Microsoft Rewards is one of those hidden gems—it’s free, surprisingly generous, and you can cash in points for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, or even donate to charities.
But the real trick isn’t just signing up—it’s learning how to consistently maximize your daily points without wasting time.
That’s exactly what I’ll break down here: how to make the most of Microsoft Rewards every single day.
Why Microsoft Rewards Matters Right Now
The cost of everything feels like it’s going up, so anytime I can earn gift cards for things I’m already doing, I take it seriously.
Microsoft Rewards doesn’t require buying anything—you earn points for activities you probably already do, like searching on Bing or playing games on Xbox.
For me, it’s like a small daily habit that eventually adds up to free Amazon gift cards, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, or even Starbucks coffee.
The best part?
If you’re intentional about it, you can rack up points surprisingly fast—enough to redeem something meaningful every month.
The Basics of Microsoft Rewards
Before I dive into the daily strategy, here’s a quick overview so we’re on the same page:
You earn points by completing activities: searching on Bing, doing daily quizzes, using Microsoft Edge, playing Xbox games, shopping in the Microsoft Store, and more.
Points can be redeemed for gift cards, sweepstakes, or donations.
There’s a daily cap, so you can’t just search endlessly and expect infinite points. That’s why having a system is important.
Now, let’s get into the practical steps you can take to maximize your points every single day.
Step 1: Complete Your Daily Set (Up to ~90 Points)
The “Daily Set” is the foundation of Microsoft Rewards. Every day, Microsoft gives you three simple activities:
A multiple-choice quiz (trivia style).
A poll (takes two seconds).
An article or fact-check activity.
It usually takes me about 2–3 minutes to finish all three, and it’s an easy way to lock in almost 100 points a day.
Do it consistently, and you also earn “streak bonuses” for completing your daily set multiple days in a row. For example, hitting a 30-day streak can earn you hundreds of bonus points.
Tip: Always keep your streak going. Missing a day feels painful because you lose the bonus progress.
Step 2: Search with Bing (Up to ~270 Points)
This is where the bulk of your daily points come from. Microsoft rewards you for using Bing search instead of Google. The points cap can vary depending on your account level, but here’s how it usually breaks down:
Desktop searches: around 150 points daily.
Mobile searches: around 100 points daily.
Microsoft Edge bonus: around 20 points daily.
That means just by doing your daily searches, you can easily earn over 250 points.
How I handle it: I open the Bing app on my phone and search for random topics I’m curious about (news, recipes, reviews, or random questions).
On desktop, I’ll search through Bing instead of going directly to sites like YouTube or Wikipedia. It doesn’t take long—10 minutes tops.
Shortcut idea: If you’re short on time, type in the alphabet (A, B, C…) as searches until you hit your limit. It’s quick and gets the job done.
Step 3: Check “More Activities” (50–100+ Points)
Under the “Rewards” dashboard, there’s a section called More Activities. This is where Microsoft rotates in extra quizzes, trivia games, and learning activities. They’re optional, but they add up fast.
Some are as simple as clicking a link. Others are short quizzes where even wrong answers still earn you points. On a good day, I can grab an extra 50–100 points in just a few minutes.
Tip: Don’t skip these. They often feature special promotions that can boost your points quickly.
Step 4: Xbox and Gaming Points (50–100+ Points)
If you have an Xbox or even just use the Xbox app on your PC, you can connect your Microsoft Rewards account and earn points by playing.
Some examples include:
Launching a Game Pass game.
Unlocking achievements.
Completing weekly or monthly Xbox punch cards.
These vary, but they’re worth checking daily. If you already play, it’s basically free points.
Tip: Open the Microsoft Rewards app on your Xbox console—it lists your current offers, so you don’t miss any.
Step 5: Weekly & Monthly Punch Cards
Punch cards are like mini challenges: complete certain activities, and you’ll get bonus points. For example:
Completing three specific Game Pass quests in a week.
Spending a set amount in the Microsoft Store.
Participating in seasonal promotions.
These aren’t daily, but they’re crucial if you want to consistently hit the maximum points. Some punch cards alone are worth 500+ points.
Step 6: Microsoft Store Shopping
If you already buy movies, apps, or games from the Microsoft Store, you can earn points per dollar spent.
I personally don’t use this much since I prefer to earn points for free, but if you’re buying anyway, it’s a nice boost.
Putting It All Together: Your Daily Routine
Here’s a simple daily routine that keeps things efficient:
Do the Daily Set → 90 points
Search with Bing (desktop + mobile + Edge) → ~270 points
Check “More Activities” → 50–100 points
Xbox app or console check → 50+ points (if you play games)
That’s 400–500 points per day, consistently. Multiply that by 30 days, and you’re looking at 12,000–15,000 points per month—enough for a $10–$15 gift card. Add in streak bonuses and punch cards, and it gets even better.
FAQs
How long does it take each day?
For me, it’s about 10–15 minutes total if I’m focused. The Xbox stuff adds more time if I’m already playing games, but I don’t count that since I’d be gaming anyway.
Can I use Google Chrome instead of Microsoft Edge?
Yes, but you’ll miss out on the daily Edge bonus. If you’re maximizing points, it’s worth opening Edge for a minute.
Do I need an Xbox to earn big?
No, but it helps. Without Xbox, you can still earn plenty from Bing searches, daily sets, and activities.
What are the best rewards to redeem?
I usually go for Amazon or Xbox gift cards since they give the best value. Some people prefer sweepstakes entries, but gift cards feel more reliable to me.
Can I lose my streak if I miss one day?
Yes, and that’s the painful part. If you want the big streak bonuses, try not to miss a day. I set a daily reminder just in case.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft Rewards is one of those “set it and forget it” systems that really pays off if you stick with it. It doesn’t take much time, but the key is building it into your daily routine so it becomes automatic.
Before you know it, you’ll be sitting on a stack of gift cards that feel like a reward for just a few minutes of effort each day.
So here’s my question for you: if you could cash out your Microsoft Rewards points for anything right now, what would you pick first?
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