Microsoft Rewards Guide: Earn Points for Everyday Activities

We all spend a significant amount of time online, searching for information, playing games, and browsing the web. What if you could get rewarded for these everyday activities? That’s the simple yet powerful premise behind Microsoft Rewards, a free loyalty program that pays you for engaging with the Microsoft ecosystem. It’s a system designed to give back to users, turning your daily digital habits into tangible rewards like gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and more.

While many loyalty programs exist, Microsoft Rewards has carved out a unique space for itself by integrating seamlessly into services that millions of people already use. From searching with Bing to playing games on Xbox, the opportunities to earn are woven directly into your routine. This guide will provide a deep dive into the world of Microsoft Rewards. We’ll explore how it works, what makes it different, and provide you with the strategies needed to maximize your earnings.

What is Microsoft Rewards? A Detailed Breakdown

Microsoft Rewards is a free program from Microsoft that lets you earn points for activities you likely already do, plus a few new ones. The concept is simple: you engage with various Microsoft products and services, and in return, you accumulate points. These points can then be redeemed for a wide array of rewards, including gift cards for popular retailers like Amazon and Starbucks, Xbox and Microsoft Store credit, entries into sweepstakes for high-value items, and charitable donations.

The program was originally launched as Bing Rewards in 2010 to incentivize the use of the Bing search engine. Over the years, it has evolved and expanded significantly. Now, it encompasses a much broader range of activities across the entire Microsoft ecosystem, from the Windows operating system and Microsoft Edge browser to the Xbox gaming console. This expansion has transformed it from a simple search-and-earn program into a comprehensive loyalty system for the modern Microsoft user.

Signing up is incredibly easy. If you have a Microsoft account (which you do if you use services like Outlook, Hotmail, Xbox Live, or Windows), you are essentially ready to go. You just need to visit the Microsoft Rewards website and opt-in to start earning.

How to Earn Points with Microsoft Rewards

The strength of Microsoft Rewards lies in the diverse ways you can accumulate points. You don’t have to go far out of your way to start earning. The program is divided into different levels, and as you earn more points each month, you can level up for additional benefits, like bonus points and better redemption rates.

1. Searching with Bing

This is the original and most consistent way to earn points. Microsoft Rewards allocates a daily cap on points you can earn simply by conducting searches on the Bing search engine.

• PC Searches: You earn points for each search you perform on a desktop or laptop computer while signed into your Microsoft account. There is a daily limit to how many searches are rewarded.
• Mobile Searches: You can earn an additional set of points by searching on your mobile device, either through a mobile browser set to Bing or by using the Bing app.
• Microsoft Edge Bonus: Using Microsoft’s own browser, Microsoft Edge, often grants you a small bonus on top of your daily search points.

2. Daily Sets and Activities

The Microsoft Rewards dashboard is your central hub for earning. Each day, it presents a “Daily Set” of three simple activities.

• Daily Polls: A quick, one-click poll on a fun topic.
• Quizzes: Short, multiple-choice quizzes, often related to current events, history, or geography. You get points even if your answers are wrong.
• “This or That”: A simple guessing game where you choose which of two options has a higher or lower search volume.

Completing these daily sets consistently earns you streak bonuses. For example, completing a 10-day streak might grant you an extra 150 points.

3. Xbox and PC Gaming

For gamers, Microsoft Rewards offers a treasure trove of earning opportunities, deeply integrated into the Xbox and PC gaming experience.

• Weekly Xbox Sets: The Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox consoles features a weekly set of tasks. These often include earning an achievement in any game, launching specific games, or trying out new titles on Xbox Game Pass.
• Game Pass Quests: Xbox Game Pass subscribers have access to an exclusive set of quests. These quests reward you for playing games from the Game Pass library. They can range from simply playing a new game to completing specific in-game objectives (e.g., “get 5 headshots” or “build a house”).
• PC Gaming Integration: You can also earn points by playing select PC games and using the Xbox app on your computer.

4. Shopping in the Microsoft Store

When you make purchases of digital content—like games, movies, or apps—from the Microsoft or Xbox Store, you earn points for every dollar spent. This is particularly lucrative for gamers who frequently buy new titles or DLC. The number of points per dollar increases as you level up within the program.

5. Email Offers and Punch Cards

Microsoft frequently sends out emails to Rewards members with special offers and point-earning opportunities. The dashboard also features “Punch Cards,” which are multi-step challenges. For example, a punch card might require you to complete a quiz, visit a specific web page, and then rent a new movie to earn a large bonus of several hundred points.

What Makes Microsoft Rewards Stand Out?

In a world full of loyalty programs, Microsoft Rewards distinguishes itself through its deep integration and low barrier to entry.

• Integration Across an Ecosystem: Unlike programs that are tied to a single activity (like credit card rewards), Microsoft Rewards connects your web browser, operating system, and gaming console. This creates a cohesive experience where you are consistently rewarded for being part of the Microsoft world.
• Rewarding Existing Habits: The program’s greatest strength is that it rewards you for things you already do. Most people search the web and many people play video games. Microsoft Rewards simply adds a layer of value on top of these common activities without requiring a significant change in behavior.
• Focus on Digital Rewards: While some programs focus on physical goods or travel, Microsoft Rewards excels at offering valuable digital rewards. For anyone who games on Xbox or PC, the ability to convert points directly into credit for new games is a huge benefit. This creates a self-sustaining loop: play games to earn points, and use points to buy more games.
• Gamification of Earning: With daily streaks, weekly sets, and Game Pass quests, Microsoft has “gamified” the process of earning points. It feels less like a chore and more like a series of small, satisfying challenges.

Real User Experiences: Is It Worth the Effort?

The internet is filled with testimonials from dedicated Microsoft Rewards users who have reaped significant benefits. Many users report easily earning enough points each month to cover the cost of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, effectively making the service free.

One common sentiment is that consistency is key. A user who diligently completes their daily searches and weekly Xbox sets can easily earn thousands of points per month. Over a year, this can add up to over $100 in gift cards or Microsoft credit.

For example, a user on Reddit shared a screenshot of their account showing they had earned enough points over two years to redeem for a new Xbox Series S console entirely through the program. Others focus on smaller, more frequent rewards, cashing out for a $5 or $10 Amazon gift card every month or two. These stories highlight that while Microsoft Rewards may not make you rich, it provides a genuine and attainable value for a minimal amount of effort.

Potential Drawbacks and Criticisms

No program is perfect, and it’s important to look at Microsoft Rewards with a critical eye.

• Time Commitment for Maximum Gain: While basic earning is effortless, maximizing your points requires daily engagement. For some, the pressure to maintain a daily streak or complete every available quest can start to feel like a job. The return on investment for the time spent can be quite low if you go out of your way to complete every single task.
• It’s Designed to Keep You in the Ecosystem: The primary goal of Microsoft Rewards is to encourage loyalty to Microsoft products. If you prefer Google Chrome, Google Search, or PlayStation, you will find it difficult to earn points. The program is most valuable for those who are already, or are willing to become, invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Geographic Limitations and Variations: The availability of points and rewards can vary significantly by country. Users in the United States typically have access to the most earning opportunities and the best redemption options. Users in other regions may find their earning potential is much lower.
• Value of Points: The monetary value of a single point is very small. It takes roughly 1,000 points to equal $1 in rewards value. This means that activities rewarding only 5 or 10 points can feel insignificant on their own.

Tips for Maximizing Your Microsoft Rewards Earnings

If you want to get the most out of the program, a little strategy goes a long way. Here are some pro tips:

1. Install the Official Extension: The Microsoft Rewards browser extension for Edge makes it easy to track your daily progress and access activities without having to visit the dashboard directly.
2. Make Daily Sets a Habit: The easiest way to earn consistently is to make the Daily Set part of your morning routine. It only takes a minute or two to complete the polls and quizzes. The streak bonuses add up quickly.
3. Use the Bing Mobile App: Don’t forget to complete your mobile searches. Using the dedicated Bing app is the most efficient way to do this and often includes exclusive mobile-only point opportunities.
4. Link Your Xbox Account: If you’re a gamer, this is non-negotiable. The points earned from Game Pass quests and weekly sets are some of the most substantial rewards available.
5. Be Patient with Redemptions: While it can be tempting to cash out for a $5 gift card as soon as you have enough points, you often get a better value by saving up for larger denominations. For example, a $10 Microsoft gift card might cost fewer points per dollar than a $5 one.
6. Take Advantage of “Hot Deals”: Keep an eye on the redeem page for “Hot Deals.” Microsoft frequently offers certain rewards, like Xbox gift cards, at a discounted point cost for a limited time.
7. Enable Email Communications: While we all get too many emails, the ones from Microsoft Rewards often contain easy, high-value point offers that you might otherwise miss.

Conclusion: A Loyalty Program That Actually Pays Off

Microsoft Rewards has successfully created a loyalty program that feels both valuable and accessible. By rewarding users for activities they are already engaged in—searching, browsing, and gaming—it removes much of the friction associated with other rewards programs. It cleverly encourages loyalty to the Microsoft ecosystem not by force, but by providing a tangible incentive.

While it won’t replace your primary income, it offers a real, consistent way to earn rewards that can offset your entertainment costs or simply provide a nice little bonus from time to time. For anyone invested in the Xbox or Windows world, participating in Microsoft Rewards is a no-brainer. The combination of passive earning through searches and active earning through gaming quests creates a flexible system that can be as low-effort or as involved as you want it to be.

By being consistent, strategic, and patient, you can turn your daily digital footprint into free game subscriptions, gift cards for your favorite stores, or even a brand-new console. In a digital world where our engagement is constantly being monetized by companies, Microsoft Rewards stands out by giving a piece of that value back to you.