What Xbox Rewards Are and How They Work
Xbox Rewards is a points program run by Microsoft that lets you earn points by playing games, completing tasks, and making purchases on Xbox or through the Microsoft Store. You convert those points into gift cards, Game Pass time, or Xbox credit that you spend on games and add-ons. The program is free to join and costs nothing to use.
Points accumulate in your Microsoft account as you complete tasks — some tasks are one-time, others repeat weekly or monthly. The amount you earn varies: a single task might give you 10 points, while a larger goal could give you 500 or more. You can see your current balance and available tasks by opening the Xbox app on your console or PC, or by visiting the Xbox Rewards website on any browser.
The redemption options change slightly depending on your region, but in most places you can trade points for $5 to $100 gift cards, add time to Game Pass subscriptions, or put credit directly into your Xbox account. Redemption is when ready — the credit appears in your account when ready after you confirm the trade.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Rewards points come from completing tasks in the Xbox app, playing specific games, and making purchases — you earn them passively while you use your console or PC normally.
- You access your rewards account through the Xbox app on your device or the Xbox Rewards website, and you can see every available task and your current point balance there.
- Points redeem when ready for gift cards, Game Pass time, or Xbox credit, with no waiting period or approval step.
- Different tasks pay different amounts, and some tasks reset weekly or monthly, so checking the app regularly shows you new ways to earn.
Finding and Completing Tasks in the Xbox App
Open the Xbox app on your console, PC, or phone and look for the Rewards section — on console it is usually in the sidebar menu, on PC it appears as a tab. The app shows you a list of available tasks organized by how much they pay and how often they reset. Some tasks are one-time only; others say "Weekly" or "Monthly" and reset on a schedule.
Tasks fall into a few categories. Search tasks ask you to perform a certain number of Bing searches on your PC or phone — you just search normally and the points register automatically. Game tasks ask you to play a specific game for a set time or reach a certain achievement, and the points post once you complete it. Purchase tasks reward you for buying games or add-ons through the Microsoft Store or Xbox Store. Quests are longer goals that might take a week or month and pay more points when finished.
You do not have to do every task — pick the ones that fit how you already use your device. If you never use Bing, skip the search tasks. If you do not own a particular game, skip the game-specific tasks. The app shows you which tasks you have already completed and which ones are still available.
Earning Points Through Game Pass and Purchases
If you have a Game Pass subscription, you earn bonus points just for having it active. The amount varies by month, but you typically get a small bonus added to your account automatically. Some months Microsoft adds special multiplier tasks that let you earn double or triple points for specific actions — these appear in the Rewards section when they are active.
Buying games, add-ons, or subscriptions through the Xbox Store or Microsoft Store also earns points. The amount depends on what you buy and your region, but most purchases earn at least a small percentage back as points. You do not have to do anything special — the points post to your account automatically after the purchase goes through.
Game Pass Ultimate members sometimes see exclusive tasks that standard Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold members do not. If you upgrade your subscription level, check the Rewards app again to see if new tasks appear.
Redeeming Points for Gift Cards and Credit
Once you have enough points, go to the Rewards section of the Xbox app and look for the Redeem button or Rewards Store. You will see a list of what you can trade your points for — typically $5, $10, $25, and $50 gift cards, plus Game Pass time in 1-month or 3-month blocks. Some regions also show Xbox credit that goes directly into your account balance.
Click on the item you want to redeem and confirm the trade. The points leave your account when ready and the credit appears in your account within seconds. If you chose a gift card, you receive a code you can use on any Microsoft or Xbox purchase. If you chose Game Pass time, it adds to your current subscription — if your Game Pass expires in two weeks, adding a month extends it to six weeks from now.
You can redeem as often as you want, and there is no limit to how many points you can accumulate. Some people save up for larger redemptions, while others redeem small amounts frequently.
Maximizing Your Points Earnings
Check the Rewards app at least once a week, because new tasks and multiplier events appear regularly. Some weeks have bonus point events where specific actions pay double — these are temporary and rotate, so you miss them if you do not look. Set a reminder on your phone if you tend to forget.
Complete the search tasks if you use Bing or are willing to switch to it for your web searches. You earn points for every search you perform anyway, so this is the easiest passive income. On PC, you can set Bing as your default search engine in your browser settings, and then searches happen automatically as you browse.
Play games you already own or have through Game Pass. Do not buy a game just to earn the task points — the points you earn will not cover the cost of the game. But if you are already playing something, check whether it has a Rewards task attached, and complete it while you play.
Stack your redemptions with sales. If you are saving points for a $20 game, wait for a sale where the game costs $15, then redeem your points for a $15 gift card instead of a $20 one. You stretch your points further this way.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you complete a task but do not see the points in your account, wait 24 hours — the system sometimes takes time to register. If a full day passes and the points still have not appeared, go back to the task in the Rewards app and check whether it shows as completed. If it does not, try completing it again.
If you cannot see the Rewards section in your Xbox app, make sure you are signed in with your Microsoft account and that your account is in good standing (no bans or restrictions). On console, you may need to update the Xbox app to the latest version. On PC, restart the app and try again.
If a redemption does not go through, check that you have enough points for what you are trying to redeem. The app will show you the exact point cost before you confirm. If you have enough points but the redemption still fails, try again in a few minutes — temporary server issues sometimes block redemptions briefly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay money to join Xbox Rewards?
No. Xbox Rewards is free to join and free to use. You earn points by completing tasks and making purchases you would make anyway. There are no membership fees or hidden costs.
Can I earn points on my phone?
Yes, but only for certain tasks. Search tasks work on the Xbox app for mobile, and you can complete them on your phone. Game tasks require you to play on a console or PC. You can check your balance and redeem points from the mobile app anytime.
What happens to my points if I stop using Xbox?
Your points stay in your account indefinitely. You do not lose them if you take a break from gaming. If you ever come back and sign in with the same Microsoft account, your points are still there.
Can I transfer points to another person?
No. Points are tied to your Microsoft account and cannot be moved or gifted. You can redeem them for gift cards and give the code to someone else, but the points themselves stay with your account.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a $5 gift card?
It depends on how many tasks you complete and which ones you do. If you do all available tasks every week, you might earn enough in two to four weeks. If you only do search tasks, it could take longer. The app shows you the exact point cost for each redemption option.