Microsoft Rewards Review: How I Earn $100+ in Free Gift Cards Yearly
What if I told you that you could pay for your holiday gifts, morning coffee, or next movie night just by searching the web? It sounds too good to be true, but I’ve been doing it for years. You’re likely leaving free money on the table every single day. The secret is Microsoft Rewards, and if you’re not using it, you are seriously missing out.
I discovered this program several years ago, and it has become my favorite life hack for earning passive rewards. It’s completely free, easy to use, and turns your everyday online activities into real-world value. I generally save my points all year and cash them in for a $100+ Amazon gift card just in time for the holiday season. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how it works and how you can start earning today.
What Exactly Is Microsoft Rewards?
Microsoft Rewards is a free loyalty program from Microsoft that rewards you for doing things you likely already do. If you remember the old “Bing Rewards” program, this is its modern, supercharged successor. The concept is simple: you complete activities, you earn points, and then you redeem those points for awesome stuff.
The program is built around using Microsoft services. This includes searching with the Bing search engine, browsing with the Edge browser, or playing games on your Xbox. It doesn’t cost anything to join, and the points start adding up surprisingly fast with just a few minutes of effort each day. It’s one of the few legitimate programs online that gives you tangible rewards for very little work. You can learn more on the official Microsoft Rewards page.
How to Earn Microsoft Rewards Points
The key to maximizing your earnings is consistency. Microsoft offers many ways to get points, making it easy to find a routine that works for you.
Daily Searches on Bing
This is the easiest and most consistent way to earn. You get points just for searching the web using Bing.
- PC Searches: You earn points for each search you perform on a desktop or laptop while signed into your Microsoft account.
- Mobile Searches: You also get a separate batch of points for searching on your phone or tablet using the Bing app.
- Microsoft Edge Bonus: If you use the Microsoft Edge browser, you can earn a small bonus on top of your daily search points.
These points have a daily cap, but you can easily hit it in just a couple of minutes while looking up a recipe or the latest news.
Daily Sets and Activities
On the Microsoft Rewards dashboard, you’ll find a “daily set” of activities. These are typically fun, quick tasks that take less than a minute to complete. They often include:
- Fun quizzes
- Quick polls
- Links to interesting articles or videos
Completing your daily set every day builds up a streak, which gives you a huge point bonus every 10 days or so. This is one of the fastest ways to accumulate points.
Xbox and PC Gaming
If you’re a gamer, this is where the program gets really exciting. You can link your Xbox account to earn points for playing games. This includes completing weekly quests in Game Pass titles, earning specific achievements, and purchasing games or movies from the Microsoft Store. It’s a fantastic way to get rewarded for your hobby.
The Best Part: What Can You Get With Your Points?
Now for the fun stuff. All those points you’ve been collecting aren’t just for bragging rights. They translate into real-world value.
Gift Cards for Everything
This is my favorite redemption option. You can cash in your points for gift cards to dozens of popular retailers. Some of the best options include:
- Amazon
- Starbucks
- Target
- Walmart
- DoorDash
- Hulu
- Xbox and Microsoft Store credit
Whether you want to fuel your coffee habit or save on groceries, there’s a gift card for almost anything. It’s a great way to supplement your budget without spending extra money.
Sweepstakes and Giveaways
If you’re feeling lucky, you can use your points to enter sweepstakes for huge prizes. These often include cash prizes, brand new gaming consoles, custom PCs, or even all-expenses-paid trips. It’s a low-risk, high-reward way to use a small number of points for a chance at something big.
Donate to Charity
You can also use your points to make a difference. Microsoft partners with numerous non-profits, allowing you to donate your earnings to causes you care about, such as the Special Olympics, The Nature Conservancy, and more. Microsoft will often match donations, doubling your impact.
My Personal Strategy: How I Fund My Holiday Shopping
My strategy is simple: patience and consistency. I spend about 3-5 minutes every morning completing my daily sets and running through my PC and mobile searches while I drink my coffee. I also earn points passively through my Xbox Game Pass quests. I don’t spend the points as soon as I get them. Instead, I let them build up all year long.
By the time November rolls around, I consistently have enough points to redeem for over $100 in Amazon gift cards. It’s an incredible feeling to do a large chunk of my holiday shopping with money I earned just by searching the internet. It takes the financial pressure off and makes the season a little more joyful.
If you haven’t tried Microsoft Rewards, you are truly missing out on one of the easiest ways to get a little something back for your time online. If you’re ready to start earning your first free gift card, you can sign up using my referral link below!
Start Earning with Microsoft Rewards Today!
What gift card would you save up for first? Let me know in the comments below!