The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Your Xbox Game Pass Subscription with Microsoft Rewards

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For millions of gamers, a Microsoft Xbox Game Pass subscription has become as essential as the console itself. It’s the "Netflix of gaming," a gateway to hundreds of incredible titles for one low monthly fee. But what if I told you that you could significantly reduce the cost of your subscription—or even get it for free—just by doing things you already do?

Welcome to the world of Microsoft Rewards, the loyalty program that is, without a doubt, the ultimate Game Pass "hack."

While many gamers are vaguely aware of its existence, few understand how to truly leverage it to its full potential. This isn't about chasing insignificant prize draws; it's about creating a simple, sustainable system to earn points that can be directly redeemed for Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, Xbox gift cards, and more.

This is your ultimate guide to transforming your gaming habits into a point-earning machine, effectively making your Microsoft Xbox Game Pass subscription pay for itself.

What is Microsoft Rewards and How Does It Work?

Before we dive into the strategy, let's cover the basics. Microsoft Rewards is a free loyalty program that gives you points for doing various activities across the Microsoft ecosystem. This includes searching on Bing, completing activities on your Xbox console, playing Game Pass games, and making purchases in the Microsoft Store.

These points accumulate in your account and can be redeemed for a variety of prizes, but for our purposes, the most valuable redemptions are:

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Codes: You can directly redeem points for 1-month or 3-month subscription codes.
• Xbox Gift Cards: These can be used to pay for your subscription, buy games, or purchase DLC.
• Auto-Redeem Discounts: You can often set up an automatic redemption for a specific reward each month at a slightly discounted point cost.

The key to success is understanding that small, consistent point gains from multiple sources add up to significant rewards over time.

The Foundation: Your Daily and Weekly Point-Earning Routine

Consistency is everything. The bulk of your points will come from simple, daily and weekly tasks that take just a few minutes to complete.

1. The Bing Search Method (Approx. 5-10 minutes daily)

This is the most reliable source of daily points. Don't worry, you don't have to abandon Google forever, but incorporating Bing into your routine is essential.

• PC Searches: You can earn points for up to 30 searches per day on the Bing search engine (on a desktop or laptop).
• Mobile Searches: You can earn additional points for up to 20 searches per day on the Bing mobile app or your mobile browser.
• Microsoft Edge Bonus: Using the Microsoft Edge browser for your searches grants you a small bonus.
• Daily Sets: On the Microsoft Rewards dashboard, there are "Daily Sets" of three simple activities (like a poll, a quiz, and a search link) that offer a chunk of points and build a streak for a huge bonus every 10 days.

Pro-Tip: Install the Bing mobile app on your phone. To complete your daily mobile searches in under a minute, simply open the app and tap through the "top news stories" links at the bottom of the page. Each tap counts as a search.

2. The Xbox App Method (Approx. 2 minutes daily)

The Xbox mobile app (not the Game Pass app) is another easy source of daily points.

• Log in to the App: Simply opening the app can sometimes grant points.
• Play a PC Game: You don't even have to own a gaming PC. Use the Xbox app to play Microsoft Solitaire Collection on your computer for a few minutes to complete this task.
• Play "Jewel": The app has a simple puzzle game called "Jewel" that often grants points for playing one level.
• Use the App: A new quest often awards points just for using the Xbox mobile app.

The Power-Up: Earning Big with Xbox Game Pass Quests

This is where your Microsoft Xbox Game Pass subscription starts actively working for you. Game Pass Quests are specific in-game challenges that reward you with Microsoft Rewards points. You can find these in the Game Pass section on your console or in the Game Pass mobile app.

They are typically broken down into three categories:

• Daily Quests: These are incredibly simple. The most common one is "Log in and play any Game Pass game," which gives you points just for starting up a game.
• Weekly Quests: These require a bit more effort but offer more points. Examples include "Get 3 kills in Halo Infinite" or "Earn an achievement in a new game." These quests are designed to encourage you to explore the Game Pass library.
• Monthly Quests: These are broader challenges, like completing a certain number of daily and weekly quests or earning a specific number of achievements throughout the month. The point rewards here are substantial.

Pro-Tip: Don't feel pressured to play games you don't enjoy just for quests. Focus on the easy ones. Check the weekly quests at the beginning of the week and see which ones align with games you already planned to play. Many quests can be completed in just a few minutes.

The Multiplier: Weekly Xbox Console Tasks

Don't forget to check the Microsoft Rewards app directly on your Xbox console. Every week, it features a "Weekly Set" of tasks. These often include:

• Earning one achievement in any game.
• Launching the app several days in a row.
• Clicking through a few promotional links.

Completing this set every week builds a streak. A 10-week streak, for example, rewards you with a massive 2,500 bonus points—that's a significant chunk of a month's subscription right there.

The Strategy: Putting It All Together for Maximum Gain

Okay, we've covered the sources. Now, how do you turn this into a system that gets you a free Microsoft Xbox Game Pass subscription?

1. Build the Habit: For the first few weeks, focus on consistency. Make the daily Bing searches and Xbox app check-ins a part of your morning routine, like checking email. It should take less than 15 minutes.

2. Triage Your Quests: At the start of each week, look at the Game Pass quests. Identify the "low-hanging fruit"—the quests you can complete quickly in games you enjoy. Don't stress about completing every single one.

3. Protect Your Weekly Streak: Prioritize completing the weekly set in the Rewards app on your Xbox. That streak bonus is one of the single largest point injections you'll get.

4. Redeem Wisely: Don't redeem your points for small prizes. Save them for the 1-month or 3-month Game Pass Ultimate codes, as they usually offer the best point-to-dollar value. If you're consistently earning, consider the "Auto-Redeem" option for a monthly discount.

5. Be Patient: You won't earn enough points for a free month in your first week. But by consistently following this system, most users can earn enough points every 2-3 months to redeem for a free month of Game Pass Ultimate. When combined with other deals, it can drastically reduce your annual gaming budget.

Conclusion: Your Subscription is Now an Asset

By viewing your Microsoft Xbox Game Pass subscription not just as an expense, but as a tool that can generate value, you completely change the game. The Microsoft Rewards program is a brilliantly designed ecosystem that rewards engagement with tangible, high-value prizes.

It takes a small amount of daily effort, but the payoff is enormous. By dedicating just 15-20 minutes a day to these simple tasks, you transform a monthly bill into a self-sustaining part of your gaming hobby. You'll explore more games through the quests, stay engaged with the ecosystem, and, best of all, keep more money in your pocket for the things that matter. So go forth, start earning, and enjoy the feeling of playing the massive Game Pass library for a fraction of the cost—or maybe, for nothing at all.