Highlights
- Xbox has introduced a redesigned Rewards program, called Rewards with Xbox, for a simpler experience and new earning opportunities.
- Microsoft Rewards allows users to earn points for gift cards and sweepstakes by playing games, earning achievements, and more.
- The old Rewards app on consoles will shut down in April, with the new Xbox Rewards Hub replacing it.
Xbox has announced big changes coming to the Microsoft Rewards program that include a simplified experience, adjustments to how members earn points, and more. Xbox's redesigned program, now called Rewards with Xbox, is beginning to roll out now.
Microsoft Rewards allows users to earn points that can be redeemed for things like gift cards and sweepstakes entries. To earn points, users simply sign up for the program and fulfill various tasks like playing games, earning achievements, and searching with Bing. Microsoft Rewards has undergone plenty of changes in recent months, some of which have not been received positively by fans, like an update earlier this month that saw gift cards become harder to earn in many regions.
Xbox Testing Big New Quality of Life Feature
Some Xbox Insider members on console now have access to a significant upgrade, which improves a commonly used feature in a helpful way.
Xbox confirmed that the old Microsoft Rewards app on consoles will shut down on April 15, making the newer Xbox Rewards Hub the primary destination. Here, Microsoft combines all of its rewards experiences into one app where users can set goals, earn points, and redeem them in a streamlined manner. On April 15, the Microsoft Rewards app's Weekly Sets and Weekly Streaks will be replaced with the Xbox Rewards Hub's new Weekly Bonus, which rewards users for playing a game of their choice multiple times per week. A message at the top of the new Rewards with Xbox website reads, "Get rewards for the games you love to play," which seems to be the emphasis of the revamped program.
Xbox Revamps Its Rewards Program
In a statement given to Pure Xbox, Microsoft said that many "experiments" would be tested over the coming months that aim to improve the Rewards program further, including new ways to earn and redeem points. For now, users can continue to earn points by playing games on Xbox or the Xbox app for PC, making purchases through the Microsoft Store, completing the program's Daily Set, and more. Microsoft also admitted that members might not receive as many Rewards points initially, but future improvements should help balance this out.
If Rewards members are subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, they can still earn up to 20 points per dollar spent in the Microsoft Store. Users will probably want to combine this method with many other point-earning strategies, as redeeming a $5 Amazon gift card costs 6,500 points.
In January, Xbox's Rewards program added another benefit for Game Pass subscribers by rewarding users with extra points when they play Game Pass titles four days a week. To earn rewards like the 14,000 point Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 1-month membership, users should probably utilize benefits like this one.
Xbox Series X
Microsoft's ninth-generation console, the Xbox Series X is a powerful machine that can support 4K resolution and 60 fps, depending on the game. Released alongside the Xbox Series S, the Series X has a Custom AMD Zen 2 CPU, a Custom RDNA 2 GPU, and 16 GB of RAM.
- Brand
- Microsoft
- Original Release Date
- November 10, 2020
- Hardware Versions
- Xbox Series X
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $499
- Weight
- 9.8 LBS
