Summary
- Microsoft Rewards could soon undergo point requirement increases for Xbox Game Pass redemptions, as per official emails sent to some users.
- Under the new Microsoft Rewards pricing structure, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate requires nearly 42 percent more points to redeem, whereas PC Game Pass demands a 35 percent premium.
- Level 1 Microsoft Rewards members may have to pay even more.
Microsoft Rewards members who rely on the “auto redeem” feature to maintain their Xbox Game Pass subscriptions for free may soon face a significant change. Official communication sent to some users suggests that a price increase for Xbox Game Pass redemptions on Microsoft Rewards is on the way and could be implemented in the coming months.
For years, Microsoft Rewards has been a valuable tool for Xbox and PC players by allowing them to accumulate points through searches, quizzes, and other activities, which could then be exchanged for Game Pass subscriptions. The auto redeem feature provided an easy way for dedicated users to keep their subscriptions active without spending real money. Up until now, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass required 12,000 points and 7,750 points, respectively. However, users may soon have to pay significantly more than this.
Related
Microsoft Rewards Responds to Unwarranted Suspensions
Microsoft Rewards issues an official statement on the recent wave of inexplicable suspensions that users reported receiving for no reason.
PureXbox recently shed light on an email going out to some Microsoft Rewards members in the UK, which says that a price hike for Xbox Game Pass redemptions will go into effect around April 20, 2025. This is further legitimized by the two new Game Pass redemption options in the current “redeem” section of the UK Microsoft Rewards portal. Both options display a substantial increase in the number of points required for the service, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now requiring 17,000 points (41.6 percent hike) and PC Game Pass jumping to 10,500 points (35.4 percent hike).
Increased Xbox Game Pass Point Requirements for Microsoft Rewards UK Users
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: 17,000 points (41.6 percent higher)
- PC Game Pass: 10,500 points (35.4 percent higher)
While the previous redemption system is still available for now, the email suggests that the lower-cost auto redeem options will be phased out by April 20 and users will have to manually re-subscribe under the new pricing structure. Another catch with these purported price hikes has to do with Microsoft Rewards’ membership level system. Level 2 members, who engage with the service more frequently, currently benefit from a discount compared to Level 1 members. The price increase applies to Level 2 members, meaning Level 1 members may see an even steeper rise in the points required for Xbox Game Pass redemptions. Furthermore, these changes may vary by region at the moment, but they could be implemented widely.
Earning 17,000 points per month might not be realistically achievable for many users under the current Microsoft Rewards structure, and so many have raised concerns about whether Microsoft will adjust its earnings system or if users will be forced to spend real money to maintain their subscriptions. The company has yet to comment on the situation, but it’s not the first time Microsoft Rewards’ prices have been abruptly increased.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier of Microsoft’s flagship game subscription service that offers over 100 game titles that you can play with a single purchase, making it one of the most outstanding value propositions of the Xbox ecosystem to date.