Xbox eliminates direct discounts on Game Pass DLC and moves them to Rewards

The immediate 10% discount on expansions is no longer available: it is now returned in points.

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Microsoft has made another move with the benefits of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and the change affects the downloadable content (DLC) head-on. Until now, any player with an active subscription could buy expansions or game packs included in Game Pass with a 10% direct discount on the Xbox Store. This discount was applied at the time of payment, immediately reducing the final price of the add-on.

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With the renewal of the service, this is no longer the case. Since the beginning of October, most DLCs appear at full price, even in very popular titles like Forza Horizon 5 or Call of Duty. Only a few specific cases, such as premium upgrades for South of Midnight or Indiana Jones, still maintain the discount. The exception remains with EA Play games, which continue to offer a 10% direct discount on expansions.

How the DLC benefit works in Game Pass now

Instead of being discounted at the time of purchase, Microsoft has transferred this advantage to the Xbox Rewards system. This means that when a player buys a DLC from the Game Pass library, they will receive 10% of the amount in Rewards points, which can be accumulated and redeemed in the digital store later.

• In other words: if a DLC that used to cost 20 € was discounted to 18 € at the time of payment, now the full price is paid, but the player receives the equivalent of 2 € in points to spend later. It’s not an immediate savings, but a deferred refund. Additionally, Microsoft has detailed that Ultimate subscribers can also get up to 30% off on selected games, quadruple the points earned on game and add-on purchases, and keep the 20% discount on full Game Pass games.

This change may cause some frustration, as players lose the convenience of the instant discount. On the other hand, for those who take full advantage of the Xbox Rewards program, the points refund can still offer an equivalent benefit, although less tangible in the short term.