Some players complain about Xbox Rewards: they claim that redeeming gift cards is getting more expensive

Users comment on social media that the points needed to redeem rewards seem to change over time.

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The Microsoft Rewards system has been a straightforward way for many gamers to earn Xbox Store credit without spending extra money for years. However, in recent days, some users have begun to share their frustration on forums and social media as they notice that rewards seem to be moving further away as they accumulate points.

A recent post on Reddit has sparked a lot of debate after showcasing the case of a gamer who was close to redeeming a $25 gift card. According to the post, the progress displayed in the system changed several times in a matter of weeks: first, it was at 93% of the goal, then it dropped to 85%, and later it fell to 77%.

Microsoft Rewards system sparks debate among gamers

The post generated a wide range of reactions within the community. Some users believe the system works correctly and point out that it’s possible to accumulate points consistently by completing daily tasks.

Among the most common ways to earn points within the program are:

• Daily searches with Bing from PC or mobile

• Activities and challenges within the Xbox app

• Missions related to Xbox Game Pass

• Monthly challenges or special events

Several gamers comment that they’ve managed to redeem dozens of dollars in credit simply by playing or completing these activities regularly.

Why can reward progress change?

Other community members explain that these changes may be related to variations in the number of points required for each reward or adjustments to the program’s levels.

According to some comments, when the Rewards level changes or Microsoft modifies the point cost of certain gift cards, the percentage displayed in the progress may vary even if the user hasn’t spent any points.

In any case, the debate brings up a recurring issue within the Xbox community: to what extent the rewards system remains one of the easiest ways to earn digital credit by playing, or if it now requires more time to reach the bigger rewards.

Meanwhile, many gamers continue to use Microsoft Rewards as a small incentive while playing or completing activities within the Xbox ecosystem.