Microsoft Points as a separate currency no longer exist. Microsoft replaced them with real-money balances called Microsoft Account Balance (also called Xbox wallet balance) back in 2013. But the goal is the same as it always was: you want free or low-cost credit to spend on games, apps, movies, and subscriptions on Xbox and Windows. This guide shows you exactly how to get that credit fast, using every legitimate method available in 2026.
What Are “Microsoft Points” Today?
When people search for Microsoft Points in 2026, they usually mean one of two things:
- Microsoft Rewards points (earned through Bing, Edge, Xbox, and shopping)
- Xbox gift card credit / Microsoft Account Balance (used to buy games and subscriptions)
Both are real, both are free to earn, and this guide covers both in full detail.
The Fastest Way: Microsoft Rewards
Microsoft Rewards is the single fastest and most reliable method. It is free, built directly into Windows and Xbox, and you do not need a credit card.
How Microsoft Rewards Works
You earn points by doing everyday things:
- Searching on Bing
- Using Microsoft Edge as your browser
- Taking daily quizzes and surveys
- Shopping at the Microsoft Store
- Playing Xbox games
- Completing monthly punch cards
Points accumulate in your Rewards dashboard at rewards.microsoft.com. Once you hit enough points, you redeem them for Xbox gift cards, Microsoft Store credit, or even charity donations.
How Much Are Microsoft Rewards Points Worth?
| Points | USD Value |
|---|---|
| 5,300 | $5 Xbox gift card |
| 10,500 | $10 Xbox gift card |
| 21,000 | $20 Xbox gift card |
| 5,300 | $5 Microsoft Store credit |
How to Earn Points Fast with Microsoft Rewards
Step 1: Sign in every single day. The daily streak bonus gives you bonus points just for being consistent. Missing days resets your streak multiplier.
Step 2: Complete all three daily searches. Bing gives you points for up to 30 searches per day on desktop and 20 on mobile. Set Bing as your default search engine in Edge and you earn passively.
Step 3: Do the daily and weekly quizzes. The “This or That” quiz, news quizzes, and polls each give 10 to 50 points. They take under 2 minutes total.
Step 4: Use Level 2 status. Once you earn 500 points in a single month, you reach Level 2. This increases your earning rate from 1x to 1.5x on most activities.
Step 5: Complete punch cards. These are limited-time activity sets worth 1,000 to 3,000 points each. Check your dashboard every Monday for new ones.
Step 6: Use the Xbox app daily. The Xbox mobile app has its own daily rewards activity. It takes 30 seconds and gives 15 to 50 points.
Realistic earning estimate: An active user who does daily searches, quizzes, and punch cards can earn 1,500 to 2,000 points per week. That is roughly a $5 gift card every 2 to 3 weeks without spending a single dollar.
Xbox Game Pass and Rewards Combo
If you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, your Microsoft Rewards points earn at a higher rate. Game Pass subscribers get exclusive Rewards offers, bonus point events, and access to the Game Pass Quests section inside the Xbox app.
Game Pass Quests give you points for:
- Playing specific games each month
- Hitting playtime milestones
- Completing in-game achievements
Some monthly quest bundles are worth 3,000 to 5,000 points. That is a $5 card from a single month of quests alone.
Other Fast Ways to Get Microsoft Account Balance
1. Xbox Gift Cards from Retail and Online Stores
Physical and digital Xbox gift cards are sold at:
- Walmart, Target, Best Buy, GameStop
- Amazon (digital delivery, instant)
- Costco (sometimes sells discounted bundles)
Tip: Amazon and eBay often have verified sellers offering discounted digital codes, especially during sale seasons. Always buy from sellers with strong verified reviews and check the platform’s buyer protection policy before purchasing.
2. Credit Card Rewards and Cashback Apps
If you already use cashback credit cards or apps like Rakuten, you can stack savings:
- Use a 2% cashback card to buy Xbox gift cards at a grocery store that gives 4% cashback on groceries
- Rakuten occasionally has cashback offers on Microsoft Store purchases
This is not “free” money but it reduces your real cost significantly.
3. Survey and GPT Sites (Lower Speed, Some Value)
Sites like Swagbucks, PrizeRebel, and InboxDollars let you earn virtual currency through surveys and tasks, which you can convert to Xbox gift cards. These are slower than Microsoft Rewards but legitimate.
Realistic earning rate on survey sites: $3 to $8 per hour for consistent work. Worth using during downtime but not a primary strategy.
4. Microsoft Cashback (Microsoft Shopping)
When you use Microsoft Edge’s built-in shopping tool, you get automatic cashback on purchases at thousands of stores. The cashback goes directly into your Microsoft Rewards balance. It is not massive but it is completely passive.
5. Bing Rebates
Microsoft runs periodic rebate offers through Bing where you earn a percentage back on purchases made through Bing Shopping links. Check the “Offers” tab in your Rewards dashboard regularly.
How to Redeem Microsoft Rewards Points for Xbox Credit
Redeeming is simple:
- Go to rewards.microsoft.com or open the Rewards app on Xbox
- Click “Redeem”
- Choose “Xbox gift card” or “Microsoft Store” credit in your region
- Select the denomination you want
- Confirm with your Microsoft account password
- The credit appears in your Microsoft Account Balance within minutes
Note: Gift card availability varies by country. In most regions, the $5 and $10 Xbox cards are available. Some regions offer local currency gift cards instead.
Microsoft Rewards: Maximizing Your Points Per Month
Here is a simple daily routine that takes under 10 minutes:
| Task | Time | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| Bing desktop searches (30) | 3 min | 150 pts |
| Bing mobile searches (20) | 2 min | 60 pts |
| Daily quiz / poll | 1 min | 30 pts |
| Edge streak activity | 1 min | 15 pts |
| Xbox app daily | 1 min | 15 to 50 pts |
| Punch card progress | 2 min | 100 to 200 pts |
| Total daily | ~10 min | ~370 to 500 pts |
At 400 points per day average, you earn 12,000 points per month. That is more than enough for a $10 Xbox gift card every month, consistently.
According to Microsoft’s own Rewards program documentation, Level 2 users who maintain daily streaks consistently earn more than casual users over time due to streak bonuses and exclusive offers. You can read more about the program structure at Microsoft’s official Rewards support page.
What to Avoid
Some methods look appealing but are either scams or violations of Microsoft’s terms of service.
Avoid these:
- “Free Microsoft Points generators” (these do not work and steal your login)
- Third-party sites claiming to give away codes for completing tasks (almost always phishing or survey farms)
- Buying codes from unknown sellers on social media (high risk of invalid codes)
- Using bots or automation to farm Bing searches (Microsoft detects this and suspends accounts)
- Any site asking for your full Microsoft account password in exchange for points
Microsoft actively monitors for automated Rewards activity. Accounts caught using scripts or bots get suspended permanently. The legitimate method is slower but safe and permanent.
Microsoft Points for Windows Users vs Xbox Users
The experience is slightly different depending on where you spend most of your time.
| Feature | Windows | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Earn via Edge browser | Yes | No |
| Earn via Bing search | Yes | No |
| Earn via Game Pass Quests | Xbox app on PC | Yes |
| Redeem for Store credit | Yes | Yes |
| Daily activities app | Rewards app | Xbox dashboard |
If you are a Windows user, Edge is your biggest earning tool. If you are primarily on Xbox, Game Pass Quests and the Xbox app are your best daily drivers.
For a broader look at how Microsoft’s ecosystem ties together for Windows users, Microsoft’s own Windows and Xbox FAQ is a useful reference point.
How Long Does It Take to Get a $10 Xbox Gift Card?
This depends entirely on how actively you participate.
| Effort Level | Points Per Day | Days to $10 Card |
|---|---|---|
| Casual (searches only) | 150 pts | 70 days |
| Moderate (searches + quizzes) | 300 pts | 35 days |
| Active (all daily tasks) | 500 pts | 21 days |
| Power user (punch cards + quests) | 700 pts | 15 days |
The “active” tier is realistic for most people with 10 minutes a day to spare.
Conclusion
The fastest way to get Microsoft Points (now Microsoft Rewards points) in 2026 is through Microsoft Rewards combined with the Xbox app. It is free, built into the devices you already use, and consistent. A daily 10-minute habit of Bing searches, quizzes, and punch cards earns you roughly one $10 gift card per month with no investment at all.
If you want to speed it up further, stack Microsoft Rewards with Game Pass Quests, cashback credit cards, and seasonal Microsoft Store sales. Avoid scam generators entirely. They waste time and risk your account.
Start at rewards.microsoft.com, set Bing as your default in Edge, and check your dashboard every morning. That is genuinely all it takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Microsoft Points still a thing in 2026?
No. Microsoft discontinued the Microsoft Points currency in 2013. Today, all purchases use real-money Microsoft Account Balance. However, Microsoft Rewards lets you earn points that convert to gift cards and store credit, which is what most people mean when they ask about Microsoft Points today.
How many Microsoft Rewards points equal $1?
Roughly 1,000 to 1,100 Microsoft Rewards points equal $1 in Xbox or Microsoft Store credit. A $5 Xbox gift card costs 5,300 points and a $10 card costs 10,500 points in most regions.
Can I use Microsoft Rewards points on Game Pass?
Yes. You can redeem Rewards points for a Microsoft Account Balance gift card and use that balance to pay for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or other subscriptions. You cannot apply points directly at checkout, but the gift card method achieves the same result.
Do Microsoft Rewards points expire?
Yes. If your account is inactive for 18 consecutive months, your points expire. As long as you earn at least one point every 18 months, your balance stays active. Completing even one daily search per month is enough to prevent expiration.
Is it safe to use third-party sites to get Xbox gift cards?
Only if they are established, well-reviewed platforms with clear buyer protection, such as Amazon or major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy. Avoid unknown sites, social media giveaways, and any platform that requires your Microsoft account password. Microsoft Rewards itself is always the safest and most reliable free option.
