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20% Discount on Gift Cards When Redeeming with Microsoft Rewards Points @ Microsoft

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20% Discount on Gift Cards When Redeeming with Microsoft Rewards Points @ Microsoft
Go to Deal
summit on 08/03/2024 - 09:59 rewards.bing.com (1136 clicks)
Last edited 08/03/2024 - 11:08 by 1 other user

For people like me who have been participating in MS Rewards for a while, you are probably aware of the many, many changes Microsoft have been making to the Rewards program recently. Most of these changes have involved nerfing and reducing the amount of points we can get as well as search cooldown times. It's made the program go from something easy that takes a few minutes a day to something that feels like a real chore.

Recently the worry has been that MS will increase the amount of points needed to redeem each reward, given inflation. Some countries have copped big increases. Just not in Australia! Yet. For some strange reason been given a roughly 20% discount on redemptions!

For example:

Microsoft/Xbox Gift Card:
$5 gift card - Was 4,750 points, now 3,755 points
$25 gift card - Was 23,600 points, now 18,765 points

Amazon/Target/Coles/Good Guys Gift Card:
$5 gift card - Was 6,750 points, now 5,135 points

There are greater gift card amounts than $5 but these seem to differ per store but all seem to be the same rate.

Amazon did have a "Custom amount" where you can choose a gift card amount up to $150 but they may have taken that option down as I cant see it this morning.

For me it's been a good run with MS Rewards but with all the changes and slowdowns with searches, I decided it to cash out while we have a discount. I got a $150 giftcard last night for 153,750 points. I also got some MS Giftcards and preordered Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree.

The new rates might be permanent, or might be an error, who knows!

Other Gift Card Reward Points

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closed Comments

  • jv on 08/03/2024 - 10:14
    +10

    If you do today's poll, worth 10 points, the question is:

    Which woman do you feel most inspired by?
    • Malala Yousafzai
    • Greta Thunberg

    The correct answer is Malala Yousafzai and you will get your 10 points…

    • jmart38 on 08/03/2024 - 10:58
      +5

      You get the points whether you answer correctly or not, and most of the time you can just close the tab with no answer and still get points.

    • Aureus on 08/03/2024 - 11:03

      Greta's long list of achievements pales in comparison to your 113000 always quality Ozbargain comments.

      • mickeyjuiceman on 08/03/2024 - 11:06
        -3

        JV being a protected species around here doesn't mean Greta's not a puppet as well.

        • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 13:54
          -5

          Your characterisation of her is hopefully not a true reflection of your general knowledge,

      • jv on 08/03/2024 - 11:08
        +2

        Greta's long list of achievements

        🤣🤣🤣

        • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 11:37
          -1

          Ignorance is bliss eh? On second thoughts, sections of your demographic seem particularly angry about a whole lot of mundane things so maybe that saying needs to be contemporised. Perhaps Ignorance breeds anger? As you've no doubt already deduced, the latter works quite well both ways.

          • jv on 08/03/2024 - 12:01
            +1

            @Igaf:

            Perhaps Ignorance breeds anger?

            Perhaps….

            • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 13:09
              -3

              @jv: Congratulations, you've picked the second of the two alternatives I referred to above, albeit without any context as is your demographic's wont. Can't find any examples of the first?

              As most would accept, she and her generation have a lot to be angry about.

              • jv on 08/03/2024 - 13:10

                @Igaf:

                she and her generation have a lot to be angry about.

                She does not represent a generation, she represents her puppeteers.

                • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 13:39
                  -2

                  @jv: Yes, and your evidence for that is no doubt that Thunberg's activism gave rise to numerous unprecedented marches by shool students here and in other parts of the world.

                  Nothing like opinionated ignorance, with the exception of a certain demographic - where ignorance is a highly valued trait - that is.

                  https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/chart-shows-global-yo…
                  https://www.acf.org.au/climate-anxiety-is-high-among-young-a…

                  There's plenty more **IF88 you're interested in getting up to speed. Likelihood - 330/1 and blowing.

                  While you're (not) off doing that you might also look up Thunberg's awards and achievements. You should find that - amomng other things - before she'd turned 18 she'd already received twenty or so prestigious honours/awards. To whet your apetite (lol) you should find that Greta Thunberg was awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize, the Rachel Carson Prize for outstanding work for the environment and at 16 was Time's Person of the Year, the youngest ever. This was all before she'd graduated secondary college, where as you [cough] know she still managed to attain 14 As and 3 Bs despite her numerous disruptions due to international commitments

                  • jv on 08/03/2024 - 13:40
                    -1

                    @Igaf:

                    Thunberg's activism gave rise to numerous unprecedented marches

                    I'm not really interested about what sheep do…

                    You are really getting off the topic here…

                    Please discuss the deal….

                    • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 13:48
                      -2

                      @jv: Facts making it too hot for you? No surprise there, but really, calling school students SHEEP? Kids who have more knowledge about climate change in their middle finger ([sic] than you will ever have is sorta ironic don't you think? Rhetorical question.

                      • jv on 08/03/2024 - 14:02
                        -1

                        @Igaf:

                        Facts making it too hot for you?

                        No facts, just propoganda…

                        but really, calling school students SHEEP?

                        I didn't call students SHEEP, just her supporters.

                        Stop making stuff up…🤣

                        • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 14:35
                          -1

                          @jv: Surveys which show the ignorance of your opinion are "propoganda"? You really have gone a lot further down that rw rabbit hole than I thought.

                          I didn't call students SHEEP, just her supporters.

                          Okay, I apologise, you only called the students who marched, and the hundreds of thousands who support her stand, SHEEP. That's much more adult.

                          • jv on 08/03/2024 - 14:37

                            @Igaf:

                            called the students who marched and the hundreds of thousands who support her stand, SHEEP

                            Not the students, just those you followed her.

                            How many students didn't march to follow her? 99.9999999%

                            • Igaf on 09/03/2024 - 10:35
                              -1

                              @jv: You knowledge of statistics is commensurate with your logical abilities. Look up the word unprecedented, and look at the surveys I linked which show your comment about youth concern is based on your own lack of knowledge and nothing more. Even a smart primary school kid could probably tell you some of the numerous reasons many students didn't march. Your implication that therefore they aren't seriously concerned about anthropogenic climate change is puerile - yet another characteristic of the demographic.

              • rokufan on 09/03/2024 - 04:48
                -2

                @Igaf: What demographic? Everyone on OzBargain knows jv is a women, and a lady at that. I hope you are not being a misogynist on International Women's Day that would be very problematic.

                • Igaf on 09/03/2024 - 11:08
                  -1

                  @rokufan: "Everyone knows". Lol. How do you know I'm not a woman or any other sex on the gender spectrum? This is anonymous website with a very strong male presence and although it's usually pretty easy to guess there are no guarantees - hence my regular (probably ignorant, given new pronoun use) references to he/she. I'll try to do better in future.

                  Your logic is impeccable though, and I find myself in complete agreement /s. On IWD we shouldn't respond to ignorant comments on an anonymous website in case the original commenter was a woman. News flash - ignorance isn't confined to any single sex, as is demonstrated daily in the good ol US of A.

                  There are clues in many of my comments about the demographic I'm referring to. Enjoy the reading. Here's a clue - it's a grab bag of usually rw all sorts, not dissimilar to what we saw here during covid. On the same line, I've seen your voting elsewhere - here's an example: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15022318/redir and it's not difficult to guess that you also dropped negs on my responses here and there. It suggests that you may well be part of the same demographic or another which holds intersecting (anti)social views. Hopefully not. Low confidence, high hopes.

                • Igaf on 10/03/2024 - 11:07
                  -1

                  @rokufan: Hit a nerve did I? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15044216/redir

                  I believe that you can't buy reality or empathy but I'l keep an eye out for a deal for you.

                  • rokufan on 10/03/2024 - 17:01

                    @Igaf: Oh dear, still going. Spamming comments ranting and stalking. Sad.

                    Touch grass

                    • Igaf on 11/03/2024 - 15:09
                      -1

                      @rokufan: My replying is spamming/ranting/stalking but yours - and your clicking my nic to see where else you can upvote/downvote - isn't? Interesting position, confirms pretty much what your voting already suggested. Some people have the courage of their convictions, some don't. Your 'sad' comment is an obvious - unsuccessful - attempt at a put down. What is actually sad is your attitude to marginalised people.

    • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 11:04
      -3

      Triggered by such a simple thing AND unable to understand that correctness is neither stated nor mplied in the question?

      I'm shocked /s.

      • jv on 08/03/2024 - 11:09
        +2

        Triggered by such a simple thing

        What little thing triggered you?

        • Igaf on 08/03/2024 - 11:26
          -1

          Nothing really, although I sometimes enjoy replying to inanities.

          • jv on 08/03/2024 - 11:27
            +2

            @Igaf: but not outanities ?

  • cumova on 08/03/2024 - 10:17

    is it best to get the the MS gift card and get ultimate?

    • jv on 08/03/2024 - 10:36

      yes and no

      • cumova on 08/03/2024 - 10:39
        +4

        thanks jv for your input (as always)

    • Everettpsycho on 08/03/2024 - 11:31
      +1

      Best way to get ultimate is usually redeeming for core and converting it. Even with an active sub the points per day ratio is best converting this way.

      • Noddy Doldrums on 08/03/2024 - 11:56

        Mine isnt active. Is it better for those of us who's isnt?

        • Everettpsycho on 08/03/2024 - 14:41

          Even better, for new subs 3 months core is 2 months ultimate, so 250 points per day. Only downside is you need to get ultimate some way to convert all that core over.

      • cumova on 08/03/2024 - 12:05

        thanks. i always thought there was a trick but forgot with the new core thing. i googled and it said core converts 3:2.
        on this basis, i did some quick maphs

        Core - 3 months - 15,000 points - converts 3:2
        So
        Ultimate 2 months is 15,000 points if you convert with core
        compared to
        3 months ultimate 35,000 points - which is 2 months @ 23,333

        i think that is right

        • Everettpsycho on 08/03/2024 - 14:44

          I find the pts/day conversion easiest.

          Core (new ultimate)=15000/60 days=250 pts/day
          Core (existing ultimate)=15000/50 days=300 pts/day
          Ultimate=35000/90=388 pts/day

  • Noddy Doldrums on 08/03/2024 - 10:21

    Do ms gift cards redeemed from points have an expiry. Been a long time but think it's fairly short time to use them. Hope someone can clarify

    • Jbeaner on 08/03/2024 - 10:25
      +1

      This is my concern, the XBOX gift card says 90 days. I thought in Australia it was law that all gift cards are required to be valid for 3 years.

      • dm02 on 08/03/2024 - 10:28
        +5

        That's for gift cards that are "sold". Doesn't apply to bonuses or rewards:

        The three year requirement does not apply to gift cards that are:
        - given as a bonus in connection with a purchase of a good or service for use in the same business (customer loyalty programs)

        • Jbeaner on 08/03/2024 - 10:31

          Interesting caveat, thanks for clarifying

        • mickeyjuiceman on 08/03/2024 - 10:52
          +1

          It's also for "gift cards" that they issue as a refund to a game that doesn't run as they say it will on consoles. They will find any way they can to steal your gift cards from you, for sure.

  • LLdreamer on 08/03/2024 - 10:22

    Where is Coles giftcard?

    • jv on 08/03/2024 - 10:27

      Is that a rhetorical question?

    • cumova on 08/03/2024 - 10:39

      i can only see a $5 one. is that the only way to redeem in multiples?

      • LLdreamer on 08/03/2024 - 11:17

        I cant see Coles giftcard on my redemption page. Other AU giftcatds, yes except Coles.

        • CC123 on 08/03/2024 - 11:54
          +2

          Here's the direct link

          • LLdreamer on 08/03/2024 - 12:05

            @CC123: Thank you for your help but this comes up -
            This item isn't available in your region, but you can still redeem your points for items listed on this Rewards redemption page.

            Strange…I had always redeemed Coles all this while and other giftcards shown on my redemption page are for Australia.

            • cumova on 08/03/2024 - 12:06
              +1

              @LLdreamer: i noticed you need to be logged in for them to appear. maybe you signed up different region?

  • heyimsu on 08/03/2024 - 11:05

    saar, kindly do the needful, do not redeem.

  • annearj on 08/03/2024 - 11:08
    +1

    looks like JB Hifi gift cards got removed

  • coxymla on 08/03/2024 - 11:15

    I'm surprised there's anyone still on this program that hasn't been banned.

    Even people who didn't use ABS were banned if they did a lot of activities.

    • summit on 08/03/2024 - 12:43

      Thats another reason I cashed in. If I got banned like so many others I would be so pissed.

      • Noddy Doldrums on 08/03/2024 - 13:34

        People are getting banned because of the collecting of points…or banned for other reasons and then losing the points?

        • summit on 08/03/2024 - 14:07

          Microsoft are banning people and saying they are breaking the terms and conditions (i.e. using bots to do searches automatically, using VPNs to get points in other regions etc). But from what I've seen on Reddit, many say they haven't done any of them but got banned anyway and MS give automated responses that dont give the actual reason. And yes, some lost hundreds of dollars worth of points

          Examples
          https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftRewards/comments/153w08s/m…

  • pitufon on 08/03/2024 - 12:23
    +1

    Great offer! After years of collecting points, I can finally get a $5 voucher!

  • bcYield on 08/03/2024 - 12:29

    Is it too late to start collecting points now? xD

  • snoopydoop on 08/03/2024 - 13:10
    +1

    I usually buy games with a code from a cheaper region online and redeem with a VPN.

    Just redeemed AUD$75 of credit, what's a good way to spend that isn't really as possible to get cheaper through other regions for much cheaper than the AU store?

    EDIT: Just realised credit can probably be used for physical accessories, this is probably the way to go unless someone else has a better idea!

    • Everettpsycho on 08/03/2024 - 14:53

      I've heard of a few people in the UK already saving points hoping to get the next hardware refresh basically for free.

      • snoopydoop on 08/03/2024 - 16:26

        I managed to get about $75 worth in around 6 months of daily trying, imagine it would take forever to get 10x that amount, particularly since they're making some moves to nerf the program.

      • hunters on 08/03/2024 - 21:42

        I thought there was an annual cash out limit, around $500 I believe. I mean it still helps a bunch but I imagine the next hardware refresh will be closer to $1k.

  • uccoffee on 08/03/2024 - 14:14

    Can you teach me how to write a script to collect points daily? Or you really click that times and search every single day?

    • bcYield on 08/03/2024 - 19:43

      Were mentioned an extension in the previous posts/comments. I myself haven't had a chance to get started lol.

    • FlipperMeTimbers on 08/03/2024 - 21:42
      +1

      I used to develop the main script for ms rewards but nowadays they track actual mouse movement and everything. to the point where it wasnt worth fixing, this couldve changed recently but I doubt it

      • moo on 09/03/2024 - 10:47

        Using what tools or scripting language?

        • FlipperMeTimbers on 10/03/2024 - 17:40
          +1

          It was using Selenium in Python. I personally used Pycharm Professional.

  • BluebirdV on 08/03/2024 - 14:36

    How do you get more points quickly? Must have been using Bing Search constantly for a year, reading news articles, etc, and still only 1420 points.

    • Everettpsycho on 08/03/2024 - 14:51

      Find the Reddit rewards thread there's a lot to get points from:

      Bing searches:150 pts a day plus bonuses for streaks
      Microsoft start app read and earn: 30 pts a day
      Rewards page has between 30 and 75 points of cards to click on every day
      Xbox gamepass quests:multiple points totals, can be almost 2000 a month
      Xbox rewards app:200 a week plus 2500 every 10 weeks

      There's also the Xbox app that for some users offers another 250 points a day for playing PC games.

      It's not uncommon in some regions to hit 20000 points a month, in new Zealand we have less on offer and I pretty.mich hit the 300 points most days to pay for my gamepass.

    • summit on 08/03/2024 - 14:55

      The main ones:
      -Get the Bing App and do the daily set, read news, quiz etc. Do searches in Edge. (300 or so)
      -Do searches on PC (90)
      -Get Xbox App, play Jewel, Play a PC Game with friends (i.e. sit in an Age of Empires Lobby in the background) (300)

      Doing these are almost 700 per day. You can get more in the Rewards app on Xbox too though not as many as before.

      To be fair it used to much easier, the searches are very annoying now.

      • nokia3660 on 08/03/2024 - 20:41

        MS had come down hard on the extra point activities. The max per day is only around 250 odd without the xbox points. The 12 points for edge search is no longer available either.

      • BluebirdV on 09/03/2024 - 17:40

        I have the Bing app and do searches everyday using Co-Pilot but still only 1420 points.

        • cumova on 09/03/2024 - 18:52

          1420 a day??

          • BluebirdV on 09/03/2024 - 23:45

            @cumova: Total points after at least 6-8 months of use mainly on the Bing app.

    • bcYield on 08/03/2024 - 19:45

      Currently received an email about Microsoft cashback which should give back in points. Not too sure.

    • hunters on 08/03/2024 - 21:51

      Well worth doing the things the others have mentioned. I cashed out all my points on 17 December to mostly fund a new Series S and now I am back just over 60,000 points.

      • nokia3660 on 08/03/2024 - 22:57

        what the.. how did you rack up 60K points in 3 months?

        • hunters on 09/03/2024 - 00:57
          +1

          As summit says above, you can easily get over 700 points a day and on top of that there are streak rewards, and daily / weekly / monthly rewards on the xbox app. It's been 83 days since I cashed out so I am averaging around 723 points a day with having missed a few points when away on holidays.

          There is this narrative going around that the program is shot but it really requires very little effort to knock these activities out (especially having a desk job and working from home!) and before you know it, there is a free $50 sitting there.

          • reactor-au on 09/03/2024 - 06:17

            @hunters: Some people's time is so cheap

            • hunters on 09/03/2024 - 11:27

              @reactor-au: Cheap enough to spend time on random forums telling people they have no time to do a few simple clicks!

          • nokia3660 on 10/03/2024 - 13:01

            @hunters: as my reply above to Summit's comment, I do everything except the xbox stuff. But I only average 210-250 points per day. (60 for mobile search, 90 for pc search, 30 for news, 50 - 80 depending on various other bonuses and the 150 bonus for every 10 day streak)

            Any idea where I might be missing the points? (as mentioned above I don't do the xbox stuff)

            • hunters on 10/03/2024 - 22:14

              @nokia3660: I think you've covered all the non - xbox ones.

              There are two different xbox ones though - there are the daily / weekly / monthly gamepass quests where the monthly ones can sometimes take some effort to complete and then there are the xbox app daily items where most of the points come from 'playing with friends on pc' (which also unlocks the 'play a PC game'.

              This is easy to knock off by joining one of the multiplayer lobbies in Age of Empires Definitive edition. You don't need to play, just queue in one of the many lobbies that exist solely for points. I can easily join a lobby each morning while waiting for the damn work laptop to start up.

  • dlee on 09/03/2024 - 11:32

    Is anyone else having issues with redeeming points for the $5 Coles gift card? I keep getting emailed a message "We ran into some issues with your order": Microsoft says there was a problem, and that my points were not deducted because of this.

    Maybe they discovered that they made a mistake and that it shouldn't be only 5,135 points? So sad that I didn't manage to snag even one before they closed that loophole.

    • rokufan on 09/03/2024 - 18:17

      I got this error when trying to redeem the $5 Coles gc. I haven't done anything dodgy with collecting points.

      Microsoft Rewards account is temporarily restricted
      This account is temporarily restricted because recent account activity may be in breach of the Microsoft Rewards Terms of Service.
      Use Bing correctly for regular searches. If you do so, your account can be restored automatically.
      Please read how to get the most out of the Microsoft Rewards program.
      If you believe your account has been restricted in error, contact customer support.

      • dlee on 09/03/2024 - 20:12

        I later discovered that the error ("We ran into some issues with your order") had to do with redemption using Edge on my MOBILE only. When I used my laptop, the order went through (though I have yet to receive the gift card—-previously, I found it could take HOURS to appear in my email account). At least redemption works on the laptop. Don't understand why doing it on my mobile generated that error (I tried 6 to 8 times, and each was unsuccessful, but on my laptop the first try was successful).

        • nokia3660 on 10/03/2024 - 12:56

          It would fail eventually. I got a mail advising that they order cannot be processed and the points were refunded.

          • dlee on 10/03/2024 - 13:00

            @nokia3660: Oh… that's a bummer. What is the reason… do you know? Microsoft are advertising the gift card for 5,135 points, and they are allowing me to redeem points for it, so why would this not be honoured?

            • nokia3660 on 10/03/2024 - 13:03

              @dlee: No idea. I got the below mail from them soon after I redeemed the points for coles

              Our apologies

              We're reaching out to let you know we ran into some issues with your order. As a result, your order has been voided. However, your point balance has not been impacted. If you would like us to look into this for you please contact us here.

              Thanks,
              Microsoft Rewards Team

      • ELIZABETHRICHARDSON on 14/04/2024 - 11:00

        I just redeemed a Coles Gift Card now as Coles has been returned to the redemption list. I had the same issue as you (and others) a few weeks ago. I think it was just a glitch in the system. It seems to be working as normal now.

        • rokufan on 14/04/2024 - 15:08

          Same. I tried again yesterday and it worked.

    • test8888 on 21/03/2024 - 12:57

      am I too late? even didn't see coles card now, and no discount on others.

  • mantra on 22/03/2024 - 18:35

    earning points just got nerf'd today for xbox game pass rewards from about 300 to less than 50 points daily

    biggest hit was removing play with friends 100 points equivalent to 250 with bonus points which was also removed

    • cumova on 12/04/2024 - 11:01
      +1

      they nerfed everything. used to at least get 200+ points a day without any effort. now one 30. terrible.

  • lonewolf on 02/04/2024 - 11:23

    Hey guys, I redeemed for the XBGP Core , I dont see an expiry on the email for the code or on the web link provided? I have quite a few points to use, I was wondering if i can just redeem all of them now for the Xbox Game Pass Core codes and then actually redeem the codes themselves at a later date? Since there is no recorded expiry, does that mean i can use them 6 months down the line?

  • Iluvfreebies on 14/04/2024 - 07:19
    Merged from Redeem Rewards Points for Amazon, Coles, Dan Murphy's, Apple + More eGift Cards: $5 Card for 5135 Points (Was 6750) @ Microsoft
    Go to Deal

    Drop in points needed to redeem GC from 6750 to 5135 from Microsoft rewards

    • j-scrizz on 14/04/2024 - 07:45
      +5

      Meh… its a shame they have completely nerfed how many points we can actually earn now.

      • anonym on 14/04/2024 - 08:13
        +2

        Used to let my rewards points accumulate until I can buy something big, now I just redeem $5 whenever I have enough. They've made so many unwelcomed changes to the program, I no longer trust that it'll last.

    • 0 0 0 on 14/04/2024 - 08:24

      My account is somehow stuck showing US rewards. No idea why

      • ELIZABETHRICHARDSON on 14/04/2024 - 11:02

        Do you have more than one account? Just check which Microsoft account you are logged into.

    • Iggemo on 14/04/2024 - 08:25
      +1

      it's something i guess, the loss of play a pc game with friends and the like means my daily earn is prolly 1/3 or 1/4 of what it was so it will barely pay for game pass now : /

    • theguyrules on 14/04/2024 - 08:35
      +1

      Thanks, got a $5 Amazon GC

    • SlifSlif on 14/04/2024 - 08:46

      Wow. I remember a few years ago when they first did rewards I did so much grinding for rewards points - was waiting for them to put the Xbox series x as a redeemable reward (as a sweepstake in Aus).

      I forgot about it, logged in and 0 points. They made points that expire?

    • TheDukeOfNukem on 14/04/2024 - 09:17
      +1

      Xbox credit itself has also dropped and it's, as always, the best value. Missus just cashed in a 25 bucker the other day for 18k points. Not sure about the lower values, but I think a $5 card is just under 4k now. $10 is 7 point something K too I believe.

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