One way to earn money is by redeeming your Microsoft Reward points. I just started paying more attention to this side hustle this year.
This is the very first gift card I redeemed with the Microsoft Rewards. Click here to see my progress.
Here is what I’ve found.
If you sign up for Microsoft rewards and earn enough points you can redeem them for various gift cards. Since I earned enough to redeem my first award back in February (2017), I started taking another look at this program.
While I don’t expect to get rich from this, every little bit helps.
Here is a screen shot of some of the rewards you can redeem with your Microsoft Rewards Points.
Microsoft Rewards
How it works
When you browse and search using Microsoft’s Bing search engine you will earn points. If you are a Windows 10 users you can also search using Microsoft Edge and earn points.
Microsoft also has Daily Offers and other activities on a regular basis that allows you to earn even more points.
When you have enough points you can redeem them for Microsoft stuff, but also for gift cards to certain retailers, one being Amazon. (My preference)
At the time of this writing it took 5,250 points to earn a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card. It sounds like a lot, but let’s be honest, if you are on the internet and surfing anyway, it really adds up fast. At least that is my experience.
You can also setup your mobile smart phone browser to use Bing search.
The entire process is really easy. You can even set goals and work towards the reward you want. I’ve set my goal for the Amazon Gift Card as shown here.
Requirements or Gotcha’s
There are a few things to keep in mind that stuck out for me the first time I went to redeem my points.
- First, you need to have Microsoft account. This is free so not a deal breaker for me. I already had a Microsoft account anyway so this was an easy process.I know some people don’t like having multiple accounts they need to keep track of. In order to earn your points you need to be signed on with your Microsoft account. So this is one thing to keep in mind.
- Second, when I went to redeem my first reward I was prompted to enter a phone number for verification purposes. The verification system ONLY accepts a real phone number.When I initially tried to verify with an internet phone number, it was denied.When I asked for assistance, I was told I needed a real number. I’m not sure why or how it checks this but after I entered my real number I was able to continue the process of redeeming my reward.
Again, not a huge deal breaker, but wanted to share that bit of information for your benefit. I don’t necessary like to have my real phone number out on the internet in so many places, but I think is was a small price to pay.
I don’t really answer the phone unless I recognize the phone number anyway.
Personal Finance
How does this affect your personal finances? Here is how I think of these things
I redeemed my first reward in February of this year. It’s now October and I have earned several more since then.
Remember it’s not how much you make, it’s how much you keep in your pocket.
Hers is another thought,
By redeeming my Microsoft reward points I’m able to get a $5.00 Amazon gift card.
That five dollars, is five dollars that I don’t have to pull out of my pocket. I can use it to buy birthday gifts, holiday gifts, or whatever.
Let’s think of this yet another way, that is five dollars I don’t have to work extra hard for.
Since I’m already online searching I can just pull up Bing and earn some points.
Here is the reality of it. If I can get $5 from Microsoft Rewards, if I can get $10 from My Coke Rewards. If I can get $5 from Jewel-Osco Monopoly Fandango Rewards. Do you see where this is headed?
Works for me and I bet with a little effort on your side it would work great for you as well.
Have you redeemed Microsoft rewards before? What was your experience? Please comment and share below.
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