Final Day to Use Microsoft Rewards Points for Xbox Game Pass Subscriptions

End of an Era: Microsoft Rewards Changes Impacting Xbox Game Pass

Effective tomorrow, October 1, 2025, Microsoft will discontinue the option to redeem Microsoft Rewards points directly for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. Consequently, today, September 30, 2025, marks the final opportunity for users to utilize their reward points in this manner.

The announcement first gained attention through Wario64, who shared an official statement from Microsoft outlining these changes. Nevertheless, there remains an alternative for acquiring Xbox Game Pass through Microsoft Rewards: users can still redeem their points for Xbox gift cards, which can then be applied to purchase the subscription.

As highlighted by Wario64, the change significantly increases the points required. For instance, obtaining just a single month of Game Pass will necessitate an additional 6, 000 points compared to the previous direct redemption option. This shift places a higher demand on users looking to enjoy the service.

Microsoft Rewards – Starting October 1st, users will no longer be able to directly redeem Reward points for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. Users will need to redeem points for Xbox gift cards to cover the cost of Game Pass subs. This increases points redemption by at least 6K points for 1 month of GP Ult.

— Wario64 (@wario64.bsky.social) 2025-09-30T16:25:42.329Z

User Reactions and Industry Implications

This latest modification to the Microsoft Rewards system has drawn criticism from users who regularly engage with it. A perusal of discussions on Xbox Reddit reveals widespread discontent among gamers who now face the prospect of expending thousands more points to access their beloved Game Pass service.

In related Game Pass developments, 2025 has witnessed a greater investment in the subscription service by Microsoft and Xbox, allowing for an expanded library and enhanced content offerings. However, industry voices like former Microsoft and Bethesda executive Pete Hines have raised concerns, suggesting that subscription models like Game Pass may not adequately compensate the developers and studios responsible for the content available on these platforms.

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