Microsoft Rewards: get points for Bing searches and shopping at Microsoft and Windows stores
Microsoft has launched a rewards scheme for using the Bing search engine, shopping at the Microsoft Store and doing various other tasks. Anna Jordan gives it a spin.
Microsoft has launched a rewards scheme called Microsoft Rewards.
You can earn points for using the Bing search engine and shopping at the Microsoft and Windows stores as well as for taking daily quizzes, entering sweepstakes and completing challenges.
If you’ve got a Microsoft account it’s pretty easy to sign up on the Rewards hub. Those who have an Outlook, Hotmail Live, Skype or Xbox Live account will be able to sign up in a couple of clicks.
How does it work?
Once you’ve registered, Bing searches and purchases made through the Microsoft and Windows stores will automatically accrue points.
It goes without saying that the more searches you do through Bing, the more points you’ll earn.
On Bing, Level 1 members can earn points for up to 10 searches a day and Level 2 members can earn points for up to 50 searches a day (30 for PC, 20 for mobile). The search limit resets every day.
Points can be used to redeem music, films, games and apps in the Microsoft Store as well as on new devices and gadgets. Points can also be exchanged for movie downloads, PC accessories and money off promotions.
If that’s not your cuppa, you can redeem against sweepstake entries for Microsoft products, charitable donations, exclusive offers and experiences.
The latest offer is the chance to appear in pop star Charli XCX’s new music video.
Speaking about the launch of Microsoft Rewards, Kevin Stagg from Microsoft said: “Although still an option with our programme, unlike other reward schemes where you have to spend money to get points, all you have to do with ours is run your searches through Bing and points will automatically register in your account as long as you’re logged in.”
Is it any good?
I gave Microsoft Rewards a quick test run to see what it’s all about.
You start with a base of 70 points, but need to rack up an additional 500 to become a Level 2 user. At Level 2 you get access to exclusive offers and discounts, but you’ll need to be earning 500 points each month which seems like a tall order.
Aside from searches, you can do quite a few other tasks to boost your points.
I opt to colour in a unicorn. The server takes me to a page filled with all manner of cute creatures and majestic stallions in black and white. But I only earn 10 points.
The coffee break quiz seems like a better shout with the chance to earn 10 points per correct answer. Today’s topic is the Godfather, but my earning potential is scuppered by the quiz not working. It’s just as well as I’ve never seen the Godfather (and yes, I am waiting for a barrage of questions on what I’m doing with my life).
Setting a goal can get you 100 points. Goals include earning £2 of Skype credit and doubling your donation to associated charities.
OK, so how about the search function itself? My experiences with Bing haven’t been great in the past: it hasn’t given me useful results and the ones that are get lost in a sea of ads.
I search archery lessons – it’s first thing that pops into my head aside from paperclips – and the results aren’t too bad. The rewards aren't enough for me to stray from my regular search engine though.
The only thing I would say is that even though it’s sponsored, the first result is from a different part of the country, despite Bing having a rough idea of where I’m located.
What’s the verdict?
If you’re a frequent Bing user or Microsoft Store shopper, it could be worth using as you’ll be logged in to your account anyway.
However, between the small number of points up for grabs and the limits on daily searches, you’ll need to put in a lot of time to see any decent reward.
That £2 of Skype credit costs 1,000 points and I’m currently sitting on 83.
It looks like I’ll have to colour in a lot more unicorns.
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Comments
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Thank you Polonius for the secure search engine tips. I have tried using Bing in the past, but somehow it feels a little too Microsofty. Can't put my finger on it, but you always get the sense that every keystroke is going into a database somewhere. For the same reason, I don't use MS Edge. Call me paranoid.
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I use Ixquix, startpage and duckduckgo. All the benefits of Google with none of the snooping on your searching.
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still using Google after all the not payin rax scandals - I switched to yahoo - hardly any difference apart from when you click on search it opens in a new window which i love. this from the first person i have met to use google - 20 years ago now
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07 June 2017