Microsoft has recently made significant adjustments to its Rewards program, particularly in terms of the redemption points required for Xbox and Amazon gift cards. This move has sparked concern among users, as they will now need more Microsoft Reward points to obtain these popular gift cards.

Over the past few months, Microsoft has implemented various changes to its Rewards program, such as reducing the points awarded for activities and introducing a cooldown period that limits the number of points a user can earn per hour. While some users noticed a temporary return to normalcy in January, with the ability to earn up to 30 points per reward, recent updates have revealed drastic alterations to the redemption prices for Microsoft and other third-party gift cards.

In response to these changes, Microsoft explained that it regularly adjusts the methods for redeeming points, signaling a shift in the company’s approach to its Rewards program. A Microsoft spokesperson emphasized that the program has evolved over the years to accommodate growth and expansion. The company aims to provide added value to its members through various activities, such as searching with Bing, browsing with Edge, playing on Xbox, and making purchases in the Microsoft store.

Despite Microsoft’s assurance that the changes are intended to facilitate growth and expansion, many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the recent modifications to the Rewards program. The initial change, which involved discontinuing the ability to earn points for using Microsoft Edge daily, was just the beginning of a series of adjustments that have left some members feeling unsettled.