Microsoft has just pulled a sneaky move that’s got gamers everywhere scratching their heads: they’ve quietly hiked the price of Xbox gift cards in their Rewards program, and nobody saw it coming. But here’s where it gets controversial—after already removing the option to redeem points for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions last year, Microsoft has now made it pricier to claim those coveted gift cards with your hard-earned Rewards points. And this is the part most people miss: the changes rolled out overnight across multiple regions, leaving users in the US, UK, Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and beyond wondering what just happened.
Let me break it down for you. Just recently, I had saved up enough points for a £25 Xbox gift card, which cost me around 29,445 points. I was planning to splurge on Promise Mascot Agency, a game that’s been hailed as one of the best Xbox titles of 2025 (check it out here: Best Xbox Games). But when I logged in this morning, the same gift card now demands 30,995 points. That’s a noticeable jump, and I’m not alone in noticing. Over on Reddit, users from all corners of the globe are reporting similar increases (see the discussion here: Reddit Thread).
Here’s the tricky part: the exact increase varies by region and depends on your level in the Microsoft Rewards program, which offers discounts based on your tier. From what I’ve gathered, it looks like Microsoft has bumped up the price of Xbox gift cards by roughly 5.3% in the US and UK. For instance, a $10 gift card that used to cost 9,500 points with a Level 2 discount now requires 10,000 points. In the UK, a £10 gift card has gone from 11,780 points to 12,400 points. Keep in mind, these figures are based on reports since I don’t have direct access to US pricing.
While the price hike is frustrating, what really rubs salt in the wound is Microsoft’s silence. Here’s the bold question: Why can’t they just communicate these changes openly? A simple announcement would’ve gone a long way, but instead, they’ve left users to figure it out on their own, almost as if they’re hoping we won’t notice. It’s a move that feels a bit sneaky, and it’s hard not to feel a little betrayed.
So, what’s your take on this? Are you seeing the same price increase? Where are you from? Let us know in the comments below. And if you missed it, some users were given a new Game Pass Quest earlier this month (details here: Game Pass Quest).
Written by Sean Carey
Sean is a die-hard Xbox enthusiast with a passion for achievements and a commitment to playing the best RPGs, racing games, and first-person shooters on Xbox Game Pass. Before joining TrueAchievements, Sean honed his skills with a journalism degree from Solent University.
Love our Xbox coverage? Add TrueAchievements as a Preferred Source on Google News (follow this link: Google News Preferences) to stay updated on the latest Xbox stories, achievement guides, and data analysis. And don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get the biggest Xbox news delivered straight to your inbox!
Join the conversation—let’s talk about Microsoft’s latest move and whether it’s a step too far. Agree? Disagree? Let’s hear it!
