Xbox Live Rewards program launches

by JC Fletcher on Dec 1st 2010 10:00AM

The "Xbox Live Rewards" program tested over a year ago is now a real thing. The website for the US/UK-only loyalty program is now live, and you can sign up and check out the rewards.

It's kind of like Club Nintendo, except instead of fans and tote bags, you get Microsoft Points and Microsoft Points. The bonuses range from 10 MSP for renewing a one-month membership, all the way to 400 for buying or renewing a family plan. You can also get 100 points for activating Netflix, unspecified bonuses for buying certain things on Marketplace, and an occasional 20 points for taking surveys. Microsoft also promises "cool prizes" in promotions.

As Club Nintendo users know, there is basically no downside to a loyalty program like this. You do the stuff you were going to do anyway, and then someone gives you free stuff periodically.

[Thanks, Blacked Out]

Source: Xbox Live Rewards

Tags: loyalty-program, microsoft, microsoft-points, xbox, xbox-live, xbox-live-rewards

Reader Comments (92)

Makes the family pack look better and better, but does nothing for somebody like me* otherwise.

i.e. already using XBL gold and Netflix

@Acosta02 i hear ya, they give stuff to new people but dont help those who have had subscriptions with them, yea we get stuff for renewing but what about stuff based on years with live?

@hunkyChunky

I'm not seeing how your comment can be interpreted as downside to the Loyalty Program rather than a just another requisite "PS3 fanboy" remark. Loyalty Program in itself does not have a downside for opting-in, and of course people may have differing opinions for pay-to-use services, but that is another issue all together.

The subscription fees were upped in the regions that received additional "features" like last.fm, SkyTV and ESPN. (e.g. Canadians did not get either of those, nor did the yearly rate get increased, however the one-month price did increase).

One could argue that PSN plus is akin "loyalty" program for PSN users that are willing to pay for perks of membership. You could still say that multiplayer is still available without PSN plus, which is entirely a valid point, however Sony is aware that the "value-add" proposition is there and chose to exercise it via access to demos, exclusive content, and discounts much like what is offered by XBL Gold.

Just for full disclosure: Yes, I do have both 360 and PS3, I do have XBL Gold and PSN accounts (though I have not updated my firmware on my launch machine since the "Remove Other OS" version.)

@vader1991 Totally agree! I've been an Xbox live gold subscriber since the original Xbox...7 years...and there is nothing to show for it as far as Microsoft loyalty benefits. Maybe they would have more rabid fans ala Nintendo if they did something about it.

@sanguinis

The majority of people who own a Nintendo console probably don't even know the layolity program exists.

Very few people would be swayed to not own a console because it doesn't have a loyalty program.

i wonder if the points for netflix would be distributed to all of us who have already been using the service since it was added or if it will only apply to new users of the service. either way, i'm all for some free points.

@XperimntNterror I was wondering this too. I also just renewed my membership like a WEEK ago. I pretty much guarantee none of this is retroactive though...

@XperimntNterror

Subscribe and Use Netflix: Available to participants who are not subscribers to the Netflix service through Xbox LIVE as of the Program start date and upon confirmation of your enrollment into the program. Signing up for the Netflix Service via Xbox LIVE and keeping the subscription for at least a month during the Program Period will earn one hundred (100) Microsoft Points. Xbox LIVE Gold and Netflix Unlimited memberships are required for Netflix streaming. See Netflix Terms of Use for details about the Netflix service. Participants can only earn these Microsoft Points one time during the Program.

I swear...Microsoft be on some bullshit.

@NinjaJesus why am i not surprised and yet it still really chaps my ass!?! thanks, microsoft! thanks for not rewarding your already-installed (mostly) loyal user-base! it just wouldn't be the same if, you know, you just weren't "you".

I havent used Netflix on the 360 since the PS3 version came out with 1080p and 5.1 surround sound. This insult to current subscribers is making me even less inclined to sign in on the 360.

You are welcome Joystiq.

They are rolling it out later today
FAQ and Terms & Conditions here:
http://rewards.xbox.com/faq/
http://rewards.xbox.com/terms-and-conditions/

So the first time you join you could get upto 620 in the first month

Fam Pack + 1st Purchase + Survey + 1st Gold + Netflix = 720

After that its about 230 a month Plus the variable one

(I am assuming the Netflix and first purchase resets every month)

@zefur
I would determinately not assume those reset each month. I haven't read the fine print at all but it's *highly* unlikely that MS going to give every single Gold user points every month just for using netflix or making purchases. It's an incentive to try them out 'for the first time' - not to use them regularly. Also, the free points for making a purchase each month would be a self fulfilling loop of free points.

@swooded
*definitely. How the auto-spell correct got to determinately is beyond me.

@swooded

Amazon, K-Mart, Best Buy, etc give you credits to use for games for buying other stuff. It keeps people an incentive to keep buying when they might normally either go some where else or not spend money.

In the last few months with Amazon I took my $20 gamer critic for preordering Reach to put on a preorder for Fable 3 which netted me another $20 credit which I used to get NBA2k9. That purchase netted me a $10 credit for buying a Xbox live 12 month card which I will use next year. Amazon maybe making less money off me, but at least they are getting my money.

@spid
Live is more of a captive audience though. You're not going to be using netflix 'on Xbox Live' anywhere else. You're also not going to be making purchases 'through xbox live' anywhere else. I see your point, but they're not completely the same. Everything you're buying from amazon could be bought elsewhere & would have nothing at all to do with Amazon, which is why they reward you for sticking with them. The Live market place & Dashboard are a singular front. Even if you buy points somewhere else, you are spending them in the only place that you can 'on xbox live'. The incentives are to get people, who haven't made purchases or tried Netflix, to try the services & see how easy/convenient they are on the console - they are not customer retention awards, because MS knows people will keep using netflix & buying games anyway.

@zefur NO, the "first" purchase of XBLM content and the "first" Gold membership *ONLY* apply if it is truly your FIRST time (they do have a cut-off of 12/31/07).

So, that means if you have bought ANY content on XBox Live Marketplace or signed up or renewed a gold membership since 12/31/07, you DO NOT QUALIFY for the 100 pts.

Sorry for all the caps and such, but I think the wording can be a bit confusing.

This would be especially awesome if everything is retroactive...But I doubt it will be.

I shall do this once I am back home.

hey as long it free Microsoft points im in.

so basically anyone who has had the system since launch and already has all of this stuff is probably screwed then?

@sammo21
It sucks, but really it's no different than stores running sales on stuff you already own.

@sammo21

I wouldn't say you're screwed, you just might not get the same perks as new customers. While enjoying the same service you always have. Companies do this all the time to attract new business, and its nothing to get all up in arms over. If Microsoft does decide to give you some sort of bonus for your loyalty its because they want to, not because you deserve it. You've been getting what you've paid for all along - contract fulfilled.

@sammo21

Microsoft already boned those who had the console at launch by releasing the elite/slim. HDMI and and a larger hard drive at a smaller price.

Well, when I signed up for the Family Plan a few weeks ago, it was 12+1 month, plus 800 points. So I guess I got the better deal as an early adopter. Only cost me $25 due to my current gold, and when I added in three more gold family members, we're good for XBL Gold until 2012.

And I wonder how Family Plan people and the surveys work - only one person gets the 20 points, or all 4 can get it?

So... how do I deactivate netflix on my xbox so I can get the points for activating netflix?

I suppose I'll also have to cancel my xbox live accounts and re-subscribe if I want those points as well.

@superfrick Is doing all that even worth the hassle? It's only a couple dollars worth of points.

Dear Microsoft,

Here is a big sarcastic Thank You from all of us in Canada.

PS. You stink

@xreadmore

I don't know why you think companies do this just to spite Canadians. Blame your government.

@xreadmore

Dear Microsoft,

Here is a big saracastic Thank you from all of us in The Netherlands

PS. You stink.

@Jason B
Please feel free to explain how the Canadian Government is responsible. Without a factual explanation I will stand by my remarks.

@xreadmore

Dear Canada,

we support your statement.

Love,
Sweden

@xreadmore
Did you even try signing up? I was able to log in and activate with my oh-so-Canadian account...

@xreadmore
I support this statement even though I am spoiled in the U.S. Sorry for all those who routinely get shafted.

@xreadmore haha sucks for you

@xreadmore

Ditto from South Africa.

@Dr

I also managed to log in with my Canadian account, though it doesn't show any account details much like everywhere else on Xbox.com (Ie: The avatar is a gray filler, and it just says "Sign Out" instead of "Sign Out [account]".

I have a feeling it accepted us, but won't actually work in the end. Which is a shame...

@Zebulan
We'll see, I was actually linked to the rewards program via the xbox site (en-ca and all) so they're at least promoting it for Canadians :P

@xreadmore

Dear Microsoft,

Here is a big saracastic Thank you from all of us in Continental Europe

PS. You stink.

Reading through the faqs and Terms it looks like they only start tracking once you sign up so it won't apply retroactivily. Way to screw loyal customers again Microsoft!

P.S. I agree with xreadmore's P.S.

@viper20999

Name one rewards program that has ever started retroactively.

@Jason B

I recall Club Nintendo's launch in the US did. Got the Platinum with all the old games and purchases I already had. Got the Game N Watch collection without buying any new games.

@Jason B

Nintendo's.

@Jason B
pwnd

I bet the spend XXXX points and get XXX points back was testing this on the back end.

anyway, looks cool I signed up :)

It isnt screwing anyone it is a rewards program for new purchases. It is the same as any rewards program for every single company on earth.

Next time you renew, boom, it activates. They dont owe you anything from the past. It is new.

@Jack Kevorkian I'd love to mercy kill AOLs awesome comment system.

cool prizes are cool

I've just bought my third xbox, do I get points for that Microsoft?

@shard765
i agree, im just about to get my 2nd xbox what do i get for having to buy 2 consoles from you? hell my nintendo still works and its older than me! screw you microsoft you piss me off sometimes.

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments

Xbox Live Rewards program launches

Reader Comments (92)

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:04AM Acosta02 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:08AM vader1991 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 3:16PM Hsuchi said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 8:15PM sanguinis said

Posted: Dec 2nd 2010 5:59AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:07AM XperimntNterror said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:17AM TreeFoxx said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:16AM NinjaJesus said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 2:25PM XperimntNterror said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 7:49PM aughscreennames said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:08AM BlackedOut said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:10AM zefur said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:44AM swooded said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:02AM swooded said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:24AM spid said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:54AM swooded said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 12:02PM Ghoti said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:11AM spazzx625 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:11AM Jawmuncher said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:11AM bargaingamer said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:11AM sammo21 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:03AM swooded said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:07AM Glad said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 8:53PM Caanon Weathers said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:14AM Deezul AwT said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:19AM superfrick said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 1:58PM Flapjackal said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:27AM xreadmore said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:33AM Jason B said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:39AM AdamVdEnde said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:39AM xreadmore said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:43AM Teusone said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:46AM Dr said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:57AM KirbyCommando said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:57AM shopping bags said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 12:46PM thomeval said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 1:05PM Zebulan said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 1:19PM Dr said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 5:10PM Dextro said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:33AM viper20999 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:37AM Jason B said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:35AM XLM said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 11:45AM Kaminaaa said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 12:52PM xreadmore said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:34AM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:36AM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:36AM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:36AM ChomskyKnows said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 10:42AM shard765 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2010 9:02PM monkeyontherun4 said

Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a stranger in a strange land

Silver Lining: I Am Alive's unfeeling world

Game Of Thrones and the paradoxes of adaptation

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW