Xbox Live Rewards: Important questions answered

Microsoft debuted its Xbox Live Rewards program today. This program awards you with Rewards Points for completing specific actions on Xbox Live. It’s nice to have a service that gives you Microsoft Points for doing what you would normally do anyway, but there are some subtleties that should be known.

All we’ve been hearing is how Microsoft will give us free money for engaging in Xbox Live activities. It sounds great on the surface, but there are a lot of legalities associated with the Xbox Live Rewards Program. There are some things you think you’ll be rewarded for doing, but you may end up getting nothing. Everything is set up to adhere to Microsoft’s best interests. It is a company after all.

Here are some important points that should be known.

• Signing up for Xbox Live Rewards only takes a moment, but it can take up to 96 hours before your account is activated. This is the only way you can begin to earn Rewards Points. This program won’t last forever either. It is scheduled to end at 3:59pm GMT on June 30, 2011. Rewards Points will remain valid until June 30, 2012.
• Rewards Points are the same as Microsoft Points, but you aren’t rewarded the points automatically. Rewards Points are released into your Xbox Live account once per month. It could take up to 96 hours before you see “pending” Rewards Points in your account. You also need at least 100 pending points before they will be given to you within the 30 day deposit period. A single person can earn no more than 15,000 MS Points during the duration of the program.
• Rewards Points are not retroactive. You will only earn points after you’ve enrolled in the program. You also have to have a Xbox Live account that is within good standing. In other words, you can’t participate if your account has been suspended or banned.
• Microsoft already revealed some actions that result in Rewards Points. 100 Rewards Points will be awarded for activating and subscribing to Netflix, but there is a catch. This offer is only valid for new Netflix subscribers through Xbox Live. You also have to keep your subscription for at least one month. In order to do this you must have an Xbox Live Gold subscription.
• Reward Points for making your first purchase on Xbox Live means just that. It has to be your FIRST purchase since joining Xbox Live. Period.
• If you purchase or renew a Xbox Live Gold Family Pack, only the primary account holder will be awarded points.

Via [Xbox Live Rewards Terms and Conditions] Read [Xbox Live Rewards FAQ]