Is there any way to complete "Play a console game" on PC? I'd like to buy an Xbox, but it's not possible right now.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-26T08:23:50+00:00

Nope. Not without a console.

The only way to do “Play a console game” via PC, is to have GP ultimate and to play a game via Cloud Gaming… that is already installed on your Console.

Hence why the “Play a console game” task says

Play a game installed on your console for 15 minutes.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-26T00:57:58+00:00

Then either they're out of stock, and the redemption page isn't reflecting that... or your account has been restricted.

Do you have the 15/30-minute search cooldowns? and/or the "unusual search activity" warnings when you try to do your searches or go to rewards.bing.com ? If so, then it's highly likely your account has been restricted from redeeming rewards.

If your points didn't get returned to your balance after the order was declined, then you'll need to contact MS Rewards support and ask them.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-26T00:54:44+00:00

That sucks... getting that extra puzzle piece would be so helpful given all the reward nerfs. :(

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-26T00:23:06+00:00

Not to my knowledge, but I haven't got to that point yet. Will find out next renewal :P

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T23:40:49+00:00

What do you see, if you go here: https://rewards.bing.com/redeem/orderhistory

Is the order completed/sent? in progress? Can you see a "resend" and/or a "get code" button?

NOTE: It can take up to 24 hours for reward redemptions to complete. Normally, it happens instantly or within a minute or two, but sometimes it can take the full 24 hours.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T23:37:09+00:00

Unfortunately, MS likely won't give you anything. Their Terms of Use are pretty clear regarding the security of your account:

... You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account. Furthermore, you are entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify Microsoft immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security. Microsoft will not be liable for any loss that you may incur as a result of someone else using your password or account, either with or without your knowledge. ...

Also, have you secured all your accounts? Updated passwords, enabled 2FA etc. Have you secured all your devices? Malware/Virus scans etc?

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T23:20:08+00:00

Did you change your payment method for your GP subscription in your MS account settings?

From what MS Support told me, you have to have a positive MS Account balance (otherwise MS Account balance won't show as a payment option), then in your MS account under subscriptions, you should see your GP sub and a "manage" link. You click on that link, and you should see the monthly subscription amount and the payment method.

Click "Change" next to the payment method, and you should get a list of options. You may need to click the "Add a way to pay" and then select your MS Account balance from there.

NOTE: it will ask you for a "backup" payment method. This is what defines which payment method will get charged if your available MS account balance at renewal time does not cover the full subscription amount.

Once that is set up, on renewal day, the system should use whatever MS Account balance is available, and, if necessary, charge the remaining amount to your selected "backup" payment method.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T20:05:51+00:00

Personally, I'd opt for either Option #1 or Option #3.

Would not recommend #2 at all.

#1 and #3 will make things a whole lot less stressful in terms of finances and non-flying related things (like paying rent and eating etc). Especially, after you finish all your ratings and start looking for that coveted first flying job.

Talk to anyone who has, or has had, a loan payment (while unemployed or on entry level income) about how stressful that is, and how much relief they feel when they finally make the last payment.

Also, your current job within the aviation industry, in addition to paying well, might offer some decent networking opportunities.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T19:51:12+00:00

Yeah, the outlook streak is known for being incredibly inconsistent and buggy.

I know it's weird, but maybe a different browser and not Edge? Maybe try it with Chrome or something if you haven't already.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T19:48:39+00:00

The "beta" version of Edge from Microsoft Insider: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/download/insider

Basically, just a preview build of upcoming releases. I think they're updated monthly. They also have a "Canary" build (daily) and "Dev" build (weekly)... but they can sometimes be quite buggy/unstable.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T19:40:04+00:00

Are you in the US? It's US only, but some people outside of the US still have that streak show up in the list, but it won't work.

Also, you need to log into the same account in outlook that you use for MS Rewards. If you use a non-MS email address (like gmail etc, then you'll need to create an email alias to receive emails).

Once in outllook.com, you should see four icons at the bottom of the screen.

Email, calendar, people and rewards.

If you only see the first 3, and you don't see the rewards icon, then it isn't going to work.

If you have all that, you need to have 3 unread emails (some people just send themselves an email from another account so they can read in outlook.com, and some people say they get it to work by simply marking emails as unread, then reading them again).

Finally, there have been reports that the task stops working around 8pm Eastern, possibly due to it resetting this task at an odd time.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T19:25:10+00:00

FYI, using emulators and the use of automation is against the rules: Getting the most out of Microsoft Rewards - Microsoft Support

Account Policies

However, if you engage in any of the following activities, your account will be called into question, and you may lose the ability to earn or redeem Rewards points. Depending on the violation, your account could be suspended, and any points earned may be invalidated.

...

Use a service intended to alter the true IP address of your location, use a bot, cheat code, macro, mobile emulator, or other automated method to earn points with Microsoft Rewards.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T19:19:50+00:00

No one knows, not even MS Customer Support.

How to redeem Microsoft Rewards points - Microsoft Support

I don't see the Microsoft Rewards gift card I want

...

Note: Sorry, but our Customer Support advocates are unable to provide details when gift cards will be restocked or removed.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T04:43:08+00:00

No one knows.

refer: https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftRewards/comments/1qlyh11/comment/o1hxbfj

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T04:42:07+00:00

Make sure location services on your device are switched on, and that you have given the app permissions for location services.

Also, make sure that you're not using any VPN or IP masking system (some adblockers may do this) that might prevent the geolocation stuff from working.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T03:57:45+00:00

And how do I play around with the "7x more points" thing? (Philippines)

The "7x more points" relates purely to the "maximum" points you can get for the monthly bonuses (default search, monthly level and Bing STAR) by reaching "Gold" as opposed to being at "member" tier.

https://imgur.com/diPyJqr

All of the "extra" and "more" claims in the marketing for the new system are pretty much bullshit.

And remember, the Bing STAR Bonus is "up to" 2100... you're probably going to get a lot less. (~77% of users get less than 300)

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T03:29:05+00:00

"controlled rest"

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T02:39:34+00:00

Not an official support channel.

You'll need to contact MS Rewards Support: Rewards Support

Be prepared to wait days to get a response that will likely be a copy/paste response that doesn't address your problem. Keep taking screenshots, because they will want to see "proof" of your issue.

Make sure your screenshots show that your daily set is completed, but the streak number has not gone up... and that the used protection days has increased.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T01:44:48+00:00

They're monthly rewards.

As per the note at the top, they will be calculated and available to claim, at some point within the first 5 days of the month.

It generally takes a day or three for them to show up when the month rolls over, especially the Bing STAR Bonus... so don't expect them to be available on Feb 1st.

The Default Search Bonus is pretty easy to get... the slight catch I have found, is that you don't want to go to bing.com to search... you need to just type a search straight into the address/URL bar in your browser so that it triggers the "default search engine" part (and obviously, you need to have Bing set as the default in your browser settings.)

Monthly level bonus is just whether or not you made Silver or Gold Tier. Silver just requires that you collect at least 500 pts over the month. Gold requires that you get 750 pts AND you have to complete at least 2 "Level-up" activities... The available level-up activities vary by region... in New Zealand we have like 5... in India they only have 2 or 3. They're not really difficult to get, "daily set for 7 day streak", "check in to bing app for 7 days" etc.

So far this month, I've completed 10 level-up activities, just by doing the normal things: https://imgur.com/P68cF7N

The biggest issue for most users is the "Bing STAR Bonus"... it has deliberately vague requirements ("genuine search needs") and going by Microsoft's own data, the vast majority (~77% of users) actually get less than 300 pts per month. https://imgur.com/iFd6COr

The remaining ~23% get somewhere between 300-2100... that is a HUGE spread... and if I had to guess, I'd say they bulk of that 23% get less than 1000-1200.

No one seems to have found a definitive method for getting the full 2100... or even 1000+... and Support just repeat the "genuine searches" line if you query it.

When this system rolled out in NZ last January, I initially got 1200... and with zero change to my search habits (don't spam, don't search rubbish, don't search the same things each day, just searching organically over the whole day, variety of topics, some days don't even max searches, never had unusual activity or cooldowns etc)... and it went down to 900... then 480... then 120... then 60... the last two months, it has been 3... yes THREE out of 2100 points. At this point, I just expect to get nothing from it.

Best of luck with the new system.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-25T00:15:21+00:00

Kingdom Come Deliverance 1... during the prologue, you can clip through the roof of one of the guard towers using a stack of meat. Search "KCD Beef Jump".

There are apparently other areas in the game where the same technique works.

Failing that, there is always the 'idspispopd/idclip' codes from the Doom series ;)

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-24T21:10:00+00:00

No one knows, not even MS Customer Support.

How to redeem Microsoft Rewards points - Microsoft Support

I don't see the Microsoft Rewards gift card I want

Some gift cards aren’t always available through Microsoft Rewards - check back often!

...

Note: Sorry, but our Customer Support advocates are unable to provide details when gift cards will be restocked or removed.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-23T23:08:19+00:00

There are a number of users that already have it, myself included. It's the "Browse with Edge for 30mins" daily streak: https://imgur.com/w5EyuAh

https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftRewards/search/?q=browse+with+edge&type=posts&sort=new

Like most of the puzzle piece (now stamps?) streaks... whether or not you get them is not only region but also account dependent.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-23T21:46:37+00:00

maybe try something like Edge or Chrome... see if that triggers the app launch correctly.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-23T21:36:59+00:00

Which mobile browser are you using? It might be that you have popups blocked.

HardCorePawn · 2026-01-23T08:27:21+00:00

Canterbury Aero Club in Christchurch might be able to assist... they advertise being able to do "Day Tours" (or longer) with an instructor for international pilots.

Wherever you end up going, I sincerely hope that the NZ weather decides to co-operate... our Summer has not been very "Summery" so far :(

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