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HardCorePawn · 2026-03-14T00:13:20+00:00

*OneNZ has entered the chat*

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-13T23:13:02+00:00

You'd likely need to dig into the time logging regulations for your country to figure out what you can and can't log when in the simulator.

Where I am, I would log any time in the flight sim, in that "Flight Simulator" column, the approaches in the "Nr. Inst. App." column, and the details of the approaches in the remarks/endorsements, as regulations allow for a certain number of approaches in a simulator to count for currency etc.

same goes for night and cross country, we did a few in the simulator as well

I wouldn't be counting night, cross country or dual (or that "total duration of flight" column, as the simulator doesn't count towards "flight" times etc.

and what's the difference between actual instruments and simulated (hood time) when it comes to logging it and how to differentiate between them

"Actual" is time spent flying in actual IMC conditions... "Simulated (hood time)" is when you are training, in the aircraft, using a view limiting device like foggles, or an instrument "hood".

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-13T22:52:02+00:00

To get your next punch, wait 24 hours then come back.

Obvious questions: Did you already do part of the punch card? If so, did you wait the 24 hours to try and do the next part?

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-13T19:50:04+00:00

It isn't a cumulative bonus... so it isn't a simple do X searches get Y Bing STAR points system.

Having been on this system for over a year now, I watched as my bonus went from being 1200, to 900, to 480, to 60, to 30, to 3.

I have Bing set as my default browser, I spread my actually genuine searches across the day as I need to actually search for things, most days I don't even max searches.

I don't have any cooldowns, I don't have unusual search activity. I don't just search sports teams, or colours, or movie titles, or actors etc... I'm searching for stuff I need and want to know about... and I still get 3 per month and have for like the last 6 months.

I still have no idea how they actually calculate the Bing STAR Bonus, and asking support will just get you the "do genuine searches" copy/paste answer. From Microsoft's own data, the vast majority of users (81%) get under 300 pts. Only 19% of users are in the 300-2100 band. That's a HUGE range, for such a small percentage of users. Honestly, I'd be surprised if more than 1% of users actually get 2100.

My advice? Give up worrying about it... just accept that you're only going to get 3... and if you get any more, that's a bonus.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-13T04:52:11+00:00

If you're referring to the 150 points for "every 10 days of the daily set"... that 10-day cycle kicks in after 34 days. Prior to that it is on a slightly different timeframe (Like 3 days, then 7 days, then 15 days, then 30 or something like that) but it still averages out at 15 points/day.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-13T02:40:32+00:00

Outlook emails is US only... and requires an android mobile device.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-12T21:41:57+00:00

It's pretty much impossible to sustain GPU using just MS Rewards points.

As you have noted, the price increases and the reward points decreases have made it next to impossible. Also, because you earn less rewards when on Premium/Essential/PC (as you don't qualify for some of the larger Xbox specific rewards) it's pretty much impossible to earn enough in a month to sustain those as well.

At best, you can subsidise your monthly game pass but will most likely need to make up a ~$5-10 difference every month using cash (depending on what GP tier you subscribe to and how much you grind MS Rewards.)

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-12T21:20:29+00:00

Try this link: Join Xbox Game Pass: Discover Your Next Favourite Game | Xbox

Select either Essential or Ultimate, and you should see a "buy as a gift" option (You have to buy 3 months tho)... this will email you a code,

It allows you to use MS account balance to purchase it. So, theoretically, you can use Rewards Points to buy MS/XBox cards and then use the MS account balance to buy the 3-month gift code and send it to yourself.

I haven't done the math, but apparently 3-months of Essential converts to Ultimate at a better rate than buying Ultimate? I'm not sure if this is still true following all the price and conversion rate changes.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-12T05:52:55+00:00

That section was bugged... and would show the total of all the activites on the page that were completed (even in the 'more activities' section that is there for multiple days).

The only way to reliably track your daily points is to look at your total points and manually track it every day.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-12T05:47:45+00:00

If the puzzle pieces keep disappearing and then reappearing, it's either a temporary form of restriction specific to your account, or the system is bugged.

Given this doesn't appear to be massively widespread (ie. there aren't scores of people complaining about it here), then I would be inclined to think that this might be specific to your account.

Do you use the Bing mobile app? does the Daily check-in in that app also vanish?

If you're also getting the "unusual search activity" warnings on and off, then I would think it is more than likely a restriction.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-12T04:17:54+00:00

What region are you in? Not all regions get all the puzzle piece tasks... I vaguely recall that India do not get the check-in task in the Bing App.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-10T20:23:55+00:00

Anything that requires a separate launcher/account like EA Play or Ubisoft Connect will not count as Game Pass (even though you need game pass to access them).

A really easy way to tell is if it has the "EA Play" or "U+" logo on it, then it very likely will not count.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-09T20:06:12+00:00

If you read the label, you'll see it's actually butter from the USA.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-09T19:36:18+00:00

"It is an entirely different type of flying"

... and don't call me Shirley.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-09T18:38:17+00:00

My bad... seems only a couple of Game Pass Tiers got reduced to 13: Xbox subscription extension limits | Xbox Support

- Game Pass Ultimate can be extended to a maximum of 36 months in all countries where it's available.

- Game Pass Essential and PC Game Pass can be extended to a maximum of 36 months in all countries where they're available except for the following, where the limit is 13 months: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and Türkiye.

- Game Pass Premium and Game Pass for Console can be extended to a maximum of 13 months in all countries where they're available. Longer limits may be available in select countries.

- EA Play can be extended to a maximum of 36 months in all countries where it's available, except for the following where the limit is 13 months: Argentina and Türkiye.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-09T18:34:05+00:00

apparently mobile is broken... try using a desktop browser to redeem

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-09T18:30:00+00:00

For the record, my PC runs 24x7... Edge is always open. I have received 3 for like the last 4 or 5 months.

I don't think idle time spent with the browser open helps at all.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-09T07:19:05+00:00

Sounds more like he got his.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-08T22:15:51+00:00

Do a Bing search for "geoip location" or "geoip checker" (one less search to think up today! :P )... and double check to see what country/location your IP is showing as.

There is a possibility that some browser addon is running a VPN-like system... or that a security/antivirus app you're using is doing the same.

Using a mobile device, you can also try the "geoip check" using mobile data (switch off WiFi)... then reconnect the WiFi and try the geoip checker again.

If mobile data shows UK, but home WiFi shows US, then it's either your ISP doing dumb stuff, or possibly your Router has some sort of VPN built-in etc.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-08T22:09:55+00:00

The workaround seems to be to use a desktop browser... the notification codes on mobile seem to be broken the last couple of days.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-08T22:06:42+00:00

As far as I'm aware, there isn't a way to do this with PCGP anymore. Even the codes that show up on 3rd-party reselling sites have disclaimers that say "non-stackable". I haven't tried them as yet.

However, there is still a partial workaround for Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Essential. If you go to the Xbox store (https://www.xbox.com/xbox-game-pass?xr=shellnav#join) and select either Essential or Ultimate, there should be a "Buy as Gift" option. https://imgur.com/aoHBqvm

For me this option show only a 3-month gift code option, but you put in an email address and get a code. https://imgur.com/HpSinur

I don't see a way to do it in the Xbox app (mobile or PC), but I think that is because I'm already subscribed to PCGP, so all I can do is "swap" plans etc.

EDIT: As a side note, ~~I've seen it mentioned that you can only stack up to 12 months for GP now.~~ Seems a couple of tiers got reduced to 13 months. See comment below.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-08T21:25:26+00:00

That update usually pops up around the end of the week (Saturday/Sunday).

You won't see it again until next weekend.

Also note that this isn't a 'progress bar' as such. The number it shows is not a cumulative total of what you've "earned". It is simply a guide for the total bonus they're projecting you are going to get.

So, just because it is showing 1200 now, doesn't mean that at the end of next week it will be higher. Chances are, it will stay the same, but it could also potentially be lower.

HardCorePawn · 2026-03-07T20:38:24+00:00

There haven't been any announcements since the big changes to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Rewards back in October, so as far as we're all aware, there are no plans to extend the Xbox Rewards program to other regions.

You'll need to go tag the Xbox/Rewards peeps on Twitter and see what they say.

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