Update: We're still waiting on proper clarification, but in the meantime, some Microsoft Rewards members have been getting a new message on Xbox suggesting the news isn't as bad as first feared. Here's a look:
Original story: We all know how amazing Microsoft Rewards is for earning free Xbox Gift Cards and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, but in terms of the latter, it sounds like things are going to be getting worse in the near future.
Before we get into the price changes, Microsoft appears to be suggesting today that the auto-redeem feature for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass will be disappearing as of August 12th, but the wording is a little bit confusing. In fact, part of the wording seems to suggest that Microsoft Rewards will be ditching Xbox Game Pass entirely...
"Your Game Pass auto-redeem subscription is being discontinued. Important changes are coming to the auto-redeem functionality for your Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription. As of 8/12/2024, you will no longer be allowed to use your Rewards points to fund your Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscriptions. If you’d like to elect another service to use Rewards points for auto-redemption, please visit the Rewards catalog."
The belief amongst Microsoft Rewards users right now is that this is poorly conveyed, and it's just the auto-redeem feature that's set to be affected. That said, it's anyone's guess until Microsoft provides a more thorough explanation.
Whatever happens after August 12th, it does seem that Xbox Game Pass redemption prices are going up in the meantime. According to one Microsoft Rewards fan, they've received a notice for some of the US price increases:
We hate to say it, but this is yet another situation in which Microsoft hasn't provided enough transparency about what exactly is happening, and we're left wondering whether Xbox Game Pass will be leaving Microsoft Rewards entirely in a month's time. Hopefully that's not the case - we'll let you know when there's confirmation either way.