How To: Get Free Microsoft Points with Xbox LIVE's New Rewards Program

We all expect a little something on our birthdays, so why should those expectations drop when we are talking about our gaming systems? Microsoft has started handing out birthday gifts to its Xbox LIVE Gold members with their new MyAchievements rewards program. Those eligible for the gift will automatically receive the offer on their dashboard. To be eligible for the free gift, you must be:

• A legal resident of the United States (other eligible countries are listed here)
• 13 years or older
• Must have an Xbox LIVE Gold membership account
• Must have a Gamerscore of at least 3,000 on the first day of the month in which your birthday occurs

Those requirements are for the first tier of rewards, which gives the gamer a gift valued at 25 cents, aka 20 Microsoft Points, each year.

A quarter doesn't exactly sound like a very good birthday present, but that's just motivation to reach the other tiers. The second tier requires a Gamerscore between 10,000 and 24,999, and yes, you get the same quarter as "Contenders" get, so don't worry about that. In this tier, "Champions" also get a 1% rebate on Xbox LIVE Marketplace purchases each month qualified, but cap it at 30,000 Microsoft Points.

Are you a "Legend" with over 25,000 Gamerscore? Then you get that quarter, too, and your rebate doubles to 2% back on Marketplace purchases, but is still capped at 30,000 Microsoft Points for the promotional period.

This program started on the 27th of September and runs until June 30, 2013. For those of you that make a lot of Marketplace purchases, this is a nice little bonus—if you plan to buy over $18,750 worth of content on Xbox LIVE from now until the deal ends.

You can also earn free points by taking part in surveys, referring friends, and renewing your yearly membership.