Microsoft Rewards is one of the easiest free gift card programs that exists, and most people with a Windows computer or an Xbox are already halfway signed up without knowing it. You earn points for searching with Bing, completing daily tasks, and playing games — then exchange the points for Amazon, Starbucks, Xbox, and other gift cards. It costs nothing, takes minutes a day, and the rewards are genuinely free.

Microsoft Rewards is a free loyalty program from Microsoft. You earn points for using Bing as your search engine, completing daily sets of small tasks — a quiz, a poll, a short search challenge — and for activities on Xbox, like playing games and completing achievements. Points accumulate in your account, and you redeem them for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, or donations to charity. There is no purchase required at any point, and the program has been running for years with a solid record of paying out. The daily tasks take about five minutes, and a regular user can earn a five-to-ten-dollar gift card every month without trying hard.

A few habits make a big difference to your earnings. Set Bing as your default search engine on every device, so every search you already do earns points — there is a daily cap, but most people never reach it. Complete the daily set every morning: three quick tasks that take under two minutes and pay more than the searches themselves. Use the Microsoft Edge browser, which offers bonus points and exclusive tasks. If you have an Xbox, the Rewards app on the console offers weekly challenges and game-related quests that pay far more than searches alone. And check the Rewards dashboard regularly for bonus punch cards — complete a set of activities and earn a large one-off bonus.

Not all redemptions are equal value. Amazon gift cards are the most popular choice because they are useful for almost anything, and a five-dollar card costs around 5,000 points. Xbox gift cards are the best value if you play games, since they convert directly into games, add-ons, and subscriptions. Starbucks and other retail cards are good if you already spend there. Avoid the sweepstakes entries unless you enjoy gambling — the odds are long, and a guaranteed gift card is worth more than a tiny chance at a big prize. Redeem little and often: points do not expire quickly, but a gift card in your hand is better than points in an account.

Microsoft Rewards beats most rivals on effort versus reward. Compared with survey apps, it pays more per minute, because the daily tasks are trivial. Compared with receipt-scanning apps like Fetch, it pays about the same but without the need to shop. Its main weakness is the monthly earning ceiling — you will not earn more than ten to fifteen dollars a month without an Xbox. But for five minutes a day of work you were already doing — searching the web — it is the easiest free gift card program available, and it stacks perfectly with cashback apps and survey sites.

If you use a Windows computer, an Xbox, or Bing, Microsoft Rewards is a yes. It takes five minutes a day, costs nothing, and pays you in gift cards for searches and tasks you would do anyway. Set Bing as your default, complete the daily set each morning, and redeem a gift card at the end of the month. It will not make you rich, but a free ten-dollar Amazon card every month is a hundred and twenty dollars a year for doing nothing different — and that is the definition of free money.