I finally cashed out $400 in free Amazon gift cards – all it took was doing Bing web searches and playing video games

MICROSOFT users can unlock free gift cards through everyday activities like surfing the internet and shopping online.

Microsoft Rewards is a program that allows users to earn virtual points and redeem them as digital vouchers or charitable donations.

And the points really can stack up. Last month, a Reddit user shared he had finally cashed out after saving up for six years.

Among the spoils were a three-month Spotify subscription and four $100 Amazon gift cards.

While the 105,000 Rewards points per gift card may seem like an inconceivable amount, it is easier than you think to rack up points.

Existing Microsoft users can use their credentials to log in to the Microsoft Rewards dashboard, while new users can create a new account.

The dashboard shows you which tasks they can do in a day, each with a corresponding point value.

You may be asked to surf Bing, Microsoft's search engine, or give your opinion on different products in a daily poll. Some users can even take a bonus quiz to maximize their earnings.

The service parallels Google Opinion Rewards, a platform where marker researchers learn more about user preferences.

In the case of Microsoft Rewards, you may be asked to use or answer questions about a Microsoft-branded service.

The program has two status tiers: Level 1 and Level 2. The former is achieved simply by enrolling in the program, while the latter becomes available once you've reached 500 Microsoft Rewards points each month.

Level 2 members can earn five times more points on Bing searches, save up to 10% on rewards from Microsoft products, and more.

A third tier, Level 2 + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, is only available to those with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

Once you've racked up a suitable amount of points, you can spend them on a free gift card or translate the points to actual money for charity.

Microsoft Rewards offers digital gift cards or vouchers for a variety of restaurants, stores, and online services.

There is also a slew of vouchers for in-game purchases plus Xbox Game Pass, Amazon, and Microsoft gift cards.

However, the points needed to redeem each item varies dramatically.

An Xbox gift card, for instance, is only 1,500 points, while an Amazon gift card is 6,500 points.

Alternatively, Microsoft Rewards users can give to over one million registered charities across the globe.

Among them is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which relies on donations to supply child cancer patients with free care.

Microsoft Rewards connects users with some of the most popular organizations in the United States like World Wildlife Fund, The Trevor Project, and several charities for wounded veterans.

From the company’s perspective, Microsoft Rewards is a data collection system.

The program tracks what customers search, what websites they visit, and how often they are online.

Microsoft aggregates this information to create a general model of customer preferences.

At the end of the day, the Rewards program is a marketing tool that aims to increase profitability while offering customers some perks in the process.

Google Opinion Rewards – how to claim the money

Here's Google's official guide to claiming your Opinion Rewards money on PayPal...

Each time $2.00 of payments is accrued in your Google Opinion Rewards account, Google Opinion Rewards will send a payment to your Google Opinion Rewards email address via PayPal.

If your Google Opinion Rewards email address is the same one you use with PayPal, you’ll automatically receive these payments in your PayPal account.

If your Google Opinion Rewards email address is not the same one you use with PayPal, you must accept the initial payment within 30 days by associating your Google Opinion Rewards email to your PayPal account.

Once you’ve accepted the initial payment and the funds are transferred to your account, future transfers will be automatic (though, you’ll continue to receive notification emails).

Users should verify that Google Opinion Rewards payments are available in their PayPal account.

Please see PayPal’s site for how to manage your money, including how to spend or withdraw to your bank account.