With less than five months until the release of GTA 6, slated for November 19, 2026, a simple and legitimate method promises to zero out the game's cost. The secret lies in Microsoft Rewards, the tech giant's loyalty program that rewards users with points for daily searches and activities.
In July 2026, Tom's Guide writer Arif Bacchus demonstrated firsthand how he used the system to pre-order the game without spending his own money. The strategy is repeatable and, with consistency, can even cover the $99.99 Ultimate Edition.
How Microsoft Rewards Works
The first step is simple: set Bing as your default search engine and log in with a Microsoft account. From there, every search made through the browser automatically earns points.
Daily limits are clear: up to 250 points per day, split between 150 points for PC searches and 100 points for mobile searches. Maintaining this routine for a month yields about 7,000 points. By November, that's approximately 42,000 points – enough to get a $40 discount on the Xbox version of the game.
The Bing mobile app expands opportunities. Reading daily news in the app grants an extra 30 points per day. A seven-day check-in streak generates weekly bonuses, and completing puzzles with consecutive logins unlocks a one-time bonus of 1,000 points.
See the daily earning potential:
- PC Searches: up to 150 points
- Mobile Searches: up to 100 points
- Reading News on Bing App: 30 points
- Microsoft Rewards Daily Activities: about 30 points
- Playing via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (15 min/day): +40 points
How Much You Can Accumulate by Launch
To turn points into cash, it's essential to reach Level 2 of the program. At this tier, redemption rates are better. With 50,000 points, you can exchange them for a $50 Microsoft Store or Xbox gift card. The realistic goal, with daily dedication, is to accumulate between 80,000 and 100,000 points before November 19.
This fully covers the Standard Edition of GTA 6 ($79.99) and gets close to the value of the Ultimate Edition ($99.99). Sales tax, depending on your location, may be the buyer's responsibility.
For those planning to play on PS5, there's the option to redeem Amazon gift cards, but they require more points per dollar and aren't always available. Best Buy gift cards are the least advantageous in terms of conversion.
Important: To maintain Level 2, you need to earn at least 500 points per month. Inactive accounts lose their discounts.
Extra Tips to Boost Your Points
Beyond searches, other activities boost your balance. Microsoft Rewards' Daily Set adds about 30 points. For Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, playing select titles for just 15 minutes daily earns an additional 40 points. The Windows 11 search bar also offers extra bonuses.
Purchases on the Microsoft Store for Level 2 members earn 10 points for every dollar spent, meaning planned expenses accumulate points with no extra effort.
Bacchus, who has accumulated nearly 2.5 million points since joining the program, summed it up: “Microsoft Rewards isn't going to replace a salary, but for those who already use Microsoft services daily, the points accumulate quietly. Starting now provides a real path to cover a significant portion – or all – of GTA 6's cost before launch.”
With discipline, the dream of getting your hands on GTA 6 without spending a cent is perfectly achievable. Just start today.