Xbox has been quietly dropping free Microsoft Store credit into select users’ accounts through multiple campaigns running through late 2025 and into 2026. The credit is not being announced broadly — it is landing in accounts via the console messaging system and Microsoft Store notifications, which is why so many people are searching to find out whether they qualify.
There have been several distinct campaigns involved. Understanding which one applies to you — and where to check — is the key to claiming any credit before it expires.
Why Xbox Is Awarding Some Users Free Store Credit
Microsoft has run at least three separate credit campaigns that explain the search spike around this topic:
1. Xbox Countdown Sale — EA Sports and 2K Sports Promotion (December 2025 / January 2026)
The Xbox Countdown Sale in December 2025 included a promotion where players who purchased qualifying EA Sports or 2K Sports titles during the sale period were entitled to a $5 Microsoft Store gift card. The gift cards were not distributed immediately during the sale — they were rolled out in January 2026, which is why many users discovered them weeks after they had forgotten about the promotion.
Some users who were Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members also reported receiving the credit without having made a specific qualifying purchase — suggesting Microsoft extended the promotion to active Ultimate subscribers as a goodwill gesture. The credit can be used to buy anything in the Microsoft Store, including games outside EA Sports or 2K titles.
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Campaign (April 2026)
Xbox issued $5 Microsoft Store credit cards to players who had played Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on Xbox consoles as part of a participation campaign. The message sent to eligible accounts read: ‘Thanks for participating in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Campaign. You’ve qualified to receive the Dual 2XP Pack (useable in-game) and a gift card, which you can use in the Microsoft store to buy Games, Add-ons, and more.’ Recipients had until June 1, 2026 to redeem, with the credit valid for 90 days after redemption.
3. Spring Store Credit Campaign (April 2026)
In April 2026, under the leadership of new Xbox head Asha Sharma, Microsoft sent another round of store credit vouchers to select users through the console messaging system. The message read: ‘Spring is back with great savings! Here is a Gift Card that you can use to buy Games, Add-Ons and Apps on the Microsoft Store.’ This was framed as part of Sharma’s broader effort to rebuild goodwill with Xbox players following the price hike controversy.
How to Check If You Received Free Xbox Store Credit
There are two main places to check for any free credit Microsoft may have sent to your account:
Method 1: Microsoft Store App (Console)
- On your Xbox console, open the Microsoft Store app
- Select your profile icon in the top right corner
- Look for the ‘Offers & Credits’ or ‘Payment & Billing’ tab
- Any gift cards or store credit that have been deposited will appear here
- If you see a gift card, tap or select it to redeem — note the expiration date
Method 2: Xbox Inbox / Console Messages
- Go to your Xbox profile and open the Messages section
- Microsoft sometimes delivers gift card codes directly via the console messaging system
- Look for messages from Microsoft about promotions, gift cards, or campaigns
- Copy the code and redeem it at microsoft.com/redeem or through the Store app
Method 3: Email
- Check the email address associated with your Microsoft account
- The Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 campaign and some other promotions were delivered via email rather than on-console
- Check your spam/junk folder as Microsoft promotional emails sometimes land there
A word of caution: Xbox has also had incidents where a Microsoft Store ad displayed ‘Check your chat — we’ve sent you some money’ but no actual message or credit existed. If you check your messages and find nothing, the promotion either did not apply to your account or the ad was a glitch. Do not provide personal information or click external links claiming to unlock Xbox credit.
Xbox Game Pass Walmart+ Perk: What You Get
Walmart+ membership includes a Game Pass benefit, but it is not Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The Walmart+ perk provides access to a limited-tier Game Pass benefit — this has varied over time between Game Pass Core access and other configurations. As of 2026, the Walmart+ gaming perk should be verified through the official Walmart+ perks page (walmart.com/plus/perks) as the specific tier and terms of the gaming benefit have changed.
The Walmart+ perk is separate from purchasing a Game Pass subscription directly from Microsoft. It is typically for a limited period (one to three months) rather than an ongoing subscription, and it may require you to not currently be a Game Pass subscriber to activate.
Does Xbox Accept Apple Pay?
Yes — Xbox accepts Apple Pay as a payment method when purchasing through the Xbox website (xbox.com) and the Microsoft Store on iOS devices. Apple Pay is available at checkout on the web when using Safari on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It does not appear as a payment option within the Xbox console interface itself, which uses a different payment system.
To pay for Xbox Game Pass with Apple Pay: visit xbox.com or microsoft.com in Safari on your iPhone, select the subscription or purchase you want, and choose Apple Pay at checkout. On the Xbox console, you can also use a Microsoft gift card (which you can purchase via Apple Pay through third-party retailers) as an alternative way to fund your account without using a card number directly.
Xbox Game Pass Price Hike: What Changed
In 2024, Microsoft increased Xbox Game Pass prices significantly:
| Tier | Old Price | New Price (2024) |
| Game Pass Ultimate | $14.99/month | $19.99/month |
| PC Game Pass | $9.99/month | $11.99/month |
| Game Pass Core | $9.99/month | $9.99/month (unchanged) |
The price increase triggered significant backlash, including a wave of subscription cancellations and vocal criticism from gaming community figures. Xbox co-founder Laura Fryer publicly criticized the price hike, arguing it undercut the value proposition that had made Game Pass a success. Microsoft also discontinued the Game Pass DLC discount — a perk that had given subscribers 10-20% off DLC purchases — as part of the tier restructuring.
In April 2026, Microsoft partially reversed course, lowering Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass prices in select regions. The company also announced a change to Call of Duty’s Game Pass inclusion: future Call of Duty titles will no longer join Game Pass at launch but will be added approximately one year later.
Xbox Game Pass Removals: July, August, and Ongoing Delistings
Game Pass removals are a regular part of the service — Microsoft adds and removes games on a monthly basis as licensing agreements change. Key 2025 removal events:
- July 15, 2025 delistings: a batch of games removed from the Game Pass library on July 15, 2025. Microsoft typically announces removals 14 days in advance through the Xbox Wire blog and the Game Pass app.
- February 2025 removals: several titles left the service as licensing deals expired.
- August 2025 removals: another regular cycle of game removals.
To stay current on removals, the most reliable sources are the Xbox Wire blog (news.xbox.com) and the ‘Leaving Soon’ section in the Game Pass app itself, which shows games scheduled to leave within the next 14 days. When a game is leaving, it is typically discounted for purchase — Game Pass subscribers can buy the full game at a reduced price before it is removed from the service.
Discord Nitro and Xbox Game Pass: Is the Bundle Still Available?
Discord Nitro previously included a one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial as a benefit. This bundle was popular among PC gamers who wanted to try Game Pass. As of 2026, the Discord Nitro + Game Pass bundle is not consistently available — Microsoft periodically offers it as a limited-time promotion rather than a permanent perk. To check current status, look in your Discord app under ‘Nitro’ → ‘Benefits’ or visit the Xbox perks page in your Game Pass app.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks: What You Actually Get
Beyond the game library, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes a rotating selection of perks:
- In-game content drops for specific titles (cosmetics, currency, starter packs)
- Trials and discounts for partner services
- Cloud gaming access via Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud)
- EA Play membership (access to EA Play library and trials)
- Periodic gift cards and store credit promotions like those described above
Perks are claimed through the Game Pass app under the ‘Perks’ tab. They have individual expiration dates — some last weeks, others months. Microsoft adds and removes perks regularly. Checking the Perks tab monthly ensures you do not miss time-limited offers.
For information on whether you need Game Pass to play online, the difference between Xbox Live and Game Pass, and how Game Pass works on Linux and Steam Deck, see our guide to do you need Game Pass to play online on Xbox.
For the latest on which specific games are coming to or leaving Xbox Game Pass, see our guide to what games are coming to Xbox Game Pass in 2025-2026.
For official Xbox Game Pass pricing, tiers, and current promotions, see xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass.
For official Xbox support on billing, credits, and subscription management, see support.xbox.com.
Bottom Line
| Xbox store credit campaigns | Countdown Sale (Dec 2025), CoD: BO7 (Apr 2026), Spring Campaign (Apr 2026) |
| How to check | Microsoft Store app → Profile → Offers & Credits; Xbox inbox messages; email |
| Credit amount | Typically $5-$10 per campaign |
| Who qualifies | Varies by campaign — EA/2K buyers, CoD BO7 players, select GP Ultimate members |
| Expiration | Check T&Cs — typically 90 days from redemption |
| Apple Pay for Xbox | Yes — via xbox.com/microsoft.com in Safari on iOS |
| Walmart+ perk | Limited Game Pass benefit — verify current tier at walmart.com/plus/perks |
| Price hike impact | Ultimate raised from $14.99 to $19.99 in 2024; partial reversal Apr 2026 |
| DLC discount | Discontinued as part of 2024 tier restructuring |
| Removals | Check Xbox Wire blog or Game Pass app ‘Leaving Soon’ section |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Xbox awarding all users free store credit?
No — the store credit is targeted at specific groups based on purchasing behavior, game activity, or subscription status. The December 2025 Countdown Sale credit went to users who bought qualifying EA Sports or 2K Sports titles. The April 2026 credit went to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 players. Some Game Pass Ultimate members also received credit without a qualifying purchase. To check if you received any, open the Microsoft Store app on your Xbox console and look under Profile → Offers & Credits, or check your Xbox inbox and Microsoft account email.
How do I claim free Xbox store credit?
Open the Microsoft Store app on your Xbox console, go to your profile, and select ‘Offers & Credits.’ If credit is waiting, it will appear there and can be redeemed directly. If delivered as a code via the Xbox messaging system or email, you can redeem it at microsoft.com/redeem. Credit expires — check the terms before waiting.
Can you pay for Xbox Game Pass with Apple Pay?
Yes. Apple Pay is accepted on xbox.com and microsoft.com when using Safari on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It is not available as a payment option directly through the Xbox console interface. Alternatively, you can buy a Microsoft gift card using Apple Pay from a retailer and redeem it to your Microsoft account.
What happened to the Xbox Game Pass DLC discount?
Microsoft discontinued the Game Pass DLC discount — which had previously given subscribers 10-20% off DLC purchases — as part of the 2024 subscription tier restructuring that also raised Game Pass Ultimate’s price from $14.99 to $19.99 per month. This was one of several benefit reductions that contributed to subscriber cancellations.
Microsoft Rewards vs Xbox Store Credit: What Is the Difference?
There is an important distinction between Microsoft Rewards points and the surprise store credit campaigns described above. Microsoft Rewards is a points-based program where you earn points for daily Bing searches, Xbox activities, purchasing games, completing quests, and using Microsoft products. These points can be redeemed for Microsoft Store gift cards, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, charity donations, and other rewards — but you earn them through regular activity over time.
The store credit campaigns described in this article — the Countdown Sale gift cards, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 credit, the Spring 2026 campaign — are different. These are proactive grants where Microsoft pushes credit to specific accounts without requiring point redemption. They show up as gift cards in your Offers & Credits section rather than as Rewards points.
Both programs exist simultaneously. You may have Microsoft Rewards points you can redeem for a gift card and also have a surprise promotional gift card in your Offers & Credits. Check both: microsoft.com/en-us/rewards for your Rewards balance, and the Microsoft Store app Profile → Offers & Credits for any deposited gift cards.
Xbox Game Pass Subscription Cancellations: What Happened
The 2024 price hike to $19.99/month for Game Pass Ultimate triggered a measurable wave of subscription cancellations. Reports from gaming industry analysts indicated that the combination of the price increase, the removal of the DLC discount perk, and the change to Call of Duty Day 1 availability drove the highest single cancellation event in Game Pass history up to that point.
Xbox co-founder Laura Fryer — who was part of the original Xbox team at Microsoft before eventually departing — made public statements criticizing the price hike strategy. Her argument: the value proposition of Game Pass had been built on a specific promise to consumers, and the combination of price increases and benefit reductions undermined the trust that had been built over years of subscriber growth. Her comments were widely covered in gaming media and resonated with the gaming community.
Microsoft’s response came in April 2026: price reductions in select markets, Asha Sharma’s appointment to lead Xbox with a stated focus on rebuilding player trust, and the goodwill campaigns (store credit, freebies) described throughout this article. Whether these measures reverse the cancellation trend in subscriber numbers will be reflected in Microsoft’s quarterly earnings reports.
Xbox Game Pass Investment Strategy: What Microsoft Is Exploring
Beyond the consumer-facing changes, ‘Microsoft is exploring ways to expand Xbox Game Pass services’ reflects genuine business reporting about Microsoft’s strategic thinking for the subscription. Industry reporting from 2025 indicated Microsoft was examining several expansion directions:
• Third-party publisher partnerships: bringing more major third-party titles to Game Pass on Day 1, similar to the model used for Activision games post-acquisition
• International market expansion: extending Game Pass Ultimate pricing and availability to more regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and South America where gaming subscription penetration is lower
• Family sharing improvements: enhanced family plan options that allow multiple accounts under one subscription at a better per-person rate
• Hardware bundling: new Xbox hardware + Game Pass bundles targeted at price-sensitive markets
These are strategic directions Microsoft has signaled interest in, not confirmed product announcements. The Xbox Wire blog (news.xbox.com) is the primary source for official announcements when these strategies become products.
