PlayStation users issued warning as free store credit set to be stripped away

PlayStation users have been warned to redeem any free store credit before it’s lost forever.

Recently, it seems that Sony has been gradually restricting how gamers can earn free store credit with its PlayStation Stars rewards scheme.

For starters, the ways in which you earn points are being reduced, with digital collectables given instead. But so too are rewards affected.

Check out the PlayStation Stars trailer below!

In case you didn't know, PlayStation Stars is a free rewards scheme.

Once you've registered and downloaded the PS mobile app, you’ll earn points on store purchases as well as points or digital collectables via completing campaigns.

Recently, gamers grew concerned following Sony’s decision to implement expiry dates of when you can spend points on rewards.

Some believe this decision was made to make it more difficult to earn a £5 or £20 voucher to spend on the PlayStation Store. For context, users needed to save 1,250 points to get £5 of free store credit.

Now, word is that Sony is getting ready to remove the option of spending your PS Stars rewards points on free store credit altogether.

If true, it likely means that we’ll only be able to 'buy' in-game currency, digital collectibles, or full titles with our points.

This won't come as a total surprise. Most users have been missing the £5 store credit reward for some time, instead only being allowed to nab £10 or £20 worth.

Others, including members of the GAMINGbible team, can see no store credit redemption options at all.

Reddit user Joshinator29 may be able to shed some light on what's going on.

“Exchanging points for store credit is being removed,” they warned Joshinator29.

“This is a PSA for anyone who still has the option to exchange points for store credit. I no longer do."

"Just got off the phone with PS customer support and they confirmed to me they are going to be removing the option to redeem store credit for everyone soon.” they continued. “So, if you have the option available and have enough points, use them NOW.”

That might not be the whole story.

“Stop taking customer service’s word for granted, They don't know anything not already publicly available and likely just told you something to complete the call,” said SolidusDave, making a valid point. After all, the rep could just be influenced by a rumour.

That being said, looking at Sony’s recent patterns regarding PlayStation Stars, it doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility that being able to redeem points against store credit is being phased out.

At the time of writing, the option to buy PlayStation Store credit with reward points still exists, but only for a select few - and the results vary even within a particular region. Nonetheless, if you have accumulated enough points to purchase credit and the option is still there, it might be worth spending them sooner rather than later. Just in case.