Xbox Users Given Surprise In-Store Credit, Claim the Freebie

Xbox owners are reporting free in-store credit being delivered to their accounts through the console's messaging system, and you might have gotten one too.

In-store credit is a valuable asset in the world of modern gaming as who doesn’t love essentially getting a new game for free, or at least at a discounted price?

Xbox users will be earning credit in the background through Xbox Rewards, and a quick glance at my own tells me I can redeem a £10 voucher if I so wish. It’s taken a while to get to that point but I can’t really grumble. Perhaps I’ll put it towards the updated and enhanced port of Red Dead Redemption.

Or perhaps I’ll hang on as some users have reported a mysterious message from Xbox itself giving them a voucher for seemingly no reason.

Now at first glance you’d probably think this is some sort of scam but it’s not, the messages have been coming in from Xbox itself and no problems have been reported in regards to redeeming them.

Reddit user iZian is a good example as they recently posted in confusion as £8 of in-store credit was dropped into their inbox. It’s a weird amount to get as a freebie but it was real and likely much appreciated.

The accompanying message was essentially a thank you note, thanking iZian for being part of the Xbox family.

Microsoft

As you’d expect there are now loads of other Xbox owners waiting to see if they get something delivered as well.

Some argued that it might have something to do with Xbox Game Pass, perhaps a gift for subscribers who kept their subscription active despite a turbulent year for the service. Others suggested it might be related to how many Xbox Rewards points you’ve earnt and spent over the last few months.

Most warned to not go chasing what could have brought on this freebie though, as apparently there’s literally no way of knowing.

So it sounds like it’s just a luck of the draw thing so if you log onto your Xbox this week have a look in your messages, as you might have gotten one of these surprise freebies too.

After a rough year things are looking a little brighter for Xbox in 2026, as the first-party game line-up looks ace.

There will still be some challenges though, as Valve’s new Steam Machine is said to release in Q1 and could become a competitor for both Xbox’s current hardware and the next-generation.