Microsoft is no stranger to launching new product lines, but this particular Xbox-themed product is an interesting one: an Xbox Mastercard. It’s a “no annual fee” credit card that’s being issued by Barclays and is set to launch exclusively in the USA.
Like many credit cards, this Xbox Mastercard does sport some perks. and it’s only fitting that these perks are focused squarely at gamers.
IRL purchases turned into digital rewards
The hook of the Xbox Mastercard is that it will allow its users to “earn card points for every $1 spent on purchases.” Microsoft breaks down how different kinds of purchases will net you different tiers of points.
By using the card on the Xbox and Microsoft Stores, that will net users 5x card points on “eligible products.” Buying/renewing subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix earn 3x points, as does using food delivery services like DoorDash. Finally, “everyday purchases” will net 1x card points. That seems to apply to everyday items, including groceries and gas, just to name a few.
To sweeten the deal even more, Microsoft also throws in a few extra incentives. Cardholders will be awarded with “a bonus of 5,000 card points (a $50 value) after their first purchase” and even three free months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (for new members) after their first purchase.
There are five designs to choose from, featuring variations of the Xbox logo. The card can also be used “with contactless payments and digital wallets” (such as tap to pay and adding the card to Google Pay and Apple Wallet.)
Reading the fine print
What’s perhaps the oddest thing about this card is that there’s a catch as to who exactly is eligible to apply.
In addition to the Xbox Mastercard being only available to US customers (including those in Hawaii and Alaska,) one must also first apply to the Xbox Insiders Program. This can be done easily and for free via the Xbox Insider Hub app which is available on both Xbox consoles and Windows PC.
For those that do meet that criteria, availability of the Xbox Mastercard will be rolled out in waves “throughout this Fall.” There’s also the even scarier real fine print of the card’s terms and conditions, which considering this is a credit card that comes with very real penalties for those that can’t pay their monthly balance, it’s certainly worth checking out if genuinely interested in signing up.
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