Bing Rewards Levels: Level 1 vs. Level 2
Two people can do the exact same Bing searches every day and walk away with very different point totals at the end of the month. The difference usually isn't luck or effort. It's the level they're sitting on. Microsoft Rewards (still called Bing Rewards by most of its fans) splits members into tiers, and the jump from Level 1 to Level 2 is the single biggest upgrade most people will ever make in the program. This guide explains what each level actually gives you, how the two compare, how to reach Level 2 and stay there, and what the 2026 tier changes mean for anyone still thinking in "Level 1 vs. Level 2" terms.
The one number that separates the two levels
The count resets every month, so Level 2 is something you keep earning rather than something you unlock once.
Why Microsoft Rewards has levels at all
Levels are Microsoft's way of rewarding consistency. Someone who drops by once, runs a couple of searches and disappears gets a basic experience. Someone who shows up regularly, completes the daily activities and uses Bing as a real search engine gets higher earning limits and better redemption value. Microsoft's own support team sums it up simply: Level 1 lets you earn points with searches and activities, while Level 2 lets you earn more per day, get discounts on redemptions and reach exclusive offers.
In other words, Level 1 is the trial. Level 2 is the program working the way it was designed to.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 at a glance
Level 1
Where every account starts
- Automatic when you join, no requirement
- Low daily cap on search points
- Access to daily sets, quizzes and polls
- Standard redemption prices
- Limited or no mobile and Edge search bonuses
Level 2
Earned with 500 points a month
- Roughly triple the daily search earning limit
- Separate mobile search points on top
- Discounts on select redemptions
- Exclusive offers and bigger sweepstakes
- Streak and bonus features switch on
Side-by-side comparison
The exact figures vary by country and have shifted several times over the years, so treat the numbers below as the typical US setup under the classic two-level system rather than a promise. Your own dashboard is always the final word.
| Feature | Level 1 | Level 2 |
|---|---|---|
| How you get it | Automatic on sign-up | Earn 500 points in a calendar month |
| PC search points | Up to 10 rewarded searches a day (about 50 points) | Up to 30 rewarded searches a day (about 150 points) |
| Mobile search points | Very limited | A separate daily allowance, commonly around 100 points |
| Microsoft Edge bonus | Not included | Small extra daily bonus for searching in Edge |
| Daily sets and quizzes | Yes | Yes |
| Redemption pricing | Standard | Discounts on select items, such as some Microsoft and Xbox cards |
| Exclusive offers and sweepstakes | Basic | Wider selection, including higher-value entries |
| Streak bonuses | Limited | Full access |
| How long it lasts | Permanent baseline | Must be re-earned every month |
Figures reflect commonly reported US values under the Level 1 / Level 2 system and differ by region.
What the gap really means over a month
The headline difference is the search cap, and it compounds quickly. If a Level 1 member maxes out PC searches every day, they collect around 50 points daily from searching. A Level 2 member doing the same routine on PC collects around 150, and can add mobile search points on top. Across a 30-day month, that's the difference between roughly 1,500 search points and 4,500 or more, before counting quizzes, daily sets, streaks or promotions.
Then the discount kicks in on the spending side. Paying fewer points for the same gift card means every point you earn at Level 2 is also worth a little more. Higher earning plus cheaper redemptions is why a Level 2 member can often reach a gift card in a fraction of the time it takes a Level 1 member.
The fastest points aren't searches
Daily quizzes and daily sets often pay out 10 to 50 points each with only a minute of effort, and they count toward your 500-point monthly target. If you want the correct answers without the guesswork, check today's Bing Homepage Quiz answers before you start your daily routine.
How to reach Level 2
The requirement is short: collect 500 points within a single calendar month. For most people that takes less than two weeks of light, regular activity. Here's a simple order that works.
- Sign in everywhere you searchPoints only land when you're signed in with your Microsoft account in Bing, Edge or the Bing app. Check this first, because unsigned searches earn nothing.
- Clear the daily set each morningOpen the Rewards dashboard and complete the three daily activities. They're quick and reliable.
- Play the daily quizzesThe Bing Homepage Quiz and other rotating quizzes are among the easiest points available. A reference like BingQuizzes.com keeps the answers for each day in one place.
- Run your normal searches on BingUse Bing for the searches you'd make anyway until you hit the daily cap. Genuine, spread-out searching is the safest approach.
- Check your dashboard mid-monthOnce you pass 500 points for the month, your level upgrades. From that point on, your higher limits apply.
How to stay at Level 2
This is the part many members miss. Level 2 isn't permanent. Your status is checked month to month, and if you fall short of 500 points in a month, you slide back to Level 1 and start climbing again. A few habits make keeping it effortless:
- Front-load the month. Aim to cross 500 points in the first week or two so a busy stretch later doesn't cost you your level.
- Keep your streak alive. Daily set streaks add bonus points and turn the routine into a habit.
- Treat quizzes as your safety net. Even on days you don't search much, a quiz and daily set keep your monthly total moving.
- Watch for promotions. Limited-time offers on the dashboard can cover a big chunk of the 500 points in one go.
The 2026 update: Member, Silver and Gold
Your dashboard may no longer say "Level 2"
During 2026, Microsoft began replacing the Level 1 / Level 2 structure with three tiers called Member, Silver and Gold. The change rolled out region by region, and reports indicate US accounts moved over around July 2026. If your dashboard still shows Level 1 and Level 2, everything above applies to you as written.
The logic of the new system is familiar. Status is still earned monthly, and the more consistently you use Rewards, the higher your tier. Reported requirements put Silver at 500 points in a month, which lines up with the old Level 2 threshold, while Gold asks for a higher monthly total plus a couple of extra "level-up" activities. Members at each tier get different daily search caps, a monthly level bonus, and in the upper tiers, better redemption value.
The biggest practical change reported so far is that search points now sit under a single shared daily cap across PC and mobile, and that cap is lower than the old Level 2 search allowance. Microsoft balances that with monthly tier bonuses and a consistency-based search bonus for steady users. The takeaway: raw search volume matters less than it used to, and showing up every day for quizzes and activities matters more.
If you're trying to translate old advice into the new system, a rough mapping looks like this:
| Classic system | New tier | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Member | Starting tier with no monthly requirement and the lowest search cap |
| Level 2 | Silver | Reached with 500 points in a month, similar to the old Level 2 threshold |
| No equivalent | Gold | A new top tier with a higher monthly target, extra activities and the best perks |
Microsoft has adjusted values during the rollout. Always confirm current caps and bonuses on your own Rewards dashboard.
Common mistakes that keep people stuck at Level 1
- Searching while signed out. It's the most common reason points never show up.
- Skipping quizzes because they seem small. A few dozen points a day adds up to most of the monthly target.
- Assuming the level is permanent. One quiet month drops you back down.
- Using bots or scripted searches. Automated activity breaks Microsoft's terms and can get an account suspended along with its points. Steady, genuine use is the only approach worth taking.
- Redeeming before reaching Level 2. If a discount applies to the reward you want, waiting until you've leveled up can save points.
Make the daily quiz the easiest part of your routine. Fresh answers are posted every day, so you can collect your points in under a minute and keep your monthly total on track.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for Level 2?
You need 500 points within a calendar month. Once you cross that line, your account upgrades and your higher limits apply for the rest of that month and the following one, as long as you keep hitting the target.
Can I lose Level 2?
Yes. Level 2 has to be re-earned each month. If you don't collect 500 points in a month, your account returns to Level 1 until you reach the threshold again.
Do quiz points count toward Level 2?
They do. Points from daily sets, quizzes, polls and searches all count toward the monthly 500, which makes quizzes one of the quickest ways to level up.
Is Level 2 worth the effort?
For anyone planning to redeem gift cards, it's clearly worth it. Higher daily earning limits combined with discounts on select rewards can cut the time to your first redemption dramatically, and 500 points a month is easy to reach with a short daily routine.
My dashboard shows Member, Silver or Gold. What happened to Level 2?
Microsoft has replaced the two-level system with three tiers in many regions during 2026. Silver is roughly the equivalent of the old Level 2, and Gold is a new level above it. The same principle applies: consistent monthly activity keeps you in a higher tier.
The bottom line
Level 1 is where everyone begins, and it's fine for trying the program out. Level 2 is where Microsoft Rewards starts paying properly, with bigger daily limits, cheaper redemptions and access to the best offers. The gap between the two is just 500 points a month, and a few minutes a day of quizzes, daily sets and ordinary searching gets you there. Whether your dashboard still says Level 2 or has switched to Silver and Gold, the winning strategy hasn't changed: show up daily, do the easy activities first, and let the points build. Bookmark our daily Bing quiz answers hub so your routine is always one click away.
