Is PlayStation Stars really shutting down?

Yes, Sony confirmed the program's complete shutdown for November 2, 2026 — points not redeemed before then will be lost.

How can you get free Xbox gift cards?

Through Microsoft Rewards, which remains active and lets you redeem points (earned from Bing searches or purchases) for Xbox gift cards.

Free PSN & Xbox Gift Cards: One Is Ending Soon

PSN and Xbox gift cards share the same classic trap: sites promise a "free, unlimited" code in exchange for a PlayStation or Microsoft login — a mechanism that has never legitimately existed and only serves to steal accounts. But on the side of real official rewards programs, one of the two ecosystems has just changed significantly.

PlayStation Stars is permanently shutting down on November 2, 2026

Sony has announced the complete shutdown of its PlayStation Stars loyalty program for November 2, 2026. Accumulated points won't be redeemable after that date, and Sony explicitly recommends members use their remaining points before the deadline. In practice: this program should no longer be presented as an active method for getting free gift cards or PSN content, despite what many outdated guides still claim.

What's actually still available on the PlayStation side

Occasional promotional offers: Sony sometimes publishes temporary discounts directly on the PlayStation Store, unrelated to any points program.
Gift cards received as gifts: a safe way to add credit to the PlayStation Store without using your own card — not free, but reliable.
PS Plus trials sometimes bundled with new hardware: some new console bundles include a month of PS Plus trial — check the packaging or product listing, never guaranteed. On the hardware itself, Best Buy's trade-in program weighs far more than a free month ever will.

Microsoft Rewards: the equivalent program on the Xbox side, still active

Microsoft Rewards remains fully active and lets you earn points by doing searches through Bing, completing daily quests in the app, or shopping on the Microsoft Store — those points can then be redeemed for Xbox gift cards, Xbox Game Pass, or other digital rewards. It's slow (accumulating enough points takes time), but it's a real, verifiable mechanism directly on rewards.microsoft.com, with no shutdown announced as of today.

Why no "gift card generator" ever works

PSN and Xbox gift card codes are generated and validated exclusively server-side by Sony and Microsoft. A third-party site technically cannot produce a valid code — what it actually produces is personal data collection or an attempt to install unwanted software, never a working gift card. The reasoning applies word for word to Fortnite's V-Bucks and Steam wallet balance, where two official mechanics do genuinely pay out.

Discounted gift cards: a false bargain

Some resale sites offer PSN or Xbox gift cards at a steep discount, sometimes sourced from stolen card fraud. Once reported by the original victim, the card gets deactivated by Sony or Microsoft, even after it's already been redeemed — always prefer an authorized retailer or the official store, even at full price. That's also why eBay codes systematically exclude this category: the exclusion is anything but arbitrary.

How to spot a scam at a glance

A request to log in with your PlayStation or Microsoft account on a site that isn't playstation.com or xbox.com.
A mandatory survey "to unlock the code" that never unlocks anything in the end.
A generator showing a fake counter that runs endlessly without ever producing a real code.

In summary

PlayStation Stars is taking its final bow on November 2, 2026, which makes a good chunk of older guides out of date — use your remaining points before then if you've accumulated any. Microsoft Rewards, meanwhile, keeps running with no announced interruption and remains the only legitimate, lasting path on the Xbox side to turn time spent online into real rewards.