GameStop Employees Panic As Pro Membership Gets Way Worse
GameStop will eliminate the rewards points system for its Pro Membership program by August 15, 2026, according to an internal memo reported by Kotaku. New members stop accruing points on July 15, 2026, while the annual membership fee remains $25 despite the reduced benefits.
Why is GameStop removing Pro Membership points?
GameStop is cutting the points system as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and manage store closures, according to the internal memo shared with Kotaku. The company faces a shrinking market for physical media as gamers shift toward digital downloads.
This transition has changed the layout of physical stores. Kotaku reports that collectibles and toys, such as Pokémon cards, now occupy more shelf space than PlayStation 5 or Switch 2 games. The move to remove rewards is a direct response to these declining physical game sales.
When do GameStop Pro points expire?
The phase-out happens in two stages based on the internal company update. For new members, the accrual of Pro Points ends on July 15, 2026.
Existing members who renew their membership before that July date can continue earning points for one additional month. However, all remaining points for every member will expire on August 15, 2026.
Is the GameStop Pro membership still worth $25?
The value of the Pro Membership is decreasing while the price stays the same. The program currently costs $25 per year. Previously, members received a subscription to Game Informer, but that benefit has already been removed, according to Kotaku.
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The points system provided a 2-percent reward on most purchases. For a customer buying one $70 game per month, this earned roughly $17 in coupons annually. With the removal of these points, that specific financial return disappears, leaving the $25 fee unchanged.
Comparison: Then vs. Now
| Benefit | Previous Value | Future Value (Post-Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $25 | $25 |
| Points Accrual | 2% rewards | None |
| Game Informer | Included | Removed |
How are employees reacting to these changes?
Store staff are reporting increased friction with customers. On the GameStop subreddit, one employee noted that customers were already frustrated by backend POS (point-of-sale) issues that prevented them from redeeming points over a three-month period.
Employees are also facing pressure to maintain aggressive upsell metrics for the Pro program despite the reduced benefits. One user on Reddit called for a collective boycott of the Pro program, urging other staff to stop pushing the membership to force the company to recognize the decision as a mistake.
FAQ: GameStop Pro Membership Changes
When do Pro Points stop for new members?
New members will stop earning points starting July 15, 2026.
When do all GameStop Pro points expire?
All remaining points for all members expire on August 15, 2026.
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Does the membership price change?
No. According to the report, the membership will still cost $25 a year.
What happened to the Game Informer subscription?
The subscription is no longer included as part of the GameStop Pro benefits.
Do you think the Pro Membership is still worth the annual fee? Let us know in the comments or subscribe to our newsletter for more gaming industry updates.