Silver or Gold Membership

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Appropriate roles: Global admin | MPN Partner admin

Silver or Gold membership program was offered only until 30 September 2022. On 4 October 2022, Microsoft replaced this program with Solutions Partner designation that offers more differentiated benefits and badging for partners. However, to support partners while they make transition to new program (Solutions Partner designation), Microsoft allows partners to continue to renew their Silver or Gold Membership (if they held it as of 30th September 2022) until further notice.

Note

Silver or Gold membership going forward is meant to provide continuity of benefits only. While you can continue to get benefits renewed, it won’t provide you with badging as this program is officially retired.

Silver or Gold Membership FAQ

I held Silver or Gold membership as of 30 September 2022? Until when can I renew it?

Currently, there is no plan to discontinue renewals of Silver or Gold membership (provided you held it as of 30th September 2022). Your renewal window opens on your Anniversary Date (date of last purchase). You'll be able to renew your membership anytime after this date. We highly recommend you renew within 30 days of opening of the window to ensure continuity of your Benefits (Azure credits, Cloud services or Software). In case you were unable to renew within 30 days, don't worry, you can proceed with renewal post this period as well.

What happens if I have active Silver or Gold membership but later qualifies for new program (Solutions Partner designation)?

Microsoft automatically upgrades you to new program (Solution Partner designation) if you qualify later and if you're active Silver or Gold membership at no extra cost. This new program allows you to use Microsoft badge and certification to grow your business. However, until your Anniversary Date (date of purchase), you're not given net new benefits (Azure credits, Cloud services or Software). On your Anniversary Date if you're still qualified for Solutions Partner designation you're given an option to purchase Solutions Partner designation program.

I'm qualifying for Solution Partner designation program, but I want older Silver or Gold benefits. Can I avail them?

If you qualify for Solutions Partner designation program, then Microsoft allows you to purchase only Solution Partner designation program. You're not given an option to buy Silver or Gold program since Solution Partner designation program comes with extra benefits & badging. However, if you think for your business older Silver or Gold benefits (you attained as of 30th September 2022) are more beneficial then you can opt for older benefits. During the purchase of Solution Partner designation, you're given an option to pick new Solution Partner designation benefits or older Silver/Gold benefits. This way you get enrolled in new program, get associated badge/certificate, get higher visibility from customers and also get an option to pick new or old benefits as appropriate. We highly recommend you move to new Solutions Partner designation benefits since they are of higher value and relevance in current market. Once you make a decision to pick either new or old benefits, you can't change them until your next purchase/renewal.

What are the requirements to meet to renew Silver or Gold membership?

Only condition to renew Silver or Gold membership is that you had active Silver or Gold membership on 30 September 2022. You will be able to renew your Silver or Gold membership during your renewal window that opens after your Anniversary Date (date of purchase). You will get same benefits as earlier once you successfully renew your membership.

Can I renew Silver or Gold membership if I have active Solution Partner designation?

No. If you have active Solution Partner designation, then you won't be able to renew Silver or Gold membership. You have successfully upgraded to new program. Congratulations on your progress and you should continue to make progress on new program.

I didn't hold Silver or Gold membership as of 30 September 2022. Can I enroll newly?

No. Microsoft has officially retired this program for any new enrollments. Hence, you won't be able to enroll newly in Silver or Gold if you didn't have Silver or Gold membership as of 30 September 2022.

My renew button isn't enabled for Silver or Gold purchase. Why?

Go to Membership workspace and then select Membership offers. Your Buy Now or Renew button may be disabled due to multiple reasons. Look at "Learn why "buy/renew" is disabled? link next to this Buy Now/Renew button. Learn more.

Your benefits (once Silver or Gold is renewed) are available in Benefits workspace. You can redeem them from Benefits workspace. Note that it may take upto 24 hours for benefits to be provisioned.

My membership end date, benefits end date and office subscriptions end date aren't matching. Why?

There are three different dates that you should be aware of:

  • Membership End Date: This date is 365 days from the date of purchase of your membership
  • Benefits End Date: This date is membership date + 30 days. We give you 30 days of renewal window and ensure that benefits aren't expired during the renewal window.
  • Office Subscription End date: Office keys once redeemed (with previous membership) are valid for 365 days from date of actual activation. However, this date can vary depending on how you activated Office keys during earlier redemption. This date may or may not align with your membership/benefits end date. Learn More.