does halo wars 2 ultimate edition count towards rewards?

Since it was a preorder, it would count as a punch towards your games on demand punchcard. You would need 2 other eligible purchases to complete the offer and receive credits. Preorders do not count towards VIP.

Hello xxJG0Dxx,

From the FAQ for that offer:

Which content is eligible for this offer?

You must spend at least $202 before tax on qualifying MyVIP content from the Xbox Store and Microsoft Movies & TV during the offer period. Most purchases for Xbox 360 and Xbox One from the Xbox Store qualify, including full Games on Demand titles (game pre-orders
do NOT qualify), arcade games, indie games, game add-ons, game season passes, themes, and avatar items. From Microsoft Movies & TV, qualifying content includes movies, TV shows, and TV seasons. However, in-game consumables, Xbox Live Gold memberships, Groove
Music Passes, Microsoft Movies & TV Season Passes, and the purchase or redemption of Microsoft Points or Xbox Gift Cards do not qualify.

As Smwutches says, pre-orders are not eligible for MyVIP, and by extension, the extra star offer. However, it will award a punch on the Games on Demand punchcard.

Since the official release date is the 20th, it will count as a pre-order until the then.

The 21th is the official release date for Halo Wars 2 Standard Edition; the official release date for Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition is the 17th. You can buy (not pre-order) both Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition and the preorder version of it in the store now.
So, it's mighty confusing. But to be on the safe side I'd better buy the game on the 21th. What a mess!

Pre-orders do not count towards VIP so it would not have counted towards your VIP boost. Pre-orders will only count for credits or anything if they are part of a specific offer on the site at the time. So your Halo Wars 2 purchase would have counted towards
your Games on Demand Punchcard. Individual purchases are not shown on your Rewards statement. Only offers you have complete.

Support will check into Halo Wars, but if you purchase a game as a preorder, you will only receive credits if they are part of a specific offer on the site at the time. It will not count towards VIP if it is a preorder at all.The program only counts the
date you make the purchase, not when the game is actually released.

Thanks for checking. yeah release date on your punchcard & Microsoft store for halo wars 2 ultimate edition is the 16th. I bought on the 17th, so please check into my vip status..