VIP level before 2017

If you want to receive a response from the staff you will need to re-post your thread but change the "type" drop-down to support. The staff does not monitor the "discussion thread".

Subsequently, while there may be some missed items or tracking issues if you tend to purchase pre-orders, subscriptions, or in-game currency then that may be the reason why you have spent over $400, but only $181 has registered, as those items are not part
of MyVip.

In order for support to check into it for you, you'll want to post in the Xbox Rewards Questions support forum.

Keep in mind that VIP levels are based on how much you spend each year, so your current progress would only include purchases from January 1, 2017, until now. Subscriptions, in-game consumables, and preorders do not count towards VIP.

In order to receive credits, your purchases either have to be eligible for a specific offer on the site at the time, or you need at least 1 star level in order to receive VIP rebates. Achievements only earn credits if there is a specific offer for them (like
the current Dr. Rewards offer). The program has never awarded credits for reaching certain gamerscore milestones. The credits your friend received may have been from back before 2013 when VIP status was based on gamerscore, not the current star levels. Starting
October 1, 2017, you can now start earning gems for reaching achievement levels, but you would not receive any gems for anything done prior to that date. You can earn 2 gems per every 1,000 gamerscore you receive started from October 1 as well.

Yes, VIP ranks change each year, on January 1. In order to maintain your level, you have to spend the same amount or more each year. So if you spend enough between January 1, 2017 and December 32, 2016, to reach level 5 and receive the 10%, your progress
would be reset to 0 but your starting star level would remain level 5. Over the next year, you would have to spend the same amount in order to stay at that level.

Star levels are based on how much you spend each year on the marketplace, not your entire time on Live. So your current progress would only include purchases made from January 1, 2017 until now. To maintain or raise your level, you need to spend the same
amount or more each year. You can see how much you need to spend for each level at
http://rewards.xbox.com/terms-and-conditions

Subscriptions, in-game consumables, and preorders do not count towards VIP. Only digital content counts towards VIP, so controllers would not count either.