So it would seem that Microsoft has begun the process of deleting GamerTags that haven't been used since the original Xbox Live days, or so this unfortunately source-less article suggests (hence the quotation marks). If this is true, then it would mean a race toward getting the awesome GamerTags everyone's always wanted but couldn't get because someone else claimed them during the old Live days. Also, hopefully it'll mean that Microsoft will begin implementing new features that couldn't be made before because old Tags still existed.

Anyway, if you're looking to claim or change into the Tag of your dreams, here's how I usually check to see whether or not one is already in use (without having to go through the account creation process). You go to live.xbox.com/GAMERTAGHERE.card and put in the Tag you want to check where it so blatantly says GAMERTAGHERE. Now, since the unfortunate redesign of the GamerCards it has become it little less obvious to see if a Tag has already been created or not, but it still shouldn't be a problem.

If a Tag has never been created yet (or changed into something else and thus is not in use either), the name should be in silver, the logo should be the original Xbox logo and the Gamerscore should say --. Before the inexplicable and shameful redesign of the cards, non-existing Tags would just have a silver question mark for a logo, but that's now been changed to this.

Just checked if "Sniper" was one of the old accounts that isn't being used, it is! REJOICE!! We can finally get the most "xxiTzLeG1tzxx" tag on xbox! But in all seriousness, as long as this is true then i could see myself upgrading my gamertag...possibly.

I'm glad they'll be pruning the bushes.

Alright, it's confirmed. 
 
Get to claiming!