lack of gift card redemption options

I am very dissatisfied and disappointed that when I had over 5,000 points available, not one gift card redemption was available.   Now I check my account, with a zero balance, there are target, Walmart, etc.  I think it is a scam to get you to sign up spend hours doing all the activities with no way to redeem your points.  I think it’s unacceptable, and again it is all a scam.  As I recall, not even the product discounts or coupons worked either.  It is a shame because it was never like this before.  
AARP needs to make me whole on my points that were completely worthless when they were available because having them now would be well worth my five year subscription.