topic Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently??? in AARP Rewards Connect

Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

RobertW935818 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:15:26 GMT

I have been a member of AARP for almost 2 years. I have always been able to buy gift cards in the past....until last night. I used a total of FOUR different credit/debit cards. Nothing would go through. I called the two banks involved, and they both said "It's not you, it's them (AARP). Apparently AARP has put a block on me buying gift cards recently. Has that happened to anyone else???

Re: Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

SummerOnTheWay1 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:51:17 GMT

[Thursday 4/16/26]

Robert @RobertW935818 , it is probably a "temporary" glitch. Did you call the AARP Customer Service?

➡️[*** ROBERT @RobertW935818 wrote:
I have been a member of AARP for almost 2 years. I have always been able to buy gift cards in the past....until last night. I used a total of FOUR different credit/debit cards. Nothing would go through. I called the two banks involved, and they both said "It's not you, it's them (AARP). Apparently AARP has put a block on me buying gift cards recently. Has that happened to anyone else???

Re: Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

RobertW935818 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:03:14 GMT

Yes, I called customer service. They had no idea why I was blocked. I responded by cancelling my automatic renewal. Buying gift cards at a discount was literally the ONLY perk I used.

Re: Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

SereneSeagull — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:11:09 GMT

That’s annoying. As a member of AAA I purchase my gift cards at my local office and percentage of total goes toward membership fee. Saved quite a bit a bit doing that. Sam’s Club and I’m sure other like ones, sell multiple cards in a packs of a given restaurant or company at a reduced rate if your looking for that.

Re: Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

SummerOnTheWay1 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:50:23 GMT

[Thursday 4/16/26]

Robert @RobertW935818 , just make sure "nothing" appears on any of your cards in the coming weeks. Then make OTHER "plans" for purchasing cards. Good luck!!!

➡️[*** ROBERT @RobertW935818 wrote:
Yes, I called customer service. They had no idea why I was blocked. I responded by cancelling my automatic renewal. Buying gift cards at a discount was literally the ONLY perk I used.

Re: Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

RobertW935818 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:54:02 GMT

I think it might have to do with me changing my email recently from the one that I registered with. I was recently hacked, so I abandoned that email. Maybe their automatic system didn't like that??

Re: Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

SummerOnTheWay1 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:05:00 GMT

[Thursday 4/16/26]

Yes Robert @RobertW935818 , that would affect things. Kind of a "safety net" to protect us from possible fraud. IF you still want to stay with AARP's card purchasing setup, maybe calling their Customer Service again & explain this.They can CHANGE info over the phone. Of course they will ask for certain "vetification" from you. Good luck!!!

➡️[*** ROBERT @RobertW935818 wrote:
I think it might have to do with me changing my email recently from the one that I registered with. I was recently hacked, so I abandoned that email. Maybe their automatic system didn't like that??

Re: Has anyone else lost the ability to purchase gift cards recently???

RobertW935818 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:14:50 GMT

I have been reading and researching the forums. They have apparently had this problem for YEARS!!!!!! It makes no sense, why they can't seem to fix this problem after all this time.