topic Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership? in Redemption

What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

MaryC885678 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:21:43 GMT

I have not seen any offers for gift card point redemption for people with no paid membership this month. Did AARP stop offering them?

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

Karyn8 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 21:02:42 GMT

HMMM So you want the same benefit as a paid member for free, hardly seems equitable to me.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

JoLo49 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:37:51 GMT

Hopefully, AARP has listened to the member's complaints that gift card point redemption should be a "members only" benefit. I hope that is the case, so that members with a paid membership will have more opportunity to redeem their points for the gift cards.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

AARPConsumerCare — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:21:42 GMT

Hi Mary! We keep updating our catalog periodically, we recommend you keep checking in regularly. AARP has a special right now of 5 years for $45. That is $9 a year vs $16 a year. Members earn more rewards and have more options for rewards. -Sue J

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

JohnB50424 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:28:29 GMT

Great number of older adults live with lower income. Senior poverty exists and not every one can afford paying memberships. AARP helps reduce financial hardship and makes lives of older population happier and nicer. In addition to that let's admit that benefits are not the same for paid members and non paid ones. AARP frequently offers more desirable gift card redemptions to only people with paid membership.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

RenateW69623 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:34:55 GMT

They had some at the beginning of the month as part of the "extra credit" rewards, but nothing since then. And also only offered 28000 points $5 GC for Walmart and Amazon to members after the "extra credit" rewards sold out, which is not usual. Will be interesting to see if there is anything else offered before the end of the month and also what will be done next month. Next week they say the look of the Instant Wins will be changing, but it doesn't sound like winning will be more likely (I haven't won an Instant Win in over 3 years), but maybe that will change.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

CarlS721782 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:29:27 GMT

Benefits have never been equitable for paid members and members who have membership free of charge.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

Karyn8 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 23:11:53 GMT

John, you're mixing up financial necessities with feelings of entitlement. In your world let's not charge to go to Disneyland because everyone can't afford to. My judgement is fine, I can separate wanting VS needing.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

AARPConsumerCare — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 23:38:18 GMT

Hi Carl! AARP paid members get more benefits than unpaid members. This includes Rewards, Games, Discounts, Benefits and more. As always benefits can be found at AARP.org. -Sue J

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

CarlS721782 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:13:10 GMT

This is exactly what I am saying. Benefits are not equitable. Paid members have more benefits than unpaid members.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

JohnB50424 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:18:53 GMT

To compare a 5 dollar gift card to a trip to Disneyland is a good judgment? I don't think so.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

Underbat — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:42:17 GMT

Hello everyone,

Please remember to post according to the community guidelines, and refrain from insults and inflammatory comments.

YOU MUST RESPECT OTHER POSTERS EVEN IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THEM

Also, please be welcoming of new posters, even when you argue with their positions.

Thank you for your cooperation in making the AARP Community a safe and welcoming place for all.
http://community.aarp.org/t5/custom/page/page-id/Guidelines

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

andrewtoo — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 09:50:34 GMT

@MaryC885678

Mary, to answer your question:

As @RenateW69623 mentioned there were $5 gift cards available to non-members of AARP in the Extra Credit Rewards section in February. I believe that 4 gift cards were available to non-member rewards participants. I think Walgreens, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Cheesecake Factory and maybe Red Lobster were available. I have skipped redeeming for any of the Extra Credit offerings, at times, and ended up getting an even worse offering at the end of the month. So, taking a look at the Extra Credit Rewards, first thing when they come out on the first day of the month, could be worth it.

Now, about being an AARP member; I have found that it pays for itself by the ability to earn 50% more points for most continuing points earning options. So I have the points to enter sweepstakes fully when I choose and sometimes pay the high prices for the "Members only" redemption options for gift cards and other "physical items." I have gotten access to more useful gift cards because they were "Members only" also.

And, don't think that you can't win a Sweepstakes. I have won two of them ($200 and $250). I credit my 50% points earning bonus allowing me to have the points to max out the entries every day on those two sweeps.

Everything "costs" more points these days, so, AARP membership is worth it.

Take care,

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

Karyn8 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 14:52:43 GMT

I will use this example to prove our point. I pay $120 annually to have a membership at Costco. Many people were shopping there without paying for a membership. Recently Costco started requiring members to show their member card at Check out because of non members using the benefit reserved for members. This started when they installed their self check out at my store. Seniors such as myself get discounts on hotels and some events without needing memberships which doesn't detract from me BUT competing for instant rewards with non members does reduce my chances of a win. AARP is not a charity nor a government entity with entitlements for seniors who need some financial help.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

LarisaV270069 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 23:39:22 GMT

Karyn, AARP is open to all retired people despite of their availability to pay. According to BBB, AARP Foundation is a BBB Accredited Charity Seal Holder, and meets BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

JoLo49 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 20:38:01 GMT

Actually, AARP is opened to anyone 18 years and older which greatly increased membership. The paid memberships do help support the programs that AARP provide. The increase of membership has greatly reduced the chances of winnings for Instant Win gift cards, Sweepstakes, and the points only gift cards. It appears that AARP has recognized the value of the paid memberships by offering more Members Only gift cards for points this month, but at a greatly increased number of points. I hope that AARP will continue to offer more Members Only benefits.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

KarenS255844 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 23:15:19 GMT

Correct me if I am wrong but I always believed that a primary member had to be over 50 and only the second household adult could be below 50. If it has changed and now anyone 18+ can have all perks of aarp benefits, it does greatly reduce the chance of winning.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

andrewtoo — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 23:52:28 GMT

"AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age." This statement appears at the bottom of this page. It is a non-profit organization.

AARP Foundation, while closely aligned with AARP, is a separate charitable organization and does not offer the Rewards program.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

JoLo49 — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 18:11:02 GMT

@KarenS255844

Quoted from AARP membership page: AARP membership is open to anyone 18 or older. While AARP's mission is dedicated to the needs of the 50+ population, anyone can become a member. As an AARP member, you will get a free membership for any adult in your household.

The AARP Rewards Program is free and open for everyone to join, so you don't have to be an AARP member to join the Rewards program. The Rewards program allows both members and non-members to participate in the program.

Re: What happened to gift card point redemption for people who don't have a paid membership?

AARPConsumerCare — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 13:51:41 GMT

It is available to non-members. You can earn points by taking brain-boosting quizzes, tracking your fitness, signing up for newsletters and more. And as an AARP member, you'll earn points 50% faster.
Trade in your points for sweepstakes entries, local deals, discounted gift cards, charitable donations and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Plus, AARP membership unlocks members-only rewards. Go to AARP Rewards to get started: https://www.aarp.org/rewards/discover/