AARP Rewards Online Community Travel Contest 2024

 I look to AARP for the discounts.  Car rental, hotel and restaurants and many other discounts are available to members.  You can also purchase gift cards with your points for added savings.  Every penny saved counts.  Thank you AARP 

Love the cruise line gift cards to pay for my cruises or use as on board credit.  I also buy Sheetz gift cards for my grandson at Penn State.

Using the gift card to get discounts on all types of vacations, particularly flying and cruising!

Definitely pack lightly!  I always travel with black slacks (or skirts, or leggings), black or white tops, and then a colorful sweater, cardi, pullover, whatever.  That way everything mixes and matches, and I don't need to pack a whole lot.  And remember a raincoat - if you don't pack one, it will rain.  If you do pack one, it's less likely to rain.  Works every time!

As an avid traveler and AARP member with a family of three, including a child under 5, I’ve discovered several strategies to maximize our rewards and enhance our travel experiences. Here’s how we make the most of our AARP membership:

1. Combining memberships: We stack our AARP membership with Hilton Honors status and credit card rewards for maximum savings and perks.
2. Direct hotel bookings: Booking directly with hotels using our AARP account number consistently secures the best rates.
3. Car rentals: AARP discounts on rental cars are perfect for our family road trips.
4. AARP app for local exploration: We’ve used this in St. Louis to find family-friendly activities and deals.
5. Rakuten integration: We use Rakuten with our AARP membership for additional cashback.
6. Early booking discounts: Taking advantage of AARP member savings when booking early at Hilton resorts.
7. On-property credits: We look for special offers like the “Make My Stay” package for resort credits.
8. Instant Hilton Honors Silver status: This gives us 20% bonus points on stays.
9. Refillable water bottle: We always carry one to take advantage of free refill stations.

During our Missouri trip in June, we utilized AARP’s resources and GPT/AI assistance to enhance our experience.

Remember, AARP isn’t just for retirees—it’s a valuable resource for travelers of all ages, especially families like ours looking to maximize adventures and savings!

Whether we travel by air, boat, or car

AARP Rewards take us deep, wide, and far

Shopping, rentals, tickets on the radar

The values and savings are never below par.

Since AARP raised the app bar so high

I check and log in with no days going by

The puzzles and games are as easy as pie

Getting points that explode right to the sky.

I earn points with the steps that I take

My brain gets fed with the scores I do make

I play and have fun when I’m up and awake

The quizzes indeed are a welcome break.

What else can I say --- this program’s so great?

AARP provides all things first-rate!

Earn, learn, claim - don’t make it wait

Prizes and deals expire, and then it’s too late.

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Hi! This is my lame attempt to let you know how grateful I am for the AARP Rewards program.  It is synched to my phone’s Apple Health. I’m subscribed to many newsletters.  I get updated with the world through the weekly quizzes and I learn many things and skills through all other featured articles. I have used and gifted many items that I have redeemed which included greeting cards, coloring pages, gift cards to stores and restaurants, experiences, and charitable causes.

So what are you waiting for?  Download the AARP Now app and get rewarded! - Miriam Nebres

My first trip to Ireland, I was so excited as my grandmother had immigrated from. County Galway to Boston on the Cunard lines in the late 1800's.  We stopped in Cobh and I saw a sign that said Cunard ... Everyone on our tour went to the Titantic exhibit ... I walked toward the Cunard sign.  It was the original terminal for ships departing (to Boston).  Original Ship manifests were in the museum and I was able to look up my grandmother's name ... THERE

IT WAS!  It was a chilling experience... I walked down the runway for 3rd class passengers ... I was walking in her footprints!  I felt so close to her and all my relatives that had passed ... cheering me on!  It was pure love!  

 After taking a course here and there, changing my major three times, working a full time job, AND raising two children, at the age of 40, I was finally close to earning a Bachelor's degree. My final class was a "Study Abroad" to England.  A fabulous experience, but I was much older than my classmates. We had long three-day weekends to travel more. The others chose to go to places I was not particularly interested in, (Amsterdam?)!  I chose to fly to Dublin and another weekend, rode the "Chunnel?" to Paris.  All by myself. Paris was overwhelming as my French speaking is not very good.  I stayed on four different tour busses, with recorded English tour   guides. One of my favorite life experiences!

We always make use of the Princess Cruises gift cards to save money on our cruises with them.  The current 8% discount (and the old time 10% and even 12% discounts) really make it worth your while.

We always us  AARP discounts for hotels and car rentals...more than pays for cost of membership. 

Also enjoy many of the online activities offered.