Can’t Purchase Any Giftcards

[JulieF274301]

Went To Purchase Giftcard And I keep getting an error message when In fact I have the funds plus more in my account .. I have cleaned my cookies and also switched to the browser customer support says aarp is compatible with and it’s still not working .. I see similar issues being posted which lets me know it’s a deeper issue I Hope maintenance on wenesday Fixes this !!

[iLuvNature]

(Monday 6/3/24 1pm ET)

An update @AmandaL858778 . I had returned to BBB to complain about being LOCKED OUT of this site from Saturday 6/1/24. Lol, they now have @AARPConsumerCare handling that TOO. 🙄🙄🙄 Anyway, just a heads up to let you know things have changed = no more personalized help. Bots as several members have pointed out. Take care, Nicole 👵

(Friday 5/17/24 2:35pm ET) 

Hi, they made sure I received my giftcards.

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** AMANDA @AmandaL858778 wrote:

What was corporates solution? How did they fix it for you? ***]

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[AARPConsumerCare]

I understand your concerns, @JeffreyW68256. However, each scenario is different, and I only can provide you information about your case. If your client needs assistance, please have him reach out to us: https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp - Diana G.

[LauraR516315]

Diana G.  - it makes no sense whatsoever than one day the credit card will work, and the next time it won't.  You are seriously losing credibility because of this issue.  Word is getting out.  BBB has been contacted.  Fix this...PLEASE.

[AARPConsumerCare]

@LauraR516315, did you get an error with one of your purchases? - Diana G.

[LauraR516315]

Yes.  It was the same error everyone gets:  

"There was a problem with your payment.  Please try again or contact AARP......."  

Know this:  Some of my credit cards have my middle initial, some don't.  IT SHOULDN'T MATTER.  

I live in the CITY of TIGARD, but according to the USPS, based on my zip code, I live in the CITY OF PORTLAND.  So, some credit cards may have one city, and other credit cards have another.  Who knows if some company's software CHANGES how they store my CITY based on the ZIP CODE.  ZIP CODE is all that should need to be matched to the credit card.  Not the CITY.  

Please know, that I don't plan on using any other AARP offered benefits due to the inability to fix this problem for over a year.  I also cannot recommend AARP to anyone at this time, until this is fixed.  

[AARPConsumerCare]

@LauraR516315, which gift card (s) were you trying to purchase? Also, are you using an AdBlocker? - Diana G.

[JeffreyW68256]

It's really not if this many people are having the same issue. My card worked fine for 1 purchase now it no longer works. I tried every card I have multiple times. Every one of my clients have the same issue and they have all reached out to support and received 0 help or resolution. 

[CaitlinG810684]

Having the same problem very frustrating as that was the sole reason I signed up. When do you plan to fix this issue @AARPConsumerCare 

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hi @CaitlinG810684, here to help! May I know what error are you getting? And, which gift card(s) you're trying to purchase? Thanks. - Diana G. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hi Nicholas. I understand your frustration, and I'm sorry you're not able to purchase your gift cards. Please send a Private Note with your mailing address, so I can look into this.  - Stephen K.

[NicholasS198643]

Sent.  Thank you 

[KaydinceC79944]

I am having the same issue, as is my daughter who literally just signed up and paid with the same card two days ago. Today they've escalated both our concerns whatever that means... I saw on a cruise group about someone starting a class action there were so many comments this seems to be normal. I bought in Jan with no issue

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hi Kay! I read that this was escalated yesterday. Please reach out to us if you do not hear in the time frame that was given. I know when you purchase cruise gift cards, that the AARP membership and name, must be the same on the credit card being used. Like I can't use my credit card to buy thru my husbands AARP membership. I can be quite detailed if a name variation or address. It is a security feature. You can send us a private message when you are ready. -Sue J

[LauraR516315]

You do realize, other companies don't have this "security feature".  You are losing customers.  I have zero faith in your organization because of this issue.  

[LauraR516315]

I have a crazy theory which another person posted.  I think during certain hours of the day, the payment system AARP uses can't handle the user traffic.  So, after 5 tries and on the 5th try I did it early in the morning, it went thru.  So, maybe give that a try?  They have told everyone so far that they have escalated the issue, but this problem is years old.  So, obviously, it's not fixed.  Give early morning or late at night a try.  I would love to hear if it works.  

[JeffreyW68256]

I have tried for days and days with no luck and I have tried every credit card I have, and at many different hours of the day. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hi @JeffreyW68256, I've replied to your most recent comment. - Diana G.

[TinaM891382]

I dont get any replies ? smh I'm def not renewing 

[LauraR516315]

This happened to me - I finally got it to go thru with a 4th different credit card and early in the morning.  Just check a couple of things (I don't work for AARP!!).  Logon to AARP and go to your account.  Make a note of your NAME and the ADDRESS they have for you.  Then, logon to your credit card company, and if the name or address don't EXACTLY match, the transaction will fail.  For example, not all my credit cards have my middle initial but AARP DOES!  This is incredibly poor software programming.  They shouldn't care about middle initial or the exact addy, but the zip code needs to match.  

[AARPConsumerCare]

Thanks for taking the time to share, @LauraR516315. Like you mentioned, the name and address we have on file should match the billing statement of the credit/debit card. Glad to hear you were able to purchase your gift cards. - Diana G.

[JeffreyW68256]

All of that matches, I have tried 3 computers, different browsers on each, cleared cache, turned off pop-up blockers, used incognito mode, and used my iPad and phone. I attempted with every credit card I have, including the one that worked last month. Nothing works, I get the same error message every time I do it, so the issue is not on my end or my credit cards. 

[LauraR516315]

As a last ditch effort, try early in the morning or late at night.  After 4-5 failed attempts with 4-5 different credit cards, I finally got mine to go thru on 2/29/2024 in the early morning, but it was with yet another credit card.  My theory is their system can't handle the online traffic.  That's just a guess.  

[TinaM891382]

yea they made sure to process your payment for the membership smh 

I still can't get one but I have a friend who just bought like 5 

[TimothyW836406]

[LauraR516315]

I also can't purchase the gift cards.  I have tried 4 different cards, changed my billing addy (we live in a city, but USPS has our zip in a different city).  I am really frustrated.  Please fix this problem.  I have been told this has been escalated to TECH SUPPORT.  Feel free to ask me to test the solution if your testers are unable to do it (I used to test software, so I get it).

[LauraR516315]

I couldn't get it to work with the Edge browser this morning, it said I had used up my 5 purchases of gift cards this month (none had made it thru the payment).  So, I tried Chrome browser again, with a new credit card, and for some reason, that went through.  I haven't yet received them via email yet, though.  But, it may take a little time.

[AARPConsumerCare]

@LauraR516315, I see you purchased 5 Holland America Line gift cards earlier today. We are still processing your purchase order. It should be delivered within 24 hours. We know that many orders placed do arrive sooner, and we appreciate your patience. - Diana G.

[LauraR516315]

Quick question:  we are LIFETIME members so there's no expiration date associated with our AARP account.  Could that be the bug that won't let us pay for the gift cards?  I have tried my logon, my husband's and 4 different credit cards (these all work for online purchases elsewhere).

[AARPConsumerCare]

Thanks for your membership, @LauraR516315! I can take a look into this. May I know what error did you get? - Diana G.

[LauraR516315]

The error I was getting was simply that the payment couldn't go through and to contact AARP.  I finally tried again on 2/29/2024 early in the morning and was able to get it to go through with yet a different credit card (5th one tried).  This is just crazy that this hasn't been resolved yet.  Maybe you need to add some more software developers to help.