the declining AARP rewards program

[jg4150]

Maybe we're not supposed to notice, but isn't the rewards program a lot less rewarding these days?  When is the last time we saw a $10 gift card available for redemption?  $10 gift cards used to be the norm - and prior to those days, even $20 or $25 cards were available - but now, $5 cards are the rule.  But the redemption limit still sits at 3 per month.  So, let's see: 3 x $10 = $30, and 3 x $5 = $15.  A significant decline, no?  And take a close look at the daily sweeps: in prior days, almost always 7 available, and "250 winners" was the rule.  Now, usually 7 available, but often just 6; and read the fine print: no "250 winners" anymore; 200 usually, but sometimes just 50.

I understand the concept of "less is more" when it comes to decorating or decluttering, but less is certainly not more when it comes to AARP rewards program.  I'm sure I'm not the only one tired of this.

[Karyn8]

 I remember when there were super winners of 400 certificates  randomly throughout the instant wins and we were able to win once in a while. 

[RichardB815971]

True.   When the new program began, we could get three redemptions and there were $20 redemptions on the extra credit activities.  I'd stay up late EST and redeem $60.  Now it's $15.   If my math is right, that's a 75% reduction in value.  On top of that, points are harder to earn with many daily activities changed to once a month. And I spent an inordinate amount of time earning points playing the games which only work sometimes.   Some were programmed correctly but others only occasionally give points, like Codeword.  And apparently one must win Hurdle in order to get 300 points.  It is not solved by clearing memory as it does give points sometimes.

[RenateW69623]

At least you were lucky enough to be part of the program when there were $20 redemptions.  I only found out about this rewards program a few years ago when I finally got an AARP membership, so have just seen the few $10 and mostly $5 redemptions.  But I have seen other posts where people have said that the program used to only be for seniors but is now open to anyone, so I expect the number of members has exploded, so they can't afford to offer the higher amounts.

[mf24448969]

But that also means that a lot more members means more money in the coffers 

[Winter2025VA]

@mf24448969 , I may be wrong but I believe LESS companies are sending items to AARP to give away. Gone are the days when AARP was the ORGANIZATION places "wanted" to use to PROMOTE their giftcards. NOT sure IF AARP buys them as they say they are NON PROFIT = would NOT be able to buy them. Now for the giftcards $$$ is used to purchase, I am sure AARP was keeping a PERCENT and sending the rest to company who was selling them. Also, per the MEDIA, their NEW CEO is making mega dollars!!!  😱  IF their AWARDS PROGRAM was "still" a priority = $$$ would be poured into it. Lol, $5 giftcards - what a joke.  🤣😂  Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @mf24448969 wrote 4/13/25:

But that also means that a lot more members means more money in the coffers. ***]

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[LesL269823]

In agreement but even the era when the $10 cards were more plentiful, is only a shadow of what the program was 5+ years back. 

[Winter2025VA]

Les @LesL269823 , and as each year passes AARP refuses to either upgrade or replace whatever setup they have online. Only a matter of time before everything crashes. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @LesL269823 wrote 4/9/25:

In agreement but even the era when the $10 cards were more plentiful, is only a shadow of what the program was 5+ years back. ***]

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[Winter2025VA]

@jg4150 , folks have been complaining and nothing is going to change things. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @jg4150 wrote 4/8/25:

Maybe we're not supposed to notice, but isn't the rewards program a lot less rewarding these days?  When is the last time we saw a $10 gift card available for redemption?  $10 gift cards used to be the norm - and prior to those days, even $20 or $25 cards were available - but now, $5 cards are the rule.  But the redemption limit still sits at 3 per month.  So, let's see: 3 x $10 = $30, and 3 x $5 = $15.  A significant decline, no?  And take a close look at the daily sweeps: in prior days, almost always 7 available, and "250 winners" was the rule.  Now, usually 7 available, but often just 6; and read the fine print: no "250 winners" anymore; 200 usually, but sometimes just 50.

I understand the concept of "less is more" when it comes to decorating or decluttering, but less is certainly not more when it comes to AARP rewards program.  I'm sure I'm not the only one tired of this. ***]

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