Feel like a coal miner of yesteryear

[RussellP197074]

I'm 74, and before my time (Maybe), there were places in the US where coal miners lived in shacks that belonged to the Coal Companies, and had to buy everything in the company store.  The company would raise prices fore goods all the time, just enough so the workers could never save up.

Here at AARP Rewards the values of the Sweepstakes and (not so much) the instant win categories have doubled, tripled and more in cost to participate.  I can no longer save up points in case something good comes along that I would like to use the points on. Still, the daily limit is only at 7500 points that can be earned by members. Since the loss of Carnival gift cards, it didn't bother me that much to spend down the points I had accumulated.  I am down to less than 50% of what my peak level was.  

But, lately I've started to wonder about why this is going on.  Is the plan to get everybody to use up all their points so AARP can eventually drop the Rewards program altogether and have members drop their membership at renewal time?

Ever since the big switch to a new company that deals with Rewards, there have been a lot of issues.  It has taken a long time to fix some of those issues.  Not that we are free of having issues now.  Is there another switch coming?  

[Kateaz]

That's a great observation that the amount of points to redeem for sweepstakes entries keeps rising (i.e it used to be 100 points per chance at $100, now it's much much more) yet we still can only earn 7500 points per day.  The Amazon sweepstakes right now is 7500 points per day for 10 entries so there will never be a way to earn more points if you redeem for the maximum of 10 per day. No thought seems to be going into how this feature (benefit?) operates any more.

[Winter2025VA]

[Sunday 4/6/25]

Russell @RussellP197074 , I am 67 and have LEARN'T to use what time I have left on things/people I ENJOY. Over the years I have seen THIS SITE change. AARP @AARPConsumerCare RESPONDS to only the "issues" they want to while OTHER ISSUES keep getting ignored. WE can bellyache over THIS SITE or choose to move on in our lives. Personally, I feel like you said, AARP is shutting down the AARP Rewards Program to SAVE $$$. And over the YEARS, companies that use to look to AARP to handle THEIR GIFT CARDS have walked away = LESS giftcards on THIS SITE. It is time my friend to ENJOY what you can here and not waste more time HOPING things will CHANGE. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @RussellP197074 wrote 4/6/25:

I'm 74, and before my time (Maybe), there were places in the US where coal miners lived in shacks that belonged to the Coal Companies, and had to buy everything in the company store.  The company would raise prices fore goods all the time, just enough so the workers could never save up.

Here at AARP Rewards the values of the Sweepstakes and (not so much) the instant win categories have doubled, tripled and more in cost to participate.  I can no longer save up points in case something good comes along that I would like to use the points on. Still, the daily limit is only at 7500 points that can be earned by members. Since the loss of Carnival gift cards, it didn't bother me that much to spend down the points I had accumulated.  I am down to less than 50% of what my peak level was.  

But, lately I've started to wonder about why this is going on.  Is the plan to get everybody to use up all their points so AARP can eventually drop the Rewards program altogether and have members drop their membership at renewal time?

Ever since the big switch to a new company that deals with Rewards, there have been a lot of issues.  It has taken a long time to fix some of those issues.  Not that we are free of having issues now.  Is there another switch coming?  ***]

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[RussellP197074]

Don't worry, I'm getting there!  I haven't used up all my points.  I peaked at over 2 million up until last few years and was maintaining them in case something came along to use them on.  Never happened, and am now spending them on what could be the false hope of winning a sweepstakes.  Haven't won a darn thing except a couple instant wins over the years.  I'm down close to a million now, and only going for instant games and sweepstakes that could make a difference if I ever did win.  Some days I earn points to minimize the decline. Some days, I don't.bother. I have the time, when I am not learning what I can do to improve my health or taking the time to actually improve it! Once the points are close to zero, I will have to evaluate the value of continuing to re-up the membership.

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hello Russell, we appreciate your interest in the rewards program and truly value your AARP membership with us. I assure you we are making every effort to keep the program running smoothly online. There are many other ways to redeem rewards points including digital items, sweepstakes, instant wins, member exclusives and experiences. Click here to learn more https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=16631251052 -Samantha A.

[RussellP197074]

The ability to earn points was not my issue.  the limit on how many points you can ear each day is my point, in light of the fact that one entry in a sweepstakes coats the same number of points as the limit allows.

[RussellP197074]

I am merely pointing out that, if AARP treated its employees in the same manner that they treat point inflation versus point earning, the employees would never get raises.  Think about that before you reply.

[RussellP197074]

^ costs.  And why can't we edit posts anymore?

[Winter2025VA]

Russell @RussellP197074 , did you CLICK on the THREE DOTS at the TOP of each of YOUR POSTS?  🤔  As you know, a PULL DOWN MENU will appear with the option to EDIT. I can still EDIT MY POSTS. Hmmm, wonder why you can NO longer do the same for YOUR posts. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @RussellP197074 wrote 4/11/25:

^ costs.  And why can't we edit posts anymore? ***]

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[RussellP197074]

Might be my browser.  I'm using Safari.

[AARPConsumerCare]

That may be the reason you can not edit posts, Russell. 

The best browsers for accessing AARP Rewards are:

• Chrome Mobile v122 and above
• Chrome v122 and above
• Firefox v123 and above
• Microsoft Edge (Chromium) 122 and above
• Safari versions 15, 16, and 17

[RussellP197074]

I'm using Safari 18.4.  Maybe that's the problem(AARP not keeping up)

[Winter2025VA]

[Sunday 4/6/25]

Russell @RussellP197074 , I have "reduced" my time on THIS SITE this year 2025. Between the spam that sits on the site ALL WEEKEND (has been reported) and COMPLAINTS being ignored, AARP seems to NOT care. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @RussellP197074 wrote 4/6/25:

Don't worry, I'm getting there!  I haven't used up all my points.  I peaked at over 2 million up until last few years and was maintaining them in case something came along to use them on.  Never happened, and am now spending them on what could be the false hope of winning a sweepstakes.  Haven't won a darn thing except a couple instant wins over the years.  I'm down close to a million now, and only going for instant games and sweepstakes that could make a difference if I ever did win.  Some days I earn points to minimize the decline. Some days, I don't.bother. I have the time, when I am not learning what I can do to improve my health or taking the time to actually improve it! Once the points are close to zero, I will have to evaluate the value of continuing to re-up the membership. ***]

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