Disappointed in the new rewards program

[RobynS388363]

No Auctions and can win only one sweepstake a month.  Who would be happy with the changes?

[lsblade]

I am also disappointed in the new rewards program the only Sweepstake I've been able to enter is the Fitbit Sweepstake, I can't find or enter any of the otherones that are listed at the bottom of the Fitbit for the Rules.

I think this was done on purpose so that no one will win.

AARP Rewards you have to do better and better direction on where to find things.

[AARPBriana]

@kk3602 we appreciate your feedback. Please note that the catalog is not fully developed yet. We plan to add more redemption options, including point only magazine subscriptions! We appreciate your patience- stay tuned!

[ladybird123]

When will they bring back the discounted gift cards?  Why did they take away just about all of the discounted giftcards?  It has been over a month since this "NEW AND IMPROVED" rewards program went into place.  The only improvement I'm seeing is AARP benefitting from this: taking away from the SENIORS and saving money from taking away the rewards we used to have.  

[Hums777]

Agreed. Used to be $5 discount on cards. I ended up getting paper printouts. I ordered actual cards. I understand about recycling so don't mind in the future but AARP Rewards needs to state that they will be printed out using our ink and paper. Sort of makes the $2 discount even less.

[DebraO388750]

I get free magazines with my Prime Amazon Account.  Never giving up Prime.

[chas0501]

Thank you Briana and Teri (I wouldn't want your job right now!) I just found this little corner of the site....yes, I am disappointed---especially considering the months prior full of promises. But I will hang in there, because I have seen some small signs of progress, although I will hold onto most of my points until some worthwhile gift cards and merchandise become available. I will be watching! Just wish the rollout had been better---I think a lot of people will just get fed up and leave.

[Pchinnery]

I am disappointed as well, it is not user friendly.

[azhotaz]

I don't know where the new rewards program resides, but I'm disappointed that I cannot find the old list of items I've purchased under the old program.  Why delete those?  Also I ordered 2 magazinesthat were zero points befor close of the program to use up some points, didn't receive a confirmation for one of them so don't know if it shows a having been ordered by me since there's no record online.

[tb9511]

The new Rewards feels like a sham. The local offers are from places I would never use or visit. I don't like gift cards because they often don't work. Basically, it's $4 or $5 off cards. Why don't you just drop this and ask people to volunteer for research? 

[angeleyes64]

I got a lot of free magazines, but I understood it would be quite a few weeks before we would be getting them. I have lost track to know when they will be coming, but I will pay attention now. As of today, no magazines.

[AARPDianaG]

Hi @angeleyes64, may I know when did you order the magazines? I'll be happy to help.

[BettyB374802]

Mine and my daughters weight watchers magazines were ordered a month or two before the program changed. I am unable to access the exact date any longer. 

[gm5271]

@BettyB374802 

Hello Betty

I ordered the "Women's Health" magazine with points/ Daily Deal offered 2 days b4 program ended I've not received it as of today All other magazines I ordered Points only Deals b4 R4G ended I've been receiving for month or so & think ones sent to family are being received. No idea what the issue is with Women's Health? Nor can we access our orders anymore?? Anyone ideas??

Just wanted to respond to you to say your not alone & also there is a Forum available for old R4G program info I've not gone there lately but going to go post about my magazine order see if can get help vs calling Customer Service which only causes me frustration 

Good luck hope you get yours soon

Happy Monday 

Ginger  :  ) 

[gm5271]

@BettyB374802 

@AARPTeri 

Hey Betty sorry I've led you astray just went to Forum had saved in my list It no longer exists 😕🤔 Bummer

Teri can you please help without us having to call Customer Service? Also why was the R4G Forum removed? Thanks really appreciate any help/ info you can provide.

I ordered Women's Health magazine couple days b4 R4G ended haven't received yet all other magazines for points have been receiving month or more 

My order confirmation # is:

DRWS-12731258 

Used 1500 points for yearly subscription of 10 issues on Saturday 9/21/19. 

Is there anyway to access info & order status of our past orders from R4G? I've not been able to find any way to creating my need to post for help 

Thanks

Ginger  :  )

[gm5271]

@andrewtoo 

Hey Andrew just recalled think you also ordered

"Women's Health" magazine same time as I  Have y'all been receiving yours? 

Thanks 

Have a beautiful week 

Ginger  ;  ) 

[andrewtoo]

Hello Gem @gm5271 ,

I found a note that I wrote that shows that I purchased "Women's Health" on 7/17/19.  I did not record the number of issues redeemed, however.  We have been receiving it and my darling girlfriend enjoys it.

Nice to "see" you.  I hope this is of some help.

Take care,

[gm5271]

@andrewtoo 

Hey Andrew thanks for reply 

Did you mean 9 instead of 7? Mine was ordered 9/21 2 days b4 program ended was thinking you got same time in September? Glad y'all receiving maybe mine will come soon

Have a wonderful holiday season Take care 

Ginger  :  ) 

[mi4090]

Hello @BettyB374802 

I saw a post about the magazine issue about a month ago😢  I won an Elle subscription in August and checked after seeing post via email I received from R4G and my subscription should start in December as per magazine website.

Do U  have the R4G email about your Weight Watchers subscriptions?  Call R4G Customer Service at 800-842-2891.  Hope you get them.

Have a Blessed Day

Marylin

[BettyB374802]

Thank you for your help,,,

[AARPTeri]

@azhotaz   We still have the Rewards for Good program  and left this message in the old forum - https://community.aarp.org/t5/Rewards-for-Good/Still-have-questions-about-Rewards-for-Good-orders-S... .  

[j64743n]

I think it is sad that when you earn thousands upon thousands and thousands of reward that they no longer offer free incentives as they have done in the past.  (We pay S&H of course!)

[JamesE236846]

I agree there are no longer any points only rewards. Only gift cards for a $1 or $2 discount which is not worth it. Come on AARP you can do better.

[AristotleOfGreece]

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@JamesE236846 wrote:

I agree there are no longer any points only rewards. Only gift cards for a $1 or $2 discount which is not worth it. Come on AARP you can do better.

---

My review:

1. Yes, the gift cards for a $1 to $2 discount is kind of a ripoff. If you get the cash app, they are offering 10% off groceries and you can buy gift cards at grocery stores. 10% of a 75 gift card is $7.50 off.... lol.

2. It seems AARP is trying to prevent members from hoarding points. You can now enter sweepstakes you likely will not win or redeem rewards which seems like they are scaling back the quality/quantity of gift card/items.

Definitely people were gaming the system. Some members were bragging having 500k points, maxing out on sweepstake entries and obtaining 3 redemptions every month. I can understand AARP trying to stop this.

In order to gain 3 quality redemptions every month you will most likely have to stop entering in the sweepstakes because now the entry point maxing sweepstake entries is very high and will prevent members from hoarding points.

I might lean towards not entering anymore sweepstakes but it also seems like AARP maybe reducing the quality in what you can redeem. 

[RussellP197074]

I don't think people are "gaming" the current system, nor are they bragging about their points totals.  It's more like they are complaining that they have very little that they are willing to spend their points on. 

The first time I tried to use an e-card at a Walmart, in the express register line, the  clerk messed up the transaction, which resulted in a lot of unhappy customers in the line behind me, waiting for a supervisor to come and straighten it out. I won't purchase any e-cards that I cannot use online and enter them into an account like Uber or Amazon for later use, or for a purchase right away that I was already contemplating.  

Unless you've been lucky over the past year and have won a sweepstakes, the new extra entries is a slap in the face, looking like its only purpose is to get us to lower our points total for nothing in return, save hope.  If the same people max out on entries for each contest, as they were before, the odds for winning are not changed. 

Rather than admit that it was a mistake to switch from Deluxe to Hello World!, the decision makers at AARP are struggling to make it work, rather than switch back. Hello World! decides what is offered for redemption, and the discounts available through their negotiations with vendors.  They are the ones responsible for when your purchases get messed up and don't come through. AARP is only responsible for switching and not realizing how unhappy the users are about it, and thereby switching back.  I can only surmise that AARP has a contract with Hello World! that they cannot get out of easily. That or someone is reluctant to admit the mistake in switching.

As far as I can remember, pretty much the only issue with Deluxe was with the auctions having tiers, and allowing for some people to fudge their way into lower tiers, using massive points totals to get what they wanted. AARP could have just eliminated Auctions, like they did anyway by switching to Hello World!.  If the contract with Deluxe wouldn't allow for that, AARP could have just made a recommendation to its members to not partake and explain why.

The additional sweepstakes entries are showing me that I have been spending too much time watching videos and taking quizzes, some over and over again, building up a points total that I may never need, due to lack of anything to spend them on. Shoot, I don't even need to spend points now for the Carnival gift cards I came here for in the first place. All I have to do is stay as a member.  

I will make a disclaimer, though, that I have learned quite a bit by taking quizzes and watching videos.  I have to keep reminding myself of that benefit.

[AristotleOfGreece]

---

@RussellP197074 wrote:

I don't think people are "gaming" the current system, nor are they bragging about their points totals.  It's more like they are complaining that they have very little that they are willing to spend their points on. 

The first time I tried to use an e-card at a Walmart, in the express register line, the  clerk messed up the transaction, which resulted in a lot of unhappy customers in the line behind me, waiting for a supervisor to come and straighten it out. I won't purchase any e-cards that I cannot use online and enter them into an account like Uber or Amazon for later use, or for a purchase right away that I was already contemplating.  

Unless you've been lucky over the past year and have won a sweepstakes, the new extra entries is a slap in the face, looking like its only purpose is to get us to lower our points total for nothing in return, save hope.  If the same people max out on entries for each contest, as they were before, the odds for winning are not changed. 

Rather than admit that it was a mistake to switch from Deluxe to Hello World!, the decision makers at AARP are struggling to make it work, rather than switch back. Hello World! decides what is offered for redemption, and the discounts available through their negotiations with vendors.  They are the ones responsible for when your purchases get messed up and don't come through. AARP is only responsible for switching and not realizing how unhappy the users are about it, and thereby switching back.  I can only surmise that AARP has a contract with Hello World! that they cannot get out of easily. That or someone is reluctant to admit the mistake in switching.

As far as I can remember, pretty much the only issue with Deluxe was with the auctions having tiers, and allowing for some people to fudge their way into lower tiers, using massive points totals to get what they wanted. AARP could have just eliminated Auctions, like they did anyway by switching to Hello World!.  If the contract with Deluxe wouldn't allow for that, AARP could have just made a recommendation to its members to not partake and explain why.

The additional sweepstakes entries are showing me that I have been spending too much time watching videos and taking quizzes, some over and over again, building up a points total that I may never need, due to lack of anything to spend them on. Shoot, I don't even need to spend points now for the Carnival gift cards I came here for in the first place. All I have to do is stay as a member.  

I will make a disclaimer, though, that I have learned quite a bit by taking quizzes and watching videos.  I have to keep reminding myself of that benefit.

---

I have noticed the number of gift cards you can redeem in September is down quite a bit. If this continues it doesn't look very good.

[jbear105]

NM

[je1020]

I agree this new program is not near as good as the old one.  They should have beta tested it prior to release for our use and not used us to run into all of the bugs, also it is tiresome to have to continually page thru the activities just to get to where you left off.  Perhaps it will improve over time and maybe the fun parts of the old program will be brought into this one (auctions, daily deal, sweeps for just a few points an entry).  

[RobertN525535]

I agree 100% the new program sucks..What happen to carnival gift cards?

[AARPTeri]

@RobertN525535  @pb44561298  @pw17101802  @nwbw10  @hg88943930   Thank you for your candid feedback.  We are utilizing users like you to improve the program as it gets off the ground.  This is a BETA site, we are not promoting this as we are allowing users who find it on their own and of course our rewards community users to kick the tires and help improve the experience.  We appreciate your feedback!

We will have the Carnival gift cards return but not until we are sure you will not experience issues.

We will update you in these forums when they are back.

[RobertN525535]

thank you for your reply..PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU GET THE NEW TIRES ON AND CARNIVAL IS ROLLING AGAIN..