Disappointed in the new rewards program

[RobynS388363]

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

[JeanS990189]

This comment is from 2019. It’s 2023 and the rewards are still kinda useless. 🥴 

[nswan]

Could not agree more.  The AARP rewards program is actually insulting to its members, with almost nothing of value.

[AARPConsumerCare]

@nswan I'm sorry to hear you're disappointed! We created AARP Rewards to inspire you to learn, prepare and get ahead of whatever life has ahead. Rewards is supposed to be fun, by taking brain-boosting quizzes, track your fitness, sign up for newsletters and more. If there's something I can help with, please let me know!  Jodee R. 

[paulschmied]

The tardiness of a reply is an indication of how little attention pays to its members actual opinions and interests, but it's not surprising.  The existence of this program is contrary to the mission of AARP.  It does not advance our interests.   

I've been an AARP member for more than  a decade and seen less substance, more bread and circuses each year. This program is much a waste of resources as the printed newsletter or magazine, both of which only exist to sell advertising.advertisers are not serving the interests of  members. They're serving their own interests by advertising to a captive audience.  The few seniors I know who are incapable of using a web browser are beyond receiving useful information from AARP.  

Few of the so-called benefits or discounts that AARP claims to provide are better than what a senior can get without a membership. That includes Roadside Assistance, Dental Insurance, communication, hospitality and transportation discounts, All of these cost less from companies NOT "endorsed by AARP" that provide better customer service for lower costs to their customers. 

Paying to be a member of a lobbying organization that depends on shilling for private companies is like paying for broadcast TV. 

[ChrisR57]

I concur on the discounts and benefits, they only exist because they paid AARP the most to offer them. However, I like getting the printed magazine and bulletin, even though I know how to use the web and in fact how to write html.

[paulschmied]

I can also write code. it's a skill about to become obsolete.  No one needs to be able to code to read or write a web page, blog or email in their native tongue. Once a site for publishing content has been designed and constructed  (which doesn't need coders), code isn't needed to add content. Complexity comes from fitting "editorial" content around the advertising which is necessary to support printing and distribution- a business which newspapers and subscription magazines, whose primary business it was have gone bankrupt doing.

I see money being wasted on feel-good article, pointless layout composition, and supplementation of factual articles with cartoons, as if the audience was 3rd graders, or in recognition that they aren't interesting enough to read. Just because the majority of the audience is over 50 does not justify AARP using old technology, especially not wastefully and poorly. 

The condition of the website is an indication that AARP is top heavy with folks who do things "the way we've always done it", and like Ford and GM are unable or unwilling get professional help from generations younger than their own.   That's ironic. The younger people of our society will be doing the heavily lifting needed to accomplish making life for the older better.  They won't become AARP members if they see it's old fashioned or incompetent at using modern media.

[mi4090]

Hello Rewards Warriors,

@AARPDianaG Is it normal for member post and all Tags to be removed from Community after maintenance?  I'm curious because there are previous post and tags that can't be found, including with a Search.

Would be helpful if Community knew how to find.

Thanks

[paulschmied]

It goes beyond accidental maintenance loss. The "pruning" is continuous, with an editorial agenda to maintain  the illusion of a well functioning organization with a happy membership that is content to pay for being monetized.  

[hatfield6549]

I am definitely not happy. Have been a member since 1999 and this new program is the pits.  I will probably give up my membership when it expires.

[sjean65]

most of us not happy with the new program

but

does anyone at AARP CARE OR WANT TO IMPROVE 

let the contract to a company with a better program/system

[al45009948]

Hello everyone 😁 hope everyone is doing well. Yes, like the majority of us I believe . I can only speak for myself, my belief is that the organization that is supposed to be looking out and speaking up for our Well Being, is only looking out for their own well being. These Directors and Tech people ( I don't think they know half the time what they're doing ) are paid hefty salaries. Plus bonuses for soliciting clients that only benefit their pockets. C'mon, these rewards for points is a Slap in our Faces. People are constantly having problems with the site. What's up with this so called Maintenance. After they finish rigging the ( Sorry , Try again Tomorrow ) we seem to have problems. AARP needs to be more Transparent about the so called winners. We as members have to pay for membership and  non members ( age 13 to 49 I believe I might be wrong about the 49, but the 13 is correct ) don't pay a penny to win Instant Win and Sweepstakes. Myself, once my subscription is up in March, I'm done with AARP. I'm just saying 🤗

[ChrisR57]

I made my living as a user experience designer and the usability of the AARP site is horrible. I had to log in again to post a reply. You can't find things. It's a technical and usability mess. And it should not be a scavenger hunt to see the names of past winners. My grocery store tells me each time someone wins groceries.

[mlambeth]

I think the rewards program with AARP is ridiculous. I’d gladly give up all my points (135,000 + until they keep deducting for not using) for any fair product that doesn’t require any cash from me (eg discount purchasing)   I’d be ok at 1%+  value for actual rewards. 

[HAGERVON]

ANOTHER THING :HAS ANYONE SEEN A "LIST OF WINNERS" OF ANY OF THE CONTESTS ; THE OLD SYSTEM YOU COULD SEE EVERY WINNER ; IS THERE AN ACTUAL WAY TO SEE THEM ??????

I'VE ASKED ; STILL HAVEN'T GOT 1 ANSWER YET !

[AARPTeri]

You can find them here:

Daily IW: bit.ly/2ZMG8ny

Sweeps: bit.ly/2M430fl

[HAGERVON]

APPRECIATE THE ANSWER TERI ; BUT ; VERY FEW SEEMS TO KNOW HOW ;THIS WAS EVEN LOCATED ; IN THE OLD SYSTEM ;YOU WENT DIRECTLY TO IT EASILY AND AT ANY TIME.

FYI MANY THOUGHT THIS WAS HINKEY ALSO.

THANKS FOR AN ANSWER.

[AARPJanelleM]

@HAGERVON You can review the terms and conditions located at the bottom of the Redeem tab on AARP Rewards: https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/rewards-terms-and-conditions/sweeps-rules/ Once you select the sweepstakes, you will have the option to view the winner list.

[paulschmied]

That link leads to a list of the Sweepstakes, each having separate terms and conditions. 

Like other Terms and Conditions of the AARP website, those Sweepstakes Terms seem to have been intentionally composed by a lawyer, for a lawyer, and are printed in a way to discourage them from being read. They are in the smallest, hardest to read  font size and tyoeface used anywhere on the site.  

eg:

[shamit]

HAGERVON,

I found a list of winners here:

http://winlists.helloworld.com/245438_SW.pdf

[HAGERVON]

THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER ; NOW WE HAVE SEVERAL WAYS TO GET THERE.

[HAGERVON]

THANKS: AL's EXPLANATION BELOW IS VERY GOODALSO AND EASY TO FOLLOW.

Von

[al45009948]

At the bottom of the Redeem page you'll see Sweepstakes and Instant Win rules. Tap the Sweepstakes one and it will take you to a page with all the Sweepstakes. Then tap the one you want to see. At the bottom of that page you'll see a link for a list of the Winners. 

I used to belong to VipVoice and some of the names of the Winners on that site seems to me that they are also on these list of Winners. One day I'm going to compare the Winners on both list because I could swear I've seen some of the same names on both list. I'm just saying

[HAGERVON]

AL:

THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATION ; BUT AGAIN ; HOW WOULD YOU KNOW TO GO THERE ; NOONE EVER EXPLAINED THIS TO ANYONE I ASKED AFTER YOU SENT THIS ANSWER ; 12 OUT OF 12 KNEW NO WAY TO GET THERE...........VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE ANSWER.

Von

[mjaworski1950]

1. I agree. The rewards program is terrible. I should not have to use my points to just enter to win gift cards that do not amount to anything. Plus most of the good selections are sold out. I do not plan to accumulate any more points, because it is not worth my time. 

[ropolansky]

NEW WEBSITE AND PROGRAM HAS NO APPEAL

[mi4090]

Majority of paying members very disappointed 😞

Have a Blessed Day

Marylin

[BettyB374802]

There’s also no rewards to speak of for points only.  The discounts offered on merchandise are ridulous. Saw one tonight the value was 25$, discounted price the same amount, Miss the variety and entertainment of the old rewards.

[mi4090]

Hello @BettyB374802 

Yes you're right, I posted about Points Only deals at the beginning of this hyped up New AARP Rewards program that wasn't ready to be released.  Hopefully they will get it right soon.

Have a Blessed Day,

Marylin

[BettyB374802]

 On the old program, My daughter and I had to each ordered with points the weight watchers magazine. Just checked on that because didn’t receive. Customer service said it’s no longer available. It’s all those points are gone through no fault of our own.