Can't redeem points

[RebeccaM927656]

I'm a new member and haven't been able to redeem points for anything after trying numerous times.  "Chats" don't and "rep" said I would be contacted in 7 -10 days - that never happened.  Not at all impressed with AARP especially since I HAD to join to qualify for a medical plan.  

[CS590412]

I haven't been able to redeem  points either since Nov 2025 when I signed up. Everytime I call they tell me it's been expedited and there's no followup or resolution. I too, signed up with AARP to get a discount on insurance. Would not recommend AARP to anyone else at this point.  Hope they'll get this fixed. Already missed out on several offers and discount gift cards.

[ProductDude]

I am having the same problem. I am repeatedly told that someone will get back to me but I never hear from anyone. It's been over a month. when I call in, I get the same scripted response.

[mk81326446]

I’m starting to think the issue goes beyond individual glitches. A lot of heavy point‑earners seem to be getting cut off with the same “Unable to process redemption request” error, and the timing lines up with the sweepstakes point inflation and shrinking catalog. When point costs double, winners drop, and redemptions stop working for the people who earned the most, it starts to look less like random bugs and more like a rewards program under strain. I hope I’m wrong, but the pattern is getting hard to ignore.

[mk81326446]

I’m experiencing the same issue. I haven’t been able to redeem any rewards for over a month, and every rep I’ve spoken with has given me the same scripted responses with no real progress. It’s frustrating to see this continue with no resolution, especially for long‑time members.

[EarlD887617]

  I know the typical AARP member is a bit more tech savvy than in the past, yet the tech issues with this website are inexcusable for any constituency. As a former web developer / programmer / database manager, I know a bad system when I encounter it.  I even had a chat support person admit they cen't help with website bugs - I wondered why they were wasting my time when my error was well-explained, to wit: 

When I try to redeem some "Reward" points for a sweepstakes, I get the following error message when I click "Confirm"

"Oops! An error occurred. Please refresh your browser to get back on track."

Refreshing does no good. Repeat. Crash.

Often, the website makes me log in again, even though I appeared to be logged in.
When it makes me re-enter my password, I get the following error:

"Your security is important to us.

Please log in below to manage your AARP membership and account information.
Service Unavailable

The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.

Additionally, a 503 Service Unavailable error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request."

My password is correct - I use the Bitwarden password manager.
I have used three different browsers, including a fresh copy of Firefox with no add-ins.

Until I saw these other folks having the same issue, I *suspected* it is because I have a plus sign "+" in my email address. Perfectly legit and supported by all the email address standards, yet the kind of situation that sloppy programmers trip up on. 

My advice: Stop with all the "golly-wizz-bang-aren't-we-clever" pop-ups and other "spiffy" website features. Make a simple site that works. Your competition is? who? This or nothing. Make the search function work. Stop trying to impress with things that fly down and pop-up. Just make a simple site that works. Not. That. Hard. Fire any tech person who has any priority other than simple solid intuitive functionality. Fix the UX problems (like why does this text box I'm typing in *right now* have rounded corners that obscure the first letter of the first and current lines of text???) Contact me. I'll give you a ~10-page report filled with 30+ years of experience advice for free. Just fix it.

[LutherF]

I have the same problem with the text box.  I thought it was me;  I was too embarrassed to mention it to AARP.  Really?

[AngielynnC825238]

same thing happening to me!

[s156380g]

i haven't been able to redeem points since late November, I reported the issue on dec 1 and was told 10 days, nothing, been calling every few days to report problem and the answer is always the same, it's been escalated to the tech department and someone will call you back,,,meanwhile I've lost close to 55, 000 points while waiting. My error seems to be within my rewards account, says Oops refresh your browser so we can get you back on track....I've tried redeeming from many different electronic devices, all with same message...AARP if you are reading this, you have one extremely frustrated customer here!!!!

[mk81326446]

I’m dealing with the same ongoing problem. I haven’t been able to redeem anything for over a month, and every contact with support ends with the same “escalated to tech” script and no actual movement. Multiple devices, multiple browsers, same error every time. At this point it’s clear this isn’t a user‑side issue — it’s a system problem that’s been left unresolved far too long.

[BtW751689]

Unfortunately this could be the end of a beautiful relationship.  there are hundreds of posts about people being told they committed fraud and their accounts were suspended.  Forever.  Even though AARP will not say what the fraud was.

[JohnW816021]

Same with me, for over a year now. Have accumulated over 50,000 (worthless points).

They have all my contact info, and still won't get in touch with me.

(Trying to do it with online Help is time-consuming and pointless.)

The only "fraudulent activity" is by AARP's Rewards system.

"! Unable to to process redemption request"

UNABLE TO ACHIEVE ANYTHING CLOSE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Report to consumercare@aarp.org

[CarmaY105065]

It’s crazy. I’ve never had a good experience with customer service. I have a friend who earned over 150,000 points since he signed up but hasn’t been able to redeem any points. He’s contacted them 15-20 times but no action. They basically told him “10 days”.  He gave his honest opinion on here about how bad their customer service is on here. Now, they banned him from this forum. He didn’t curse or anything. He took a screen shot of every message. They weren’t worthy of him being banned from the forum. All he wants to do is redeem his points. It’s been 4 months and they all told him it’ll be resolved in “10 days.”  

[BtW751689]

might have been flagged as a fraudulent activity, they did this to hundreds of members, old and new.

[CarmaY105065]

I heard that as well.  It’s a shame.