Gift Card Wins Are A Scam?

[AdamT66158]

Im trying to see who actually wins the giftcards? Ive spent 18,300 points this year on trying to win and never won not even a $10 card. I feel its a scam, or rigged in someway. Does anyone actually win? I would prefer we can buy the cards with our points, every 10,000 points could be a card or something.

[MRichard53]

I filed formal complaints of consumer fraud with all state and Federal agencies, businesses I spend money with, advertisers, and corporate sponsors concerning the Rewards Program. I spent many hours completing tasks to earn points for rewards redemption and never received my rewards (see listed below).

I contacted customer representative Justin via online chat and was assured I would receive the gift cards via email within 15-20 minutes after he closed the chat. That was over a week ago. I have not received any of the three cards I redeemed with my points. Since I did not receive the gift cards I can only assume that I will not receive the magazines either.

I am asking for full state and Federal agency fraud investigations against AARP and immediate suspension followed by elimination of the Rewards Program. After an audit to disclose all refusals to send redeemed rewards, AARP will send redeemed rewards or cash equivalent and fully refund membership dues to all members who did not receive rewards redeemed for points.

6/27/2025 1 $5 Bloomin' Brands Gift Card -17000 Points
6/19/2025 1 $5 Bonefish Grill Gift Card -17000 Points
6/13/2025 1 $5 Amazon.com Gift Card -28000 Points
5/29/2025 1 Garden & Gun One-Year Subscription -15000 Points
5/23/2025 1 Southern Living One-Year Subscription -15000 Points

[Fall2025VA]

[7/9/25] @MRichard53 , I just got my 1st print issue of People out of my mailbox. I had redeemed last month. I had also redeemed for a Staples and Bed, Bath & Beyond giftcards which arrived immediately. I hope you have gotten your giftcards & subscription by now. Take care, Nicole

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@MRichard53 wrote:

I filed formal complaints of consumer fraud with all state and Federal agencies, businesses I spend money with, advertisers, and corporate sponsors concerning the Rewards Program. I spent many hours completing tasks to earn points for rewards redemption and never received my rewards (see listed below).

I contacted customer representative Justin via online chat and was assured I would receive the gift cards via email within 15-20 minutes after he closed the chat. That was over a week ago. I have not received any of the three cards I redeemed with my points. Since I did not receive the gift cards I can only assume that I will not receive the magazines either.

I am asking for full state and Federal agency fraud investigations against AARP and immediate suspension followed by elimination of the Rewards Program. After an audit to disclose all refusals to send redeemed rewards, AARP will send redeemed rewards or cash equivalent and fully refund membership dues to all members who did not receive rewards redeemed for points.

6/27/2025 1 $5 Bloomin' Brands Gift Card -17000 Points
6/19/2025 1 $5 Bonefish Grill Gift Card -17000 Points
6/13/2025 1 $5 Amazon.com Gift Card -28000 Points
5/29/2025 1 Garden & Gun One-Year Subscription -15000 Points
5/23/2025 1 Southern Living One-Year Subscription -15000 Points

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[SusanV411218]

AARP got me a safe driving discount, maybe some day I will find a way to use another discount and perhaps they advocate for me in some way, but this rewards thing (and their publications) make me avoid them.  Encouraging people to gamble to use their points isn't very constructive and not being able to get more than one instant chance a day for the vendor you want, when all I want to do is get rid of the points without completely wasting them, is ridiculous.  It's like, "you seniors can gamble, but you have to be monitored so you don't blow all of your basically worthless points in one day".  Of course, it makes you sign on more often but that just makes me think less of AARP.

[MarkD524822]

I won’t say it is a scam because I have won a few times BUT I have to say I really hate the stupid, & slow slot machine thingy.

I don’t know what it’s called but I like this one so much better. Today I got this one on all 7 instant Wins, even though I didn’t win I enjoyed playing anyway.

[rednexsrus]

I agree with you Mark wholeheartedly 

 
This is usually referred to as a One Armed Bandit

I got to tell you the only BANDIT around here is the miscreant that is running this rewards program and who is responsible for the entire mess he has created.

[jdhellen]

My wife and I play Instant Wins every day and average about 1/month between the two of us. We have been playing the sweepstakes (10 entries/day per sweepstakes) for about 6 months so far and have yet to win. My mom and dad have been playing sweepstakes about the same timeframe and my mom won a $100 Michael's gift card last month.

[JoLo49]

You have to be very lucky to win one of the monthly sweepstakes.  I stopped entering sweepstakes because it takes an enormous amount of points to enter daily with very low odds of winning.  The daily Instant Win games are fun to play when there are no "loading or delay" errors, and the chances of winning an Instant Win is much better than entering one of the sweepstakes.  Sorry you haven't won yet, but keep trying.

[RenateW69623]

Based on comments from this chat, people do win, but it isn't guaranteed.  I have been playing Instant Wins almost every day for over 3 years, and also play 2-3 Sweepstakes a month.  Haven't won anything.  I agree, it would be fairer if we were able to use our points to buy gift cards we really want, which would mean showing us which ones are available for the entire month (instead of having to guess if something better might be offered later in the month), and also not having them sell out so fast.

[AARPConsumerCare]

I'm sorry to hear you feel the AARP Rewards instant wins are a scam, @AdamT66158. You can find a list of winners and details here: https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/rewards-terms-and-conditions/instant-win-rules/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&s... We also update our catalog periodically, stay tuned! - Diana G.

[cd4482]

I've won several instant wins throughout the yr and about 1 sweepstakes per yr.  Just won the $500 L.L.Bean last month. Yay!

I enter the instant wins at various times during the day. Not all at once.  I've won early morning, afternoon and evening.

[AdamT66158]

Thats really nice to hear. Im curious how many entries did you submit to win the $500? Was in just one, or were you doing 10 a day?

[neldat357771]

People do win. I’ve been a member of AARP since December 2017. In August 2023, I actually won a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card. 

[AdamT66158]

How often do you try to win the giftcard? Was it here and there, or almost daily?

[HokiePoq]

I do the instant wins every day and win once in a blue moon.  I figure with so many playing one every 4-6 months might be pretty good.  Sorry you haven't yet won anything.  I don't do the sweepstakes as points take a lot of time to accumulate.