AARP Online Community and Discussion Forums - Instant Win - Error - 4-8-25- Fixed

OneDayMatisyahu · ‎04-08-2025

Update 4-10-25: Early a.m. hours - played Kohls Instant Win using 'free method entry' and it works - it seems to be all working....for now......until......????

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4-8-25 Tuesday early a.m. hours playing some Instant Wins using the 'free method of entry' and repeatedly getting this 'big lie'......

Wow!

We love your enthusiasm. However, you've already played today. Be sure to play once per day for more chances to win.

However I never played a couple of these Instant Wins, yet. OK, maybe it's a problem with time zone differences and mixing it with my previous plays from the day before - but when I try to play an Instant Win which I "never" played before - the Golf and Red Robin - Instant Win - I got the "Wow...... response" = 😤

AARP is using a blanket big lie response with the Instant Wins.

Just recently some of us here complained of the truly slow release of Instant Win - winning e-mails being sent out - taking more than 2 days = 'trouble behind the scenes of AARP/ gaming parties/ software, etc.

Now the cover up with the "Wow, you played before..." = big lie. They could have displayed 'we are having technical issues' when we play these Instant wins, but instead they went with "Wow, you played before"

Update: ~ about 9:41 am est - tried to enter 'Wayfair Instant Win' - again never played before - and the response is still - "Wow , you played before...." 😤

Eventually, AARP should be able fix back to normal.........??????? 😶

Update 4-9-25: Seeing the Kohls Instant Win for the first time - played using the 'free method of play' = " Wow, you played before" again - the big lie persists 😠 .

Also played Home Depot Instant Win - using 'free method' = "Wow - lie "

Update 4-10-25: Early a.m. hours - played Kohls Instant Win using 'free method entry' and it works; it seems all is working.

😎

RenateW69623 · ‎04-08-2025

I just tried to enter the Callaway IW using the free method (don't want to waste 100 points on this) and also got the "WOW you played before" response, even though I didn't. But when I open the game it gives me the Redeem button, so looks like I can still waste my points on it if I want to do that. I tried two sweeps and was able to enter those. Did chat with AARP about the IW, so will need to wait and see if they bother to fix that.

Winter2025VA · ‎04-08-2025

You are being VERY WISE Renate @RenateW69623 with proceeding with CAUTION!!! 👍 Take care, Nicole 👵

[*** @RenateW69623 wrote 4/8/25:
I just tried to enter the Callaway IW using the free method (don't want to waste 100 points on this) and also got the "WOW you played before" response, even though I didn't. But when I open the game it gives me the Redeem button, so looks like I can still waste my points on it if I want to do that. I tried two sweeps and was able to enter those. Did chat with AARP about the IW, so will need to wait and see if they bother to fix that. ***]

OneDayMatisyahu · ‎04-08-2025

Never mentioned the Sweepstakes as being the problem here; I am able to enter the Sweeps just fine. The "Wow, you played again" only happens with the Instant Wins using the 'free method of entry' ; for the Sweeps when you reach max by 10 - it will say something along those lines.

😡 In addition to "problems/ issues" with our Rewards - as one of our Members had mentioned some of the Instant Win's free method of entry is not working for some items; plus when you do desperately enter by points - AARP doesn't always remember that you had played thus forcing some of us to waste more points again (some of us forgot if we had played 🤔 ) eroding our points - inadvertently ????

blarko · ‎04-09-2025

What’s the “free method of entry”?

AARPConsumerCare · ‎04-10-2025

Hi @blarko, the instant wins have a free entry method during the promotion period. To access the free method, please click on the "Official Rules" link or go to https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/rewards-terms-and-conditions/instant-win-rules/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&s... and click on the instant win you're interested in and look for the "free method of entry". - Diana G.

OneDayMatisyahu · ‎04-10-2025

'Free method of entry' - when you click on any of the Instant Win - go to and click on the " Official Rules " ---> then click on the one you want to play from the menu you see.

On the 'pdf' Official Rules you will see ---> 4. b. = Free Method of Entry: <---- click on.

Fill out and there you go - no points lost/ wasted.

Many of our regular reward fanatics will use this method of entering the Instant Win; and have won now and then.

One other possible benefit of using this method is your personal info is sent in - the Reward software is 'more reassured/ more verified' of your I.D. - of your win - so I think - this my opinion ( the official policy is that it makes no difference than using points ) and yes, I have used the regular method of using points to enter - and have won a few Instant Win's, too.

😎

RenateW69623 · ‎04-08-2025

@moonnight mentioned having problems with active sweep, so maybe some people are having problems with IW and some with sweeps (or maybe both). For me, it looks like just the IW are the problem. And out of curiosity, I just tried the free entry for the Zappos IW and it said I already played, even though I didn't. Then I played the Zappos IW for points and it worked (didn't win of course) and then opened it again and got the redeem button, so DIDN'T get the already played message, even though I already played. Wonder if you could actually win if you play the IW more than once, or if that would just be a waste of points.

rednexsrus · ‎04-09-2025

@RenateW69623 wrote:
@moonnight mentioned having problems with active sweep, so maybe some people are having problems with IW and some with sweeps (or maybe both). For me, it looks like just the IW are the problem. And out of curiosity, I just tried the free entry for the Zappos IW and it said I already played, even though I didn't. Then I played the Zappos IW for points and it worked (didn't win of course) and then opened it again and got the redeem button, so DIDN'T get the already played message, even though I already played. Wonder if you could actually win if you play the IW more than once, or if that would just be a waste of points.

No you will not win !!

lucyp061351

moonnight · ‎04-08-2025

Same thing happening to me. Says I've already entered that day when I try to enter any active sweep, even ones I've never entered before. Switching devices and browsers hasn't made a difference.

AARPConsumerCare · ‎04-08-2025

Hi moonnight. Thanks for letting us know about the trouble you're having with the sweepstakes. Can you please send us a private message with your name and address, so we can check your AARP Rewards account to see why you're receiving the message? Visit https://aarp.info/47hWcl7 for directions on how to enable private messages. - Brandon C.

Winter2025VA · ‎04-08-2025

@OneDayMatisyahu , as you already know = this site is NOT a priority for AARP anymore. And instead of FIXING the Awards Program, they keep ADDING new games. Take care, Nicole 👵

[*** @OneDayMatisyahu wrote 4/7/25:

Tuesday early a.m. hours playing some Instant Wins and repeatedly getting this 'big lie'......
Wow!
We love your enthusiasm. However, you've already played today. Be sure to play once per day for more chances to win.

However I never played a couple of these Instant Wins, yet. OK, maybe it's a problem with time zone differences and mixing it with my previous plays from the day before - but when I try to play an Instant Win which I "never" played before - the Golf Instant Win - I got the "Wow...... response" = 😤
AARP is using a blanket big lie response with the Instant Wins.

Just recently some of us here complained of the truly slow release of Instant Win - winning e-mails being sent out - taking more than 2 days = 'trouble behind the scenes of AARP/ gaming parties/ software, etc.
Now the cover up with the "Wow, you played before..." = big lie. They could have displayed 'we are having technical issues' when we play these Instant wins, but instead they went with "Wow, you played before"

😤 ***]