What AARP Rewards Is
AARP Rewards is a cashback program run by AARP that gives you points when you shop at partner retailers and use AARP-branded credit cards. You earn points on purchases, then redeem them for cash back, gift cards, or donations to charity. The program is free to join if you are an AARP member.
The program works through two main paths: the AARP Rewards Visa card (a credit card that earns points on all purchases) and the AARP Rewards shopping portal (where you click through to partner stores and earn points on what you buy). You do not have to use the credit card to earn points — the shopping portal works on its own.
Points never expire as long as your AARP membership stays active. Once you have at least 500 points, you can cash out. The redemption value varies by what you choose — cash back, a gift card, or a charitable donation — but the program publishes the point-to-dollar conversion rate before you redeem.
Key Takeaways
- You must be an AARP member to join AARP Rewards, and membership costs $16 per year for those 50 and older.
- The AARP Rewards Visa card earns points on all purchases, while the shopping portal earns points only at partner retailers you access through the portal.
- Points do not expire as long as your AARP membership is current, and you can redeem once you reach 500 points.
- You can redeem points for cash back to your bank account, gift cards to major retailers, or donations to AARP Foundation causes.
- The credit card charges an annual fee, so compare the rewards you expect to earn against that cost before opening the card.
How to Earn Points Through the Credit Card
The AARP Rewards Visa card earns points on every dollar you spend, regardless of where you shop. The earning rate is typically 1 point per dollar on most purchases, with higher rates (often 3 or 4 points per dollar) on specific categories like gas, groceries, or pharmacies. The exact categories and rates change, so check your card agreement or the AARP website for current terms.
The card does charge an annual fee — usually $95 — so you need to earn enough points to make that worthwhile. If you spend $10,000 per year on the card, you would earn roughly 10,000 points at the standard 1-point rate. At typical redemption rates, that converts to around $100 in value, which covers the annual fee and leaves a small gain. Lower spending may not justify the fee.
The card also offers sign-up bonuses — typically a large point award when you open the account and spend a certain amount in the first few months. These bonuses can be substantial, sometimes worth $100 to $200 in redemption value, so they can offset the first year's annual fee.
How to Earn Points Through the Shopping Portal
The AARP Rewards shopping portal is a website where you browse partner retailers — typically major chains like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and hundreds of others. You click through the portal to the retailer's site, then shop normally. The portal tracks your purchase and credits points to your AARP Rewards account.
The earning rate at each retailer varies. Some offer 1 point per dollar, others offer 2, 3, or occasionally higher rates. The portal shows the current rate for each store before you click through, so you can compare. Rates change periodically and may differ based on sales or promotions.
You do not need the AARP Rewards credit card to use the portal — any AARP member can earn points this way. This makes the portal useful if you want to earn rewards without paying a credit card annual fee, or if you prefer to use a different card for the purchase itself.
How to Redeem Your Points
Once you reach 500 points, you can redeem through your AARP Rewards account online. You have three main options: cash back deposited to your bank account, a gift card to a retailer, or a donation to an AARP Foundation cause.
The redemption rate — how many points equal one dollar — varies by what you choose. Cash back typically has a set rate published on the redemption page (for example, 500 points might equal $5). Gift cards sometimes offer a better rate (500 points might equal $6 in card value), and charitable donations may also have their own rate. Check the current rates before you redeem, because they can change.
Redemptions usually process within a few business days for cash back and gift cards. Charitable donations are sent directly to the AARP Foundation on your behalf. There is no minimum redemption amount beyond the initial 500-point threshold, so you can cash out as soon as you reach it.
Membership Requirements and Costs
You must be an AARP member to join AARP Rewards. AARP membership costs $16 per year for people 50 and older, or $27 for three years. If you are not yet a member, you would need to join AARP first, then enroll in the Rewards program.
If your AARP membership lapses, your Rewards account becomes inactive and your points are frozen. You cannot earn or redeem points until you renew your membership. Points do not expire during a lapse, but you cannot access them until membership is restored.
Some people receive AARP membership discounts through their employer or union, which can lower the cost. Check whether your workplace offers this benefit before paying full price.
Comparing the Credit Card to the Shopping Portal
The choice between the credit card and the portal depends on your spending habits and willingness to pay the annual fee. The credit card earns points on every purchase everywhere, so it rewards you for normal spending without extra steps. The portal requires you to remember to click through before shopping, but it costs nothing and works with any payment method.
If you spend heavily on categories where the credit card offers bonus points (like groceries or gas), the card may be worth the annual fee. If you shop mostly at retailers not in the portal's network, the card is your only option. If you shop primarily at portal partners and want to avoid the annual fee, the portal alone may be sufficient.
Some people use both: the credit card for everyday spending and bonus categories, and the portal for specific retailers where the portal rate is higher than the card rate. This requires tracking which tool to use where, so it works best if you shop at a consistent set of stores.
What Happens If You Cancel Your AARP Membership
If you cancel your AARP membership, your Rewards account becomes inactive when ready. You cannot earn new points, and you cannot redeem existing points. Your points remain in the account but are frozen.
If you rejoin AARP later, your Rewards account reactivates and your frozen points become available again. There is no time limit on how long points can remain frozen, as long as you eventually renew membership.
If you have an AARP Rewards credit card, canceling your AARP membership does not automatically close the card, but AARP may close it at their discretion. Check your card agreement or contact AARP directly to understand what happens to an active card if membership lapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my points expire if I do not redeem them?
No. Points do not expire as long as your AARP membership stays active. If your membership lapses, points freeze but do not disappear. Once you renew membership, the points become available again.
Can I transfer my points to someone else?
No. Points are tied to your AARP member account and cannot be transferred, gifted, or shared. Only you can redeem your own points.
What if I dispute a purchase that earned points?
If you dispute a credit card charge or return an item bought through the portal, the points for that purchase are typically reversed. Contact AARP Rewards customer service with your transaction details if you believe points were removed in error.
Is there a limit to how many points I can earn?
AARP does not publish a maximum point balance. In practice, the limit is very high — most members will never reach it through normal shopping.
Can I use AARP Rewards if I live outside the United States?
The program is designed for U.S. residents. If you live abroad but maintain a U.S. mailing address and AARP membership, contact AARP Rewards directly to confirm whether you can participate.