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HeatherB214303
Contributor ⭐
February 3, 2026

Gift cards not recieved

  • February 3, 2026
  • 8 replies
  • 1418 views

Has anyone been successful in getting timely resolution for being charged for purchase of gift cards and they are not delivered? I purchased a large value of airbnb gift cards to pay for my final payment on upcoming reservation. Now I am out the money and have nothing to pay by the deadline. Customer service has not been helpful at all saying to escalate it takes 5-10 days to get a response and refuses to let me speak to a supervisor or anyone else. This should be something that can be resolved immediately. Now that this has happened to me and doing research I see this is a reoccurring problem and is not acceptable business practice to take money and not deliver goods.

      8 replies

      SereneSeagull
      SereneSeagull
      Community Champion ⭐
      February 3, 2026

      I haven’t had this happen, because I will not purchase, but use points only… but If I had this happen to me after not getting resolution, I would call them again with the addition of telling them you are contacting your state’s Attorney General through their Consumer Protection division. Then follow through with it.  Your situation will be escalated I have a feeling.

      Rocky818
      Conversationalist ⭐
      February 5, 2026

      I have heard this happen on many occasions. My aunt had the same issue 2 or 3 times in less than a year. She had to dispute the charges and get the money back that way. Unfortunately, it took about 6 months but she got it back finally. She canceled her AARP membership because she said customer service was of no help. Canceling her membership was another major issue. She said she would never recommend anyone get a membership for more than one year. 

        SereneSeagull
        SereneSeagull
        Community Champion ⭐
        February 6, 2026

        Now I understand why the other thread.  Like I mentioned there…go to the top

        jh8565246
        Contributor ⭐
        February 3, 2026

        When I didn't receive a gc (free, but same idea) after 10 business days, I went to the chat icon and just asked for them to resend the link.  They were able to do that within seconds.  Perhaps that will work?  Another thing that happened to me was that my credit card denied a purchase (on another gift card website, but same idea) perhaps thinking my card was stolen?  So the purchase never went through and I didn't know until a few days later.  

        HeatherB214303Author
        Contributor ⭐
        February 3, 2026

        I did try to chat with them twice and called them also and get nowhere besides "there is a problem with your order" and they will send it to the "escalation team" - you will hear back from them in about 10 days.  Refusal to explain the issue or let me speak to anyone else.  The charges have posted to my bank already - and I have initiated a dispute, but that also takes time at the bank - in the mean time my Airbnb payment is due tomorrow for my family Hawaii trip, and all my money has been given to AARP - I am so angry.

          HeatherB214303Author
          Contributor ⭐
          February 3, 2026

          A few years ago I purchased gift cards from AARP for Carnival to use for a cruise, and that went flawlessly - so I didn't think this would be an issue - but I will never again!  I am just trying to figure out the best way to proceed right now when my Airbnb final payment is due - worried that if I put it on a different payment method, the bank dispute might not end up successful if AARP eventually sends the gift cards - but I won't want them now! I just don't understand not having someone to talk to to work through this issue...what good is customer service that cannot help with anything!

           

            RenateW69623
            Community Champion ⭐
            February 6, 2026

            Unfortunately so many companies have customer service that is useless. A few months ago I had an issue with Tracfone, and their customer service didn't do anything to resolve the issue. I ended up filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and lo and behold I was contacted by someone from Tracfone who actually ended up resolving the issue to my satisfaction. I don't know if AARP cares about BBB complaints, but it is something you might try if you can't get this resolved with what you are doing now.

              SereneSeagull
              SereneSeagull
              Community Champion ⭐
              February 6, 2026

              …and that’s how it’s done.  Nice.

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