I am an Apple fan girl but am very annoyed. I consolidated my AppleCare plans into AppleCare One. I received the gift cards (rebates) promptly. Definitely cost effective HOWEVER because those were on my .me account, I cannot use on my .gmail account which is where the AppleOne Premium plan and my subscriptions are. No, I cannot unravel why it ended up like this. I would simply like to change the user name for AppleOne Premium but that’s not possible without kicking someone off the Family plan. My husband is the minimal user but that means he doesn’t have access to Apple Music for about 5 months (the length of time it would take to use up the $).
I have a number of subscriptions due in September. I could ‘cancel’ those and resubscribe (I think) with the .me account but I’m afraid of losing data, e.g. DayOne. I don’t understand why a company as sophisticated as Apple can’t make a transfer OR consolidate accounts OR refund the card so I could apply it to the AppleOne Premium Account.
After my issue was ‘escalated’, the support person did try to help but ended with ‘that’s the way it is.’
Did I mentioned I’ve purchased a new MBP, iPad, iPhone, Studio Display and Watch in the last year? (retirement presents to myself) Grrr.
I thought that sounded inspired until I went to the website and found this:
Purchasing gift cards with your Apple Account balance
According to Apple’s official documentation and user discussions, you cannot directly purchase or send gifts or gift cards using your Apple Account balance. However, there’s a nuance to this:
** You can’t send a gift or gift card using your balance.*
** You cannot purchase another Apple Gift Card using funds that originated from an Apple Gift Card, App Store Card, or App Store & iTunes Gift Card, according to Apple’s legal terms.*
What you can buy with your Apple account balance
** Apps, games, and in-app purchases from the App Store.*
** Music, movies, and other content from the iTunes Store, Apple TV app, or Apple Books.*
** Subscriptions like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and iCloud+.*
** Products and accessories at apple.com or in the Apple Store app, in countries where Apple Gift Card is available.*
Love the Vermeer in your Avatar.
I realize it might seem odd to complain about 200 when I’ve spent 1000’s this year, but those purchases were to set me in my retirement mode and I had saved for them. Eventually, it will work out.
Go to the Apple Store if nearby.
Purchase some accessory worth your gift card balance.
Don’t associate this to any of your email ids.
Walk out the store for 5 mins.
Come back and return it.
Ask them to refund to a new gift card.
Don’t let them associate to any email ids.
Well, I may have figured it out. . . My husband and I are both classical musicians and finally bit the bullet on the Digital Concert Hall (Berlin Philharmonic). $180. Belatedly I realized I should have switched to the .me account first. Duh. I was on the phone with a very sharp tech support person yesterday (yes, Sunday morning) and she was able to refund that purchase and once I see everything clear, I’ll purchase under the .me account (using up most of the rebate from AppleCare Premium.
I am also going to start the long process of switching my paid apps from .gmail to .me and HOPEFULLY meld the accounts eventually.