Girlfriend has an iPhone SE (I believe the 2020 one) where the battery is dying too quickly. Battery health says 82%. Covered under AppleCare, but the AC replacement threshold is obviously 80%.
We have a Genius Bar appointment tomorrow, because I know sometimes the actual number they test at varies from what the phone says - and sometimes they just decide to take care of something that’s marginal.
But if it DOESN’T qualify for the free replacement, should it be eligible for a paid swap-out? It’s enough of a problem for her that it’s driving her crazy, and I want to get her phone taken care of if it’s the sort of thing they should be able to do - but I don’t want to push on an employee to do it if it’s not.
Hoping that makes sense. I’ve found sometimes employees say something absolutely can’t be done, and then you get a different employee later and they say “oh, no, they should have just taken care of that for you.” I’m hoping to avoid that sort of thing as it’s about an hour round trip to our Apple Store. 
Because Apple requires a failing test to cover something under warranty, she needs to hit the 79% mark. Sometimes the person testing the device might suggest running the test again after an hour or so. I have witnessed a device give a lower percentage many times (but not everytime.)
They should be able to create an OOW battery swap for her if she REALLY wants a new battery. Hopefully they know how to create that type of repair. Gently ask to speak to the Lead Genius or Floor Manager if need be.
Unfortunately for all of us… the level of training/knowledge of Tech Specialists/Tech Experts/Genius staff is nowhere close to where it was 5-10 years ago.
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Sorry, I missed AppleCare in your OP, but are batteries covered under AppleCare if out of warranty? I thought it was AppleCare +
Last time I looked at an iPhone, sub 80% was about £100, but above 80% was at least double the price.
Free replacements are for those in warranty or just out of warranty which are showing excessively quick deterioration.
Apologies for the misnaming of the AppleCare plan - I just call all of it “AppleCare,” even though I realize there are technically differences.
We just came back from the Genius Bar, and the battery was over 80% - but it hit a metric for deterioration on their diagnostic that qualified it for a free replacement under AppleCare+.
The rep did say something interesting. She said that since my girlfriend uses her phone a lot (she watches YouTube frequently, plays games on it, etc. quite a bit), next time my girlfriend should get a Pro phone so she gets more battery capacity.
I mean, I know that’s technically true. But by the same token, the SE has been fine for my girlfriend until this battery issue. And my girlfriend could buy both an initial SE and a replacement 2-3 years out for the cost of a Pro up front.
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No apology necessary, I thought it was worth pointing out in case it made a difference.