Apple Said to Launch 2022 Back to School Promotion on Friday, Might Offer Gift Cards Instead of Free AirPods

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to launch its annual Back to School promotion in the United States on Friday, coinciding with the launch of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a tweet, Gurman said Apple may offer a gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, rather than free AirPods like last year.

UPDATE: Apple has launched its 2022 Back to School promotion, offering students up to a $150 gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad.

Each year, Apple's Back to School promotion offers college/university students and educators a free gift with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad. Last year, the U.S. promotion began on June 17 and offered free second-generation AirPods with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad model, in addition to 20% off AppleCare+ plans for devices.

Last year, eligible devices included the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad Air, while the eighth-generation iPad and fifth-generation iPad mini were excluded from the offer. Refurbished devices are also typically ineligible.

The promotion is typically available to students attending or accepted to a higher-education institution, faculty and staff of higher-education institutions, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, employees of a K-12 institution, and select others.

The promotion will likely launch in Canada at the same time as in the U.S., followed by European and Asian countries a few weeks later.

Article Link: Apple Said to Launch 2022 Back to School Promotion on Friday, Might Offer Gift Cards Instead of Free AirPods

 

[ProfessionalFan]

This would be an improvement as long as the gift card value is similar to the cost of AirPods. Could use it for anything for those of us who don't need another pair of AirPods.

 

[JPack]

Guess that AirPods non-pickup refund loophole is gone.

 

[jav6454]

Gift card is better IMO.

 

[matttarantino]

You know you're old when you used to get a printer haha

 

[Sbstndalton]

This would be an improvement as long as the gift card value is similar to the cost of AirPods. Could use it for anything for those of us who don't need another pair of AirPods.

Would definitely go towards upgrading ssd for me.

 

[Sbstndalton]

You know you're old when you used to get a printer haha

Now your iPad is the paper.

 

[nutmac]

This would be an improvement as long as the gift card value is similar to the cost of AirPods. Could use it for anything for those of us who don't need another pair of AirPods.

In the past is any indication, the gift card won't have the same value as AirPods. It will most likely be $100 for Mac and $50 for iPad.

Still, I prefer the gift card over AirPods.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Good for us that already have headphones, ie. most people on the planet with a mobile phone or computer.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

It's not even July 4th yet and there are already back to school offers. What next, Christmas sales in August?

 

[Realityck]

I liked when they gave free AirPods, then you could always opt to spend a bit more on better AirPod Pros. There isn't that much at the store these days unless you like cases or cables.

 

[madoka]

At this rate, in a few years you'll just get an Apple polishing cloth with purchase.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

The BTS promotion has been lousy for years. Keeps getting worse.

 

[groove-agent]

I miss when new MBPs were disclosed before back to school.

 

[EugW]

I liked when they gave free AirPods, then you could always opt to spend a bit more on better AirPod Pros. There isn't that much at the store these days unless you like cases or cables.

Or Macs or iPads or iPhones, etc.

 

[Realityck]

Or Macs or iPads or iPhones, etc.

We are taking about Back to School promotion if you buy an Apple product that offers this bonus. Gift Cards is an easy way to reduce the bonus value.

 

[sw1tcher]

It's not even July 4th yet and there are already back to school offers. What next, Christmas sales in August?

School is a year round thing. Ever hear of summer school?

My alma mater starts summer session today. Our cross town rival started their summer session on May 18

The local K-12 schools start summer today as well. A different K-12 district started their summer classes 2 weeks ago.

 

[fbr$]

Back to School with the old 3GB RAM iPad with Lightning port, just a few months before the new generation 4GB RAM USB-C iPad is released...

EDIT: last year the entry level iPad was not an eligible device. 🤢

 

[sjsharksfan12]

School is a year round thing. Ever hear of summer school?

My alma mater starts summer session today. Our cross town rival started their summer session on May 18

The local K-12 schools start summer today as well. A different K-12 district started their summer classes 2 weeks ago.

I have heard of Summer School. I worked various Summer Schools as a custodian. My whole point is sales seem to be getting earlier and earlier each year.

 

[Sean7512]

You know you're old when you used to get a printer haha

The printer was year round, not just for back to school. During back to school, you got a printer (Standard) AND an iPod.

Apple Ends $100 Printer Rebate Program for New Mac Purchases

Since at least 2004, Apple has offered a rebate program that has typically offered users a $100 rebate when they purchase a new Mac and an...

www.macrumors.com

Apple Launches Back to School Promo: Free iPod Touch with Mac Purchase

Apple has officially launched the Back to School promo for 2008. If youre a student, faculty, or staff member and you buy a Mac before September 15,...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Premium1]

It's not even July 4th yet and there are already back to school offers. What next, Christmas sales in August?

As a teacher, seeing Target already having their back-to-school display out hurts my soul a little ha.

 

[sw1tcher]

Back to School with the old 3GB RAM iPad with Lightning port, just a few months before the new generation 4GB RAM USB-C iPad is released...

If a new iPad gets released in September like in 2019, 2020, and 2021, then it will be eligible for Back To School promo as the promo usually runs almost to the end of September

 

[JPack]

AirPods were almost equivalent to cash. You could get $100 selling them any day of the week.

If Apple is offering a card, there is no chance it’s equal in value. Otherwise, Apple would have provided AirPods in the first place. It would be cheaper and keeps people in the ecosystem.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple plans to launch its annual Back to School promotion in the United States on Friday

I have heard of Summer School. I worked various Summer Schools as a custodian. My whole point is sales seem to be getting earlier and earlier each year.

It might seem like they're starting Back to School promo earlier and earlier each year to you, but they're not. At least compared to 2010 and prior.

Past promo start dates.

2022 = June 24???
2021 = June 17
2020 = June 15
2019 = July 9
2018 = July 12
2017 = July 12
2016 = June 2
2015 = July 23
2014 = July 1
2013 = July 2
2012 = June 11
2011 = June 16
2010 = May 25
2009 = May 27
2008 = June 3
2007 = June 5

 

[dannyyankou]

That's good news. Market saturation is already so high with AirPods, I'd rather get a gift card of equal value instead of getting a second pair of something I already have.

In the past is any indication, the gift card won't have the same value as AirPods. It will most likely be $100 for Mac and $50 for iPad.

Still, I prefer the gift card over AirPods.

Every retail store except Apple is selling AirPods for $99 now anyway