All iPads AppleCare service fees applicability?

[auronrenouille]

So I have a 3rd Generation iPad Pro 12.9” that I purchased in late 2019 so it still has about four months of AppleCare+ on it. I’m having some battery issues (basically, it takes around 36 hours to fully charge it and the battery drains while I use it while plugged in - it can no longer charge in a timely fashion, evidently) and I’m going to take it in for service on my AppleCare+ plan, which remains effective through October 2021.

In googling, I noticed that there is a $49 “service fee” associated with AppleCare - I’ve never had to pay one since 2006-ish, back when I dropped an old iBook with its Ethernet cord still plugged in, snapping the logic board in half (oops!). Anyhow, do those iPad service fees relate to all AppleCare+ service? Or just accidental damage? I’m super on the fence about repair vs. replace already tbh, and it’s been a long time since I’ve had to utilize AppleCare on an iPad.

Thanks!

 

[smirking]

In googling, I noticed that there is a $49 “service fee” associated with AppleCare

That's for repairing accidental damage to your iPad... like if you dropped it and cracked the screen.

If your device is having battery issues that are significant enough, they'll replace it for free under warranty.

Regardless, you won't get charged for making a service appointment at the Apple Store so you can always bring it in and if they tell you it'll cost something, you can decide if you still want to do it.