iCloud Using iTMS gift card value for services?

[TheIntruder]

I've been given an old iTunes card as a gift. I can't be sure until I try to redeem it, but I assume it's still valid, and I have the original receipt.

Anyway, I don't buy ephemeral entertainment licenses, so my intent is to use the value for iCloud+ instead.

But, the legacy of multiple Apple accounts, and inability to merge accounts now presents sort of a hurdle. I have one account that is exclusively for iTunes related stuff, and another for everything else.

I've found that iTunes cards can only be redeemed through App store, and not the Wallet, which won't seem to accept anything but a credit card or PayPal as forms of payment.

That seems to leave two paths -- 1) sign into the App store using the non-iTunes account, redeem it, and then switch back, or 2) redeem it on the iTunes account, then add the other account via Family Sharing to give access to the storage pool.

Both have their pros and cons, but I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered such a situation and which path you took?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

inability to merge accounts

Unclear if this is a legitimate issue with your specific account, or perhaps just a lack of awareness of current features.

My recommendation is to migrate your media Apple Account to your primary account. Using two separate accounts is a PITA in multiple ways, this is just one example.

 

[TheIntruder]

Unclear if this is a legitimate issue with your specific account, or perhaps just a lack of awareness of current features.

My recommendation is to migrate your media Apple Account to your primary account. Using two separate accounts is a PITA in multiple ways, this is just one example.

I'm not fully invested in iCloud, and only use it for backups, and minor syncing where the alternatives don't function as reliably, so I missed whatever fanfare accompanied that feature when it appeared back in February.

But, thanks for pointing that out, or I would have missed it. I haven't seen anyone else offer it as a solution during my research, so I don't think it's as well known as it should be, given its significance. I think most still assume that Apple had completely given up on trying to help users administer and rationalize multiple accounts.

It does have some significant conditions, but since my purchases are limited to apps, I don't face any of the hurdles. If it works as advertised, it will make things much simpler.

 

[MacCheetah3]

I've been given an old iTunes card as a gift. I can't be sure until I try to redeem it, but I assume it's still valid, and I have the original receipt.

Anyway, I don't buy ephemeral entertainment licenses, so my intent is to use the value for iCloud+ instead.

[...]

I've found that iTunes cards can only be redeemed through App store, and not the Wallet, which won't seem to accept anything but a credit card or PayPal as forms of payment.

I don’t know if the following will be your solution but I’ll share a story as it seems relevant.

Earlier this year, I traded in an iPad Pro but wasn’t interested in buying a new Apple device at that moment. I read that in such instances, you’re sent an Apple e-gift card, which I figured I could just use on a future purchase, as I’ve read you can use your Apple Account balance as a payment method at Apple Stores. By the way, this was the first time I 'traded in' without putting the credit immediately to an Apple Store purchase.

What if I’m not ready to buy something?​

No problem. We can put the value of your current device on a gift card that you can use anytime. Get an estimate through the trade-in tool and choose the Apple Gift Card option

Apple Trade In

Trade in your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch or any other device for credit towards a new one, or recycle it responsibly for free with Apple Trade In.

www.apple.com

With your Apple Account balance, you can pay for the things you love — from games, apps and subscriptions in the App Store to hardware and accessories at any Apple Store or apple.com.

Apple Account balance - All of Apple. At your fingertips.

Learn how to instantly add money to your Apple Account balance without having to buy a gift card. It’s a quick and easy way to pay for all things Apple.

learn.applegiftcard.apple

What you can buy with these gift cards​

When you redeem an Apple Gift Card, App Store Card, or App Store & iTunes Gift Card, the funds are added to your Apple Account balance. You can make purchases with your Apple Account balance, including:

• Apps, games, or in-app purchases from the App Store.
• Subscriptions like Apple Music or iCloud+, and more.
• Where the Apple Gift Card is available, you can use your Apple Account balance to buy products and accessories at apple.com or in the Apple Store app. See if Apple Gift Card is available in your country or region.

How to redeem your Apple Gift Card, App Store Card, or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support

Redeem your gift card in the App Store or the Apple Music app to use for Apple Account purchases.

support.apple.com

Seemed good and simple enough.
In reality (Will Smith voice) “Hell no!!!”

I received the e-gift card code (email message) in a satisfactory time frame. Followed the instructions to redeem. I couldn’t find the (new) funds initially and was irate.

Check your Apple Account balance - Apple Support

To see your balance, use the App Store. Or on a Windows PC, use the Apple Music app or Apple TV app.

support.apple.com

I eventually found evidence of the funds, though don’t recall exactly where. Then my anger resurfaced, “How the **** do I use this credit now?"

Some digging later, I located the final key:

Add Apple Account to Apple Wallet to see your balance and transactions​

1. Go to the Wallet app
   
   on your iPhone.
2. Tap
   
   , then tap Add Apple Account.

The account balance and transactions appear below the card.

After your Apple Account is added to wallet, which shows like other payment cards, you can finally use it to buy stuff from the/an Apple Store or as a payment method for your Apple services. Basically, it’s now an Apple Pay source. (And, yes, I’ve used the balance to pay for iCloud+.)

Anyway… To me, this process seems at least somewhat convoluted, needing to create a debatably unnecessary loop back of a virtual Apple Account card as a payment method for your Apple Account. What? Why? Ugh!

 

[TheIntruder]

I don’t know if the following will be your solution but I’ll share a story as it seems relevant.

Earlier this year, I traded in an iPad Pro but wasn’t interested in buying a new Apple device at that moment. I read that in such instances, you’re sent an Apple e-gift card, which I figured I could just use on a future purchase, as I’ve read you can use your Apple Account balance as a payment method at Apple Stores. By the way, this was the first time I 'traded in' without putting the credit immediately to an Apple Store purchase.

I eventually found evidence of the funds, though don’t recall exactly where. Then my anger resurfaced, “How the **** do I use this credit now?"

Some digging later, I located the final key:


After your Apple Account is added to wallet, which shows like other payment cards, you can finally use it to buy stuff from the/an Apple Store or as a payment method for your Apple services. Basically, it’s now an Apple Pay source. (And, yes, I’ve used the balance to pay for iCloud+.)

Anyway… To me, this process seems at least somewhat convoluted, needing to create a debatably unnecessary loop back of a virtual Apple Account card as a payment method for your Apple Account. What? Why? Ugh!

As a promotion tool, gift cards, or balances issued in the form of gift cards are stacked firmly in favor of the issuers.

They get to hold your funds, interest-free, and in jurisdictions without laws preventing such practices, erode the value through junk fees or expiration dates. As well as place restrictions on their usage, forcing you to jump over hurdles to simply redeem the value. They are more secure than a check, or straight up cash, but other than that, it's little wonder that they've become the de facto method for sales promotions.

Apple's trade-in program does offer flexibility, but does have some pitfalls. I've used it before, but would only do so via an Apple retail store where the risk of transit issues, theft, or unexpected valuations is mitigated, versus the mail-in method through a third-party facilitator. I requested a box with the phone I recently bought, but never followed through on the trade, and the small return.

In terms of Apple's Wallet and array of financial services, I'm only invested as far as registering my credit cards to enable NFC payments. If I had not be given the gift card, I wouldn't be bothering with any of it, and I'm still not 100% certain if the card will be accepted as valid. I'm not worried about the scenario mentioned in the other topic posted today about an account being shut down due to suspicions of gift card fraud, and that person's tale of woe with all their eggs in that one basket, but do recognize that risk is there. That was part of the reason why I'm in this situation to begin with, as multiple accounts insulate against that situation, even if the require some inconvenience or compromise.

I haven't performed the migration yet, but do appreciate the tip about the Wallet/Account linking.

I just did a dry run, and was prevented from proceeding because it recognized I have the two different accounts in use.

A true account merge is probably a project that Apple understandably did not want to undertake for its user base.

But the media migration tool, and notices built into the OS indicates that they recognize that certain situations, like mine, are common enough to warrant some effort to help users rationalize their accounts.