Just got iPhone Gift card - already have ATT - I have to drive to Apple St?

This is el-nuts. No I'm not eligible for an upgrade right now, I thought I was paying full price. I have paid full price for my last two Blackberrys because I am hard on phones and damaged them before my upgrade time was up. The gift card was from American Express Reward points. It was an Apple iPhone gift card from Apple, I didn't have a choice. You mean 300 is the UPGRADE price? What is the non-upgrade price? Obviously I'll have to pay that. I need more information. And seriously, why would you be required to go to an Apple Store, especially when in some states there aren't any at all! If ATT and Apple are tied together this way, and I'm being serious, not flippant, why is ATT not able to take an Apple iPhone gift card? I mean, it really should work either way since they are exclusive with each other right now. And if I have to drive 75 miles, which I can do tomorrow to the only Apple Store in 3 states around me, how can I find out ahead of time if they have one in stock?

Oh I'm fully willing to sign on an additional 2+ whatever my current contract is, but they won't see it that way. Da**. What is the 8 gig selling for "non-upgrade"?

Well I have no idea what to do now. Certainly will pay 100 more to get double the capacity, but how do I know my nearest Apple Store will have them, and will they let me apply this gift card toward the purchase? Don't really see how they can refuse it, actually.

I see no mention of that pricing anywhere it says the 299 IS the two year contract price...is there a place that lists all this info? I haven't found it... (says the owner of about 8 Macs, so I usually can find infor about things Apple-related...but this is different)

But I am still eligible until next year for upgrade pricing according to the ATT website. And we all know there is no arguing with what it shows...and if there was I doubt it be the same talking to someone at Apple vs. an ATT store.

Okay......weird....I checked my upgrade status while ago at ATT.com...not eligble for upgrade pricing...but what I did FIRST was go to Apple store online...then...clicked to buy online from ATT...which is about the only "buy" link I saw. I wasn't logged in to ATT though. I logged, reloaded....nothing about upgradeability changed. I came all the way back through and now it says I AM eligible for the iPhone upgrade?

"As a valued AT&T customer, we can offer you an early iPhone upgrade with a new 2-year commitment and an $18 upgrade fee at a participating iPhone sales location. Additional discounts may be available on 03/21/2010"


Does this mean an Apple Store? And how do I find out if they have them in stock before I drive there. Also, my current plan is a family plan, my wife is on my account with a different phone. I have data plan on my line as I have a BB Curve. Is this going to cause me problems?