AppleCare Plus express repair

Since I've never had to use an incident of AppCare Express replacement even though I have AppleCare+ on my products, I checked the Apple Support Document, which is very clear on this:

1. You pay the $99 AppleCare+ replacement fee
2. A hold is put on your credit card for the full cost of the replacement device until your device is received

You may have emailed Tim Cook, but he's very unlikely going to do anything about a process which is following the exact process detailed in this link --> iPhone Express Replacement - Apple Support

It says some issues may be covered under Apple Standard Warranty (known as AppleCare), AppleCare+ or Consumer Law.

If your phone is within the standard AppleCare one year warranty and there is a defect in the phone (not accidental damage), there may be no fee. If the phone is damaged (presumably accidentally), or no longer inder the standard one year AppleCare warranty, AppleCare+ requires a $99 fee for an express replacement.

I understand your phone failed diagnostic. I also understand Apple charged you the $99 fee for express replacement. Is your phone within the one year standard warranty? You really haven't provided much of any detail about what is actually wrong with your phone or when you purchased your phone.

I'm not a mind reader and I am trying to help you here.

Presumably you’re being charged the “any other accidental damage” fee shown here.

AppleCare Products - iPhone - Apple

Since no one here, including me works for Apple and we are all users, you'll have to get that answer from Apple.

Likely for the same reason you can't order a new phone and pay after you get it.

Anything we might offer though is a guess. We are just users on this user to user only forum. You can ask Apple directly, but if that's the requirement, it's likely the requirement.

That helps. If they determine there is no accidental damage, since your phone is covered under the one year warranty and if the phone is found to be defective, Apple will refund the $99 fee you paid.

The way it's supposed to work is exactly as the Apple Support article I provided, which is it seems is exactly what you are doing. You pay the $99 and a hold is put on your card for the cost of the replacement phone.

Apple is doing what they say they will do. I'm not sure why this is confusing you so?

WOW......JUST WOW. I take my personal time to try to help you and that's what I get?

I'm finished and simply don't care what it costs you at this point.

Deal with Apple because I don't imagine any of us will try to help you further.