Purchased a damaged Apple gift card, what is the policy?

Hey all. I recently purchased an Apple gift card from a third party retailer (Target) and half the code is missing. This is the second time I’ve had this issue occur and the first time this happened, Apple solved the problem by sending me a new code. This second time I’m told by Apple that this card is void because it’s damaged and I need to seek reimbursement from Target. Lo and behold, Target claims this is Apple’s issue. Has the policy changed in the last five months? Thanks in advance.

Posted on May 26, 2023 10:48 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 27, 2023 2:08 AM

According to Apple (If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support):

If you can't read the code on the back of your card because it's scratched or damaged, contact Apple Support.


The included link gives some instructions on contacting Apple Support for a gift card issue.

Similar questions

92 replies

Oct 29, 2023 12:41 PM in response to Grelay

Grelay wrote:

Apple support told me I had to take the unreadable gift card back to Walgreens. Who refuses refunds or exchanges of gift cards. No more Apple gift cards for me, I will neither purchase as gifts or request as a gift.

Apple's gift card policy, like all major retailers, is the same:

Gift Cards are not redeemable for cash and cannot be returned for a cash refund (except as required by law), exchanged, resold or used to purchase Gift Cards.

Regardless, Apple simply cannot process a refund because you didn't buy it from them.

Dec 30, 2023 3:04 PM in response to Middlesss

Middlesss wrote:

I Couldn’t be able to use the Apple Card I got today because I couldn’t get the last digit number I need help to get the last two digit number


Here is what to do: If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support


You will need to directly contact Apple Support for issues with gift cards and with gift card redemptions.

Nov 27, 2023 2:29 PM in response to Vaillionshead

Vaillionshead wrote:

I purchased an Apple Gift Card at TARGET. Target told me they couldn't do anything about a damaged card and to call Apple Customer Service. I did call. The representative told me Apple can only refund gift cards purchased directly from Apple. So what does a consumer to do now? Neither Target or Apple wants to be responsible.

Unfortunately we're all other users here and the only advice I can offer is to try contacting Apple Support specifically using this link.

Nov 2, 2023 3:49 PM in response to Xinrai

I got hit with this as well. I put money on 3 different Apple Gift Cards from two local 7-Eleven’s and all of them came up with the “Cannot Redeem Code” “Code entered is not valid” error messages. I called Apple Support and sent them photos of the front and back of the last Gift Card I got, the envelope that it was enclosed in and the 7-Eleven receipt. After examining the photo’s, Apple Support said some character’s were missing at the end of the Gift Card code. This is the code that begins with the letter X. There was only 12 characters instead of 16. I looked closer and I noticed that some characters at the end of the code were whited out or removed somehow. You can see the smudging at the end of the code if you tilt the card just right in some light. You can also see the same thing on the number that starts with GCA that is directly below the Gift Card code. In my case, you can even see that the characters at the end of the GCA number AND the long string of numbers beneath the bar code that is printed on the outside of the sealed envelope has been whited out as well. Is someone opening legitimate Apple Gift Cards, altering them and somehow re-sealing them and taking the money that is put on them? Sure looks that way to me.

Purchased a damaged Apple gift card, what is the policy?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.