How can I spend the credit on my Apple account

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Level 1

4 points

How can I spend the credit on my Apple account

I've recently purchased a new iPad and as part of the deal I was given some credit my my apple account. I'd like to use this credit to purchase a film, but the iTunes app wants to charge my debit card instead of using the credit I've got.

Initially I didn't register a card with the iTunes app, but it kept insisting I register a card. Eventually I relented, but I registered a debit card for an account with very little money in it - less than the price of the film. This is OK because the credit I have in my Apple account will easily cover the price of the film. Now when I try to buy my film iTunes says that the purchase failed and my on-line banking app for the Debit card says that the transaction was declined because there wasn't enough money in the account. This is all true, but ITUNES SHOULDN'T BE TOUCHING MY DEBIT CARD.

How do I actually send the credit I've been given?

iPad

Posted on Dec 16, 2023 2:31 PM

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Answer 1

Phil0124

Level 10

216,836 points

Dec 18, 2023 2:00 PM in response to _stormcloud_

_stormcloud_ wrote:

Any ideas how to tell the IPad to use the credit I've been given rather than trying to charge me?

As I said this should happen automatically. There is nothing you need to do, and there is no way to force it, as it happens automatically.

Is the purchase you are attempting to make one directly in the iTunes Store or Apple TV app?

Or are you trying to buy something in a 3rd party app?

If you follow the steps in the support document linked below, does the balance appear on your account then?

click here ➜ Check your Apple Account balance - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Niel

Community+ 2025

Level 10

741,179 points

Dec 18, 2023 1:33 PM in response to _stormcloud_

Nobody on these boards will know how the iTunes Store is handling it internally. Click here and ask Apple Support for assistance.

(248466)

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Answer 3

Phil0124

Level 10

216,836 points

Dec 18, 2023 7:06 AM in response to _stormcloud_

As I said, the balance on your account will be used automatically on purchases made through the iTunes & App Stores.

If you are seeing a charge, it is either an authorization hold placed on the card to verify it, or for something else entirely, and just happens to be the same price as the movie. How much is the charge for? Authorization holds are generally for a small amount. 99c in the US. may be similar in the UK.

Authorization holds can be placed on a payment method during verification, but should be reversed shortly after, once verification is complete.

Also, accusing Apple of a Scam is a serious legal action.

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Answer 4

Phil0124

Level 10

216,836 points

Dec 16, 2023 3:28 PM in response to _stormcloud_

If you have redeemed the card into your Apple account, the balance will be used automatically when you make a purchase in iTunes or the App Store. You don’t need to do anything.

You will still be required to verify your payment method and authorize the purchase, but your card will not be charged.

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Answer 5

_stormcloud_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 17, 2023 7:22 AM in response to Phil0124

I wasn't given a card to redeem - the salesman at the Apple store told me that I would be given €50 credit when I purchased the iPad. In fairness to him, when I open up the iTunes application I can see at the bottom of the screen that I have €50 more credit than I previously had, so I'm assuming that Apple credited me when they noticed that I was now using a new device.

However, I'm still unable to spend this credit - every time I try my on-line banking application tells me that Apple are trying to deduct the full amount for the film from my bank account.

If I didn't know better I would assume this was a scam

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Answer 6

_stormcloud_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 18, 2023 1:27 PM in response to Phil0124

Hi Phil0124,

I am based in the EU so I'm working in Euro. The amount that they are trying to debit from my card is €13.99 - the exact amount the film costs. Also, this payment is being charged at the exact moment I try to buy the film on the iPad and the Bank say the transaction is being requested by Apple. Finally, I can see from my banking application that Apple has done a card verification on my card about 5 minutes before the first time I tried to buy the film. This correlates the time I registered the card with Apple.

Putting all of this together I don't think this is an authorisation hold, or a check that the card I've given them is valid. They are actually trying to charge my card for a film when they should be using the credit

Also, I think you might have misunderstood my earlier comments - I was not accusing Apple of conducting a scam. I was saying that If I didn't know this was genuinely Apple who had given me the credit I would assume the offer of unredeemable credit was the work of a scammer.

Any ideas how to tell the IPad to use the credit I've been given rather than trying to charge me?

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Answer 7

_stormcloud_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 19, 2023 1:03 PM in response to Niel

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the advice - I shall do as you suggest :-)

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How can I spend the credit on my Apple account

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