Family Sharing and iTunes Gift Cards

I know this post is old but I had the same question.

I had $30 in my iTunes account and my wife is the family share organizer.

When I purchased ITunes Match the amount was removed from my iTunes gift card.

Well, the account already had a positive balance, before the family sharing. Family members had a positive balance already before family sharing and the idea is, to charge the account first before the credit card.

If necessary, contact iTunes Support

iTunes Support

iTunes Support – world wide

The charge will first be deducted from any iTunes store credit in the iTunes store account of the family member making the purchase. From Family purchases and payments - Apple Support:

“After you set up your family, any time a family member initiates a new purchase it will be billed directly to your account unless that family member has gift or store credit. First, their store credit will be used to pay the partial or total bill.”

Thank you this answered my question perfectly!

Then how come I keep having to pay for my son's purchases when he has an itunes card balance?

I have the exact same question. Even thought there is enough credit on the gift card account, the purchase from a family member was billed to my credit card.

How can I avoid this?

Buy/redeem iTunes cards to the family member's account.