Screen repair $475+ w/ AppleCare but only $99 if I had AppleCare+

About a year or two ago, I dropped my 2015 MacBook Pro Retina about 1ft from the floor and cracked the screen. I had AppleCare so I brought it in to Apple and was quoted around $400 to repair it. I decided against it and dealt with the screen.

The laptop is in perfect condition besides the screen but as time as passed, the damage has gotten worse and spread further across the screen. Its not unusable but its getting to the point where it soon will be very difficult to use.

My Applecare hasn't expired yet so I recently did some googling and saw (or thought I saw) that Apple now charges $99 for accidental damage if you have AppleCare. So of course I brought it in expecting to be able to get it fixed for $99.

Well, apparently I didn't realize there is AppleCare and then there is AppleCare+, which did not exist when I purchased my laptop.So, of course,I was just quoted $475 plus tax to repair the screen but was told that if I had AppleCare+ it would only be $99 plus tax. I asked if I could get AppleCare+ and was told, "no".

I didn't want to argue with the girl but I'm having a really hard time understanding how they could do this. I understand I didn't purchase AppleCare+ and the terms of the warranty are different. I would've gladly purchased/upgraded/my regular AppleCare for Applecare+ if given the option. I purchased a warranty. I can't see AppleCare+ being much difference in price than what I paid for regular AppleCare.

How is it possible that they can charge me almost $500 to fix something that they could charge someone else only $99 for. That's outrageous. I have no clue how the girl stood there with a straight face and told me that.

Basically, my question is: does anyone have any suggestions/experience on getting Apple to budge on this?

Is there anyone I can contact to talk about this or am I just stuck with this laptop unless I pay $500?