Apple Card Apple Card - no longer provides installment payments on iPhone purchases

[commanderclif]

Apple Card no longer provides the option to use an Apple Card to purchase iPhones. The new system of having to have one of 4 providers feels like it should have been a supplemented option for people and not replace the Apple Card option since the new system isn't connected to Apple Card. I used my Apple Card last week to buy a new iPad with installments and now that I was considering updating 4 iPhones before the end of the year, I need to think twice about that.

Even MORE insulting is that the website for Apple Card is still filled with inaccurate information including iPhone in the list of products that can be purchased with Apple Card installments. I've written to Apple's website feedback page to make them aware of this misinformation.

Apple Card - Monthly Installments

Pay for your new Apple products over time, interest-free when you choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments. Terms Apply

www.apple.com

Apple Card

Apple Card offers up to 3% Daily Cash back on purchases with no fees. Apply with no impact to your credit score to see if you’re approved. Terms apply.

www.apple.com

 

[monstermash]

This sounded so ridiculous that I had to fact check it. It's true! That option is no longer on the Apple Store site.



WOW!! That really reduces the incentive to use the Apple Card!

I wonder if this is in preparation for the card moving from GS to some new card partner that required it to make a deal.

 

[commanderclif]

After posting my frustrations here and at Reddit, my understanding is that there is a work around. By ordering and selecting one of the carriers that provide an unlocked phone, like T-mobile, then you can assign that phone to your provider when you receive it, you just have to select, set up later in order to not have it on the path of the carrier you selected. I guess I'll try that but as a note, sounds like the only provided on Apple's list of "select carriers" that sends out locked phones is AT&T.

 

[monstermash]

After posting my frustrations here and at Reddit, my understanding is that there is a work around. By ordering and selecting one of the carriers that provide an unlocked phone, like T-mobile, then you can assign that phone to your provider when you receive it, you just have to select, set up later in order to not have it on the path of the carrier you selected. I guess I'll try that but as a note, sounds like the only provided on Apple's list of "select carriers" that sends out locked phones is AT&T.

You have missed the point.

The point is that you can no longer get an installment plan on the Apple Card itself, period.

To get an installment plan, you HAVE to get it through a carrier.

This a change from the previous policy, where you could get an installment plan with the Apple Card itself, but only if you got a carrier associated phone. This is what the "work around" you mention addresses.

NOW, even if you don't use the carrier you associated with the phone you got, you still have an installment plan with the carrier, not through the Apple Card.

 

[TonyC28]

This is confusing. I just talked to Apple support. They tell me that Apple Card monthly payments are still an option, but it requires activation with a carrier at the time of purchase. The phone is still unlocked, it's not linked to the carrier bill, and there are no plan requirements. Payments are still made in the Wallet app using Apple Card. This doesn't make much sense.

 

[monstermash]

Dude. Go look at the screen shot in post 2. Go to the online store and see the options. Payment plan is not available without a carrier's payment plan.

 

[commanderclif]

Actually it is. I picked a Pro but same for Pro Max, need to test standard 16 as well but as long as I add a trade in to the check out, and pick a carrier, I can get it to come up where I can use my Apple Card for installment payments. But @monstermash you are correct that without the trade in the Apple Card doesn't not come up as an option.

 

[monstermash]

So, that's interesting.

I wonder if it was an oversight or intentional?

 

[Eric Idle]

This is confusing. I just talked to Apple support. They tell me that Apple Card monthly payments are still an option, but it requires activation with a carrier at the time of purchase. The phone is still unlocked, it's not linked to the carrier bill, and there are no plan requirements. Payments are still made in the Wallet app using Apple Card. This doesn't make much sense.

Another example of feckless Tim Cook's "leadership".