You can buy AC+ anytime in the first year now, like the old daysYou can buy AppleCare with an Apple Store gift card. There are some restrictions as to when you can buy AppleCare. Must be purchased within 60 days. You CAN’T use an iTunes GC.

Apple will now give customers an entire year to buy extended warranty for products
AppleCare+ probably isn’t a priority for some people during an economic downturn.
