$100 iPhone credit

Apple today made its $100 credit available to early iPhone adopters who paid the full introductory price for the device less than three months prior to its hefty cost reduction earlier this month. The $100 credit -- which Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised early adopters after receiving "hundreds of emails" from upset customers -- is available only to iPhone owners who have activated the device with AT&T. Early adopters who purchased iPhones without a service plan from AT&T will not be able to cash in on Apple's $100 in-store credit, which the company says is available to iPhone owners who purchased their devices before August 22nd and who meet other specified requirements.

The credit offered by the Cupertino-based company leaves early iPhone adopters who had hoped to unlock the device for use with another cellular carrier or who bought the handset without AT&T service to use as a WiFi touch-controlled iPod out in the cold.

Owners aiming to collect the credit must identify the phone by entering the phone number as well as the iPhone serial number, and enter an access code sent via SMS text message for confirmation. Following those steps, eligible iPhone owners will receive a $100 electronic store credit redeemable at any Apple Store location as well as the Apple Online Store.

Apple notes that requests for the $100 credit must be submitted by November 30th of this year, and that iPhone owners must activate their handsets with AT&T prior to submitting their claims. Customers cannot redeem their $100 credit at any iTunes Store in the U.S. or elsewhere, according to Apple, or at Apple Store locations outside the U.S. or at Apple resellers anywhere. The rebates do not qualify for cash or purchasing Apple Gift Cards, nor does the in-store credit count toward iTunes Store Gift Certificates or to create iTunes Store allowances. Additionally, Apple prohibits customers who receive the $100 credit from making payments on company accounts or transferring/reassigning the credits.

Apple says iPhones purchased between August 22nd and September 4th of this year do not qualify for the credit because they are subject to price protection -- allowing those customers to pay the new lower price for the device if claims for that price protection are received by Apple no later than September 19th of 2007. iPhones purchased with a Gift Card, rebate, or other consideration are not eligible for the $100 in-store credit, and handsets given to Apple employees for company or personal use are also ineligible. Apple is also disallowing anyone who registered an iPhone with an address outside the U.S. to collect on the credit.

by MacNN Staff