Apple Apple Back to School Sale: Get a FREE Apple Gift Card When You Buy a Mac or iPad Final Week of Apple's Back to School Sale!

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Get ready for a new school year at Apple, where their Back to School Sale is back for 2022 and you'll get a free Apple Gift Card valued at up to $210.00 when you buy a new iPad or Mac for school.

This year, you'll get a $140.00 Apple Gift Card when you purchase an iPad or a $210.00 Apple Gift Card when you purchase a new Mac, including the latest-generation MacBooks with the M2 Chip.

We've listed a few configurations from this year's lineup of devices (all prices reflect Apple's discounted education pricing).

iPad Air – free $140.00 Apple Gift Card

iPad Pro – free $140.00 Apple Gift Card

MacBook Air – free $210.00 Apple Gift Card

MacBook Pro – free $210.00 Apple Gift Card

iMac – free $210.00 Apple Gift Card

Plus, you can save 20% on AppleCare+ extended warranties for all Apple devices, which adds up to three years of coverage to Apple's standard one-year limited warranty.

Apple's 2022 Back to School Sale is effective until September 26 online and in Apple Stores, with a limit of one gift card bonus per customer. Apple offers free shipping on all orders with no minimum.

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  • wysiwyg
    • For those holding out for next summer’s BTS promo, the site “Mac rumors” published an article today that in Australia and New Zealand, their promo now includes Air Pods. The story says that Canada, US and Europe usually offer the same promo in June, so it looks like no $210 GC this time around.

      https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/17/ap ... tralia-nz/
      Apple's Back to University promotion is usually the same as the Back to School promotion that launches in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other regions around June, so students living in those locations can likely expect free AirPods to be the offer there too.
    • Report Post
  • phoenix_bladen
    • I’m glad I picked up an iPad Air 5th generation with gift card

      It turns out they increased the iPad prices in Oct so I would have definitely paid a worse price even potential on a Black Friday deal.

      Student discount + gift card on old price for an air is actually cheaper than a student discounted price for iPad 10th generation new models which are much worse !
    • Report Post
  • Jammer005
    • 7x Aeroplan points were never applied. Needed to contact customer service directly and show proof of purchase and points were applied. I'd say this promo was one of the best deals of the year considering they were Apple products:
      Canadian Tire Apple Gift cards discounted, Apple education pricing, Apple education rebate, Aeroplan 7x
    • Report Post
  • Hemi558
    • Just order online and have it shipped to your house and there is zero proof to be asked.
    • Report Post
  • EP32k2
    • This is kind of late because I didn't end up buying the MBA (yet) but what kind of proof do they require? Will showing them my university ID card work?
      If they ask. And that’s a big maybe, your student ID will be fine.
    • Report Post
  • Ryan93
    • Yes, ordering online and picking up in-store won't require proof that you are eligible to purchase from the Apple Store for Education.

      They will ask for proof when you try to add AppleCare+ with the student discount in the store.
      YMMV. They may still ask on pick up.
      This is kind of late because I didn't end up buying the MBA (yet) but what kind of proof do they require? Will showing them my university ID card work?
    • Report Post
  • turtlepower11
    • Wait I thought you can only get apple care like within the first 3 months of purchase, I’m confused on these monthly payment things, would you mind explaining.
      I think it's the first 60 day for a Mac (that's with an inspection at the apple store if you didn't buy it together or at pick-up). You can purchase AppleCare month to month up to 30 days after your initial applecare expires.
    • Report Post
  • ChicoQuente
    • Wait I thought you can only get apple care like within the first 3 months of purchase, I’m confused on these monthly payment things, would you mind explaining.
      Did you look at the Apple website?
    • Report Post
  • StormJG
    • Even if you sell it before the 3 years is up and the new owner doesn't want the AppleCare, then you can call in to cancel and they'll refund you the remaining months. I think for a lot of people $200+ is a lot for an extended warranty especially when you can get a pair of AirPods for that price - and I think lots of people have been burned by extended warranties at other stories. And I don't think people actively use their AppleCare or know the conditions to use it; for example, the $30 appelcare for AirPods practically gets you a new set of AirPods after 2 years due to regular wear and tear on the batteries in my experience but most owners of AirPods I've talked to only think if something completely breaks.
      Wait I thought you can only get apple care like within the first 3 months of purchase, I’m confused on these monthly payment things, would you mind explaining.
    • Report Post
  • turtlepower11
    • When does it make sense to pay monthly for Apple Care than for the onetime payment for the 3 year plan?

      I thought of the following reasons?
      1. You don’t have the money
      2. You intent to sell it before the break even point.
      3. ?
      Even if you sell it before the 3 years is up and the new owner doesn't want the AppleCare, then you can call in to cancel and they'll refund you the remaining months. I think for a lot of people $200+ is a lot for an extended warranty especially when you can get a pair of AirPods for that price - and I think lots of people have been burned by extended warranties at other stories. And I don't think people actively use their AppleCare or know the conditions to use it; for example, the $30 appelcare for AirPods practically gets you a new set of AirPods after 2 years due to regular wear and tear on the batteries in my experience but most owners of AirPods I've talked to only think if something completely breaks.
    • Report Post
  • sparkaction
    • When does it make sense to pay monthly for Apple Care than for the onetime payment for the 3 year plan?

      I thought of the following reasons?
      1. You don’t have the money
      2. You intent to sell it before the break even point.
      3. ?
    • Report Post
  • turtlepower11
    • Just FYI - you can still get 20% off AppleCare with student pricing even with the back to school promo over.
    • Report Post
  • RedFlagRobot
    • Now that the deal is over, I wonder whether it is possible to do an exchange and keep the discount. I ordered an MBA, but now I'm thinking I'd prefer an iMac. Assuming if I try to exchange I'd just get regular price on the iMac?
    • Report Post
  • rowong
    • I called Apple on Tuesday. They said the non-UPS broker was them. So they said to call them if it didn't come yesterday. I'm going to call them tonight after work as the UPS status hasn't changed. Apple status now says pending or something to that effect. I'd give them a call. They said they may need to dispatch another if it wasn't sent yesterday. When did you order?
      I called too and the agent said its with Custom and I should still receive my macbook as initially stated, will see what happens.
    • Report Post
  • Goonish
    • The macbook is shipped to my home. Looking into the invoice though, it seems like its what you described. The $210 was charged to my CC, there was also a deduction of $210 off the educational pricing of the macbook as well. I think that's where I got confused.
      Looks like they didn't deduct $210 from the cost of my MacBook and charged me full education pricing for it... Will be giving them a call.
    • Report Post
  • rowong
    • There will be a charge for the Gift Card.
      Apple discounted the MacBook (eligible product) by $210 (promotion product) making the Gift Card free.

      from THE OFFER section
      https://www.apple.com/ca_edu_93120/shop ... conditions

      "Qualified Purchasers who purchase an Eligible Product through a Qualifying Location during the Promotion Period shall receive a discount equal to the value of the Promotion Product (depending on their purchase, as set forth in the chart below) off the price of the Eligible Product at the time of purchase. Customers will be charged for all items in their bag, including the Promotion Product."


      @rowong are the charges credit card authorizations? Is the MacBook being shipped to your home?
      I would contact Apple Sales to inquire about the charges.
      The macbook is shipped to my home. Looking into the invoice though, it seems like its what you described. The $210 was charged to my CC, there was also a deduction of $210 off the educational pricing of the macbook as well. I think that's where I got confused.
    • Report Post
  • Goonish
    • There will be a charge for the Gift Card.
      Apple discounted the MacBook (eligible product) by $210 (promotion product) making the Gift Card free.

      from THE OFFER section
      https://www.apple.com/ca_edu_93120/shop ... conditions

      "Qualified Purchasers who purchase an Eligible Product through a Qualifying Location during the Promotion Period shall receive a discount equal to the value of the Promotion Product (depending on their purchase, as set forth in the chart below) off the price of the Eligible Product at the time of purchase. Customers will be charged for all items in their bag, including the Promotion Product."


      @rowong are the charges credit card authorizations? Is the MacBook being shipped to your home?
      I would contact Apple Sales to inquire about the charges.
      I haven’t had my coffee yet or maybe I’ve become slow in my old age but how is it a free $210 gift card if we’re being charged for it? The value of the gift card was not deducted from my order total.
    • Report Post
  • Dhanushan
    • How were you guys charged? A $210 charge just appeared on my credit card, assuming it’s for the gift card?
      you are correct... i wonder why, i see 3 charges, $210 charge, and then the macbook charge and then the taxes charge. anyone else can shed any light?
      There will be a charge for the Gift Card.
      Apple discounted the MacBook (eligible product) by $210 (promotion product) making the Gift Card free.

      from THE OFFER section
      https://www.apple.com/ca_edu_93120/shop ... conditions

      "Qualified Purchasers who purchase an Eligible Product through a Qualifying Location during the Promotion Period shall receive a discount equal to the value of the Promotion Product (depending on their purchase, as set forth in the chart below) off the price of the Eligible Product at the time of purchase. Customers will be charged for all items in their bag, including the Promotion Product."


      @rowong are the charges credit card authorizations? Is the MacBook being shipped to your home?
      I would contact Apple Sales to inquire about the charges.
    • Report Post
  • rowong
    • I called Apple on Tuesday. They said the non-UPS broker was them. So they said to call them if it didn't come yesterday. I'm going to call them tonight after work as the UPS status hasn't changed. Apple status now says pending or something to that effect. I'd give them a call. They said they may need to dispatch another if it wasn't sent yesterday. When did you order?
      Thanks for the reply, I placed my order very recently, just over the weekend on Saturday. I will give them a call and see what their update might be. BTW, did you get charged with the giftcard value by any chance?
    • Report Post
  • CodeBlack
    • Same thing here, pending release from non-UPS broker, did you get an update on yours since?
      I called Apple on Tuesday. They said the non-UPS broker was them. So they said to call them if it didn't come yesterday. I'm going to call them tonight after work as the UPS status hasn't changed. Apple status now says pending or something to that effect. I'd give them a call. They said they may need to dispatch another if it wasn't sent yesterday. When did you order?
    • Report Post
  • rowong
    • How were you guys charged? A $210 charge just appeared on my credit card, assuming it’s for the gift card?
      you are correct... i wonder why, i see 3 charges, $210 charge, and then the macbook charge and then the taxes charge. anyone else can shed any light?
    • Report Post
  • rowong
    • Is anyone else's MBA shipping from China and "stuck with non-UPS broker"?
      Same thing here, pending release from non-UPS broker, did you get an update on yours since?
    • Report Post
  • Goonish
    • How were you guys charged? A $210 charge just appeared on my credit card, assuming it’s for the gift card?
    • Report Post
  • Dhanushan
  • milhaus
    • Bought a pro at the last min… you snooze you loose, see you all next year.
      this deal’s been on for three months. If you missed it, you must’ve been asleep for a long time! 😜
    • Report Post
  • Ggddd8
    • Bought a pro at the last min… you snooze you loose, see you all next year.
    • Report Post
  • CodeBlack
    • Is anyone else's MBA shipping from China and "stuck with non-UPS broker"?
    • Report Post
  • andre83
    • Okay for the iPad gift card, should I use it towards AppleCare+? Or an apple pencil? Is the AppleCare+ reliable? Do they actually fix or try to push you away
      I used the gift card to cover most of the cost of the Apple Pencil (2nd generation). Having the pencil opens up a lot of possibilities, especially if you are into art or note taking. I decided against AppleCare+ because unlike a phone, and iPad is likely to remain at home, in a backpack, or in the car and not out and about on the street so far less likely to drop it and need to repair. Plus if you buy with a credit card that offers mobile device insurance, it's a very similar coverage and most of those plans cover tablets too.
    • Report Post
  • SaltyPlans
    • Okay for the iPad gift card, should I use it towards AppleCare+? Or an apple pencil? Is the AppleCare+ reliable? Do they actually fix or try to push you away
    • Report Post
  • Jlmcneil
    • Don’t actually have to pair with SDM given a lot of places also have deals on gift cards. It just depends if you collect points or prefer instant discount/other store gift cards/air miles.
      I haven’t come across an instant cash discount on an Apple Giftcard in my area. Pair it with whatever works. SDM works so well since there’s always additional promos to spend the points on.
    • Report Post
  • KennyX
    • Mbp with m2 pro coming oct?
      Announcement is rumored for later in October. This is the reason I'm probably going to wait. Education pricing is available year round.

      I typically keep the computer for as long as possible (still using my 2012 macbook pro), and I would hate to purchase the MBP14 now only for a newer version (even if it's a bit more expensive) to come out soon. If the $210 promotion could be used against the purchase price, it might have swayed me to buy now, but I really have no need for the gift card, since there's nothing else from apple I want to buy
    • Report Post
  • MattC1
    • @Paigne Do you know if there a way to exchange my MacBook for another one but with a different configuration? I assume if I return it and buy another one then I will have purchased another $210 GC and have $420 (2x $210) in gifts cards despite only purchasing one MacBook via this deal.
      I believe there are reports earlier in the thread that it was possible to have the gift card refunded if you haven’t used it yet. Use another email if you’re purchasing online so you don’t have to worry about not qualifying for another MacBook.
    • Report Post
  • MrMom
    • I think it may be too late to return AND qualify for another gift card. I thought others have said in this thread that it takes 24 hours (some said much longer in their experience) after a return to qualify for another gift card with purchase. In this case 24 hours puts you past the promotion.
      Maybe it's a YMMV, but I qualified immediately. Everything transpired as I posted. A supervisor did help the CSR along parts of the process. If anything, the supervisor could have stopped me from being eligible for the GC if there was some rule, but he did not.
    • Report Post
  • Benetton
    • Is it worth waiting for Ipad pro 12.9 inch M2 2022 model or just buy the M1 ipad pro 2021 model with the back to school offer?
    • Report Post
  • ChicoQuente
    • Assuming you and the devices qualify;

      1 - The original purchased devise is returned and you will lose the GC. The credit will reflect this. Not going through all the possible permutations.
      2 - You then make a new qualifying purchase to receive a new GC
      ... => Two separate transactions and maybe important for the yearly student discount eligibility.

      3- As today is the last day, Apple stores maybe very busy and may only accept in store returns, but may not sell you a new device today unless you have reserved a shopping time online. That is a real risk, but I got lucky one day. The CSR was 4 deep with clients on a Monday at Fairview Mall (Toronto.)
      4 - How to know which store has your desired device in inventory, see Sep 23rd, 2022 11:07 am "Apple Event — September 7 -- iPhone 14, iOS 16 and more"
      I think it may be too late to return AND qualify for another gift card. I thought others have said in this thread that it takes 24 hours (some said much longer in their experience) after a return to qualify for another gift card with purchase. In this case 24 hours puts you past the promotion.
    • Report Post
  • MrMom
    • @Paigne Do you know if there a way to exchange my MacBook for another one but with a different configuration? I assume if I return it and buy another one then I will have purchased another $210 GC and have $420 (2x $210) in gifts cards despite only purchasing one MacBook via this deal.
      You have to contact them to see. My guess is they could do an exchange for you and either you pay the difference or they refund you the difference. Never did an exchange before with Apple store though so I don’t know if they do exchanges.
      Assuming you and the devices qualify;

      1 - The original purchased devise is returned and you will lose the GC. The credit will reflect this. Not going through all the possible permutations.
      2 - You then make a new qualifying purchase to receive a new GC
      ... => Two separate transactions and maybe important for the yearly student discount eligibility.

      3- As today is the last day, Apple stores maybe very busy and may only accept in store returns, but may not sell you a new device today unless you have reserved a shopping time online. That is a real risk, but I got lucky one day. The CSR was 4 deep with clients on a Monday at Fairview Mall (Toronto.)
      4 - How to know which store has your desired device in inventory, see Sep 23rd, 2022 11:07 am "Apple Event — September 7 -- iPhone 14, iOS 16 and more"
    • Report Post
  • Paigne
    • Back to school is historically the best promo you can get. Paired with a Shoppers pc optimum offer on giftcards it’s even better (some will argue about forgoing that 2 year credit card warranty but that’s subjective). Black Friday/Boxing day is normally just a gift card for a much lower amount.
      Don’t actually have to pair with SDM given a lot of places also have deals on gift cards. It just depends if you collect points or prefer instant discount/other store gift cards/air miles.
    • Report Post
  • Benetton
    • It’s gonna end on September 26 11:59pm. So, still 1 day left to use the back to school offer.
    • Report Post
  • eeto
    • Dumb question - expires Sept. 26. Is that tonight (Sunday) at midnight, or tomorrow night? I.e. is it ~5 hours to go or ~29 hours? Hoping for an aeroplane or air miles increase tomorrow....
      Look for this answer too. Terms didn't mention the exact time.
    • Report Post
  • c3uo
    • Dumb question - expires Sept. 26. Is that tonight (Sunday) at midnight, or tomorrow night? I.e. is it ~5 hours to go or ~29 hours? Hoping for an aeroplane or air miles increase tomorrow....
    • Report Post

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