Redeeming Apple and Google Play enabled Perks

Perks that use an Apple gift card

For some Perks, we make these available to you using Apple gift cards. These include:

  • Apple Subscriptions, such as: Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple iCloud+, and so on.

  • Apple One Off Perks. These are Apple and Apple App Store.

  • Apple (credit)-enabled Subscriptions. These are Perks that are available to purchase as app subscriptions from the Apple App Store, such as: ChatGPT, MyFitnessPal, The Guardian, and so on.

    • In most cases, this will also cover the "web version" of the Perk also. For example, if you pay for ChatGPT Plus using your Apple credit (by downloading and installing the ChatGPT app on your iPhone and purchasing ChatGPT Plus from there), you will also be able to use ChatGPT Plus on the web.

    • Every one of these Perks has an alternative Google Play Store counterpart, which you should choose instead if you are an Android user.

For additional information on what you can purchase use your Apple gift card or Apple Account balance, please see here.

How to use an Apple gift card to redeem your Perk

  1. Redeem the Apple gift card:

  • Open the App Store on iPhone or iPad.

  • Tap your profile picture (top right).

  • Tap “Redeem Gift Card or Code”.

  • Enter the code. The balance is now added to your Apple ID account.

  • For reference, please see the instructions provided by Apple here.

  1. Check that your Apple ID balance is visible:

  • In the App Store → tap profile → the Apple ID balance should now show under your name.

  • This balance is what Apple uses first for app purchases and subscriptions.

  1. Start or renew your subscription:

  • Go to the app (e.g., ChatGPT) → select the subscription (e.g., Plus plan).

  • Confirm with Face ID / Touch ID.

  1. How payment is applied:

  • Apple will always use Apple ID balance first.

  • If your balance covers the full subscription cost, no card is charged.

  • If your balance is not enough, Apple will charge the remaining amount to your backup payment method.

  1. Tip for making sure only gift card credit is used:

  • Make sure your Apple ID balance is greater than or equal to the subscription price (e.g., £19.99/month for ChatGPT Plus). Provided that you have followed the redemption instructions correctly, this should always be the case.

  • When you're approaching the end of your Pot, we will reach out to you again about what you would like next for your Pot and deposit. So, you will be reminded ahead of time.

  • If you don’t want Apple to ever charge your card, you can temporarily remove your payment method from Apple ID settings, so subscriptions only succeed if covered by gift card credit.

Perks that use a Google Play gift card

For some Perks, we make these available to you using Google Play gift cards. These include:

  • Google and Google-affiliated Subscriptions, such as: Google One, YouTube Premium, and YouTube Music.

  • Google One Off Perks: This is only Google Play Store currently.

  • Google Play (credit)-enabled Subscriptions. These are Perks that are available to purchase as app subscriptions from the Google Play Store, such as: ChatGPT, MyFitnessPal, The Guardian, and so on.

    • In most cases, this will also cover the "web version" of the Perk also. For example, if you pay for ChatGPT Plus using your Apple credit (by downloading and installing the ChatGPT app on your iPhone and purchasing ChatGPT Plus from there), you will also be able to use ChatGPT Plus on the web.

    • Every one of these Perks has an alternative Apple App Store counterpart, which you should choose instead if you are an iPhone user.

How to use a Google Play gift card to redeem your Perk

For Google Play gift cards, you have two options: you can redeem your Google Play gift card via the Google Play Store, or you can redeem directly in the checkout of your chosen Perk.

Option 1A: Redeem your Google Play gift card via the Google Play Store on your Android device

For reference, please see instructions provided by Google here.

  1. Open the Google Play app Google Play.

  2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.

  3. Tap Payments and subscriptions and then Redeem gift code.

  4. Enter the code.

  5. Tap Redeem.

  6. Download and install the app for your subscription (for which you have a Perk for).

  7. In the app, find the type of subscription that your code applies to (make sure the subscription price matches your Perk Value).

  8. When the Google Play payment window appears, make sure that you are paying using your Google Play credit.

    1. If Google Play balance is not already selected, tap the right arrow buttonand then.

    2. Select Google Play balance as your payment method.

    3. Proceed with the payment once selected.

  9. Follow the in-app steps to complete your purchase and enjoy your Perk!

Option 1B: Redeem your Google Play gift card via the Google Play Store on the web

For reference, please see instructions provided by Google here.

  1. On your computer, go to play.google.com/redeem.

  2. Enter your code.

  3. Click Redeem.

  4. Review the account that will receive the balance that you redeem.

  5. Click Confirm.

  6. On your Android device, download and install the app for your subscription (for which you have a Perk for).

  7. In the app, find the type of subscription that your code applies to (make sure the subscription price matches your Perk Value).

  8. When the Google Play payment window appears, make sure that you are paying using your Google Play credit.

    1. If Google Play balance is not already selected, tap the right arrow buttonand then.

    2. Select Google Play balance as your payment method.

    3. Proceed with the payment once selected.

  9. Follow the in-app steps to complete your purchase and enjoy your Perk!

Option 2: Redeem your Google Play gift card in the checkout of your chosen Perk

For reference, we have taken screenshots of an example journey of redeeming your Perk here to help assist you in the process.

  1. On your Android device, download and install the app for your subscription (for which you have a Perk for).

  2. In the app, find the type of subscription that your code applies to (make sure the subscription price matches your Perk Value).

  3. When the Google Play payment window appears, make sure that you are paying using your Google Play credit.

    1. If Google Play balance is not already selected, tap the right arrow buttonand then.

    2. At the bottom, tap Redeem code.

    3. Enter or scan the gift card code.

    4. When the Confirm account prompt appears, tap Confirm.

    5. You should receive a success message saying the credit has been applied to your account. Tap OK.

    6. You should now be returned to the Google Play payment window, this time with the Google Play balance selected as the payment method. Tap Subscribe.

    7. Once Once the payment has successfully processed, you will be prompted with a message asking if you would like to add a backup payment method. If you would like your Perk to be only paid for by your gift card, select No, thanks otherwise select Add and follow the steps.

  4. Congratulations, you should have now successfully redeemed your Perk. Enjoy!

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