Apple unveils a streamlined gift card for physical and online purchases

Apple has launched a new gift card that combines its previously separate cards. Currently, the Gift Cards is available only in the U.S., though it's set to reach other countries in the future.

Apple has quietly streamlined its gift cards into a single token that's simply called Gift Cards. The new gift card allows consumers in the U.S. to use it on the App Store for app purchases or IAPs, subscriptions, digital purchases, physical products, and items from the Apple Store or website.

Prior to this change, making a purchase using an Apple gift card was a little complicated since there were two separate cards. An iTunes card was to be used toward purchases on the App Store, iTunes Store, or iCloud storage. Meanwhile, an Apple Store card could be used for hardware purchases from Apple's brick-and-mortar or online stores.

Customers can purchase gift cards from their Apple account balance, which is valid for products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and ‌iCloud. Users can continue to use their existing Apple Store card and the App Store and iTunes cards as methods of payment towards new purchases. In addition, the latter can now also be used for purchases made at any Apple Store.

The new card has a fresh look as well, with eight different designs based on Apple's logo if you order through email. Opting for the physical version leaves you with only five designs. For now, the new gift card is only available in the United States but Apple should expand its availability to other markets soon as well.

Source: Apple via iCulture