Apple’s newly launched Apple Card promotion promising a free pair of AirPods Pro 3 has officially gone live, but the actual terms behind the deal are far more restrictive than early reports suggested.

Earlier leaks implied that new Apple Card customers would simply receive the premium earbuds at no cost after signing up. However, the final version of the promotion requires users to go through several steps over an extended period before the full value is returned.

To qualify, customers must be first-time Apple Card users and complete their application before June 15. After approval, they also need to purchase the AirPods Pro 3 directly from Apple https://www.apple.com

Instead of receiving an instant rebate or discount, Apple will refund the purchase gradually through monthly cashback rewards. Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible users can earn $25 in cashback each month until April 30, 2027, eventually recovering the full $250 cost of the earbuds after ten months.

The biggest catch is the activity requirement attached to the cashback. Users must complete at least ten purchases every month using their Apple Card in order to unlock the $25 reward. While Apple does allow transactions of any size — even as little as one cent — the condition means customers will need to complete a minimum of 100 separate transactions over the ten-month period to fully benefit from the offer.

In practice, the promotion does technically make the AirPods Pro 3 free, but only for customers willing to consistently use the card for nearly a year. The delayed reimbursement structure also means buyers must pay the full upfront price and wait until the end of April next year to recover the entire amount.

For users already planning to actively use the Apple Card, the promotion may still be worthwhile. However, those expecting a simple instant giveaway may find the final terms far less appealing than the original rumors suggested. The offer is currently limited to customers in the United States.