Apple is rolling out a new incentive for its Apple Card. Customers who sign up for the credit card inside an Apple Store will receive a $249 cash‑back rebate when they buy the latest AirPods Pro 3. Because the earbuds retail for exactly $249, the rebate effectively makes them free.

The move comes as Apple tries to deepen wallet share after the 2019 launch of the Apple Card, a partnership with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard that lives on the iPhone and rewards every purchase with cash back. By tying a high‑margin accessory to the card, the company hopes to drive foot traffic to its retail locations and increase usage of its fintech product.

For consumers, the offer removes the price barrier on Apple’s most advanced true‑noise‑cancelling earbuds, which feature improved drivers and adaptive EQ. Retail‑only availability also nudges shoppers toward in‑person experiences, where Apple can showcase the device’s spatial audio capabilities. The promotion underscores Apple’s willingness to blend hardware incentives with financial services to lock customers into its ecosystem.

Competitors such as Samsung and Google have long bundled accessories with financing deals, but few have matched Apple’s cash‑back model. Analysts see the strategy as an attempt to boost card activation rates, which have lagged behind iPhone sales. If the promotion drives enough new accounts, the cash‑back expense could be offset by increased transaction volume across Apple’s services.