How to claim the $100 free credit in Apple search ads?

When I signed up, I had received an email from searchads@apple.comwhich contained a promo code and said:

A valid payment method is required to activate your promo code.*

Apply credit in the promo code field in Settings on the Payment info page.

*This Search Ads Launch Promo Code expires on December 31, 2016 at 11:59:59 UTC. This is a promotional code and is not for resale, has no cash value, and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. This Search Ads Launch Promo Code is only redeemable for credit that may be applied to the purchase of Search Ads products and services, as made available by Apple on the U.S. App Store. Requires a Search Ads account. Redemption and use of this Search Ads Launch Promo Code is subject to the Search Ads Launch Promo Program Terms available at apple.com/promo.

Note: the expiry date was extended and is now the end of this month if memory serves me correctly, so I wouldn't hang about too long setting this up!

Thanks very much. But i didn't receive the email for promo code... 😢

I didn't get an email containing the promo code either after creating the ad campaign, and I'm unable to add payment info (it gives me an error code).

An error code when adding a card tends to be because you're using a debit card rather than a credit card (which they require).

I think the reason is that a credit card guarantees Apple will get paid, whereas the likes of a debit card does not if you don't have funds in your account when Apple tries to put the transaction through. So for them, a credit card guarantees payment, a debit card does not. It's a bit of a pain, they accepted my debit card back in October, but now I have a renewal card through and they're refusing it. 😟

The message I get is:

Error saving credit card information. Try again later. (Error: 1489306828067)

which you'll agree is about as useless as anything else that doesn't state what the actual problem is. Note I've tried "again later" many times over many days and it's done no good. A better error message would be useful here and get rid of any confusion. I just have to bite the bullet and get a proper credit card, or use my personal one.

On top of that, I think there is a list of countries where they will not accept a payment card no matter what. That's somehere in the docs if I remember correctly. That could also be a reason why some of you aren't getting promo code emails - if you're in one of these countries, they aren't sending them out as you aren't going to be successful setting up an account (without an overseas bank account presumably).