I don't know if this is a flub result or if it is the way it is supposed to work: my Applecare+ covered iPhones purchased from direct Apple retail channels in the US and replaced at Apple stores in Europe (after making and showing up for appointments to turn them in for accidental damage, inclusive of water damage) were replaced free of charge within the applecare+ coverage period. I noticed this because I was expecting to see expenses of at least $79+tax for in-store replacements (in Europe too), but those charges didn't hit.

I did ask about it and the staff was insistent that this was the way it was supposed to go when I do this with US phones in Europe and Europeans do this with European phones in the US.

It made AppleCare+ look like an even better "investment" than expected. If this isn't a flub, hopefully this can work to save others money too.