AOL iTunes Login Issue AGAIN?!

Question

As with many other people, I have experienced a problem over the years (since 2006ish) where iTunes won't recognize my AOL login information -- and yes, my screen name and password are both absolutely correct. I can even log in to AOL directly to get my e-mail and use AOL IM. When I punch in my AOL login info, iTunes keeps insisting that my AOL password is incorrect and advises in the error prompt to call AOL at some 800-number to change my password. I wish that this problem were fixable by changing one's password and/or calling AOL -- many of us have tried in the past, and it's a futile attempt.
Over the years, it has been established that it's definitely an issue from Apple's end, not AOL's.
As of last night, I'm having this same problem again. In the past two days, the problem seems to happen sporadically -- sometimes I can login briefly, but I can't login most of the time. This afternoon, I checked the forums to see if anyone else was experiencing this issue again, but I didn't see any recent complaints. However, I did look back in the forums at posts from previous years, and I've tried many of the old fixes that previously solved my issue -- making sure my iTunes is updated, trying to completely sign out, shutting down my computer, etc. I recall some kind of solution that involved updating one's credit card info of sorts -- but I couldn't find the precise instructions for that in the forums (if anyone has this info, please post below so I can try it). I'm really, REALLY frustrated to see this issue occurring again with iTunes, and I can't fathom why on earth logging into iTunes through my AOL account continues to be an issue after so many years.
Is anyone else having this problem right now (or recently)? If so, any ideas for a fix this time around? I have not e-mailed Apple yet, but I'm hoping maybe someone else here has done so already since it often takes a very long time to hear back from them. If you have heard from Apple, what have they advised?
Also, if you could post a direct Apple e-mail address for me to "complain" to and get tech help for this sort of issue, that would be really helpful since I could not find it.
I use iTunes for both work and play, and I really have things that I need to access and/or download. Sigh, not fair to paying customers to have this problem happen so many times over the years. There should be a compensation clause in the TOS that makes Apple give something like $50 or more (either cash/credit, fee based upon amount of pain/suffering, missed work deadlines, missing relaxation time, etc.) for each day one's account is not working due to issues caused by Apple -- I can dream, can't I, lol?!?!
Let's hope this issue resolves itself ASAP!! Thanks to all who post/reply below in advance -- I really appreciate your help/comments!
Marsha
P.S. If need be, I would be happy to attach my iTunes screenshots that show the problem . . . but anyone who has used AOL to sign into iTunes will likely know exactly what I'm talking about without seeing screenshots!

Answer 1

I'm sorry to hear you're having the same problem, Dolphin -- but at least I'm not crazy!
The last few times this happened from 2006-2010, there were dozens of posts here in the forums with other AOL users trying to help each other come to a solution -- and unfortunately, there was never one solid fix. Since nobody posted with complaints about this problem recently, I went digging through the old suggested fixes (some of which cleared up the issue in the past), but they have not worked. I thought maybe the problem may be with my iTunes on my laptop, so today I tried to login using my iPad and iPhone . . . same issue. It's definitely my iTunes account. I can still get into my AOL e-mail account without a problem. I'm SO frustrated.
I'm not sure what purpose you use iTunes for, but you're amazing if you're able to patiently wait for the problem to resolve itself -- apparently I'm not as patient as I thought, lol!!! To name a few examples, I use iTunes various services (including podcasts, apps, iTunes U, music, TV documentaries, etc.) for personal recreation, professional development, and for medical information, etc. If it were just for myself, I'd try to wait a bit longer . . . but when it's for professional endeavors, waiting isn't a feasible option!
Dolphin, if you happen to find a resolution, please post here again -- I'd really appreciate it! Do you happen to have a direct e-mail address to get technical support from Apple for this type of problem? I was looking on their support website, but I could not find an e-mail address other than one for questions about purchases. They rarely look at this community support website, so it's unlikely that they'll see this thread I made. However, if I can get an e-mail address, then I'd be able to send them the link to this thread I created that describes the issue. If you e-mail Apple, you can also send them the link to this page if it will be helpful to you since I described the nature of the problem.
Thanks SO much for posting!
xoxoxoxox
Apple,
What really upsets me the most, aside from not being able to get work done as I described above, is all of the deals and promotions I have missed out on (and will still miss until this problem gets resolved) in the time I haven't been able to use iTunes. Not to sound like a sob story, but I think Apple needs to understand how their repeated technical issues with this AOL login thing happening so many times since 2006 impacts people's lives. I have a permanent disability and medical issues from an accident I had back in 2003. I have no income (I got hand-me-down iDevices from great friends when they upgraded), and I can't easily get out of my home to have a good time -- so I truly rely on finding freebies and deals on iTunes to sustain my recreational fun (I even use some apps as part of my physical/cognitive therapy regimen!), and I'm very thankful when Apple and others make special offers so I can have my fun! I missed out on getting a whole bunch of apps I wanted while they were free -- there was, perhaps, $30-$35 worth of apps that I could have had through FreeAppADay.com, free promotions from individual developers, and through other free app promoters like OpenFeint, etc. Plus, I also missed other free promotions for songs, music videos, TV shows, etc. that Apple, musicians, music festivals (ie: Lollapalooza, etc.), and companies offer by giving redemption codes and/or can be downloaded without a code (if featured by Apple directly) -- I also estimate maybe $40 bucks worth of stuff I missed out on because the offers have already expired. So I've already lost out on roughly $75 worth of stuff, plus more for every other deal I'll miss until Apple can fix this problem. I never ask for anything, but it would be a really nice gesture and appropriate if Apple gave me a gift card to cover the cost of the $75 I've missed (plus a bit more $ for each additional day until they resolve my issue) . . . but alas, I'm dreaming cause I doubt they could do this in reality.
So please, Apple, come to my rescue! I need to access my downloaded stuff on my laptop, and I need to download a heap of media from iTunes on a daily basis for my volunteer work, personal education, for fun, for my medical condition -- and SO much more! I do make purchases on iTunes and from the Apple Store when I get money gifts from friends for birthdays and such, so I am a paying customer like any other person. Please Apple, help me . . . and anyone else with this problem. Find a fix ASAP . . . but please work on a permanent solution so this problem never happens to anyone else using an AOL login. It's aggravating, inconvenient, and you'll lose customers this way. I love iTunes and my iDevices, and I want to be able to use and enjoy them.
I'm sorry if I'm ranting a bit, but I'm upset/frustrated and want you to understand how this can affect me and others experiencing this problem.
Please contact me at my AOL e-mail address if I can give you any information that will help you help me, and thanks for your help in this matter!
xoxoxoxox