Re: "MacBook Air Education Offer : I'm aware that the MacBook Air comes with a free pair of AirPods Pro.
Please can you tell me if it's possible or allowed, to get a pair of AirPods Max instead then pay the difference? "
Sorry I don't know for sure, one way or the other.
Seems you would still need to check with Apple in your country or region, anyway.
We are all Apple users, like yourself, in the community, so no-one here can guess what Apple and its employees may say or do at the time of purchase, in any particular instance.
Apple's "Shopping help" has info on Education Purchases:
Payment, Financing, Refunds and VAT - Shopping Help - Apple
Eg: (if you scroll down) says:
"If you live in the U.S., visit the U.S. Apple Store for Education to place your order for reduced prices on the full range of Mac computers, plus select third-party products. Please note that only orders placed on your country’s or region’s Apple Education site are eligible for the special education pricing."
See if you can speak about your AirPods plan with a "shopping specialist" when placing your order.
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If all else fails: You may (or may not) be able to negotiate an exchange of the free airpods in their original packaging in an Apple store near you, after the online "Education" purchase is completed. (Or maybe you can arrange to pick-up your education order there, and do a "swap" on the spot ? You would need to check everthing out with the store beforehand.
There is some info on exchanging an item if you scroll down : Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple
(NB: I don't know if / how this applies to "free" items.)
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AirPods Support website: AirPods Support - Official Apple Support
Apple Support website: Official Apple Support
