Many American Express cards come with shopping protections that safeguard your purchases and your investment. The coverage terms and limits differ among cards. To simplify things, we’ll outline the various shopping protections provided by American Express.
This guide presents an extensive overview of the shopping protections available within the American Express portfolio, detailing each type of coverage and the cards that offer it, along with coverage limits.
Cellphone Protection
Smartphones can be expensive, and cellphone protection covers theft or damage to your device. However, keep in mind that cosmetic damage and lost phones (including during shipping) are generally not covered.
All American Express cards with this benefit provide the same level of protection. In the event of theft or damage, American Express’s maximum liability per claim is $800, with a deductible of $50. Each eligible account can submit a maximum of two claims in a 12-month period. Covered devices must be listed on a mobile phone plan that’s paid with the eligible card within the most recent billing cycle.*
The following cards include this protection:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
**The card details on this page have been collected independently by The Points Guy and have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Extended Warranty
By using your eligible card to purchase items with a manufacturer’s warranty, you can extend that warranty by up to an additional year, applicable to warranties of five years or less. Note that certain items, such as motor vehicles, are not covered.
All Amex cards with this benefit offer the same coverage level, with a limit up to the amount charged for the item, capped at $10,000. There’s also an annual limit of $50,000 per cardholder account.*
The following cards provide this protection:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for further details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**The card details on this page have been collected independently by The Points Guy and have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Return Protection
Struggling to return an item? With return protection, you can return eligible purchases to American Express within 90 days from the purchase date.
With this protection, American Express may refund the full purchase price (excluding shipping) for items up to $300 each, with a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card account. To qualify, you must have made the full payment using your eligible American Express card, and purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.*
The following cards offer return protection when used for purchases:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for full details.
**The card details on this page have been collected independently by The Points Guy and have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Purchase Protection
While return protection assists with returning items, purchase protection covers items you wish to keep that may have been accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost within 90 days from the purchase date. This benefit is automatically included with your card and does not require registration.
This benefit has two levels of coverage, depending on your card type.
Level 1: High-End Cards
These cards offer coverage up to $10,000 per claim and a total of $50,000 per cardmember account each calendar year.* Here are the cards with this benefit:
Level 2: Mid-Tier Cards
Other American Express cards provide purchase protection with a limit of up to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar year.* The following cards include this protection:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For additional details, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy, with details not reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom Line
Understanding the shopping and purchasing benefits of your card can help you navigate situations when issues arise. American Express offers a variety of shopping protections, safeguarding items you’re keeping and those you wish to return.
Coverage limits can differ based on your card, so check your card’s specific benefits at americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for complete information.
Related: How an often overlooked credit card benefit put $1,400 back in my wallet
