I have a number of American Express credit cards and perhaps one of the biggest perks they bring is something that I just recently discovered: the American Express Purchase Protection plan. The plan, (rather unbelievably) has the following benefits:
1. Embedded Protection – You can use your Card and Purchase Protection protects eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
2. Worldwide Coverage – Coverage includes eligible purchases made worldwide with the Card, including gifts purchased for others. I would imagine this would cover gift packages that didn’t make it to those you sent to (but don’t quote me on that).
3. Shop Worry Free – Purchase Protection repairs, replaces or reimburses you for up to the amount charged to the Card (not to exceed the original purchase price). Coverage is limited to up to $1,000 per Occurrence, up to $50,000 per Cardmember account per policy year, and is in EXCESS of other sources of indemnity.
We’ve all tried returning something that we damaged or after a retailer’s 30 day return policy expired and been turned away feeling dejected. On my way to work the other day, I was listening to a local radio station and a caller was talking about a time that she was arrested because Kohl’s wouldn’t take back her shoe, which suffered a broken heel – and she came back in swapped it for a new one (on her own). Funny – and tragically sad all at the same time, haha.
I just think that it’s refreshing and gives a little peace of mind that American Express is willing to pay up to $1,000 for something that gets stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase. That’s an awesome benefit to have.
I have to admit that I’m really impressed with the benefits that American Express offers. They continually offer perks that set them apart from their credit card competitors. And every time I’ve called them they’ve always been pleasant and helpful on the phone. The credit card industry gets a bad rap, and for good reason a lot of time. But I have no shame in promoting a company that is ethical and helpful towards its customers.
Credit Card Benefits Discussion:
- What is the best perk your credit card provides?
- What is the most unusual perk your card offers?
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Cool tip… That international protection is a sweet benefit for when I travel. I wonder how they can protect purchases from third world countries.
Jason
I broke my iPhone screen on day 88 of the 90 days, and American Express refunded the purchase price because I used my Blue Cash card. It’s a great feature.
@ Frank – wow, that’s awesome! (well, not that it broke…. ah, you know what I mean).
Does AE actually have a list of retailers that accept it worldwide?
Couldn’t agree more! My parents started using AmEx and they told me to sign up and now I love it! They are by far the front runners in terms of credit card perks and bonuses for customers!
Purchase protection is nice, but when my car stereo got stolen the day I bought it, AmEx didn’t cover it because it was “installed” in the vehicle or something. So, caveat emptor.
I was only 2 weeks into the 90 day protection plan when I dropped my camera. The lens broke off and I filed the claim with AmEx. I have been having a difficult time getting the claim processed. I will continue to be patient and keep my fingers crossed that the lens is replaced. But it is definitely not as simple as they make it appear.
Unfortunately, your article misrepresents part of the program.
AmEx won’t pay you up to $1000 per item – it’s $1000 per year, $300 per item.
The lady who broke her shoe? Even if she had bought it with AmEx, she’s still out of luck because AmEx will only take the item back if it’s undamaged and unworn.
You can read their policy terms here: https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/benefits/includes/pdf/returnProtection2003.pdf
It makes you wonder just what exactly you *can* return to them.
To me, the only reason I still have my AmEx card is that their customer service people are great. On the times when my card has had fraudulent charges on it, they’ve been great about taking care of the problem (as opposed to Etrade, who ran us through the wringer).
Robbie
@ Robbie – you are referring to ‘return protection’, which is not the same as ‘purchase protection’. They are two separate programs. Coverage is limited to up to $1,000 per Occurrence, up to $50,000 per Cardmember account per policy year, and is in EXCESS of other sources of indemnity. https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/dom/us/en/phaseib/purchaseprotection_shareddetailsall.do?vgnextoid=fc1a4959f3156010VgnVCM100000cef4ad94RCRD&vgnextchannel=e2cb0db3915e7010VgnVCM10000084b3ad94RCRD&name=purchaseprotection_shareddetailsall&type=intbenefitdetail
Do not use AMEX with the idea that you have protection if something goes wrong. The technical rules they apply almost guarantee you will be disappointed when filing a claim. I have had experience with extended warranty and buyer protection. The extended warranty is not extended at all but more like an additional period. If your item breaks during the last week of the original period and you file a claim with Amex the next week, the first week AMEX should be responsible, they won’t pay because it occurred during the manufacturers warranty period. Yet the manufacturer won’t cover because you have passed the original warranty period. On buyer protection max of $300 per incident covers only certain items and the item must be in perfectly new condition for the return. Way too much trouble to be worth anything.
They also have an extended warranty that will add up to a year to any manufacturer’s warranty (doubles the warranty up to 1 year for coverage up to 5 years, e.g. 5+1=6). Joy!
Catch 22.. With Amex it is all in the fine print maybe. I purchased an item for my son that had a 1 year warranty. The item broke not long before the original warranty period was up. I did not know about this in time to file with the manufacturer so I filed with Amex on the extended warranty. Amex ask when the item broke. I told them sometime in the previous month. Amex said the item would not be covered because the item broke during the original warranty period. Apparently the fine print reads “AMEX WILL COVER FOR THE ADDITIONAL PERIOD ONLY IF THE ITEM BREAKS DURING THE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY PERIOD”. I was in a CATCH 22 fix because the manufacturer said I was past the warranty period and Amex said it did not break during their period of responsibility. I am appalled that Amex would screw a very GOOD customer with a technicality like this. This is the only warranty claim filed with AMEX in 30 years.
Gotta love that Amex. Recently got the Platinum card which at 450.00 sounds like a lot, but..you get admission to the American, Delta, and US Air Airport clubs and 200.00/year reimbursement for miscellaneous charges that the airlines hit you with like baggage fees, food, drinks, change fees, etc. They’ll also pay the 100.00 application fee to the special Global Entry trusted traveler program which expedites you when you re-enter the country. that’s in addition to all the other perks like purchase protection. It’s a no brainer for anyone who travels.
I had dropped my iphone in water,it stopped working. I just had to call Amex, and they refunded the amount back to me in about 5 hours! Unbelievable…
I am now an Amex fan for life!
At PK:
You told them exactly that? “I dropped it in water.”? Or, “It fell in the toilet accidentally.”?
Either way, they are amazing.
My girlfriend lost a watch that i got her for her bday that cost 2k while out to dinner, a link must’ve came loose and she did not notice that the watch fell. The restaurant did not have any one turn in the watch… not sure what to tell AMEX before i call to see if it an incidence like this is even covered.
Yep! Awesome! Bought a trampoline for my kid the other day- long story short it flipped and bent the poles… 7 days later I had a credit on my account for $271 . Way to go Amex!
I had two claims experience with Amex. The first was a broken steamer which stopped working after the 1-month warranty…clearly quality issue. Amex expensed the purchase price the next day!!
Second was I lost my camera (just a 100+ dollar cheap one) in dog park on day 85 of 90 after purchase. They refunded the full amount after 1.5 days.
Amex insurance rocks!!
I don’t know why everyone has been having so many issues! I love AMEX purchase protection!
Bought an iPad mini with my amex and three weeks later my daughter dropped it and cracked the screen.
Called AMEX to report the damage- $300+ dollars was refunded to my card the very next day.
Amazing service and benefit of the card.
Oh, AND they didn’t even make me send it to them. I sold it on craigslist for $100 and upgraded my memory for free :)
AMEX won’t cover physical damage to an Apple product under the extended warranty program. It’s a mistake to read these articles and think AMEX might be a replacement for AppleCare. I cracked my iPad screen while under the AMEX warranty. My claim was denied because Apple’s warranty doesn’t cover physical damage so AMEX’s extension doesn’t either.