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US credit card benefits, checked against the issuers

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Credit cards with return protection

Return protection refunds an eligible item when you try to return it within 90 days of purchase and the store will not take it back ⁠1⁠2⁠3⁠4. Five of the 45 cards we cover list it: the Blue Cash Preferred and Platinum Card from American Express, the Bank of America Premium Rewards, Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve ⁠5⁠4⁠3⁠6.

Compiled from official sources 5 cards from 4 issuers Last reviewed How we research
Contents6 sections

How a return claim works

The benefit starts where the store's policy ends. American Express requires that the merchant has denied an attempted return, and does not refund items from merchants whose own return or satisfaction guarantee is at least as generous and covers the claim ⁠1. Capital One says the benefit covers you when the store will not allow a refund, exchange or credit, and may ask for proof of the store's return policy if you file within 30 days of purchase ⁠3.

Payment rules differ. American Express and Chase require the entire cost to be charged to the card, with Chase also accepting the card's redeemable rewards ⁠1⁠2. Chase calls the benefit secondary and payable in excess of any other avenue of recovery, and Capital One calls it supplemental to and in excess of any valid and collectible avenue of recovery ⁠2⁠3.

The item itself usually goes back. Chase and Capital One may require you to ship it with its original packaging, at your expense, in like-new or good working condition ⁠2⁠3. American Express may ask for the item within 30 days and reimburses that shipping cost ⁠1. Bank of America says items must reach the Benefit Administrator in like-new or good working condition ⁠4.

Items the programs refuse

The lists are long and specific. American Express excludes, among others, jewelry, watches, formal wear, computer software, books, tickets, seasonal items, custom-built items, going-out-of-business sale items, and used or altered items, and it requires the item to be in its original purchase condition and in working order ⁠1. Chase and Capital One exclude damaged or non-working items, formal attire, jewelry, computer software, seasonal items, altered items and items purchased outside the United States ⁠2⁠3. American Express also requires the purchase to be made in the 50 states, the District of Columbia or other places its guide lists, such as Puerto Rico and Guam ⁠1.

Deadlines and documents

All three guides count the 90 days from the purchase date. American Express asks for a call within 90 days of purchase and the store receipt and card record of charge within 30 days of that call ⁠1. Chase asks for the claim within 90 days of purchase and documents within 60 days of filing ⁠2. Capital One asks for a call within 90 days of purchase and the completed claim form within 30 days of first notice, with the original itemized receipt and the card statement ⁠3.

How the five cards differ

The Sapphire Reserve refunds up to $500 per item and $1,000 per 12-month period per account ⁠2. The Venture X pays up to $300 per item with an annual maximum of $1,000 per account ⁠3. The Blue Cash Preferred and Platinum Card refund up to $300 per item and $1,000 per Card Member account per calendar year, counted by purchase date rather than claim date, excluding shipping and handling ⁠1. Bank of America lists up to $250 per item and $1,000 annually for the Premium Rewards, and says details of the benefit accompany new account materials ⁠4.

Cards with return protection

5 of the 45 cards we cover list return protection. Select a heading to sort the table. Each card’s page has the full terms.

Credit cards with return protection, by annual fee
Terms
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit cardBank of America $95 90 days of the purchase$250 Up to $250 per item and $1,000 a year if the retailer refuses a return within 90 days.⁠4
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressAmerican Express $95 90 days from the date of purchase$300 Up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year if the merchant won't take it back within 90 days.⁠1⁠5⁠7
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCapital One $395 90 days from date of purchase$300 Within 90 days if the store refuses a return; $300 per item, $1,000 per year.⁠3
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit CardChase $795 90 days from purchase$500 Up to $500 per item, $1,000 per 12 months, within 90 days of purchase.⁠6⁠2
Platinum Card from American ExpressAmerican Express $895 90 days from the date of purchase$300 Up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year if the merchant won't take it back within 90 days.⁠1⁠5⁠8

Related: Cell phone protection · Purchase protection · Extended warranty. Need several benefits at once? Use the card finder.

Sources

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