Amex return protection: Coverage, benefits, and claims

What is Amex return protection?

Beyond glamorous perks like airport lounge access and annual statement credits, American Express cards offer several valuable benefits that can protect your purchases. For example,  The Platinum Card® from American Express and other cards offer purchase protection, which can reimburse you if a covered item is stolen or damaged within a specified window of time after you bought it.

Key features and benefits of return protection

Another coverage benefit that can provide peace of mind is Amex return protection. If you try to return an item within 90 days of purchase and the merchant won't accept it, American Express will take it back instead – and reimburse you up to $300 per item and $1,000 per card per year (based on the year of purchase).

For example, suppose you bought an item of clothing from Amazon, which typically has a 30-day return window, but realized too late that it didn't fit or the color was wrong. You'd likely be out of luck trying to return it for a refund after 30 days, but you could be reimbursed by Amex return protection if less than 90 days have elapsed from the date of purchase.

It takes just a few minutes to file a claim, and most claims can be handled entirely online without having to pick up the phone — although if you prefer calling, that's an option too. This is one of those credit card benefits that can easily make up for an annual fee, even if you only use it once or twice a year.

Eligibility requirements for Amex cardholders/eligible cards

Does Amex offer return protection on all cards? No, but it's available on over a dozen Amex cards, including cash-back cards, travel rewards cards, and business cards. The more popular options that are currently available to new applicants include:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Amazon Business Prime Card
• The Plum Card® from American Express
• Centurion® Card from American Express
• Business Centurion® Card from American Express

What does Amex return protection cover?

To be eligible for return protection, an item must have been purchased entirely with an eligible Amex card. . The purchase must have been made in the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Guam, or Northern Mariana Islands.

You need to try to return the item to the original retailer within 90 days of the purchase date, and you need to contact Amex within 90 days of the purchase date to initiate the claim.

You'll have 30 days from when you initially file your claim to provide Amex with the required documentation, including a copy of the original store receipt, a copy of your card statement showing the charge, and any other information Amex needs to process your request.

Situations and items not covered

Amex has a long list of exclusions, which mostly consists of things you wouldn't expect a store to take back — but you might be surprised at some of the items. The list includes:

• Animals and living plants
• Consumable or perishable items (such as food, perfume, light bulbs, and batteries)
• Rare and precious coins, jewelry, and watches
• One-of-a-kind and limited-edition items
• Going-out-of-business sale items
• Used or altered items
• Media such as books, periodicals, CDs, software, and console games
• Formal wear, such as wedding dresses, prom dresses, and tuxedos
• Firearms and ammunition
• Seasonal items, such as holiday decorations and costumes
• Motorized vehicles and accessories
• Healthcare items, used personal hygiene items, and medical equipment
• Land, buildings, and fixtures

You can read the full list of Amex return protection exclusions and limits for further details on what isn't eligible.

How to file a claim for Amex return protection

The process of filing an Amex purchase protection claim is. The easiest way is to do so online, but calling Amex at 800-228-6855 is another option.

Here's how to claim Amex return protection benefits online.

Steps to initiate a claim

Step 1: Navigate to Amex's online claims center

Log in with your American Express username and password at https://americanexpress.com/onlineclaim. Then click "File a Claim."

Step 2: Select your American Express card

You'll then see a list of all the Amex cards you have (including authorized user cards). Select the card you used for the item you're making the return protection claim for. You'll also need to enter the purchase date on this screen.

Step 3: Choose your claim type

Amex's online claims center allows you to file claims for benefits other than return protection (such as baggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty). You'll want to choose return protection when prompted for your claim type.

Step 4: Review terms and conditions

Amex will ask you to review the terms and conditions of the return protection benefit. Then click "Continue."

Step 5: Enter claim details

Amex will ask for the incident/return attempt date(s) and the reason you tried to return the item — your options are "restocking fee" or "returned product not accepted at retailer." You'll also need to explain why the merchant refused to take the item back — such as "Merchant does not accept returns after 30 days" or "Merchant does not accept returns on sale items."

Step 6: Enter item details

Fill in the form with the item name, type of item (choose from accessories, appliance, clothing, electronics, furniture, and others), item description, merchant, manufacturer, model and serial number (if applicable), and item cost including tax (but excluding shipping).

Then click "Save." You'll also have the option to add more items if needed.

Step 7: Confirm your contact information

Amex may auto-fill your name, address, phone number, and email address, but if not, enter your details in the form and click "Continue."

Required documentation and claim timeline

Within a few days, you should get an email from American Express asking for any documentation it requires — often just a copy of your itemized store receipt for the item(s).

You'll receive a link where you can upload copies of those documents, as well as a fax number and snail mail address if you're old school like that.

Once you've submitted those documents, you'll get another email from Amex letting you know that your documents have been received. At that point, sit back and relax. In most cases, you won't need to do anything else — they'll let you know if they need more information. Otherwise, you'll just get a follow-up message letting you know that the amount will be posted as a credit to the American Express card you used to purchase the item.

In some cases, Amex will require you to ship the item to them before it refunds you for the purchase — if that happens, Amex will cover the cost of shipping. (If Amex doesn't ask for the item back, you can donate or discard it.)

Tips for getting the most out of Amex return protection

Best practices for making claims

Keeping receipts for major purchases is a good idea, but we all know paperwork can go missing or accidentally end up in the garbage. If you purchased your item from a large retailer, you may be able to go into your online account and retrieve a copy of the receipt if needed.

Be sure to cross-reference your purchase date with the transaction date on your Amex card, as well. Making errors when filling out your return protection claim could cause delays in your payout. Following these Amex return protection claim tips can ensure a smooth and speedy process.

Understanding your card's benefits and exclusions

Apart from the exclusions previously mentioned, there are other rules to keep in mind before you decide to file a claim:

• To qualify for Amex return protection, you must attempt to return the item to the retailer and have them deny the refund.
• An item you're claiming for must be in working order and in the original purchase condition (not visibly used, defective, or damaged in any way).
• The purchase must have been made entirely with your eligible Amex card. Split purchases (such as paying partly by gift card and the rest with your Amex card) won't qualify.
• With all Amex cards, you won't be reimbursed for shipping costs — only the cost of the item including taxes.
• The maximum reimbursement is $300 per item and $1,000 per cardmember account per calendar year (this is based on the purchase date, not the year the claim was filed).
• If Amex asks you to send the item back to them (which must be done within 30 days of the request), it will cover your shipping costs (be sure to keep your shipping receipt).
• If the item was purchased from a merchant that has a return/satisfaction guarantee program that is equal or better to the terms of Amex return protection, you won't qualify for a refund.
• Product rebates, discounts, or reimbursements from lowest price comparison programs will be deducted from the item's original cost.
• You won't be compensated more than the amount charged to your card.

You can find all of the cards that offer Amex return protection here, along with links to their policies.

FAQs about Amex return protection

Caroline Lupini

Freelance reporter

Jasmin Baron

Jasmin Baron is a credit cards writer and editor who has contributed her knowledge to sites like The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets, and Business Insider.Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada.

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