Some Amex cards come along with a great benefit called return protection. With return protection, you can get a refund from Amex for up to 90 days, on an item bought using your eligible card if you’re not happy with the item and the merchant does not let you return it (either because they don’t allow returns or because it passed the return time frame). 

Did I hear right?

Yes. Any eligible item gets refunded up to $300 per item and up to $1,000 per year.

Which items are not eligible?

Amex excludes the following items from the return protection benefit: 

1. Animals and living plants

2. One-of-a-kind items (including, but not limited to, antiques, artwork, and furs)

3. Limited edition items

4. Going-out-of-business sale items

5. Consumable or perishable items with limited life spans (including, but not limited to, food, perfume, light bulbs, and batteries)

6. Jewelry (including, but not limited to, loose gems, precious stones, metals, and pearls); watches

7. Services and additional costs (including, but not limited to, installation charges, warranties, shipping, handling or memberships)

8. Rare and precious coins

9. Purchased used and/or altered items (including, but not limited to, purchases at auction sites and second- hand stores); custom-built items

10. Compact discs, digital video discs, mini discs, audiotapes, videotapes

11.  Computer software; firmware (including, but not limited to, console games, etc.)

12.  Maps; books, magazines or periodicals of any kind

13. Health care items and /or medical equipment (including, but not limited to, blood pressure machines and diabetes equipment, items or supplies used for maternity care)

14. Personal hygiene items (including, but not limited to, all electrical or non-electrical toothbrushes, razors, or any devices (medical or non-medical) that have been personally used and could be considered a health risk to others)

15. Formal wear (including, but not limited to, bridal wear, gowns, prom dresses, and tuxedos)

16. Tickets of any kind (including, but not limited to, transportation passes or tickets and event tickets)

17. Motorized vehicles (including, but not limited to, cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and airplanes), their parts and accessories (e.g. car battery) as well as those parts and accessories intended for use with the motorized vehicles (e.g. a trailer or audio or visual components)

18. Land, buildings and fixtures (including but not limited to, central air conditioner, built-in kitchen appliance and water heater)

19. Firearms; ammunition

20. Negotiable instruments (including, but not limited to, promissory notes, stamps, and travelers checks)

21. Cash and its equivalent (including, but not limited to, gift cards and gift certificates)

22. Items permanently affixed to home, office, vehicles, etc. (including, but not limited to, garage door openers and car alarms)

23. Seasonal items (including but not limited to holiday decorations and costumes)

Do I need to actually ship the item to Amex?

99.9% of the time, Amex will not require you to ship the item back to them. But if they do, they will send you a prepaid shipping label.

If a store offers me a store credit for a return instead of a refund, am I eligible for return protection?

Unfortunately, if the store is willing to take back the item, even if they only offer you a store credit, you are not eligible for a refund from Amex (Amex often calls the store directly to verify their return policy).

If I add an authorized user to my card, do they also get return protection?

Yes. And the good news is that each authorized user you add to your card comes along with their own $1,000 limit per year!

Which Amex cards have return protection?

The following Amex cards offer 90 day return protection. 

card_name ($695)

card_name ($695)

card_name ($650)

card_name ($650)

card_name ($0 first year, then $95)

card_name ($650)

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($550)

card_name ($0)

card_name ($0)

The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley ($695)

The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab ($695)

Which documents do I need to provide?

In most cases, all you will need to provide is a store receipt.

Does the store lose out if I file a claim?

No. Amex is the one paying the claim from their own pocket.

Do you have any other questions regarding return protection? Feel free to leave a comment below.