Many credit cards offer extended warranties which can give you anywhere from a few months to two years of additional warranty coverage on the things you buy using your card.
Here’s what you need to know about credit card extended warranty benefits.
What kind of extended warranty coverage can you get from a credit card?
There are a lot of cards offering extended warranty benefits. Here’s an overview of the extended warranty coverage offered on some cards from major issuers. Not all card issuers offer extended warranty benefits and extended warranty benefits aren’t offered on all cards.
| Card | Additional coverage | Maximum total coverage | Popular cards with this benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex extended warranty | Doubles original manufacturer’s warranty, up to an additional year. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less. | Per covered purchase: $10,000 Per year: $50,000 per eligible card. | The Platinum Card® from American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express All Delta SkyMiles® credit cards All Hilton Honors credit cards All Amex-labeled Marriott credit cards |
| Capital One extended warranty Visa Signature Cards | Doubles original manufacturer’s warranty, up to an additional year. Applies to warranties of 3 years or less. | Per claim: $10,000 Per cardholder: $50,000. | |
| Capital One extended warranty Visa Infinite Cards | Adds one year to your manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of 3 years or less. | Per claim: $10,000 Per cardholder: $50,000. | |
| Chase extended warranty | Adds one year to your manufacturer’s warranty after manufacturer’s warranty expires | Per item: $10,000. Per account: $50,000 | Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Chase Sapphire Reserve® Prime Visa |
| Wells Fargo extended warranty | No currently available Wells Fargo cards offer an extended warranty |
In many cases, your credit card that offers extended warranty protection can cover you for as much as two additional years when an item you buy breaks
What is a credit card extended warranty?
A credit card extended warranty is a benefit that extends the manufacturer’s warranty for items you purchase with your card. Extended warranty benefits are frequently under-appreciated and underused, but can save you a ton of money if an expensive item fails shortly after the original manufacturer’s warranty expires. An extended warranty benefit won’t cover a shattered phone screen or a dropped laptop, but it can provide for a repair or replacement of many items if they fail under normal usage.
For most people, it can make sense to forego some rewards in order to purchase items that have warranties with a credit card that offers an extended warranty benefit.
How to get coverage under a credit card extended warranty
In most cases, all you need to do in order to be covered under your credit card’s extended warranty benefit is to pay for your eligible purchase using your card. If your purchase has an eligible warranty, you’ll automatically get coverage. You typically won’t need to register your purchase.
Although you don’t need to register your purchases, you will need to keep track of your receipts. In the event that you need to make a claim against a credit card extended warranty coverage, you’ll almost certainly be required to provide a copy of your receipt. It can be a good idea to save receipts in a notetaking app or take a picture of your receipt and tag it in whatever app you use to manage your digital photos.
What types of items are typically excluded from coverage?
Your card’s Guide to Benefits will have details on the items excluded from coverage of your specific warranty coverage. But here are a few types of items that are usually excluded from credit card extended warranty coverage:
- Commercial items or items for resale. If you’re purchasing 20 laptops for resale, don’t expect your credit card extended warranty benefit to cover them.
- Intangible items and software. Items that can be easily copied like computer software won’t typically be covered, nor will most digital purchases.
- Motorized vehicles or any kind. Cars, motorcycles, mopeds, airplanes, boats and other motorized vehicles are typically excluded from coverage.
- Perishable items or live items. You won’t receive coverage for food, consumable items like lightbulbs and batteries or live items like plants or pets.
- Used items. In some cases, a manufacturer-refurbished item may be covered under a credit card extended warranty, but used items or items refurbished by third parties won’t get coverage.
- Cash-like purchases. Anything that can be used like cash, including cryptocurrency, travelers checks, prepaid cards, and gift cards won’t receive warranty coverage.
How to find out your extended warranty coverage.
If you have a credit card, there is a good chance that you already have access to extended warranty coverage. The best way to find out if you have coverage and what it covers is to find your card’s Guide to Benefits. Every credit card that offers benefits. Often you can find this online.
