Mastercard Price Protection is a benefit offered on some World Elite Mastercards that can provide a refund if you see a lower advertised price on an item you buy within 60-120 days.
Here’s what you need to know about Mastercard Price Protection.
What is price protection?
Price protection can refund the difference between the price you paid and an advertised lower price you find on the same item.
To be eligible for price protection, you must purchase an eligible item with your card that carries a price protection benefit. Items must new and not be an excluded type of item. The advertised lower price must be in either a printed or non-auction internet advertisement and can’t be a closeout or discount item. Mastercard price protection covers price drops for 60-120 days from the date of purchase.
Cards that offer Mastercard Price Protection
Here are cards that we know offer Mastercard Price Protection. This list doesn’t contain all cards offering this benefit, but focuses on cards from major issuers. Since this benefit is offered by Mastercard, no Visa or American Express cards will be appear on this list.
| Card | Coverage Limits | |
|---|---|---|
 | Capital One Spark Cash Plus | $500 per claim. $2,500 per year. Within 60 days of purchase. |
 | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card * | $250 per claim. 4 claims per 12 months. Within 120 days of purchase. |
 | Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card * | $250 per claim. 4 claims per 12 months. Within 120 days of purchase. |
- Many Capital One cards can be issued as either a World Elite Mastercard or a World Mastercard, depending on creditworthiness. Mastercards issued as a World Mastercard typically do not include Mastercard Price Protection.
Mastercard Price Protection at a glance
| What is covered | The purchase price of items purchased entirely with your covered card or with accumulated points from your covered card. | |
| Length of coverage | 60-120 days from the date of purchase.* | |
| Coverage limits (typical) | Up to $250 per claim.* Maximum 4 claims per cardholder account per 12 month period.* | |
| How to file a claim | www.mycardbenefits.com 1-877-288-6784 |
* Coverage limits and length of coverage may vary. Check your card’s Guide to Benefits for the limits that apply to your card.
What does price protection cover?
Price protection covers you when you find an advertised price less than the price you paid for an eligible item purchased with your card. The lower advertised price must be published within 120 days of your purchase. Price protection also covers items that you buy and give as gifts.
Price protection provides secondary coverage. This means that it won’t pay a benefit if you could get a price adjustment from a retailer or your other insurance. For example, if a retailer has a price matching policy that can give you a refund or store credit, you won’t be eligible to receive a Mastercard Price Protection payment. If you submit a claim, the benefit administrator will likely direct you to the retailer to receive your price match.
Exclusions and limitations
Every insurance benefit has certain limitations and exclusions. Here are the most important exclusions and limitations of Mastercard Price Protection.
- Price protection has a per claim limit. If the per-claim limit is $250, you will receive a maximum payment of $250. For example, if the price of an item you purchased drops from $1,200 to $900, Mastercard Price Protection will only refund you for $250 of the $300 price drop.
- Price protection may be limited annually by number of claims or total amount of claims. If the number of claims you can make is limited, it might make sense to only submit claims when the price drops by a significant amount.
- Price differences must be based on the before-tax sales price. Your claimed price difference must be due to a difference in price before taxes, shipping, and handling. You can’t get coverage for differences in sales tax, shipping charges, postage, etc. You also cannot get coverage for differences in foreign exchange rate fluctuation.
Types of items excluded from coverage
Certain types of items are excluded from coverage. Here are some examples of commonly-excluded items. This exact list may vary by card—check your card’s guide to benefits if you are unsure of whether a purchase will be covered.
- Items for commercial use. Any item purchased for resale, rental, professional, or commercial use.
- Collectible, unique, or hard-to-replace items. No coverage is provided for jewelry, art, antique items, collectibles, customized/personalized items, one-of-a-kind items, or special-order items.
- Services. Coverage is provided for physical products, not services like workmanship, installation, professional advice/counseling, and technical support.
- Perishables and live products. No coverage is provided for plants, shrubs, animals, pets, consumables, and perishables.
- Land and buildings. Land, buildings, permanently installed items, fixtures, structures, or home improvement purchases are not covered.
- Cash-like negotiable instruments and tickets. No coverage is provided for traveler’s checks, tickets of any kind, negotiable instruments, bullion, precious metals, stamps, coins, or currency.
- Taxidermy. Game animals, pets, or specimens preserved for display are not eligible for coverage.
- Motorized vehicles and accessories. Price protection does not apply to purchases of automobiles, boats, aircraft, or motorcycles. Associated motors, equipment, and accessories are also not eligible for coverage.
- Auctioned items. Items purchased from an auction are not eligible for coverage.
- Used items. Recycled, previously owned, refurbished, rebuilt, and remanufactured items are not covered.
- Layaway and returned items. Items purchased on layaway or items that are returned are not eligible.
Types of advertisements that are ineligible for price protection
Mastercard Price Protection won’t match prices to certain types of advertised prices. Here are the exclusions:
- Advertisements published more than 120 days after the date of purchase. Price protection will only match advertised prices within 120 days.
- Final sale, closeout, or limited-quantity items. Any advertisement identifying an item as limited quantity, a going out-of-business sale, close out, discontinued, or final sale is ineligible to be used for a price protection claim.
- Rebates, giveaways, and coupons. Only pricing without additional strings attached is eligible for price protection. After-rebate or after-coupon pricing is ineligible as is pricing that includes special financing or free items/giveaways.
How to be covered by Mastercard price protection
Generally, you don’t have to do anything other than charge your eligible item to your card to receive Mastercard price protection.
Note that the entire purchase price of your item must be charge to your card. You may also pay with points from your covered card, but if you use a gift certificate or coupon, it’s likely your item won’t be eligible for coverage. Items you purchase as gifts are also covered.
How to file a claim
The easiest way to file a claim, is to go to www.mycardbenefits.com. You’ll be prompted to enter your credit card number. After entering your card number at the site, you’ll be logged in to the Mastercard benefits portal.
To start your claim, click on “Start a Claim” at the top of the page. You’ll see a dropdown menu listing benefits available on your card. Select “Price Protection” to proceed with your claim. If you do not see “Price Protection” in this list, your card does carry the Mastercard Price Protection benefit.
From there, the website will walk you through collecting information about your claim. You’ll be asked for your address, phone number, and details about the item you’re claiming. During the claim submission process, you will also be asked for information about the advertisement you saw and you’ll be asked qualifying questions to determine your item’s eligibility.
Finally, you’ll be given the opportunity to submit additional documentation. According to Mastercard, you’ll be required to submit the following supporting documentation:
- A copy of the printed or internet advertisement showing retailer information, the product and sale price.
- An itemized receipt showing the item you purchased.
- Your credit card statement showing the charge for the item.
You must file a claim within 120 days of the date of the printed or internet advertisement’s publication and all supporting documentation must be submitted within 180 days of the advertisement’s publication.
Alternatively, you can begin your claim online by calling 1-877-288-6784.
Frequently asked questions
Will price protection match Black Friday sales?
Price protection does not exclude special sale prices like Black Friday sales. But be sure that the sale price does not indicate a limited-quantity, close-out sale, or other restrictions. See your card’s Guide to Benefits for details on restrictions on special sales.
Do all Mastercards offer Price Protection?
No. This benefit is offered on select Mastercards. Check your card’s Guide to Benefits to see if your card offers price protection.
What’s the difference between purchase protection and price protection?
Purchase protection benefits typically cover your new purchases against damage or theft. Price protection can refund you if you find a lower advertised price.
