Many folks with credit cards may be unaware that when they pay for a product with plastic, it is possible they are extending the warranty on the item.
Credit cards often offer extended warranties on many items that you purchase with the card. However, while this perk is widespread, some cards offer better, more convenient protection than others, according to a WalletHub survey.
The website recently ranked credit card extended warranty programs from 62 of the most popular cards. Rankings were based on six criteria:
- Sign-up requirements
- Purchases covered
- Length of warranty
- Coverage limit
- Claim process
- Transparency
The Centurion Card from American Express earned 99%, the highest score in the WalletHub survey. It got a perfect score in every category except coverage limit, where its 9% was just below the maximum score of 10%.
Altogether, the top credit cards in the survey were neatly separated into three categories:
Cards earning a 99% score:
- Centurion Card from American Express
Cards earning a 95% score:
- The Platinum Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- American Express Gold Card
- American Express Green Card
- Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card
- Blue from American Express Card
Cards earning a 91% score:
- Citi Premier Card
- Citi Simplicity Card
- Citi Rewards+ Card
- Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Below that, scores ranged from 61% to 87%.
WalletHub noted that two major credit card providers — Discover and Wells Fargo — do not offer any extended warranties through their cards.
By contrast, Chase and USAA offer this perk on all their cards, Bank of America offers it on 87.5% of its cards, and American Express offers extended warranties on 70% of its cards. Other major providers fall below the 70% mark.
The benefit of credit card extended warranty programs can be significant. WalletHub notes that 29% of the cards in its survey will extend even a five-year warranty from the original manufacturer by one to three years.
However, just 21% of cards offer warranty extensions longer than one year.
It is important to remember that cards that offer extended warranties typically do not cover all purchases. WalletHub says “every credit card’s extended warranty policy has many coverage exclusions.”
If you want a better option than what’s currently in your wallet, stop by our Solutions Center and find a great new credit card.
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