Most major credit cards will extend the original manufacturer’s warranty on certain eligible purchases, free of charge. So if an item breaks after its original warranty runs out, you may be eligible for a refund. But most people don’t know about this particular credit card perk, as is the case with other key secondary benefits, such as travel insurance and purchase protection. And simply knowing that credit card extended warranties exist is just the first step.
To actually benefit from a credit card’s extended warranty, you have to find a card with a good policy, use it to buy the item whose warranty you want extended, and file a claim. Buying and filing are easy. But finding the best extended warranty credit card can be difficult. Every credit card’s extended warranty policy has many coverage exclusions. And you have to read a lot of fine print to get the complete picture.
So to help consumers make the right decision, WalletHub compared the extended warranties offered by 62 of the most popular credit cards on the market and identified the best options. You can check out their selections and other key findings below.
Some of the cards listed on this page originate from our partners, but that did not impact our conclusions. Card information was collected on Jan. 24, 2022, and is likely to have changed since.
Key Findings
The best extended warranty credit cards are:
| Rank | Cards | WalletHub Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centurion® Card from American Express | 99% |
| 2 | 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 | 95% |
| 3 | Citi Premier® Card Citi Simplicity® Card Citi Rewards+® Card Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | 91% |
Discover and Wells Fargo are the only major credit card companies that do not offer extended warranty on any credit cards.
*Barclays is currently offering only co-branded cards, which were not evaluated in this report.
29% of cards will extend even a 5-year original manufacturer’s warranty by 1-3 years.
87% of cards cover refurbished items that have preexisting warranties.
42% of the cards with this type of benefit will extend a warranty that was purchased separately from the covered item.
Only 21% the cards with warranties offer an extension longer than 1 year.
American Express and USAA are the most transparent issuers on the topic of extended warranties.
The Coverage You Can Expect
| Info | Example of an Average Policy | Best Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Up | Not required | Not required |
| Coverage Exclusions | Motorized vehicles Professional / commercial items Items intended for resale Rented / leased items Software Medical Equipment | Motorized vehicles Collectibles Professional / commercial items Items intended for resale Perishables Rented / leased items Software Real estate |
| Length of Original Warranty Exclusion | Over 3 years | Over 5 years |
| Rewards Exclusion | No exclusion for purchases made with credit card rewards | No exclusion for purchases made with credit card rewards |
| Wear and Tear Exclusion | None | None |
| Refurbished Items Exclusion | None | None |
| Length of warranty | Adds 1 additional year to original warranty | Adds 3 additional years to original warranty |
| Amount of Coverage | Up to $10,000 | Up to $10,000 |
| Claims Limit | $50,000 per cardholder | $50,000 per year |
| Example Card Offering This Type Of Policy | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Centurion® Card from American Express |
Detailed Scoring
| Overall Rank | Credit Card Name | Sign Up | Purchases Covered | Added Warranty | Coverage Limit | Claim Process | Transparency | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Info | Maximum Points | 10% | 45% | 20% | 10% | 5% | 10% | 100% |
| T - 1 | Centurion® Card from American Express | 10% | 45% | 20% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 99% |
| T - 2 | The Platinum Card® from American Express | 10% | 45% | 16% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 95% |
| T - 2 | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 10% | 45% | 16% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 95% |
| T - 2 | American Express® Gold Card | 10% | 45% | 16% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 95% |
| T - 2 | American Express® Green Card | 10% | 45% | 16% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 95% |
| T - 2 | Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card | 10% | 45% | 16% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 95% |
| T - 2 | Blue from American Express® Card | 10% | 45% | 16% | 9% | 5% | 10% | 95% |
| T - 8 | Citi Premier® Card | 10% | 40% | 18% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 91% |
| T - 8 | Citi Simplicity® Card | 10% | 40% | 18% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 91% |
| T - 8 | Citi Rewards+® Card | 10% | 40% | 18% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 91% |
| T - 8 | Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | 10% | 40% | 18% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 91% |
| T - 12 | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 12 | Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 12 | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 12 | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 12 | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 12 | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 12 | Chase Slate Edge℠ | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 12 | J.P. Morgan Reserve Credit Card | 10% | 40% | 16% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 87% |
| T - 20 | USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card | 10% | 40% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 10% | 85% |
| T - 20 | USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card | 10% | 40% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 10% | 85% |
| T - 20 | USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card | 10% | 40% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 10% | 85% |
| T - 20 | USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card | 10% | 40% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 10% | 85% |
| T - 20 | USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card | 10% | 40% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 10% | 85% |
| 25 | Chase Freedom Flex℠ | 10% | 40% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 85% |
| T - 26 | U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card | 10% | 40% | 11% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 82% |
| T - 26 | U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | 10% | 40% | 11% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 82% |
| 28 | Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | 10% | 40% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 4% | 80% |
| T - 29 | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | 10% | 29% | 15% | 10% | 5% | 9% | 78% |
| T - 29 | Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 10% | 29% | 15% | 10% | 5% | 9% | 78% |
| T - 29 | Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | 10% | 29% | 15% | 10% | 5% | 9% | 78% |
| T - 32 | Office Depot Business Credit Card | 10% | 40% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 77% |
| T - 32 | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | 10% | 40% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 77% |
| T - 32 | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card | 10% | 40% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 77% |
| T - 32 | Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card | 10% | 40% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 77% |
| T - 32 | Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card | 10% | 40% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 77% |
| 37 | U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card | 10% | 26% | 13% | 10% | 5% | 9% | 73% |
| 38 | BankAmericard® credit card | 10% | 22% | 13% | 10% | 5% | 1% | 61% |
*American Express Extended Warranty Benefit Disclosure: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The following cards do not offer an extended warranty policy:
| Info | Info |
|---|---|
| All Discover Cards | All Wells Fargo Cards |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express American Express Cash Magnet® Card The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express | Capital One Platinum Credit Card Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card |
| U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card | Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer Citi Custom Cash℠ Card Citi® Secured Mastercard® |
| BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card |
Methodology
We reviewed the extended warranty policies for all of the credit cards available via the websites of the 10 largest credit card issuers by purchase volume, excluding business, student and co-branded cards. Card information was collected on Jan. 24, 2022, and is likely to have changed since.
We scored and ranked the cards based on five general criteria: 1) Sign-Up Requirements; 2) Purchases Covered; 3) Length of Warranty; 4) Coverage Limit’ 5) Claim Process’ and 6)Transparency.
1. Sign-Up – Worth 10% Total
- If there is no sign-up requirement = Full points
- If there is a onetime sign-up requirement = 5% points
- If each product needs to be registered = No points
2. Purchases Covered – Worth 45% Total
A. Types of Purchases Covered – Worth 15% Total
- For each major category of items excluded from coverage (e.g. jewelry or electronics), we subtracted 4%
- For each minor category of items excluded from coverage(e.g. mechanical failure caused by wear and tear or medical equipment), we subtracted 2%
- Issuers are deducted a maximum of 15% points, even if their exclusions add up to more
B. Length of Original Warranty Exclusion – Worth 15% Total
- If items with an original warranty of 4+ years are covered = Full points
- If items with an original warranty of at least 3, but less than 4, years are covered = 12% points
- If items with an original warranty of at least 2, but less than 3, years are covered = 6% points
- If items with an original warranty of at least 1, but less than 2, years are covered = 3% points
- If only items with an original warranty of up to 1 year are covered = No points
C. Rewards Exclusion – Worth 5% Total
- If items purchased using rewards earned on the card are covered by the benefit = Full points
- If items purchased using rewards earned on the card are not covered by the benefit = No points
D. Wear and Tear Exclusion – Worth 5% Total
- If normal wear and tear is covered under the policy = Full points
- If normal wear and tear is not covered under the policy = No points
E. Refurbished Items Exclusion – Worth 5% Total
- If refurbished items are covered under the policy = Full points
- If refurbished items are not covered under the policy = No points
3. Added Warranty – Worth 20% Total
A. Length of Warranty – Worth 15% Total
- If the original warranty can be extended for more than 1 year = Full points
- If the original warranty can be extended for up to 1 year = 11% points
- If the original warranty cannot be extended for at least 1 year = No points
Note: We accounted for the maximum warranty length allowed by the policy.
B. Purchased Extended Warranty – Worth 2% Total
- If an extended warranty bought from a manufacturer or retailer is covered = 2% points
- If an extended warranty bought from a manufacturer or retailer is not covered = No points
C. Type of Warranty Extension – Worth 3% Total
- If the policy is not a function of the original warranty and the benefit adds a certain amount of time to the original (or purchased) warranty (e.g. a 1-year extension to a warranty of any length) = 3% points
- If the policy is a function of the original warranty and does not cap the length of the extension (e.g. original warranty doubled) = 3%
- If the policy is a function of the original warranty and limits coverage to a certain length of time (e.g. doubles the warranty, but for no more than 1 year) = No points
4. Coverage Limit – Worth 10% Total
A. Amount of Coverage - Worth 5% Total
- If the benefit applies to items worth up to $10,000+ = Full points
- If the benefit applies to items worth up to $5,000 = 4% points
- If the benefit applies to items worth up to $1,000 = No points
B. Claims Limitation - Worth 5% Total
- If there is no claims limit = Full points
- If the claims limit applies yearly = 4% points
- If the claims limit applies per card lifespan = 2% points
- If the number of claims limit applies per lifetime of account = No points
5. Claim Process - Worth 5% Total
- If filing a claim requires only a product receipt, credit card receipt, original warranty, service contract and a repair estimate = Full points
- If filing a claim requires more than product receipt, credit card receipt, original warranty, service contract and a repair estimate = No points
6. Transparency – Worth 10% Total
A. How easily can one find the info? – Worth 3% Total
- Information is prominent on the issuer website = Full points
- Information is not prominent on the issuer website; or it is prominent but users need to log in to see the full disclosure = 1.5%
- Information cannot be easily found on the issuer website – No points
B. How easy it is to read the info? – Worth 1% Total
- Information is presented in normal size font – 1%
- Information is in small size font – No points
C. How complete are the policies provided? – Worth 4% Total
- Full policy provided – Full points
- A couple of key points missing from policy – 3%
- Several key points missing from policy– 2%
- Benefits briefly described – 0.5%
- No key details provided – No points
D. How open and transparent is the card issuer about its policies? – Worth 2% Total
- Transparent about policies – Full points
- Not transparent about policies – No points
The card with the most accumulated points received the highest score. The maximum number of points is 100%.
Purchases Covered was weighted most heavily given that other factors are obviously inconsequential if an item is not covered in the first place. On the other end of the spectrum, the claims process was given relatively little weight due to the lack of differentiation between cards and the fact that it would take a lot to deter consumers from filing a claim and getting major items repaired or replaced for free.
The scores for each category are based on our opinion of how each card’s extended warranty program compares to an ideal extended warranty. An ideal extended warranty would be one based on common sense, where the average consumer would know what to expect without having to read the fine print. For example, an ideal policy would be free, would apply to all purchases, and would last for more than a year.
