My Experience With Return Protection on the Amex Platinum Card [Success!]

We’ve all been there: you want to return an item to the store but barely miss the return window. However, not all hope is lost. Rather than eating the cost altogether, you should check if your credit card comes with return protection. With this benefit, you might be able to file a claim through your issuer within a certain time frame and get reimbursed for the item you can no longer return.

While credit card return protection is an incredibly useful perk, it’s also becoming increasingly hard to find cards that offer it. Fortunately, American Express is one of the only issuers to offer this handy benefit across several of its cards, including one of our favorite luxury heavyweights, the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Recently, I found myself unable to return a pair of shoes and tapped into my Amex Platinum card to get reimbursed instead. Upon filing a claim through Amex Assurance Company, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was approved and my purchase was reimbursed within 24 hours. Keep reading to learn more about return protection and how it may end up rescuing the day for you, too.

Amex Platinum Card — Overview

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
• More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
• More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
• More Value! $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Return Protection on the Amex Platinum Card

With return protection on the Amex Platinum card, you may be able to file a claim if the merchant won’t take back the item for an eligible item within 90 days from the date of purchase. Here are several details you should know before filing a claim:

• There are many items ineligible for reimbursement, including (but not limited to): animals and living plants, jewelry, watches, memberships, books, medical equipment, personal hygiene items, seasonal items, and more.
• If approved, Amex may refund the full purchase price (excluding shipping and handling) up to $300 per item, with a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card member account if you purchased it entirely with your eligible Amex card.
• Be prepared to send over an original store receipt, a record of the charge on your Amex statement credit, and any other supporting documentation.

Once you verify that your merchant will not accept the eligible item and it meets the issuer’s terms above, call Amex Assurance Company at 800-228-6855 to begin the claims process.

My Experience Filing a Return Protection Claim

If you’re an avid runner you know that buying new sneakers is a common occurrence. Every 3 to 6 months, I end up buying a new pair of running shoes.

I have a few pairs of HOKA shoes, but in April, I decided to try a different style compared to what I normally purchase. For weeks, I kept trying to convince myself that I would break in my new kicks. But after a dozen or so runs, reality sunk in. The soles were downright uncomfortable and I wished I stuck to my classic pairs.

While HOKA has a 30-day return guarantee that allows you to receive a refund or exchange your shoes, I was well outside this window. Luckily, I remembered that I had paid with my Amex Platinum card, which comes with some of the most generous purchase protection perks of any rewards card on the market. Not only does the card offer return protection, but you’ll also receive purchase protection (for accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost items within 90 days of purchase) and extended warranty benefits (adds up to an additional year of coverage for the original manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less).

Of course, if you’re looking to file a claim, it can take some effort to call in and gather the right documentation. But for shoes that cost me nearly $175, I was willing to put this benefit to the test.

Before I started my claim, I gathered the necessary information. First, I took a screenshot of the charge on my Amex Platinum card and Hoka’s 30-day guarantee policy. However, to be extra certain, I got a statement in writing from a Hoka customer service agent to confirm that I was no longer eligible for a return.

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, I called Amex Assurance Company (800-228-6855), which seemed to be a general line covering all of Amex’s travel and purchase protections. It took a few minutes to connect with an agent, to whom I informed that I’d like to start a return protection claim.

He asked me for background for my claim, noting the item type, purchase date, and return limitations from the manufacturer. Afterward, he discussed the necessary disclosures and let me know that I would hear back from a claims agent within 7 to 10 business days for more information.

I thought this was a reasonable turnaround time, but to my surprise, I received an email from Amex Assurance just 24 hours later. The document stated, “Your claim has been reviewed and has been approved for payment as detailed below. Your claim is now considered closed.” Best of all, I didn’t even have to send over the screenshots I had prepared.

It really was as easy as that. I checked my statement and found that I was refunded the full amount — $172.77 — that same day.

In some cases, the claims company may request that you send the item back to them. If so, you’ll also be reimbursed for the shipping cost. However, in this case, no such action was required of me.

Best Credit Cards With Return Protection

Below, we’ve detailed some of our top cards that offer return protection across various issuers. Before filing a claim, you’ll want to double-check the coverage limits and eligibility for each return protection benefit.

While return protection isn’t offered by many cards, it’s certainly a valuable benefit that can put real money back in your pocket.

Final Thoughts

Before this experience, I had never filed a claim with my credit card issuer, whether that be for trip insurance or cell phone protection. I always felt that the process was cumbersome, but filing for return protection with Amex was surprisingly easy and saved me nearly $200 in the process.

In my opinion, lesser-known perks on the Amex Platinum card like return protection are just as important as airport lounge access or no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees). Since my claim was approved within 24 hours, I can now go buy the right pair of shoes that work best for me!

If you don’t currently own the card, i’d recommend checking out this fantastic Amex Platinum upgrade 100k offer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the return protection benefit of the Amex Platinum card, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the extended warranty benefit of the Amex Platinum card, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Amex Platinum card, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. 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.

For the cell phone protection benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the return protection benefit of the Delta Reserve card, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the return protection benefit of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.