How to Get a Refund from American Express

If you experience theft or accidental damage to certain eligible items within 90 days of purchase, then you can receive reimbursement. Eligibility involves charging a portion of your purchase on your American Express card. Please remember, you can only receive a refund for the amount that you charged on your card. Your purchases do not have to be registered. This form of coverage is included for all American Express cardholders. You will receive up to $1,000 per covered incident and up to $50,000 per year.

However, please remember that shipping and handling are not included. Premium cards such as Amex platinum return protection is up to $10,000 per incident but has the same $50,000 limit each calendar year. Cards with higher protection include the:

• Platinum Card
• Business Platinum Card
• and some consumer versions of the Platinum card
• Delta Reserve Credit card
• Delta Reserve for Business Credit card

In addition, the Hilton Honors Aspire hard has higher protection for the Amex annual fee refund return protection.

You’ll find a complete description of the return policies for American Express on their site. 

Certain purchases are ineligible for a refund:

• Tickets
• Animals
• Living plants
• Rare stamps
• Rare coins
• Negotiable items such as travelers’ checks or gift cards 
• Motorized vehicles or parts
• Antiques
• Permanent household items
• Medical or dental equipment
• Perishable items
• Consumable items 
• Anything bought with the intention to resell it 

Loss or damage as a result of the following occurrences invalidates any refunds:

• Natural disasters
• Normal wear and tear
• Service in the military
• Riots
• Illegal activities
• Damage due to alterations 
• Items improperly safeguarded
• Lost or misplaced items (some of the premium cards do cover lost or misplaced items).

You have only thirty days to file a claim. You can also call 1-800-322-1277. Please provide the store receipt or a printout of the receipt from an online purchase. In some cases, they might ask you to send the damaged item. If the loss involved a theft, then you will be asked to include a copy of the police report. 

Amex return protection is the same for all of their cards. You will receive compensation when the store does not provide you with a refund within ninety days of purchase. The entire purchase of up to $300 per item will be provided. They have a $1,000 annual maximum benefit.  All purchases must be made in the United States and be in like-new condition. Also, the merchant must have previously denied the refund. 

The following items are not eligible for a refund: 

• Seasonal items
• Living plants
• Animals 
• Limited edition items
• Jewelry
• Watches
• Antiques
• Services
• Artwork
• One-of-a-kind items
• Books
• Formal wear 
• Motorized vehicles
• Motorized vehicle parts 
• Custom-built items
• Services rendered
• Non-negotiable items such as traveler’s checks 
• Healthcare items 
• Computer software
• Books
• Firearms
• Gift cards

With American Express, you must file a claim within 90 days of purchase. You can also call 1-800-297-8019. You must provide your receipt for the item and your American Express purchase record. In some cases, you will be asked to return the item directly to Amex so always keep the item and do not throw it away. This is because of Amex return protection abuse.

American Express does offer warranty coverage. They will match the manufacturer’s warranty of two years or less and then they add two additional years to warranties of two or five years. Please remember, the warranties offered are secondary. They apply and take effect when the original warranty expires. The limit is $10,000 for each claim and $50,000 per year. 

Take note of your card type on the American Express site to determine the details of the extended warranty which can assist you in obtaining a refund years down the road. 

If you have questions about your Amex refund, then please try to contact customer service at 1-800-528-4800.