A guide to credit card return protection

Written by

Edited by

Published on January 24, 2023 | 2 min read

Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Tom Werner/Getty Images

So let’s say that you buy a lamp from an expensive store only to get buyer’s remorse when you get home. You may rush to return the over-priced purchase as soon as possible, only to find out that the store has a no-return policy.

This is where return protection comes in. Credit card return protection is a notoriously fickle credit card perk that’s also increasingly rare. Despite its extensive fine print and exclusions, it can be beneficial for consumers who are having second thoughts about a purchase.

What is credit card return protection?

Credit card return protection is an added benefit of making a purchase with a credit card that allows individuals to return a purchase even if the retailer doesn’t allow returns. If the retailer allows returns, credit card return protection can extend the time a consumer has to return the item.

It’s important to note that not all credit card issuers offer return protection, as it’s a dying perk in the credit card industry. Over the last few years, many issuers — such as Discover in 2018 — have phased out return protection benefits altogether.

How does return protection work?

The steps of processing a return request can be a cumbersome experience, and it varies based on the card, card issuer and purchase in question. Credit card issuers who still offer purchase return protection will often have rules that exclude some purchases.

If the item is eligible for a return, most issuers will require the following to process the request:

A credit card statement showing that the purchase was made with their card that offers return protection
The original receipt of purchase
Documentation that you tried to return the purchase to the original retailer

Rules and restrictions for credit card return protection

Issuer	Return eligibility window	Limits	Exclusions	Full guidelines
American Express	90 days after purchase	Limit of $300 refund per return Limit of $1,000 in returns per calendar year	Personal hygiene products Books and magazines Jewelry Formal wear Live animals For a full list of exclusions, refer to the full guidelines	American Express Return Protection terms and conditions
Mastercard	60 days after purchase	Limit of $250 per claim Limit of 4 claims per cardholder per calendar year	Jewelry Computer software Animals and plants For a full list of exclusions, refer to the full guidelines	Mastercard Return Protection terms and conditions
Visa (Infinite Cards)	90 days after purchase	Limit of $300 refund per claim Limit of $1,000 in refunds in a calendar year The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers an increased limit of $500 per claim, though it is still subject to the limit of $1,000 in refunds per year	Damaged items Medical equipment Plants and animals Holiday decorations Batteries For a full list of exclusions, refer to the full guidelines	Visa Return Protection terms and conditions
Discover	Does not offer return protection	N/A	N/A	N/A

The bottom line

Credit card return protection can offer peace of mind when shopping for an item that may not be refundable. However, the extensive fine print and exclusions make this more of a backup option to get a refund rather than a credit card perk you can use routinely. If you’re out of luck on return protection, check if your credit card offers purchase protection.