The best credit cards with price protection
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. We all like to get a good bargain. But no matter how much you comparison shop and track prices, you’ve probably come across an item you’ve just purchased for less money than you paid. Luckily, some rewards credit cards offer a …
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
We all like to get a good bargain. But no matter how much you comparison shop and track prices, you’ve probably come across an item you’ve just purchased for less money than you paid.
Luckily, some rewards credit cards offer a price protection benefit. Don’t confuse this perk with purchase protection, which is entirely different. Purchase protection can cover you in the case of damage, theft or sometimes even loss of an item. Instead, price protection is an insurance policy against a price drop on an item you buy.
If you use an eligible card to purchase an item and then find that exact item on sale for less, your card may reimburse you for the difference between what you paid and the better price you saw.
Let’s take a closer look at this perk and which cards offer it.
Credit cards that offer price protection
Here is a small list of credit cards that provide price protection:
- UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card
- Wells Fargo Visa Signature® card
- HSBC Premier World Mastercard® credit card
- Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card
- REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard®
- U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card
- Select Capital One cards
The information for the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card, Wells Fargo Visa Signature card, HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard credit card, Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card, REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard and U.S. Bank Cash 365 American Express Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the best cards for price protection
| Card | Maximum coverage amount per item | Maximum coverage amount per year | Coverage duration (days after purchase) | Earning rate | Annual fee |
| UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card | $500 | $1,500 | 90 |
|
$650 |
| Wells Fargo Visa Signature card* | $250 | $1,000 | 60 |
|
$0 |
| HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard credit card | $250 | Up to four claims per 12-month period | 120 |
|
$95 |
| Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card | $250 (must be at least $10) | $1,000 | 30 |
|
$0 |
| REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard | $250 | Up to four claims per 12-month period | 120 |
|
$0 |
| U.S. Bank Cash 365 American Express Card* | $250 (must be at least $10) | $1,000 | 30 |
|
$0 |
| Select Capital One cards | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
*Note: This card is no longer accepting new applications.
Best cards with price protection
UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card
If you’re in the market for a premium credit card, the UBS Visa Infinite may be the right choice.
Earning rate: 3 points per dollar for commercial air travel, 2 points per dollar for groceries, select digital entertainment, newspapers and cable TV and 1 point per dollar for all other purchases.
Annual fee: $650.
Price protection benefit: If you buy an eligible item with your card in the U.S. and see the item advertised for less within 90 days, you can be reimbursed the difference up to $500 per item. This benefit is limited to $1,500 a year.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: The guide to benefits linked from the card’s information page on the UBS website describes this benefit.
Other shopping protections: Extended warranty protection, return protection, purchase security and event ticket protection.
To learn more, check out our full review of the UBS Visa Infinite.
Wells Fargo Visa Signature card
While this card isn’t open to new applicants, existing cardholders can enjoy a few protections on the Wells Fargo Visa Signature.
Earning rate: 1 point per dollar on all purchases.
Annual fee: None.
Price protection benefit: If you see eligible items advertised for less within 60 days of purchase, you can be reimbursed the difference up to $250 per item and up to $1,000 a year.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: It is listed as a benefit in the card’s guide to benefits on Wells Fargo’s website.
Other shopping protections: Purchase security and extended warranty protection.
Related: The best Wells Fargo credit cards
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard
Frequent travelers who don’t want to pay for a premium travel card may find the HSBC Premier Mastercard is a better fit.
Earning rate: 3 rewards points per dollar on gas and groceries, 2 points per dollar on select travel and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $95.
Price protection benefit: When you purchase a new item entirely with your card or points from your card, you may be covered if you see a printed advertisement or nonauction internet advertisement for a lower price within 120 days. Keep in mind that once you see an advertisement for a lower price, you have 60 days to file a claim.
You’ll only be covered for the difference between the actual cost of the item and the advertised lower price, up to $250 per claim. You can only make up to four claims per account per 12-month period.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: The Mastercard guide to price protection.
Other shopping protections: Extended warranty protection and purchase assurance.
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card
If you currently serve in the military or are a veteran, the Navy Federal More Rewards Amex may be a great fit for you.
Earning rate: 3 points per dollar on supermarkets, restaurants, gas, food delivery and transit and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Annual fee: None.
Price protection benefit: If you see an identical item advertised in print at a lower price than you paid within 30 days of your purchase, you may be eligible for a refund of the difference (if the difference is $10 or more). This benefit is capped at $250 per item and $1,000 annually per card account.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: The guide to benefits linked from the card’s application page describes a Best Value Guarantee benefit. A card benefits page on Amex’s website also notes this benefit.
Other shopping protections: Extended warranty protection, return protection and retail protection.
REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard
While store cards typically aren’t worth opening, the REI Co-op Mastercard is a solid option for outdoor enthusiasts.
Earning rate: 5% back on purchases at REI and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: None.
Price protection benefit: If you find a lower price within 120 days of making an eligible purchase, you may be eligible to submit a price protection claim. Cardholders are given up to four claims per 12-month period with a maximum benefit of $250 per claim. Note that once you see an advertisement for a lower price, you have 60 days to file a claim.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: The Mastercard guide to price protection.
Other shopping protections: Extended warranty protection.
U.S. Bank Cash 365 American Express Card
This card may not be open to new applicants, but existing cardholders can still enjoy price protection on eligible purchases.
Earning rate: 1.5% back on all purchases.
Annual fee: None.
Price protection benefit: Thanks to this card’s Best Value Guarantee, you may be eligible to get a refund of the difference if you see an identical item advertised in print at a lower price than you paid within 30 days of your purchase (if the difference is $10 or more). This benefit is capped at $250 per item and $1,000 annually per card account.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: The guide to benefits linked from the card’s application page describes a Best Value Guarantee benefit. A card benefits page on Amex’s website also notes this benefit.
Other shopping protections: Extended warranty protection, retail protection and return protection.
Select Capital One cards
Capital One offers cards on both the Mastercard and Visa networks. And within each network, different account types offer different benefits. So, although you and your friend may have the same Capital One card in name, your cards may be on different networks and carry significantly different benefits.
Knowing what type of card you have is essential for price protection benefits. After all, only Capital One cards that are a Visa Signature Business card, Enhanced Visa Signature Business card, Professional Mastercard, World Mastercard, World Elite Mastercard, World Elite Mastercard for Business Spark Pro card, World Elite Mastercard for Business Spark card, World Mastercard for Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard for Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard have price protection.
The information for the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Among the account types that offer price protection, coverage details vary. Check your guide to benefits or call the number on the back of your card to see what type of price protection, if any, your Capital One card carries.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: According to the benefits guides on Capital One’s website, cardholders with the following cards are eligible for price protection:
- Visa Signature Business card
- Enhanced Visa Signature Business card
- Professional Mastercard (see the guide to benefits)
- World Mastercard
- World Elite Mastercard
- World Elite Mastercard for Business Spark Pro card
- World Elite Mastercard for Business Spark card
- World Mastercard for Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard
- World Elite Mastercard for Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard
Other types of Capital One cards may not offer price protection. Check your card’s guide to benefits for more information.
How we selected the best cards for price protection
The number of credit cards that offer price protection has decreased drastically in the last few years. Many major issuers, including Discover, Chase and Citi, have removed price protection from most of their cards.
Since there aren’t many cards that advertise price protection, we included all of the cards that we could verify still offer price protection in this guide.
This guide may not include all cards that offer price protection, though. Additional cards may have price protection but not publicly advertise the benefit. Plus, there may be regional banks or credit unions in your area that offer cards with price protection.
Card benefits change frequently, so make sure to refer to your card’s guide to benefits for more information about the protections it offers.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
How price protection benefits differ
Among the cards that still offer price protection, the coverage varies from card to card. Among the factors you should consider when using a card with price protection are:
- The amount of coverage per item. This benefit is usually offered with a maximum of $250 to $500 per item.
- The amount of coverage per year. Just as there are individual claim maximums, each cardholder can usually only make claims up to a specific dollar cap each year (usually $1,000-$2,500). Sometimes, there’s also a cap on the number of claims you can make in 12 months.
- The window of time in which you can find a lower price. You can’t make claims indefinitely. Credit cards impose relatively strict time limits, usually 30-90 days after making your purchase. Sometimes, you’ll need to start your claim within a particular amount of time after seeing the lower price.
- Where you can find a lower price. Some cards, such as select Capital One cards, exclude advertisements posted online. Other cards exclude auctions or specific types of sales.
- Any exclusions. Although many purchases are covered, policies often exclude some items, including perishables, jewelry and services.
- Taxes and shipping don’t count. Remember not to factor taxes and shipping into the cost difference when submitting a claim.
- Identical items. Many policies limit the number of identical items you can include in a claim.
- It’s not automatic. You generally need to track your purchases and submit claims when you find a lower price. Some services will track and submit claims for you — but these services are also part of why many issuers have decreased or discontinued price protection on their cards.
- Purchases must usually be made in the U.S. Many cards that offer a price protection benefit only cover items purchased within the U.S.
If you have a card that offers price protection, it’s best to read the guide to benefits for your card to determine what is included and excluded.
Related: Earn points, miles or cash back: How to maximize online shopping portals for your purchases
How to use price protection
You’ll usually need your itemized sales receipt, your credit card statement showing the charge and an original printed advertisement showing the sale date or advertisement date and the lower price.
You may also need other documents or supporting information, so check out your card’s guide to benefits or call the number on the back of your card for specific instructions.
Frequently asked questions about credit card price protection
Which credit card has the best price protection?
The UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card offers the best price protection. You can be reimbursed the price difference up to $500 per item (up to $1,500 per year) if you find a lower price advertised within 90 days of making your purchase with the card.
Does Mastercard have price protection?
Some Mastercards, such as the HSBC Premier World Mastercard, offer price protection. However, price protection is offered on a card-by-card basis, so make sure to check your Mastercard’s guide to benefits.
Related: World Elite vs. World Mastercard: Benefits and value
Does Visa have price protection?
Some Visa cards, including the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card, offer price protection. However, price protection is offered on a card-by-card basis, so make sure to check your Visa’s benefits guide.
Related: Comparing Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard benefits
Does credit card price protection work on flights?
Credit card price protection doesn’t cover price drops for flights or other tickets. Such an exclusion is common, but many travel cards offer other protections for things like trip cancellations or delays.
Related: Airlines that offer you a credit if the price of airfare drops
Bottom line
Credit card price protection can save you thousands of dollars per year. Although most cards limit how much you can be reimbursed annually, you can decrease the likelihood of reaching the limit by spreading your spending across multiple cards that offer price protection.
Knowing the specific benefits offered by each of your credit cards and then leveraging them to make the most of your purchases can be a great way to save money on everyday goods and larger items. For some purchases, you’ll also want to make sure your card offers other shopping protections such as extended warranty protection, purchase protection and return protection.
Related: The best cash-back credit cards
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.
