No Result
View All Result
Eye of the Flyer
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Amex Cell Phone Protection: Something to Keep in Mind

Chris Carley by Chris Carley
March 16, 2021
in Credit Cards
2
American Express added cell phone protection to several of its premium cards.
Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


A few weeks ago, American Express announced it’s adding cell phone protection to several premium cards. But there’s an interesting twist to keep in mind if you plan on taking advantage of the perk.

What Is Cell Phone Protection on Eligible American Express Cards?

Before we get to the heart of the matter, let’s get to Amex’s definition of “Cell Phone Protection.”

Here’s the wording from Amex’s announcement:

Effective April 1, 2021, if a Card Members’ cell phone is stolen or damaged, including a cracked screen, they can be reimbursed for the repair or replacement costs for up to two approved claims, for a maximum of $800 per claim or $1,600 per 12-month period, when their cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible applies to each approved claim.

Which Amex Cards Are Eligible for Cell Phone Protection?

These American Express cards feature the new benefit:

  • Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Business Platinum Card
  • Centurion Card from American Express
  • Business Centurion Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
  • The Platinum Card Exclusively for Charles Schwab
  • The Platinum Card Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
  • The Platinum Card Exclusively for Goldman Sachs
  • The Centurion Card Exclusively for Goldman Sachs

This is an extra nice kicker for people thinking of applying for the Delta American Express cards’ big welcome offers right now (though note the Gold cards aren’t eligible).

I did find it interesting, though, that the American Express® Gold Card isn’t one of the eligible cards — despite it carrying the same annual fee as both Delta Platinum Amexes (the personal and business flavors).

So What’s the Issue?

I asked Amex’s PR company if an eligible card must pay the entire cell phone bill. For example, I’m currently paying $20 of my monthly wireless bill on my Delta Reserve Business Amex because it comes with a $20 statement credit. I’m using my Business Platinum Card® from American Express to pay the balance, thanks to its 5X Membership Rewards promotion.

(I usually pay my cell phone bill with the Ink Cash, which offers 5X Ultimate Rewards points on wireless service provider purchases, up to $25,000 a year in combined spending).

If heaven forbid I have to use the protection to pay for screen repair or a replacement, I’m curious if I’m covered.

A spokesperson for Amex’s PR company said, “each claim will need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis based on the information supplied when completing a claim. To be eligible for Cell Phone Protection coverage, Card Members should use an Eligible Amex Card Account to pay their monthly wireless bill.”

I think it’s sort of implied that you need to pay your entire bill with an eligible card — but nothing in that language explicitly indicates as much. Now, if I divide the payments across two eligible Amex cards, I think I’d have a strong argument that I should be reimbursed for any damages (and, again, this is a worst-case scenario).

But just be aware that if you pay a minimal amount on your eligible Amex and the balance on an ineligible card, you might not receive the benefit. So keep that in mind when paying your bill.

Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Related

Tags: American ExpressAmerican Express Business CardsAmerican Express Consumer Cards
Previous Post

WHO Not Really Loving Vaccination Passports for Travel Right Now

Next Post

The Three Delta Business Amex Cards: Comparing and Contrasting [2021]

Chris Carley

Chris Carley

Chris Carley is the owner, editor, and lead writer of Eye of the Flyer (formerly known as Rene's Points).

Next Post
Delta SkyMiles Business American Express Credit Cards

The Three Delta Business Amex Cards: Comparing and Contrasting [2021]

Comments 2

  1. Fred says:
    1 year ago

    Chris —

    Is it possible to buy an ATT gift card with the $20 credit and then apply this to your balance. You would then pay the remaining balance with your Business Platinum.

    Fred

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      1 year ago

      Interesting suggestion, thanks! Might be worth a shot. You know, for the sake of science and blogging!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

➤ Search Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

GREAT Travel and Cash Back Card Offers!

Eye of the Flyer May Receive a Commission from the links below. See our Privacy Policy

See CardRatings’ Top Credit Cards for This Month!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card travel rewards credit card

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card! Learn here how to apply.

IHG Business Premier Rewards Credit Card

IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

BRAND NEW CREDIT CARD! Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval. Plus, complimentary Platinum elite status, great points bonuses, and more! Learn now how to apply!


Capital One Venture X Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

A must-have “it” card for travel lovers! Earn 75,000 bonus points (worth at least $750 in travel) after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval. Plus, enjoy up $300 annually in statement credits for travel purchased through Capital One AND 10,000 bonus points every year, after the first anniversary. The $395 annual fee can EASILY be earned back — and then some! Learn now how to apply!

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

NEW WELCOME OFFER! Earn 1.5 bonus points on top of the other points you earn during the first year of card membership. (A $20,000 spending cap applies.) Learn now how to apply!

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

REFRESHED CARD! Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. Plus, earn 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. 3X on everything else. Learn now how to apply!


The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

THE classic travel benefits card! Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within six months of being approved. See rates and fees. Terms apply. Learn now how to apply!

American Express Business Platinum

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 35% Membership Rewards rebates when paying with points for an eligible flight booked through Amex Travel! (Capped at 1,000,000 points a year, enrollment may be required.) Terms apply. Learn now how to apply!

  Earn cash back with Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) Earn cash back with TopCashback! RebatesMe Earn cash back with DOSH!

✍ Editors Disclaimer | lock, login, protection, secure icon Privacy Policy | $ Advertisers Disclosure

 

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

Cleantalk Pixel

Subscribe To Our Newsletter


Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!