Card Benefits
A lot of people aren’t aware about the additional benefits that their credit cards may already be offering. I’m writing about a recent experience that I had while using the Extended Warranty benefit from American Express. This benefit saved me at least $618 and potentially even more in terms of work hours lost and the headache of not having a functioning laptop while traveling internationally.
What Happened
I was recently on a business/leisure trip to India, Singapore and Sri Lanka. While I was in India, I woke up, had my customary cup of tea in the morning and started my laptop to catch up on things. The only problem was that the laptop wouldn’t start! I tried multiple tricks and hacks, but to no avail. I was stuck with a dead laptop while on the road.
Next Steps
After overcoming the sudden initial melancholy of a dead laptop, I quickly realized that my credit card may cover any cost of repair. I had purchased the laptop using my Amex Gold Card. I checked the purchase date in order to verify whether I was eligible for the benefit. I was pleased to know that my purchase qualified.
Extended Warranty by American Express
The Extended Warranty benefit by American Express extends the existing warranty of your purchase by up to 2 more years in addition to the original manufacturer’s warranty. In order to use this benefit, all you need to do is just purchase the item by using your eligible American Express card. This benefit applies to warranties that are of a period of 5 years or less. Primary cardholders as well as authorized users are eligible for this benefit.
Eligible Purchases
Extended Warranty kicks in once the original manufacturer’s warranty expires. As per the FAQ on Amex’s website, the following items are not eligible for coverage: “items with physical damage, damage as a result of natural disaster, software, motorized devices and vehicles and their parts.
Filing a Claim
I filed a claim on the Amex website and completed all the relevant details. You can track the status of your claim online.
Claim Assessment
After filing the claim online, Amex asked me to complete and send a repair estimate form. I headed over to the nearest authorized Apple retailer in Mumbai, India and got the details updated. After assessing the issue with the laptop, the Apple affiliate determined that it would cost me $618 to repair the laptop. I faxed the completed form back to American Express immediately.
Claim Outcome
To my surprise, my claim was approved in just two business days! A refund to the tune of $618 was immediately issued to my credit card in the form of a statement credit.
The Pundit’s Mantra
If you’re not making purchases with the right credit card, you may be leaving money on the table! Things can always go wrong given the number of electronic devices we use or carry on a daily basis. I’ve used the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits a few times. I’ve been impressed with the speed and the manner in which Amex handles these insurance claims.
The best part about this claim was the fact that it worked globally. I’d purchased the laptop using my American Express Gold Card in the US. My laptop stopped working while was traveling and while I was outside the US. I was impressed by how quickly Amex processed the claim and worked with the Apple affiliate in India to get the repair estimate verified.
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How did you ask for quote from oversea? and is it convert to USD?
I walked into an Apple affiliated store in India. They provided with a repair estimate in the local currency. I sent it across to Amex and they simply converted that amount into USD.
would this watranty work on lawnmowers?
Hi John,
Thanks for reading TPP. As per Amex’s T&C, here’s what it states: Here’s the full T&C document https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/EW%20Benefit%20Guide_Tier%201%20Rev%2007-18.pdf
The following purchases are not covered:
1. products covered by an unconditional satisfaction guarantee;
2. animals or living plants;
3. consumable or perishable items with extended or limited life spans (including, but not limited to; food,
perfume, light bulbs, batteries);
4. motorized vehicles (including, but not limited to, passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, airplanes)
and their parts, subject to high risk, combustion, wear and tear or mileage stipulations (including, but not
limited to, batteries, carburetors, pipes, hoses, pistons, brakes, tires, mufflers);
5. motorized devices and their parts used for agriculture, landscaping, demolition or construction;
6. motorized devices and their parts which are permanent additions or fixtures to a residential or
commercial building unless the item can be removed without causing damage to the structure;
7. business fixtures, including, but not limited to, air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters and/or any item
that cannot be removed without causing damage to the structure;
8. land or buildings;
9. more than one article in a pair or set. Coverage will be limited to no more than the value of any particular
part or parts, unless the articles are unusable individually and cannot be replaced individually, regardless
of any special value they may have had as part of a set or collection;
10. additional service contract or extended warranty coverage for a computer, computer component or part
that You buy which already comes with an original United States of America, Puerto Rico or the U.S.
Virgin Islands manufacturer’s and/or retailer’s warranty, unless such coverage is provided and
administered by the original manufacturer; and
11. items purchased for use as inventory, resale, professional, or commercial use
If you look at bullet points 4 and 5, then I guess it might not be covered but there’s no harm in calling them and asking about it.