American Express Membership Rewards - Buyers Assurance just saved me $185

Although I've had the *wood Amex for close to 10 years now I've never used any of the card's "extra benefits" until about a week ago. It seems that last Xmas eve we purchased an electric scooter for $185 on my amex, it had a 6 month manufacturers warranty, and its motor just burned out. I was about ready to chalk it up as a total loss when for some reason I thought to call amex to see if they had a program that would extend the warranty. They directed me to Buyers Assurance, I was on the phone with a nice friendly rep for about 5 minutes giving date of purchase, price, serial # etc, I was told that a decision would probably be made on my case within about 2 weeks. I just looked at my account online and it had been credited $185 a few days ago, a matter of just a few days from the time that I called.

I wish I'd discovered this sooner, what a nice extra benefit! Here is the buyers assurance link if you're interested: https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/benefits/buyersassurance.jsp

I have utilized the Buyer's Assurance Plan several times on different Amex cards and have been truly pleased. I was reimbursed for a digital camera and cellphone. I received a credit to my account within days. So many cardholders are not aware of the benefit. Congratulations on getting your money back on the scooter.


Although I've had the *wood Amex for close to 10 years now I've never used any of the card's "extra benefits" until about a week ago. It seems that last Xmas eve we purchased an electric scooter for $185 on my amex, it had a 6 month manufacturers warranty, and its motor just burned out. I was about ready to chalk it up as a total loss when for some reason I thought to call amex to see if they had a program that would extend the warranty. They directed me to Buyers Assurance, I was on the phone with a nice friendly rep for about 5 minutes giving date of purchase, price, serial # etc, I was told that a decision would probably be made on my case within about 2 weeks. I just looked at my account online and it had been credited $185 a few days ago, a matter of just a few days from the time that I called.

I wish I'd discovered this sooner, what a nice extra benefit! Here is the buyers assurance link if you're interested: https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/benefits/buyersassurance.jsp

I had a bad experience this March with my laptop. i got a defective screen on my laptop and wanted to send it back to the manufacturer, but they wouldn't accept it. so i asked amex to help me out, but nothing happened. oh, well.

i think buyer's assurance works well for most things non-electronic related. i'm surprised they helped you out for your camera and cell phone.

I've also had very good experiences with the insurance features that come with my card. I needed a laptop repaired that was just out of manufacturer's warranty and was reimbursed through Buyer's Assurance. I just had to contact them to set up a claim and send in my repair invoice. I've also been reimbursed for several stolen or accidently damaged items through Purchase Protection.

Does Buyers Assurance come standard on all Amex cards or just Gold, Plat, etc? And is it included on co-branded cards (eg, HH Amex Plat)?

Does Buyers Assurance come standard on all Amex cards or just Gold, Plat, etc? And is it included on co-branded cards (eg, HH Amex Plat)?

I don't know if it comes standard on every card, but if you go here:

http://www66.americanexpress.com/cards/apply/jsp/fmac/i_know_which.jsp?csi=0/20/b/2/3353830971/335104513833/20/n&from=0

Click on the type of card, then click learn, you should get a summary of included benefits.

I just looked at my account online and it had been credited $185 a few days ago, a matter of just a few days from the time that I called.



Did you have to ship the broken scooter to Amex? I always thought that was part of the deal.

I love this Buyer's Assurance - I call it my Idiot Insurance!

Two occurence One of which I am really ashamed to admit
1. Carrying my Bluetooth headset (bought from ebay - no real receipt. But paid via paypal using my Amex) in my pocket. Bang a big samsonite suitcase on my leg - break the headset. Call Amex - they refund me the purchase price (full charge - shipping) - as per what I tell them. Since then my policy on ebay - tell seller to make the cost of the item = my bid price + shipping and give me a letter saying that shipping is free.

2. Hate to admit this oen - Went out hiking - brand new T637 in my jacket pocket. Go for a swim - take off jacket - plop goes the phone in the water. Call Amex - own up to my stupidity - get refunded for the phone.

I love Idiot Insurance!


I've also had very good experiences with the insurance features that come with my card. I needed a laptop repaired that was just out of manufacturer's warranty and was reimbursed through Buyer's Assurance. I just had to contact them to set up a claim and send in my repair invoice. I've also been reimbursed for several stolen or accidently damaged items through Purchase Protection.

Did you have to ship the broken scooter to Amex? I always thought that was part of the deal.

Surprisingly no, they took my word for everything - the entire phone conversation lasted only about 5 minutes and my account was credited in full in less than a week!

Hmmm... so I got them mixed up I think. I was talking about Purchase Protection - while the OP was talking about Buyer's Assurance.

My bad!

Either way I love having both of those!

I love this Buyer's Assurance - I call it my Idiot Insurance!

Two occurence One of which I am really ashamed to admit
1. Carrying my Bluetooth headset (bought from ebay - no real receipt. But paid via paypal using my Amex) in my pocket. Bang a big samsonite suitcase on my leg - break the headset. Call Amex - they refund me the purchase price (full charge - shipping) - as per what I tell them. Since then my policy on ebay - tell seller to make the cost of the item = my bid price + shipping and give me a letter saying that shipping is free.

2. Hate to admit this oen - Went out hiking - brand new T637 in my jacket pocket. Go for a swim - take off jacket - plop goes the phone in the water. Call Amex - own up to my stupidity - get refunded for the phone.

I love Idiot Insurance!

I don't know if it comes standard on every card, but if you go here:

http://www66.americanexpress.com/cards/apply/jsp/fmac/i_know_which.jsp?csi=0/20/b/2/3353830971/335104513833/20/n&from=0

Click on the type of card, then click learn, you should get a summary of included benefits.

Thanks for the link, PhilC.
The card I have, Blue Rewards and the card I will be receiving shortly (HHonors Plat) both have Buyers Assurance.

I had a bad experience this March with my laptop. i got a defective screen on my laptop and wanted to send it back to the manufacturer, but they wouldn't accept it. so i asked amex to help me out, but nothing happened. oh, well.

i think buyer's assurance works well for most things non-electronic related. i'm surprised they helped you out for your camera and cell phone.



ktp28, did you get a response regarding your claim? If not, I would try again. Was the laptop still under warranty? Did you contact Return Protection or Purchase Protection? Those are different than Buyer's Assurance, which goes in effect after the manufacturer's warranty expire. There is a way to check your claim online if you were giving a reference#.

Amex offers 3 different benefits: Buyer's Assurance, Return Protection and Purchase Protection. There is an explanation of each on the website under benefits. Because my digital camera and cell phone went defective after the original manufaturer's warranty, that is why I was given my money back.

Try again, and good luck. -- Devon

I haven't tried again since it wasn't very helpful the first time. Maybe I will talk to them about it since the repair is estimated for over 700.