These 5 Credit Cards Still Offer Price Protection (For Now!)

Credit card issuers are always announcing new perks that come on their cards, but they’re also frequently discontinuing perks that go largely unused. One of the credit card benefits most recently cut back is price protection.

Discover was the first to eliminate price protection completely in 2018. Then Chase eliminated price protection from multiple cards, followed by Citi, USAA, and select Barclays cards.

So what is price protection, and why is it important that you have it? Well, it can potentially save you a large amount of money on the purchases you’re already making. And all you have to do is use the right credit card.

What is price protection?

Making a large purchase can be anxiety-inducing. While you may find the best price at that time, you could maybe get an even better price the next day. This can be disappointing and frustrating for any consumer. This is where price protection comes to save the day. Price protection helps consumers be sure they are getting the best possible price on a product.

Let’s say you purchase a TV for $600 on January 1st. On January 12th, you discover the same TV is now being advertised for $400 at a different retailer. Your first idea could be to return the TV and go purchase it again at the lower advertised price. This would be a large hassle on your part.

With price protection, you can simply submit a claim to your credit card company. If you meet all of the terms of their policy, they will send you a check for the price difference you found. This is a much easier process than returning your original purchase and repurchasing it elsewhere.

How does price protection work?

There are some terms to keep in mind when using price protection and some aspects that will vary between specific cards. Here’s what you need to know to understand your price protection policy:

• Full purchase vs. partial coverage: Each credit card’s terms and conditions will define whether the purchase must have been fully charged on the specific credit card or not. If you split a purchase between two cards or use cash and a credit card, your item may not be eligible for coverage, so be sure to read your card’s policy.
• Refundable amounts: Each card will have a maximum amount you can claim for each item and a maximum of how much you can claim per calendar year. For example, Capital One offers up to $500 per item and a max of $2,500 in claims per year.
• True price difference: The sticker price on an item can be much different than the actual price you pay at the register. Price protection policies typically do not include merchant rebates, taxes, or shipping and handling fees. So if you are comparing prices, make sure it is for solely the price of the item.
• The definition of advertised: Price protection is based on you finding a “lower advertised price.” However, each credit card issuer will define “advertised” a bit differently. Be sure to refer to the fine print of your terms and conditions on what qualifies as an advertisement.
• Time limits: Unfortunately, price protection does not last forever. Otherwise, we would be able to recover a ton of costs on items that lose their value quickly, such as electronics. Price protection policies typically cover anywhere from 30-90 days after the time of purchase.
• Eligible purchases: Each credit card issuer will list different items that do not qualify for price protection. For example, collectibles, perishables, boats, motorized vehicles, and any other car accessories largely do not qualify for price protection. Be sure to check the exclusion list and coverage limits to see what terms apply.

In addition to these terms, one core piece of utilizing price protection is handling your documentation. One of my bad habits is throwing away receipts. But if you want to take advantage of price protection, it is imperative that you keep all documentation that can prove your claim. This documentation includes all necessary receipts and proof the item has fallen in price from a retailer that falls within your credit card’s terms. Without documentation, your chances of getting a refund will be slim.

5 credit cards that still offer price protection

Despite the recent news that credit card issuers are eliminating price protection, there are still a few cards that offer it. Having price protection can give you peace of mind if you are planning any large purchases, such as electronics or appliances. It’s normal for anxiety to set in when making a large purchase — we keep thinking that next week the price could fall. But this exact situation is where price protection can assist and relieve some stress.

Whether you are in the market for a business or personal credit card, you have options that not only offer price protection but are also great rewards credit cards. These five credit cards offer price protection:

Capital One

With Capital One, price protection perks are only available with their business credit cards. However, these cards pack a real punch as all of them offer outstanding policies. If you make a purchase and find an equivalent item within 60 days of purchase, you can file a claim for up to $500 per item. You can do this to a maximum of $2,500 in claims per year.

Additionally, each card comes with unique reward potential that can help you earn valuable points or cash back for your business:

• The Capital One Spark Cash Plus can help your business save unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Along with this, cardholders can earn a earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
• The Capital One Spark Miles for Business can give your business the ability to earn points on your purchases for future travel expenses such as airfare and hotels. With the card, you can earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars and booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on every purchase, every day. You can also earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months from account opening.
• The Capital One Spark Cash Select card is a great option if you want to earn cash back for your business without a pesky annual fee. You can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Your cashback earnings can get off to a great start with the ability to earn a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months of account opening. 
• The Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit card is another version of the Spark Cash Select above. It has the same ability to earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases on all cards attached to the account; plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It also offers the ability to pay off a large purchase over time with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, then 21.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR.
• The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business is a $0 annual fee card that can earn your business Capital One points. Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel, and an unlimited 1.5X miles on all other purchases made with all cards associated with the account. This means if you have employees with cards on this account, you will earn miles on their purchases as well. Plus, you can earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months.

How to get the most out of price protection

Price protection is a great perk to help you save even more money on your purchases. However, it does take some documentation and preparation. If you believe you have a claim, your first step is to check the terms and conditions of your credit card. There, you will be able to find the contact information for the department to contact. Along with this, the terms and conditions will tell you what documentation is needed to include with your claim form. Typically, the documentation will look something like this:

• Original receipt for the purchase
• Proof of advertisement (this could be a copy of a printed advertisement or a screenshot if you found it online) from an approved retailer showing the lower price of an identical item within a specified timeframe
• Proof of item being charged to credit card

Keep in mind you are still responsible for paying the credit card statement in full while your price protection claim is being processed. If you are expecting a refund for $100 on a $250 item you purchased, be sure to pay the full $250. Once your claim is approved, you will be sent a check in the mail. Typically, it will not come from your credit card issuer but rather from an outsourced third party.

FAQs

Bottom line

Price protection is a great feature to have on all your purchases. Prices can rapidly change on items, especially in the technology sector. And with so many different retailers for us to choose from, the best price today may not be the best price tomorrow.

While more credit cards are continuing to get rid of the price protection perk, you can still find it on select personal and business credit cards. This card benefit has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars per year, so consider it when selecting your next credit card.

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Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

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Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

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Current Offer

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Solid rewards on office supply, telecom spending, gas, and dining
• Generous welcome offer
• Intro APR on purchases
• $0 annual fee
• Valuable purchase and travel protections

Drawbacks

• Bonus rewards capped after $25,000 annual spend in each category
• No bonus rewards for travel or advertising purchases
• Foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Details

• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC