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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 get this perk confused 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.
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Credit cards that offer price protection in 2022
- UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card.
- Wells Fargo Visa Signature® card.
- HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® credit card.
- Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Credit Card.
- REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard®.
- Select Capital One cards.
The information for the UBS Visa Infinite Card, Wells Fargo Visa Signature Card, HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard credit card, Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Credit Card and REI Co-op World Elite 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.
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 | 3 points per dollar for commercial air travel 2 points per dollar for gas and groceries 1 point per dollar on everything else | $495 |
| Wells Fargo Visa Signature card | $250 | $1,000 | 60 | 1 point per dollar on all purchases | $0 |
| HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard credit card | $250 | Up to four claims per 12-month period | 60 | 3 points per dollar on travel 2 points per dollar on dining 1 point per dollar on everything else | $395 |
| Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Credit Card | $250 (must be at least $10) | $1,000 | 30 | 3 points per dollar on supermarkets, restaurants, food delivery, gas and transit 1 point per dollar on everything else | $0 |
| REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard | Unknown | Unknown | 120 | 5% back on purchases at REI 2% back on mobile wallet purchases 1% back everywhere else | $0 |
| Select Capital One cards | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Best cards with price protection
UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card
Earning rate: 3 points per dollar for commercial air travel, 2 points per dollar for gas and groceries, and 1 point per dollar for all other purchases.
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Annual fee: $495.
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.
Related: UBS Visa Infinite credit card review
Wells Fargo Visa Signature card
Note: This card is no longer accepting new applications.
Earning rate: 1 rewards 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 credit card
Earning rate: 3 rewards points per dollar on travel purchases, 2 points per dollar on dining and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $395.
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 advertisem*nt or non-auction internet advertisem*nt for a lower price within 60 days. 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. And you can only make up to four claims per account per 12-month period.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: The guide to benefits linked from the card's application page describes this benefit.
Other shopping protections: Extended warranty protection and purchase assurance.
Related: The best HSBC credit cards
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Credit Card
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.
Related: The best credit cards for active-duty military
REI Co-op World Elite Mastercard®
Earning rate: 5% back on purchases at REI, 2% back on mobile wallet purchases and 1% back everywhere else.
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. Unfortunately, no additional details are provided until you're a cardholder.
How we confirmed the price protection benefit: The card's information page lists price protection as one of the card's World Elite Mastercard benefits.
Other shopping protections: Extended warranty protection.
Related: What credit score is needed for a U.S. Bank Card?
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 a Visa Signature Business card (see the guide to benefits), Enhanced Visa Signature Business card (see the guide to benefits), Professional Mastercard (see the guide to benefits), World Mastercard (see the guide to benefits), World Elite Mastercard (see the guide to benefits), World Elite Mastercard for Business Spark Pro card (see the guide to benefits), World Elite Mastercard for Business Spark card (see the guide to benefits), World Mastercard for Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard (see the guide to benefits) or World Elite Mastercard for Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard (see the guide to benefits) will have access to price protection. Other types of Capital One cards may not offer price protection.
Related: 4 reasons I'm taking a closer look at Capital One credit cards
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. Discover was the first to remove price protection from all of its cards. Then Chase eliminated price protection from most of its cards, followed by Citi, USAA, select Barclays cards and cobranded IHG cards. Mastercard removed price protection from most of its cards on July 1, 2019. And earlier last year, the Rakuten Cash Back Visa® Credit Card also lost its price protection perk.
The information for the Rakuten Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Since there aren't many cards that advertise price protection, I included all of the cards that I could verify still offer price protection in this guide. This guide may not include all cards that offer price protection, though. Additional cards may offer 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.
Related: How to choose the right credit card for you
How price protection benefits differ
Among the cards that still offer price protection, the coverage tends to vary 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 advertisem*nts 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: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online 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 advertisem*nt showing the sale date or advertisem*nt date, as well as 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.
Related: The best credit cards for online shopping
Frequently asked questions about credit card price protection
Which credit card has the best price protection?
The UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card has the best price protection since 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 your purchase with the card.
Related: Premium travel cards that are worth the high annual fee
Does Mastercard have price protection?
Some Mastercards, such as the HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard credit card, have price protection. But price protection is offered on a card-by-card basis and most Mastercards don't offer price protection.
Related: World Elite vs. World Mastercard: Benefits and value
Does Visa have price protection?
Some Visa cards have price protection, including the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card. But price protection is offered on a card-by-card basis and most Visa cards don't offer price protection.
Related: Comparing Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard benefits
Do all Citi cards have Price Rewind?
No. Citi discontinued the Price Rewind benefit as of Sept. 22, 2019.
Related: Why did Citi devalue its cards?
Does credit card price protection work on flights?
Credit card price protection doesn't cover price drops for flights or other tickets. For example, the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card expressly excludes "Traveler's checks, cash, tickets (including, but not limited to, Common Carrier Travel Tickets, Sporting Event Tickets, Concert Tickets, etc.), credit or debit cards, and any other negotiable instruments." Such an exclusion is common; every other guide to benefits I checked for the cards discussed in this guide also excludes tickets.
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 alike. 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.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
