American Express Adds Cell Phone Protection Benefit to Select Cards
American Express has announced today the addition of a new benefit for several credit card products. Starting next month some cardholders will get Cell Phone Protection, inclusive of protection against screen damage, which is typically excluded from damage coverage. Let’s see how this benefit will work, and what cards are included.
Cell Phone Protection
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.
Eligible Cards
Cell Phone Protection will be included for no additional cost for the following American Express Card Members:
- 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
Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company, at no-additional-cost to Card Membership. For more information about the coverage, you can check out the Guide to Benefits at americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/cell-phone-protection.html. You can check out the details based on your American Express credit card.
What is NOT Covered
- Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone accessories other than the standard battery and standard antenna provided by the
manufacturer; - Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones purchased for resale or for professional or commercial use. Exclusion applies for
Consumer card accounts only;
Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones that are lost or Mysterious Disappearance; - Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones under the care and control of a common carrier, including, but not limited to, the U.S.
Postal Service, airplanes or delivery service; - Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones which have been rented, leased, borrowed or Cellular Wireless Telephones that are
received as part of a pre-paid plan; - Cosmetic damage (i.e. superficial abrasions or scuffs) to the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone or damage that does not
impact the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone’s ability to make or receive phone calls; - Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war,
invasion, rebellion or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear,
flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects or vermin; - Damage or theft resulting from mis-delivery or voluntary parting from the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone;
- Replacement Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone(s) purchased from anyone other than a cellular service provider’s retail or
internet store that has the ability to initiate activation with the cellular service provider; - Taxes, delivery or transportation charges or any fees associated with the service provided; or
- Losses covered under a warranty issued by a manufacturer, distributor or seller.
Conclusion
This is a new benefit at no extra charge, so it is always a positive thing. You do need have the cell phone line listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill must have been paid by an Eligible Card Account in order to get the protection. So this could work best for Delta cardholders that have a wireless credit for now.
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So will I still get the coverage if I put my Auto billing on the Platinum card but make a manual payment on my Bonvoy Business Amex card?
The terms say this, “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.” So my guess is they are going to look at which card paid the last month’s bill to see if you are eligible and then make sure the line you are claiming is on that bill.