Best cards for phone protection in December 2025
If protecting your cellphone is important to you, consider adding one of the best credit cards for phone protection to your wallet. Smartphones are a central part of our daily lives and they’re also expensive, so it’s important to safeguard these devices from unexpected loss or damage. Replacing a smartphone can easily cost well over $1,000, which is why the risk of damage or theft is a concern.
Choosing a credit card that offers comprehensive protection against phone theft, damage and loss can provide you with peace of mind. We’ve created a list of the best credit cards with phone protection below, ensuring your smartphone and financial wellness remain secured and uncompromised.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for premium travel benefits
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating categories
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for cash rewards
- American Express Platinum Card®: Best for premium travel perks and digital entertainment
- Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for balance transfers
Comparing the best cards for phone protection
Best for premium travel benefits
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 10 Miles | 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
The Venture X combines high-end benefits like travel credits, mileage bonuses and lounge access with a simple earning formula that’s easy to maximize. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Pros
- Excellent welcome offer
- $300 in annual credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening - equal to $1,000 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5% | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! |
| 5% | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3% | 3% cash back on dining and drugstores. |
| 1% | 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
The Chase Freedom Flex is a great all-around card for beginners and fans of cash back. It’s easier to be approved for than many top-tier cards from Chase and Amex, and it offers a great array of benefits for a no-annual-fee card. Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Pros
- For a no-annual-fee credit card, the Chase Freedom Flex does offer additional benefits for cardholders including cellphone protection and food delivery perks
- The card comes with an intro APR offer
Cons
- You must remember to activate your bonus categories quarterly or risk not earning 5x on select purchases
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49%-27.99%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
at Wells Fargo's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2% | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases |
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card stirs up the cash rewards card market with the ability to earn 2% cash rewards on purchases, with no categories to track or remember. Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
Pros
- There’s no annual fee, meaning that you can keep your costs low while focusing on earning rewards
- Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases — no bonus categories to track or remember
- Get up to $600 in cellphone protection (with a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellphone bill with this card
Cons
- Don’t take this card abroad with you, as this card incurs a 3% foreign transaction fee
- Other cash rewards cards can offer better welcome bonuses
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Best for premium travel perks and digital entertainment
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X | Earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
The American Express Platinum Card® has a high annual fee but remains one of the best cards on the market for those who prioritize premium travel experiences. A combination of updated and new statement credits makes the refreshed Amex Platinum an ideal card for frequent travelers and digital entertainment enthusiasts alike.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits semiannually; enrollment required)
- Up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 in statement credits per month; enrollment required)
- Earns transferable Membership Rewards points
Cons
- $895 annual fee
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
at Wells Fargo's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card comes with one of the longest introductory APR offers we’ve seen. The introductory period can be a great way to finance a large purchase or consolidate your debt. Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Reflect Card.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Long Intro APR
- Cell phone protection
Cons
- No points or cash rewards earning potential
- No welcome bonus
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Comparing the best cards for phone protection
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited-time offer at Capital One's secure site | premium travel benefits | LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus miles Open Intro bonus Earn 100,000 bonus miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening Earn 75,000 miles | 2 - 10X miles Open Rewards rates
| $395 | ||||||||
at Chase's secure site | rotating categories | $200 bonus Open Intro bonus Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||
at Wells Fargo's secure site | cash rewards | $200 cash rewards Open Intro bonus Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months | 2% cash rewards Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||
+ New benefits at American Express's secure site | premium travel perks and digital entertainment | As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. | 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $895 | ||||||||
at Wells Fargo's secure site | balance transfers | no offer | N/A | $0 |
More details on the best phone protection credit cards
The card offers a $300 annual credit toward Capital One Travel purchases, which essentially brings the $395 annual fee down to $95. Cardholders also receive 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary year, lounge access and a steady earning rate on all purchases.
The card is a good choice for travelers, who will have access to Priority Pass™ lounges worldwide (after enrollment) and Capital One’s own lounges in the U.S. The travel credit can greatly help single, coupled and family travelers offset costs while having the ability to transfer Capital One miles to 15-plus airline and hotel partners.
“The Capital One Venture X card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel portal credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the annual fee down to $95 per year. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar (a 3.7% return at TPG's valuations) in spending categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile (e.g., auto maintenance, pharmacies, medical bills).” — Kyle Olsen, points and miles expert
The American Express Platinum Card® offers more extensive airport lounge access and a plethora of benefits and perks that can offset the card's $895 annual fee (see rates and fees). For more information, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
The card offers 5% cash back on bonus categories that rotate every quarter (activation required each quarter), as well as 5% cash back on purchases through the Chase travel portal. If you’re looking for a card that provides broad bonus-earning categories and no annual fee, this is a good choice.
This card is a good choice for those with changing purchasing habits. Five percent cash back is a great way to build up rewards, and if you hold a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, then you can combine the points for a greater return.
“As a points and miles enthusiast, I’m happy to keep up with the rotating quarterly categories that earn 5% cash back. I get the most value from this card when I can max out the $1,500 quarterly limit on Amazon, Target and PayPal purchases. My top tip for this card is to make sure that you activate the categories every quarter so that you can maximize your points.” — Matt Moffitt, managing editor
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee but is perfect for those who want to earn a flat rate of 1.5% cash back without worrying about rotating category bonuses. For more details, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
The Active Cash provides a solid 2% cash rewards rate on purchases without the fuss of keeping track of different categories or various earning rates. With no annual fee and concierge and luxury hotel benefits, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card is quite rewarding.
Those looking for a simple cash rewards credit card, whether they’re new to the credit card world or looking to complement their current card portfolio.
"This card offers 2% in cash rewards, which I used to pay my daughter’s preschool tuition. With this card, I get 2% cash rewards on a fixed expense. It was a no-brainer for me." — Eileen Sullivan, senior UX researcher
The Citi Custom Cash® Card has no annual fee and gives cardholders 5% cash back on purchases in the top eligible spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500). For more details, read our full review of the Citi Custom Cash.
The information for the Citi Custom Cash Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a great travel companion thanks to perks like no foreign transaction fees and enhancements like a generous up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually). Now, it also features more lifestyle credits that cardmembers can take advantage of to help offset its hefty annual fee. Enrollment required.
Frequent travelers and digital entertainment subscribers will enjoy travel perks like lounge access and an up to $209 Clear Plus statement credit in addition to an up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 per month in statement credits). Enrollment may be required; you may be subject to auto-renewal.
Adding this card to your rotation makes sense if you can use its perks and statement credits to offset its $895 annual fee.
If you want a premium travel and lifestyle card that’s not nearly $900, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It features a $795 annual fee — which is still a big figure — but offers several similar perks and credits that offset this fee, and it earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable reward currencies on the market.
The card has no annual fee and provides up to $600 in cell phone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible), an amazing feat for a no-annual-fee card.
Those not interested in earning points or rewards and who are looking for a no-fee annual card. Its introductory APR offer is great for those looking to pay off large purchases such as travel or home improvement projects.
This card is a good choice if you need a long-term introductory APR card offer and are not looking to pay an annual fee.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express also has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and bonus earning categories to earn rewards on purchases. For more information, read our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from Amex.
How we rate
Ask our experts
What's your favorite phone protection card — and why?
How to choose a credit card with cellphone protection
- Select a card that comes with a decent sign-up bonus since you can use that reward for future travel plans or to pay down your balance in the case of a cash-back card. Pick the option with a reachable spend threshold in a rewards currency that will be valuable to you.1Sign-up bonus
- Our list of cards with phone protection come at various annual fee levels, from cards with no annual fee to more premium cards that come with higher annual fees. Pick a card with a fee level that makes sense for your budget.2Annual fee
- Many credit cards for cellphone protection also come with various bonus categories, which can be leveraged to earn more rewards on your most frequent purchases.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of phone protection cards
Pros
- Using phone protection cards responsibly can help you build your credit score
- Cards with phone protection can give smartphone users peace of mind
- You can use your credit card to ensure you're protected if you were to damage, lose or have your phone stolen
- Many cards with cellphone protection also come with other perks and benefits
Cons
- Credit cards for phone protection can encourage overspending
- Carrying a balance and using your card for cellphone protection irresponsibly can damage your credit score
- Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score
- The cost of borrowing on credit cards is higher than traditional loans
Frequently asked questions
There is a wide range of cards that offer cellphone protection. Travel cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and American Express Platinum Card® offer cellphone insurance. Cash-back credit cards, such as the Chase Freedom Flex®, and cobranded cards, including the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, also provide cellphone insurance. If you want free cellphone insurance, check a card’s benefits on the issuer’s website before applying.
Most protection plans offered by credit cards cover damage and theft. Protection amounts for the cards listed on this page vary from $600 to $1,000. In order to be eligible for the protection, most companies require that you pay for your phone bill with their credit card.
Knowing you have your phone protected could really pay big dividends if your expensive smartphone is damaged or stolen. Make sure to set up automatic payment for your monthly cellphone bill with a credit card that offers cellphone protection.
The best cellphone protection credit card is one that offers additional benefits you can utilize, such as statement credits, or has an annual fee you are comfortable paying year after year. If a card earns you rewards, provides benefits apart from cellphone protection and has an annual fee worth paying, then that’s the best card for you.