Best cards for phone protection in August 2026
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
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Best for travelers
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Best for unlimited point earning
- American Express Platinum Card®: Best for premium travel perks and digital entertainment
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for high bonuses
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating categories
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for cash rewards
Comparing the best cards for phone protection
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
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 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 and Landing locations and participating 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®
- Top rated mobile app
at Wells Fargo's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on other purchases |
The Wells Fargo Autograph offers 3 points per dollar on multiple bonus categories, including travel, gas stations, restaurants, takeout and more. The card also features a 20,000-point welcome bonus (valued at $200) if you spend $1,000 within the first three months of account opening. In addition to the Autograph’s lucrative earning structure, the card also features Visa Signature benefits, up to $600 cellphone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) and no annual fee. Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph.
Pros
- Lucrative earning structure
- Welcome bonus
- No annual fee
Cons
- Fixed-value rewards
- Limited benefits and perks
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
at Wells Fargo's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X | Earn 5X points with hotels |
| 4X | Earn 4X points with airlines |
| 3X | Earn 3X points on restaurants and other travel |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on other purchases |
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card offers healthy reward earning rates on top of uncapped point-earning meaning the sky's the limit — especially if you strategize and spend in popular categories.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Uncapped earning potential
- $50 annual statement credit
- Solid point earning rates in popular categories
Cons
- This card features an annual fee
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
- Earn unlimited 5X points with hotels, 4X points with airlines, 3X points on restaurants and other travel, and 1X points on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee.
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
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 $12,000 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.
- 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 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $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.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $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.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your 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, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
- $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: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- 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 Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year |
| 1X | Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn |
This card has a unique set of perks that make it attractive for business owners looking to maximize their earning potential and unlock valuable rewards through the Ultimate Rewards program. And it currently comes with a great welcome offer. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Card.
Pros
- Bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners for a reasonable $95 annual fee
- Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and primary car rental insurance when traveling on business
- Additional perks including extended warranty, cellphone protection and purchase protection
Cons
- High spending needed to get the welcome offer
- Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
- Member FDIC
Comparing the best cards for phone protection
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at Capital One's secure site | premium travel benefits | Earn 75,000 bonus miles Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel | 2 - 10X miles Open Rewards rates
| $395 | ||||||||
at Wells Fargo's secure site | travelers | 20,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. | 1 - 3X points Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||
at Wells Fargo's secure site | unlimited point earning | 60,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||
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 $12,000 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 Chase's secure site | high bonuses | Earn 100,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 3X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 |
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 participating Priority Pass™ lounges worldwide (after enrollment) and Capital One’s own lounges and Landings 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).
The Wells Fargo Autograph is a great way to start earning travel rewards. It has a welcome bonus, bonus earnings on multiple categories and Visa Signature® benefits — all for no annual fee.
Credit card users that are looking for a simple introduction into the world of travel rewards would benefit from the Autograph’s lucrative earning structure, simple redemption options and no annual fee.
If you are looking to dip your toes into travel rewards, you are probably looking for a travel-focused card without a high annual fee and decent benefits. The Wells Fargo Autograph is a great card for new travelers, as it features bonus earning, cellphone protection and no annual fee.
If you are looking for a card with more benefits, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. The miles earned can be redeemed for travel, and the card also comes with a reimbursement fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. It does feature a $95 annual fee.
The Autograph Journey offers cardholders the chance to earn elevated rates across travel categories, including 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airline purchases and 3 points per dollar on restaurants and 'other travel' which includes timeshares, car rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites and campgrounds. On top of this, cardholders also get the added benefit of earning a flat rate of 1 point per dollar on other purchases for a $95 annual fee.
If you travel frequently and are looking for a card to help you rack up points you can redeem for future travel, this card is a decent option. Additionally, those looking for a way to fill gaps in their points-earning strategy will benefit from the flat 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases outside of the main travel categories.
"I love transferable points, so I was thrilled at the prospect of adding a new currency to my wallet that I can convert to valuable rewards like British Airways Avios and Air France/KLM Flying Blue. Plus, I can earn 5 points per dollar on hotels and enjoy an up to $50 airline credit each year." — Nick Ewen, Senior editorial director
If you're looking for a more general use credit card with no annual fee, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It earns a flat rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it an excellent choice to help fill gaps in your reward-earning strategy. The best part? Like the Autograph Journey card, the Active Cash Card doesn't put a cap on the amount of cash back you can earn.
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 $219 Clear+ 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 earns points in four bonus categories popular with businesses: travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers. The card offers a wide range of travel and shopping protections while earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Small- and medium-size businesses that spend often on travel will benefit from this card’s points-earning structure. Businesses that purchase goods will also benefit from the card’s shopping protections.
“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I've found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter, senior writer
The Capital One Venture Business provides a simple 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and comes with a low annual fee.
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.
How we rate
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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.