How I tripled my AirPods warranty with this credit card
Editor's Note
AirPods are my most prized travel accessory. They provide me with hours of entertainment, connect me with loved ones and filter out noise while on the go.
I had an extraordinarily good run with my last pair, which I bought more than five years ago. AirPods tend to last two to three years before needing to be replaced, so even with heavy daily use, I was lucky to have them working up until very recently.
As with all technology, upgrades are on the docket every few years or so (about as frequent as a free upgrade on a domestic flight), so I wanted to be smart about my next AirPods purchase.
Here is a play-by-play of my research process.
How I found the best price on AirPods
Around the same time I was looking to upgrade, I saw that Apple was offering an elevated 4 miles per dollar spent through airline shopping portals.
I was looking to buy a new pair of AirPods Pro 2, which, at the time, cost the regular price of $249 (plus taxes) when purchased directly from Apple.
However, as I was browsing through technology review sites like Tom's Guide, I saw that Amazon and Walmart were offering the same product with a 20% discount for $199.
I did the quick math, working out I could:
- Earn up to $15 worth of miles with Apple by clicking through one of the airline shopping portals
- Receive a $50 discount through Amazon or Walmart
The latter would give me more than triple the return, so I decided to buy them through a third party. I chose Amazon because I had a $46 Amazon gift card handy, but this was a small mistake (as I'll explain later on).
The shopping protections that mattered to me
I then needed to decide which credit card to use. I wanted to ensure my AirPods were covered by two shopping protections:
- Purchase protection
- An extended warranty
These shopping protections tend to offer up to $10,000 of coverage per claim (or $50,000 of coverage per year).
Purchase protection
This insurance benefit covers the reimbursement, replacement or repair of a product from theft or damage within the first 90 to 120 days from purchase.
I'm traveling abroad for the next six weeks, so I wanted an extra layer of protection on top of my travel insurance policy in case my AirPods were stolen or I damaged them in an airplane seat.
Related: The best credit cards for purchase protection
Extended warranty
This benefit is more important to me. Extended warranty provided by a credit card usually extends the manufacturer's warranty by:
- One to two years — if the manufacturer's warranty is one to five years
- Matching it — if the warranty is under a year
This perk is especially useful for AirPods, which come with a limited one-year warranty. Given that problems often surface in the second or third year of having them, I wanted the longest extended warranty possible.
Related: The best credit cards for extended warranties
Why I chose my Citi Rewards+ Card
At least half of the 33 credit cards I currently have in my wallet offer shopping protections. I didn't want to go too deep in researching each individual card's benefits for a relatively modest purchase, so I referenced TPG guides to compare which issuers offer the most generous benefits — and I was surprised with what I found.
Purchase protection is quite standard
Ninety- to 120-day purchase protection is the norm.
However, the maximum claim amounts vary significantly, from $500 on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) to $10,000 on more premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). My AirPods would easily fit under either maximum.
Extended warranty varies more
The most generous issuers when it comes to extended warranties are:
- Capital One (World Elite Mastercards only*)
- Citi
They tend to offer up to two years of coverage for extended warranties, whereas American Express and Chase usually max out at one year.
*Card examples include the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card; the Visa-issued Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers the standard one year.
Citi has not historically had the best reputation among credit card issuers when it comes to shopping protections. It removed them from many of its cards in 2019 and has slowly been reintroducing them over the past couple of years, so I was surprised to see it on the list.
The Citi short list
I logged into my Citi account and navigated to the card benefits section. I'm glad I dove deep at this stage because my Citi Custom Cash® Card only offers to double the warranty (meaning I'd get two years in total, including Apple's warranty) and didn't have purchase protection at all.
Conversely, my Citi Rewards+® Card (no longer available) offers a two-year extended warranty (totaling three years with Apple's warranty included) and purchase protection for the first 90 days — I had found my winner.
The information for the Citi Custom Cash and Citi Rewards+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Given I was planning on making my purchase with a combination of my Amazon gift card and the rest on my credit card, I made sure to thoroughly check the benefits guide, which stated:
"You must pay for the item at least in part with Your Citi® Card and/or ThankYou® Points."
Doing the math
When I reached the Amazon checkout screen, I selected my gift card as well as my Citi Rewards+ Card.
I'd linked my Citi card previously, so it gave me the option to redeem my paltry Citi ThankYou Rewards balance of 911 points for $7.29. While this 0.8 cents per point redemption value is less than half of what we believe Citi points to be worth (according to TPG's March 2025 valuations), I do not currently have a Citi card that turns these into fully transferable points, so I took the bait.
The total $215 purchase price (including taxes) was covered by:
- $162 on my Citi Rewards+ Card
- $46 with an Amazon gift card**
- $7 with Citi ThankYou Rewards points
**In hindsight, I should've saved the Amazon gift card for another purchase. In the event that I need to submit an extended warranty claim, it will only cover the portion paid with my Citi Rewards+ Card and Citi points (i.e., $169 instead of the full $215). Lesson learned.
And while I only earned 1 point per dollar spent on the $162 portion (half of what I would've earned if I had used my Venture X), I valued the shopping protections above the points earned.
Bottom line
Earning the highest number of points is not always the sole factor in making a purchase.
While the AirPods price was low — and certainly significantly cheaper than buying a new laptop or phone — valuable shopping protections (in the form of purchase protection and an extended warranty) were the main factors in deciding on my payment method.
Now I can rest easy knowing that if any defects arise with my AirPods over the next three years, the repair or replacement cost will be (mostly) covered by either Apple or Citi. I have saved my purchase e-receipt to my Google Drive, will keep my Citi Rewards+ Card open for the next three years and will avoid using gift cards as partial payments on important purchases like this one in the future.
And I'll rest even more peacefully on my upcoming trip now that my new fully functional AirPods can block out aircraft noise while I bop to Anitta on my flight to Brazil.
Related: 9 tech devices I always pack with me — and 1 that‘s changing my routine at home
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.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 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.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.