How American Express' extended warranty saved me $150 — and a huge headache
I have an embarrassing admission to make: I spent $150 on a toothbrush. I had been pricing a couple out for a while, and when The Platinum Card® from American Express offered me 6% back on the purchase, I couldn't resist the promise of Bluetooth capabilities and — perhaps the most alluring and unnecessary bit — colored lights to indicate when I was brushing too hard.
Looking back, perhaps it wasn't the best decision I've ever made, given that the brush broke after less than three years, just four months outside of its two-year warranty.
This is a tale of how I leveraged American Express' extended warranty perk to recoup the loss.
A great deal ... sort of
In August of 2021, I was lazing in the Greek sun onboard Azamara Quest, gushing to one of my best friends about the perks I was receiving with my one-month-old Amex Platinum card.
As I pulled up the app to show her some of the deals, I noticed one that stood out: 6% back on Oral-B purchases. It just so happened that the same brush my dentist recommended was part of the offer, so I bit the bullet (figuratively, of course, in case my dentist is reading this) and purchased it right then and there.
Fast-forward two years and four months. I woke up and went to brush my teeth, as I normally do. When I turned the brush on, the brush head wasn't working properly, and the entire apparatus was making an extra-loud vibrating sound.
Related: The best cards for extended warranties
After switching the brush head failed to fix the issue, I discovered that the handle's magnetic component, which holds the brush head in place, had dislodged from the handle and was stuck inside the first brush head. I pulled it out with tweezers, put it back inside the handle and hoped it would solve the problem.
It didn't.
What I did first
Since many companies tend to be the most responsive on Twitter, I sent a message to Oral-B, the brush's manufacturer, showing them photos of what happened and a video of the noise the brush was making.
They responded the same day, asking for my receipt and some additional information. I provided it, and the following day, they denied my request for assistance because the brush was four months out of warranty.
I asked one more time if there was anything they could do and mentioned that I wouldn't be spending that kind of money on another one of their toothbrushes if it was just going to break. They said they'd look into it, but I didn't hear back for almost 24 hours.
What I did next
In the meantime, I remembered that Amex offers travel protection for trips booked with certain cards, and it made me wonder if there was some sort of protection for other purchases. Because I'm new to the cards game, I searched The Point Guy's site and found that Amex offers an additional one-year extended warranty on many purchases.
When you purchase eligible items with your qualifying American Express card, Amex's extended warranty provides one additional year of coverage equal to what's offered by the manufacturer's warranty, as long as the original warranty is five years or shorter. Coverage limits are $10,000 per item and $50,000 per coverage year.
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
I called and spoke with an agent over the phone, who took a report to initiate my claim. He told me the cost of the brush should be covered and asked how much I wanted to request. (Although he was able to pull up the charge by looking at my statements, the total amount included taxes and extra brush heads, so I requested $149.99, the pre-tax amount of the brush.)
He told me to expect an e-mail within 48 hours, asking me for additional information in order to complete the claim.
Two unexpected surprises
The next day, Oral-B replied on Twitter to say that it had changed its mind and "made a one-time exception ... as a gesture of goodwill." However, instead of refunding me or completely replacing the brush at no cost, they offered to repair the broken brush. They said I'd have to pay for shipping, and there would be no new warranty.
Those terms weren't acceptable to me, given that I'd be out even more money for a potentially faulty toothbrush.
I tried to decide whether I should take Oral-B up on its offer or continue with my claim through Amex. (After all, the idea behind an extended warranty is that it offers you the same warranty as the original one provided by the manufacturer. If I had fallen within Oral-B's original warranty time frame, I would have gotten a full replacement, according to the terms.)
As it turns out, I didn't have to decide because, by the time I heard back from Oral-B, I already had a message waiting in my inbox from American Express, sent the day before (the same day I called), telling me that they had processed my claim and credited $149.99 — the cost of the brush — to my account.
Related: Choosing the best American Express card for you
Amex didn't ask for further documentation and when I checked, my account had already been credited. That means I was able to purchase a brand-new brush, which comes with another two-year warranty through Oral-B, plus another year of protection through American Express.
Bottom line
I have never had such a smooth claims experience with anything — whether it be car insurance, travel insurance or broken luggage reimbursement. This process with Amex was easy and unbelievably fast.
I'm not sure why I didn't have to provide additional information. Perhaps it was a fluke. Maybe it's because it was such a small claim amount, or maybe it's because the agent was able to immediately look up my receipt for the purchase.
Regardless, consider this your reminder to check on whether your card offers this type of protection and, if so, to use it for your next pricey purchase.
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.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.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.