Visa Signature Card Benefits: What You Need to Know

Visa Signature® is the mid-tier package of benefits provided by the Visa payment network. These benefits — which include protections like travel and emergency assistance and extended warranty coverage — are superior to those extended by standard Visa cards but less robust than those offered by Visa Infinite cards.

It’s important to note that although Visa administers Visa benefits, your issuer, rather than Visa, ultimately determines your card benefits. Benefits will vary with each Visa Signature card. The list below is a list of common Visa Signature credit card benefits, but it may not be a comprehensive one across all cards. Your best bet is to check your card’s “Guide to Benefits” for a detailed list of what you’re entitled to as a Visa Signature cardholder.

*IB = Issuer added benefit. These benefits are added on by card issuers.

• Extended warranty

  • How does the benefit work? It extends the term of your eligible U.S. manufacturer warranty up to one additional year on warranties of three years or less. You must submit a claim within 90 days of product failure.
  • Typical coverage amounts: As an example, The Rocket Visa Signature Credit Card offers an additional year of coverage on purchases made with the card. You can get up to the original price of the purchased item (you must have the receipt), less shipping and handling fees. The warranty is capped at $10,000 per claim, and $50,000 per cardholder. Items that are $500 or higher (such as appliances) may also be eligible for in-home repairs.
  • What’s typically covered? Items that have a manufacturer’s warranty such as electronics and appliances including built-in dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, cooktops, stoves, trash compactors, washers or dryers and motorized components of ceiling fans.
  • What’s typically not covered? Boats, automobiles, aircraft and any other motorized vehicles; rented or leased items, software, medical equipment and anything that was used or pre-owned; etc.

  Keep in mind: Cashing in on Visa Signature purchase protections does require cardholders to be good recordkeepers and to have patience. Users report that submitting a claim is a meticulous and lengthy process requiring documentation, which can include:

  • The original bill of sale
  • An itemized repair bill/estimate
  • The original manufacturer’s warranty (if applicable)
  • A police report (for stolen items)

  In some cases, you may have to mail back the item at your own expense, which may not be worth it for less expensive products.

  → See the best credit cards for extended warranty

• Cell phone protection

  • How does the benefit work? If you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your covered Visa Signature card, you can receive reimbursement if your phone is stolen or damaged.
  • Typical coverage amounts: On the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card, cardholders get up to $600 to repair or replace a phone that is damaged or stolen. You are only allowed up to a maximum of two paid claims ($1,200) per 12-month period. Note, there is a $25 deductible.
  • What’s typically covered? The cost to repair or replace any damaged or stolen phone, provided you are using the card to pay the monthly bill.
  • What’s typically not covered? Cracked screens, cosmetic damage or scratches that do not impact the cell phone’s functionality are not covered. Lost phones and phones lost in transit by a carrier like UPS or FedEx won’t be covered. Coverage is also only for phones, not tablets or other devices that appear on your wireless bill. Finally, this benefit is secondary to other insurance coverage, such as renter’s insurance.

• Return protection

  • How does the benefit work? If you need to return an item that you purchased with your card within 90 days and the merchant will not accept it, you can receive reimbursement through return protection.
  • Typical coverage amounts: Visa Signature cards allow this benefit on items up to $250.
  • What’s typically covered? Most consumer products are covered when purchased with your Visa Signature card.
  • What’s typically not covered? Animals, plants, formal attire, jewelry, fine art or collectible items, seasonal items, real estate, etc.

• Purchase protection

  • How does the benefit work? Sometimes called purchase security, this benefit covers new items for the first 90 days against theft or damage due to eligible circumstances.
  • Typical coverage amounts: Per the Prime Visa‘s guide to benefits, you’ll get protection on new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • What’s typically covered? Most items purchased with the card, even if they are a gift for someone else or bought outside the U.S., are covered.
  • What’s typically not covered? Animals and plants, antiques and collectibles, boats, aircraft and motorized vehicles, cosmetics, used or pre-owned items and damage from normal wear and tear.
  Note: Purchase coverage including cell phone protection only applies to damaged or stolen items, not lost items. You may also have to provide proof of purchase, plus file and submit a copy of a police report if the item was stolen.

• Car rental insurance

  • How does the benefit work? Get an auto rental collision damage waiver for physical damage, theft, reasonable and customary towing and loss-of-use charges when you rent a car with your Visa Signature card. To use this benefit, you must decline the collision damage waiver coverage offered by the rental agency. Also, you must be the primary renter on the auto rental contract.
  • Typical coverage amounts: The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card‘s rental coverage is primary, meaning you don’t have to go through your personal auto insurance at all. You’re covered up to the actual cash value of the car for damages caused by theft or collision.
  • What’s typically covered? You (the primary renter) and any additional drivers listed on the rental car agreement are covered for damages caused by theft or collision. This includes valid loss-of-use charges imposed by the auto rental company, administrative fees and towing charges (due to the covered theft or damage) to the nearest qualified repair facility.
  • What’s typically not covered? Damage to any other driver’s car, the injury of anyone, or damage to anything is not covered. Certain high-value vehicles like a Corvette, Ferrari or Jaguar are not covered. Nor are antique cars, cargo vans, limousines, recreational vehicles, or passenger vans with seating for more than nine.
  To know: While the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card and a handful of other premium cards have primary rental car coverage, most cards offer secondary coverage. This means that the policy supplements your personal insurance to cover any out-of-pocket expenses you might incur.

  → Learn more: Credit Card Rental Car Insurance: What Is It? How Does It Work?

• Trip cancellation/interruption

  • How does the benefit work? If you use a covered Visa Signature card to purchase eligible travel — including air, ferry, rail, bus and cruise ship — and you need to cancel or interrupt your trip, you can receive reimbursement for the nonrefundable cost of your passenger fare.
  • Typical coverage amounts: Coverage can vary widely depending on the card. For instance, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers up to $1,500 for trip cancellation/interruption per covered person when you buy your tickets using your card. Contrast that to the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, which offers up to $10,000 per traveler or $20,000 per trip.
  • What’s typically covered? Your trip must be canceled or interrupted due to a “covered reason.” This can include illness or accident affecting you or another family member, a military assignment deployment, being subpoenaed to court, severe weather, a terrorist incident or government travel warning.
  • What’s typically not covered? Your trip may not be covered if you simply decide to change your travel plans; if you take part in illegal activity that detains you; in case of war or warlike activity; for medical issues relating to a pre-existing condition (prior to the booking date); if the delay is because you failed to obtain the proper travel documents; etc.
  Important: The benefit only covers prepaid travel booked with your card. Any cancellation fees or other costs you incur such as event tickets or admission to amusement parks will not be covered.

• Trip delay insurance

  • How does the benefit work? Get trip delay reimbursement for air travel delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay due to a covered hazard.
  • Typical coverage amounts: On the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful credit card, you are covered up to $500 per ticket.
  • What’s typically covered? You will be covered for reasonable expenses you incur because of your trip delay including meals, lodging, toiletries and medication.
  • What’s typically not covered? Pre-paid tours or activities in your trip itinerary that you miss may not be covered. Trip delays made public in advance of your departure may also not be covered.

• Lost luggage reimbursement

  • How does the benefit work? It reimburses you for your checked or carry-on luggage in the event of theft or misdirection by a common carrier or cruise line for flights purchased with your card.
  • Typical coverage amounts: The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful credit card offers up to $3,000 per passenger on your reservation for luggage that is lost or damaged by a carrier. Check the full details on your card as there may be sub-limits as well, such as up to $500 for camera equipment, jewelry, etc.
  • What’s typically covered? Baggage and personal items that you must replace or repair due to loss, damage or theft of your luggage by a common carrier or cruise line during an eligible trip.
  • What’s typically not covered? If you accidentally forget to grab your luggage or leave it behind, that is not eligible for coverage. Any money, traveler’s checks, or documents that were packed and lost are also not covered.
  Lost luggage reimbursement is secondary to the airline, meaning you must file a claim with the airline first and exhaust that option. The Visa Signature benefit will then kick in up to the maximum allowed, minus anything the common carrier or cruise line pays you.

• Baggage delay reimbursement

  • How does the benefit work? Get reimbursed for necessities you purchased if your checked baggage is delayed or misdirected for more than four hours.
  • Typical coverage amounts: The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers up to $100 per day for five days toward essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for carrier baggage delays over six hours.
  • What’s typically covered? Toiletries and clothing are typically what you’ll need to purchase until you retrieve your luggage.
  • What’s typically not covered? This coverage is meant to help you get by until your luggage arrives. You will not be covered for high-ticket items like hearing aids, artificial teeth or prosthetic devices. Jewelry, electronics and cash/checks are also not covered.

• Emergency evacuation

  • How does the benefit work? Receive transportation to the nearest medical facility for treatment if you are sick or injured when you use your eligible card to purchase your travel tickets.
  • Typical coverage amounts: Visa Signature cards with this protection cover up to $10,000.
  • What’s typically covered? Transportation, medical services and medical supplies used during your emergency evacuation.
  • What’s typically not covered? You won’t be covered if you already have other coverage such as through employment insurance if you’re a business traveler. It also doesn’t cover non-emergency care or for treatment that is not prescribed by a hospital or physician or is experimental in nature. Injuries as a result of self-harm or risky behavior like skydiving, or pregnancy complications will not be covered. Evacuation for trips less than five days or more than 60 days or in a high-risk country are also not covered.

• Emergency medical/dental

  • How does the benefit work? Receive reimbursement for emergency medical or dental expenses you incur while traveling. Note, this is supplemental to and in excess of any valid insurance or other forms of reimbursement.
  • Typical coverage amounts: This Visa Signature benefit typically caps out at $2,500 with a $50 deductible.
  • What’s typically covered? Doctor or healthcare provider costs, hospital stays, diagnostic tests or anesthetics, ambulance transport and medications are typically covered.
  • What’s typically not covered? Care that is deemed not medically necessary, is experimental in nature, routine care, or care for injuries sustained because of self-inflicted behavior may not be covered.

• Roadside assistance

  • How does the benefit work? Visa Signature cardholders can access a pay-per-use roadside assistance program 24/7 by calling 800-847-2869.
  • Typical coverage amounts: Roadside dispatch is a service, but not a free one. When you call the toll-free hotline, you will be told the cost of services upfront. If you agree, the cost will be billed to your card.
  • What’s typically covered? Services on cards that offer this benefit, including the Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card, include standard towing, tire changing, jump-starting, lockout service, fuel delivery and standard winching.
  • What’s typically not covered? If you’re in an off-road area, this service may not be available. You are responsible for any tow truck facility fees.

  → See the best credit cards for travel insurance

  Filing a claim with Eclaims

  Many Visa card issuers require you to file a claim through a third-party service called Eclaims. This service is notorious for technical problems and delays in processing claims. You should make sure that you have all the required documents before submitting the claim. Some users recommend submitting the claim via email.

There are a number of other Visa Signature perks and benefits that may be available on your card. The Guide to Benefits you receive as a cardholder will provide all of the details. Some benefits include:

• Travel accident insurance: Receive protection against accidental death or dismemberment that occurs during eligible travel for trips purchased with your card.
• Visa Signature Concierge: This is a personal assistance hotline that is complimentary to Visa Signature cardholders. It can help you make restaurant reservations, book travel, secure event tickets, order gifts and perform other tasks.
• Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection: Receive special guest status at more than 900 Visa Signature hotel properties across the globe. Enjoy benefits like room upgrades, food and beverage credits, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, late checkout when available and more.
• Lounge access: Get VIP access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world through Priority Pass.
• Airline incidental fees: Receive reimbursement for air travel-related fees, such as airport security, checked bag fees, in-flight food purchases and more.
• Visa Signature car rental benefits: Enjoy special discounts and complimentary upgrades, when available.
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck: Receive a $100 statement credit toward your Global Entry application fee (currently $100).
• Travel and emergency assistance services: As the covered cardholder, you, your spouse and your dependent children under the age of 22 can receive 24/7 access to a multilingual call center for emergency assistance. Services include assistance with medical referrals, emergency transportation, emergency massage services, prescriptions, emergency ticket replacement, legal referrals, lost luggage locator services and emergency translation services. Note, the cardholder is responsible for the cost of any services.
• Emergency cards services and cash disbursement: Visa can work with your bank to expedite worldwide shipping of an emergency replacement within 24 to 72 hours for lost or stolen cards.
• Shipt: Get three free months of Shipt membership, followed by nine months of membership at a 50% discount. Shipt membership offers free same-day grocery and other essential deliveries on orders of $35 or more.
• Free wine tasting: Experience world-class celebrity chef and winemaker events, such as Sonoma County wine events.
• Troon Golf Rewards: You’ll get automatic Silver Status within the Troon Rewards program when you enroll with your card. Get 10% saving on golf fees, merchandise and lessons at over 150 golf courses in the U.S. and abroad.

Most major issuers, outside Amex and Discover, offer Visa Signature cards. Following are some top recommendations.