2.5 months ago I spent over $120.00 on my bike, getting new tires, trueing a rim and getting a tune up. 2 weeks ago my bike was stolen. After storming about and beating myself up for making it so easy to steal my bike, someone pointed out to me that the Visa Avion card includes purchase security. Visa claims they’ll insure your purchases for you in case they are stolen or lost within 90 days after the purchase date. They also provide an extended warranty of sorts whenever you use it.
Sounds great, doesn’t it?
I called the bike store and figured out with them which charges were for parts and which were for services – Visa would only cover the parts according to the first Visa agent I spoke to. After figuring it out (only around $50.00 but certainly helpful towards a replacement bike) I again called Visa to figure out how to get the ball rolling.
One problem, said the Visa agent – you “installed” the parts. According to the policy if the parts are “installed” onto the bike then they are no longer covered. Oh I see, I said, so if I took my new bike tires and hung them around the handlebars, you would cover them if they were stolen. Yes, they would, Visa said.
How utterly stupid. Visa’s pitch, their claim, their incentive for me to use their card (and potentially pay them interest) is that by using the card I can have a greater sense of security in my purchases. Well take note everyone with an Avion Visa – your purchases seem to be covered only until you use them as designed. What good are bike tires to me unless I “install” them?
Time to look for a competing card, this “service” is pure lip service.
Update: I’ve looked over the online version of the credit card agreement and I can’t find mention of this policy. I’ve called Visa again and they’ll have an insurance expert call me after checking into the facts. So there may be a happy ending after all – but I’m not holding my breathe after talking to the Visa fellow earlier today.
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