New Travel Camera: Maximize Points or Improved Warranty Coverage?

For a new travel camera, how do you maximize points? Or should you choose improved warranty coverage instead?

TravelSort reader David writes “I'm in the market for a new travel camera, and would ideally like to maximize frequent flyer miles and points with the purchase, particularly if I end up purchasing a pricey camera such as Sony's RX100 III. That said, since it will be the priciest point and shoot camera I've ever bought, I'm also concerned about warranty coverage. What do you advise?”

Great question. It's always tempting to maximize frequent flyer miles and points from a major purchase, but where electronics are concerned, especially somewhat delicate ones such as cameras, most people also want to consider warranty coverage. Let's look at each angle.

Maximizing Miles and Points for a Camera Purchase

The first stop, before looking at miles and points, is checking prices for the camera you're interested in. In the case of Sony's new RX100 III, prices tend to be very consistent across most channels for a new camera. But for other cameras, prices can vary considerably, so look at where the most competitive prices are before going after miles and points bonuses.

I've usually found Amazon to offer the most competitive prices, although it's certainly worth checking whether there are similar prices with larger online shopping portal bonuses.

With Amazon, you'll earn 5X if you first buy Amazon gift cards using your Ink Plus or Ink Bold, then load them into your Amazon account. When buying anything, including a camera, Amazon will automatically use your Amazon gift card balance first, before any credit card you have on file.

Maximizing Warranty Coverage

Conventional wisdom holds that AMEX offers great extended warranty coverage. By paying with an American Express card, you are able to add an additional year to the U.S. manufacturer's original warranty coverage, for warranties of 5 years or less.

That said, with Sony at least, a better tactic is to purchase directly through Sony and take advantage of the opportunity to buy a 2 or 3 year service plan that includes accidental damage from drops and spills.

Sony Accidental Damage Coverage: Only Available at Time of Purchase

Here are the key aspects:

Worry-Free Use: Coverage for accidental damage from handling is available and begins immediately, providing additional protection against accidental events, such as, but not limited to, drops and spills, from handling the product under normal operating conditions
Sony Phone Support: Access to support representatives via our toll-free number ensures you get the help you need anytime. Simply call a Sony expert at (855) 766-9777 for all your ESP needs.
Trusted Repairs: PC repairs are provided by Sony technicians who use Sony certified parts.
No Repair Bills: Eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for covered repairs with this cost-effective solution. The Extended Service Plan pays 100% of covered parts and labor beyond the Sony limited warranty for the duration of the Extended Service Plan.
Camera Protected from Day 1: Coverage begins on the date the camera was purchased or the date the camera is shipped, if purchased online

Another benefit of ordering directly from Sony is that there are often extras that will be thrown in complimentary, such as a carrying case, memory cards, an LCD protective cover, and the like.

The Bottom Line

5X via Amazon or more points using a large shopping portal bonus is great as far as it goes, but for an expensive camera such as the Sony RX100 III, I would highly recommend buying directly through Sony in order to be able to purchase accidental damage warranty coverage, which is only available through Sony at the time of purchase. Even a 3 year plan is only $129.99, which seems worth it to me for peace of mind.

If you've recently purchased a new travel camera, which did you choose: to maximize miles and points, or improved warranty coverage?

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