How's your track record with credit card disputes?

[Rick Lee]

It's very rare that I do this, but recently I have had to file three disputes when vendors just ignored my repeated and clear requests to cancel orders. One said they fulfill orders with two or three days. After two weeks I told them to cancel, I have to go elsewhere. They argued, apologized, warned of cancelation fees. When I said I'd dispute the charges with Amex, the emailed me that they win 99% of those disputes, but that they'd give me a $100 discount if I withdrew the dispute. WTF? Now, almost three weeks after the original order and a week after the very clear cancelation request, they send me a tracking number, says it will be delivered today. I don't recall ever losing a dispute, but again, I've done it so rarely. This one is worth about $700 to me.

[matthewb0051]

Just disputed a $176 gasoline bill with USAA. I was traveling between San Antonio and Houston on a state highway. Gas pump didn't work but I got charged. They took care of it.

My all time favorite (but different issue) was getting a call from Chase while living in Hawaii. My credit card was being used at that moment in Singapore at Hermes. At least they had good taste.

[Rick Lee]

Yeah, fraud is never an issue to get fixed. But these cases are merchant disputes where they just couldn't fulfill the order in a timely manner and/or pretend to not receive cancelation requests.

[Steve Carlton]

I got to believe AMEX will back you 100%. I believe they are particularly pro-cardholder, but this vender sounds well into the wrong.

[wildthing]

I've disputed fraudulent charges and one charge from a vendor who thought they could charge me for service that wasn't delivered. All were reversed.

[Tobra]

I have never had a credit card company take my side in a dispute. The only way I have ever gotten things worked out is on my own, threatening litigation.

[GH85Carrera]

I have a USAA credit card for almost 30 years, actually two. One for personal use, one for company use. I have no idea what interest they charge, as I pay the full monthly statement balance each month.

I have an ongoing dispute with Peacock TV. I never ordered the service, yet each month they try to charge me $7.99. I dispute it, and get my money back. I can't just get a permanent block on the charge. If I try to contact customer support at Peacock, the first question is what is the user name on the account. I don't have one! So online contact is useless. I can't find a phone number to talk to a real human that can get it killed.

So I am dedicated to disputing it each month.

To answer the OP, never. I have had 100% success with disputing a charge. I did once get a call from someone claiming to be USAA. I whipped out my car and asked for her extension number. I hung up, and call the number on the back of the card. Asked for that extension and the same lady answered. OK, this is real. She asked if I was Italy buying scuba equipment. I said no, I have never been too Italy, I don't scuba dive. She asked if I lost me card. I said nope, I pulled it from wallet to call you with the number on the back. She asked about various charges upcoming, and I said approve those, but no scuba gear in Italy. I got a new card in the mail a few days later.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Amex has always been phenomenal for me, including several similar past issues.

[javadog]

Seldom needed, 100% success rate.

Sometimes takes a while.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Tobra

I have never had a credit card company take my side in a dispute. The only way I have ever gotten things worked out is on my own, threatening litigation.

A few years ago I booked a reservation at a hotel for two nights for 6 months in the future. So after my plans changed, so I called to cancel. They said their policy is no refunds on booked rooms. So I replied I have a policy I don't pay for services I do not receive. If it was the day before, I might see a point. They had 4 months to re-book the room.

I kept all the email. They tried to charge me, and I submitted it all to USAA. I was refunded my money in full.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I have an ongoing dispute with Peacock TV. I never ordered the service, yet each month they try to charge me $7.99. I dispute it, and get my money back. I can't just get a permanent block on the charge.

That a problem with the c/c company, I'd think.
https://www.elliott.org/ultimate-consumer-guides-smart-travelers/the-complete-guide-to-chargebacks-and-winning-a-credit-card-dispute/
Email Peacock and threaten to elevate it to fraud.

You could order a new c/c. An expired card once saved me from an automatic yearly renewal 3 months into the first 12 month plan. That will mess things up on auto-pay accounts though.

[LWJ]

I put 99.9% of everything on my Chase card. We have had one or two occasions to use them to twist an arm so to speak. It worked.

[flatbutt]

AmEx has always come through for me.

[RANDY P]

Amex again. They don't screw around. I use 'em for sketchy vendors like siriusXM

[Zeke]

I'm a Discover believer but they just got bought out by Capital One, not my favorite. Might go back to Amex. But discover has done me right on fraud. I had $2400 charged for airline tickets purchased in FL. All they wanted to know is if I was in FL. I said no and I could dig up some receipts for something if needed. No problem they said and took care of it on my word.

I could go no CC pretty easy if rentals will take another form of deposit guarantee. Right now it's not happening except at Hertz through some kind of 3rd party. Not interested.

The 5% category specific cash back has been great. Capital One says no change. We'll see. When they cycle around to groceries and gas, that can't be beat. Box stores are on the rotation. Amex has something else that likely won't help me much. BofA has 2% cash back everywhere. That might work.

[GH85Carrera]

I get cash back on my CC as well.

A credit card is vital for most on-line purchase, and great to have the protection of the CC company for dispute resolution.

Renting a car is pretty much a credit card only as is checking into a hotel. I write so few checks anymore I have to stop and think about how to do it. I do use cash for some purchases. I usually carry 80 to 100 dollars. There are some restaurants around that are cash only, and they have a large sign on the front door. They also have an ATM on site for customers that don't read signs.

Many purchases under 40 bucks I use my debit card as it is so much faster than paying in cash.

[Alan A]

Amex are pretty much the gold standard in dispute resolution imo.

Citibank, Chase and Capital one all suck in comparison - it’s why I put 90% of my expenditures on Amex.

[Rick Lee]

My dispute with my Sam's Club MC was closed in my favor, but they credited the amount back to me twice, and so just took one back.

Amex is still ongoing and I think it's going to be messy.

[Bill Douglas]

When i worked at BNZ Credit Cards a common dispute was guys looking at porn sites and taking up the offer of "Unlimited Access for a month - Only one dollar" Then the porn site would bill them large amounts thinking they would be to embarrassed to call the bank and explain.

[fanaudical]

I haven't had an AMEX card for many years, but did have one for ~15 years. I only had a few disputes, but every single one was sided in my favor in a couple of days.

My current card is a VISA; I've only had ~5 disputes in 10 years. All settled in my favor.