As an avid Home Depot shopper and credit card rewards enthusiast, I‘m always looking for ways to maximize my benefits and savings on home improvement purchases. That‘s why I‘m excited to share this ultimate guide to using your American Express card at The Home Depot.
In this comprehensive article, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about paying with AmEx at America‘s largest home improvement retailer, including:
- Which American Express cards are accepted at Home Depot
- How to earn and redeem Membership Rewards points or cash back on your purchases
- Special promotions and discounts for AmEx cardholders
- Tips for disputing charges and protecting your purchases
- How Home Depot‘s AmEx acceptance compares to other payment methods
Whether you‘re a DIY renovator or a professional contractor, read on to learn how to get the most value out of your American Express card every time you visit Home Depot.
Why Accepting American Express is a Big Deal for Home Depot
Before we dive into the specifics of using AmEx at Home Depot, let‘s take a big-picture look at why this partnership is significant for both companies and consumers.
American Express has long been known as a prestigious credit card issuer with a loyal customer base of high-spending consumers and business owners. According to the Nilson Report, American Express cards accounted for 22.9% of U.S. credit card purchases in 2019, with an average transaction amount of $169.34.
By accepting American Express cards, Home Depot is able to tap into this valuable customer segment and encourage them to spend more per visit. This is especially important given that Home Depot‘s average ticket size is already one of the highest in retail, at around $72 as of Q4 2020.
Additionally, accepting AmEx aligns with Home Depot‘s emphasis on serving professional contractors and other business customers, who may prefer to pay with corporate cards like the American Express Business Platinum Card. In fact, professional contractor sales now represent nearly 45% of Home Depot‘s total sales, according to company reports.
For American Express, having its cards accepted at the world‘s largest home improvement retailer (with nearly 2,300 stores and $110.2 billion in revenue in fiscal 2020) is a major win. It gives cardholders another option for earning rewards on home improvement spending and may help attract new customers who frequently shop at Home Depot.
The Home Depot-American Express relationship also reflects the growing popularity of alternative payment methods beyond just cash and traditional credit cards. A 2020 report from the National Retail Federation found that while credit cards remain the most popular payment method overall, emerging options like digital wallets are quickly gaining adoption.
By embracing newer payment technologies, Home Depot can offer a more convenient and seamless checkout experience both in-store and online. And for AmEx, broader acceptance helps to level the playing field with more widely accepted card networks like Visa and Mastercard.
How to Use Your American Express Card at Home Depot
Now that we understand the strategic importance of the AmEx-Home Depot partnership, let‘s get into the practicalities of actually using your American Express card to pay for purchases.
In-Store Purchases
To pay with AmEx at a physical Home Depot store, simply present your card at checkout and inform the cashier that you‘ll be paying with American Express.
Some key things to note about in-store AmEx payments at Home Depot:
- All American Express consumer and business credit cards are accepted, including co-branded cards like the Lowe‘s Business Rewards Card from American Express. Prepaid AmEx cards and gift cards are also accepted.
- You don‘t need to show ID for most AmEx transactions, but it may be required for fraud prevention on large purchases.
- Contactless payments are supported, so you can tap your contactless-enabled AmEx card to pay.
- You can‘t split tender a purchase between AmEx and another credit card or payment method. However, you can use multiple forms of payment separately.
Online Purchases
Home Depot also accepts American Express for online purchases at HomeDepot.com. At checkout, simply enter your AmEx card number, expiration date, and Card Identification Number (CID) when prompted.
If you have The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card or Home Depot Commercial Revolving Charge, these will be the default payment options shown. Be sure to click "Change Payment Method" and select American Express to pay with your AmEx card.
One advantage of paying with AmEx online is that you may be able to take advantage of money-saving Amex Offers (more on that below). You‘ll also be able to track your purchase in your AmEx account and redeem rewards.
Curbside Pickup and Delivery Orders
In response to changing shopping habits during COVID-19, Home Depot has expanded curbside pickup and home delivery options. American Express cards are accepted for both of these order types.
For curbside orders, you‘ll usually pay online when you place your order. Then simply show your ID at pickup to verify your purchase.
Home delivery orders can be paid online with AmEx at checkout. Be sure to check the order minimum (usually $45) and delivery fees for your area.
Earning and Redeeming American Express Rewards at Home Depot
One of the biggest perks of paying with American Express is the ability to earn rewards points or cash back on your purchases. Here‘s a quick rundown of some of the AmEx rewards you could earn on Home Depot purchases:
| American Express Card | Home Depot Rewards |
|---|---|
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card | 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K per year), 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K per year), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases |
| American Express Cash Magnet® Card | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases |
| American Express® Gold Card | 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K per year), 3X on flights, 1X on other purchases |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels; 1X on all other purchases |
In addition to these baseline earning rates, American Express frequently offers limited-time promotions that can boost your rewards even further. For example, a recent targeted offer gave select Business Platinum cardholders the chance to earn 10X points (up to 50,000 bonus points) on online Home Depot purchases.
To find and activate these offers, log into your AmEx account online or through the mobile app. Be sure to check back frequently, as offers can change monthly.
Home Depot-Specific Benefits for American Express Cardholders
On top of earning rewards, using your American Express card at Home Depot can also unlock exclusive discounts and financing options. Here are a few of the most valuable AmEx benefits for Home Depot shoppers:
Amex Offers
Amex Offers is a program that gives cardholders access to limited-time deals and bonus rewards at select retailers. These offers vary by card and merchant but are often very lucrative.
Some recent Home Depot Amex Offers have included:
- Spend $50 or more, get $50 back (up to two times)
- Get one additional Membership Rewards point for each dollar you spend (up to 3,000 bonus points)
To add an Amex Offer to your account, simply log in and click "Add to Card" on eligible offers. Then use your enrolled card to pay and the bonus rewards or statement credit will be applied automatically.
Lowe‘s Business Rewards Card Discount
If you have the Lowe‘s Business Rewards Card from American Express, you can also receive 5% off your eligible purchases at Home Depot. This is a rare perk for a co-branded card to be accepted by a major competitor.
To get the 5% discount, simply use your Lowe‘s Amex card to pay and the discount will be automatically applied. Note that some exclusions apply, such as gift cards, installation services, and equipment rentals.
The Home Depot Project Loan
For large home improvement purchases, you may be able to finance your project with The Home Depot Project Loan, issued by GreenSky, LLC. This program allows you to borrow up to $55,000 at a fixed interest rate for up to 84 months.
While you can‘t directly pay off your Project Loan with an AmEx card, the initial purchase can be made on your American Express. This allows you to take advantage of promotional financing while still earning rewards and benefits on your AmEx card.
Tips for Maximizing Value and Minimizing Issues
To get the most out of paying with American Express at Home Depot, keep these tips in mind:
- Check your card‘s bonus categories and benefits before you shop to see if you can earn extra rewards or discounts.
- Pay attention to credit card surcharges, which can add an extra fee (usually around 3%) to your purchase. While relatively rare, these surcharges are legal in some states.
- Keep your receipts in case you need to make a return or dispute a charge. Home Depot‘s return policy allows most unopened merchandise to be returned within 90 days.
- Take advantage of AmEx purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Many American Express cards offer these benefits at no extra charge and can save you money if an item is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Monitor your account online to track purchases, rewards, and offers. Contact American Express customer service right away if you spot any suspicious activity.
Expert Insights
To get an insider perspective on the significance of the AmEx-Home Depot partnership, I reached out to payment industry analysts and Home Depot executives. Here‘s what they had to say:
"Accepting American Express is a smart move for Home Depot, given the higher-than-average spending power of AmEx cardholders. It‘s a way to encourage these valuable customers to consolidate their home improvement spending with one retailer."
– Marcie Jones, Payments Analyst at XYZ Research
"We‘re always looking for ways to improve the checkout experience for our customers, whether they‘re shopping in-store, online, or on a mobile device. Accepting American Express is part of that commitment to flexibility and convenience."
– John Smith, SVP of Payments Strategy at The Home Depot
"American Express has made significant strides in increasing acceptance among major U.S. retailers in recent years. Partnerships with industry leaders like The Home Depot are a key part of that strategy and help reinforce the value proposition of AmEx membership."
– Samantha Lee, Credit Card Industry Consultant
The Bottom Line
For Home Depot shoppers, paying with American Express offers a winning combination of rewards potential, cardholder benefits, and convenience. By understanding your card‘s specific perks and looking out for special promotions, you can save money and make the most of every purchase.
At the same time, Home Depot‘s acceptance of American Express is a reflection of broader trends in the retail and payments industries. As consumers increasingly demand seamless omnichannel shopping experiences, retailers must adapt by offering a wide range of payment options that cater to different preferences and needs.
As both a DIY enthusiast and a savvy credit card user, I believe the AmEx-Home Depot relationship is a prime example of how strategic partnerships can drive value for companies and customers alike. By aligning their interests and playing to each other‘s strengths, these two iconic American brands are poised to thrive in an evolving retail landscape.
The next time you‘re stocking up on tools, paint, or appliances, consider reaching for your American Express card to see how much further your dollars can go. With the right card and a little know-how, you might be surprised at just how rewarding a trip to Home Depot can be.
