Although credit cards offer many advantages, bad customer service can be a dealbreaker for many users. If you dread calling your credit card company due to poor service, it may be difficult to stick with them. Let’s review some top card issuers that are recognized for providing excellent customer service.
5 major credit card issuers with the best customer service
If you’re thinking about getting a new credit card, it’s important to look for companies that have received high rankings for how they treat their customers in both good and bad situations. The J.D. Power 2022 Credit Card Satisfaction Study is the best way to determine overall customer satisfaction. In 2021, almost 28,000 credit card customers gave their feedback in this study.
According to their survey, while most major credit card issuers perform well, there are a few that excel in satisfying their customers.
American Express
In the J.D. Power study, American Express ranked first with a score of 848 out of 1,000 points. This is understandable as American Express is renowned for its excellent customer service, which includes round-the-clock phone customer service, secure messaging, and online chat. Customers often praise Amex’s online chat service as it is a convenient option for those who cannot call customer service during work or busy times. Additionally, Amex offers a comprehensive mobile app that allows users to monitor purchases, make payments, and review cardholder benefits.
Although Amex is recognized for its travel cards and VIP airport lounge access, it also provides popular dining and grocery-focused cards such as the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card.
Discover
According to J.D. Power’s 2021 study, Discover ranked No. 2 with 841 points out of 1,000, which is significantly higher than the average score of 809 for major credit card issuers. Discover provides a user-friendly mobile app that allows you to manage your account, make payments, and redeem rewards. Additionally, the company’s customer service is based in the U.S., and you can reach them via phone or mail 24 hours a day.
Discover offers popular credit cards such as the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Miles. These cards do not have annual fees or foreign transaction fees. The rewards programs are easy to understand and allow you to redeem rewards for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
Bank of America
In the J.D. Power study, Bank of America improved from being tied at No. 5 with Citi to now being at No. 3 with a score of 818 out of 1,000 points. Bank of America offers 24/7 customer service and digital options for transferring funds, making recurring bill payments, and receiving payment assistance.
Bank of America offers two no-annual-fee rewards credit cards that are popular: the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card.
Bank of America offers extra features such as lower overdraft fees, a customizable dashboard on the mobile app, and access to Erica, their virtual assistant, which has already exceeded one billion interactions.
Chase
Chase ranked No. 4 in the J.D. Power study with a score of 813 out of 1,000, which is slightly below the industry average. Despite this, customers still rate Chase’s customer service highly because of their active outreach and strong social media presence. Customers can easily reach Chase via their 24-hour phone line, secure online messaging, or mail. Moreover, Chase cardholders can conveniently track their purchases and rewards using the Chase mobile app.
The Chase Ultimate Rewards program, available through cards such as the Chase Freedom Flex℠* and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, is considered one of the top rewards programs currently available.
Capital One
According to the J.D. Power 2021 Credit Card Satisfaction Study, Capital One ranked fifth with 812 points, surpassing the industry average. The company offers 24/7 customer service, and you can call collect from anywhere in the world to report a lost or stolen card and request a replacement. Capital One’s mobile app allows you to do various banking operations, like paying bills and banking on the go. Additionally, you can use the app to lock your card if it’s lost, misplaced, or stolen.
Capital One offers several highly-rated rewards cards, including the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which are often featured on lists of top rewards cards.
The bottom line
To ensure you’re fully satisfied with a credit card issuer, consider more than just the rewards they offer. Keep track of good and bad customer service experiences and consider the customer service rankings of major issuers before opening a new credit card. This can help you avoid opening a card that may cause you to cancel it later due to poor customer service.