What is price matching?
Quick insights
- Price matching is a retail policy where a store may agree to match a competitor's lower advertised price.
- A consumer might use a credit card for a price-matched purchase.
- A cardmember may still earn their standard rewards points on the final adjusted purchase price.
Some retailers will match a competitor’s advertised price if you ask. Understanding how price matching works may help you save money without adding extra stops to your day.
How price matching works
When a retailer offers a price match guarantee, they typically agree to sell an item at the same price as a comparable competitor’s advertised offer. For example, a consumer might find a television at a local electronics store but notice a rival shop has the exact same model listed for less.
If the local store has a price match policy, a shopper could show proof of the competitor's price to a cashier. The store may then lower their price to match the competitor, allowing the customer to buy the item immediately.
Common rules and exclusions
Retailers typically enforce guidelines to protect their margins when they offer a price match. These may include:
- Identical items: A store will usually only match the price of an item that is exactly the same as the competitor's product. A consumer might need to verify that the brand, model number and color are identical before requesting a match.
- In-stock requirements: A retailer may require that the item is currently available for immediate purchase at the rival store. A shopper might be denied a price match if the competitor's website lists the product as out of stock.
- Proof of price: A customer service representative will typically need to see verifiable proof of the lower cost, such as a live webpage listing the item on a smartphone.
- Special sale exclusions: The store may not match prices during major holiday events; stores may also exclude clearance items or limited-time doorbuster deals from their matching policy.
Price matching with credit cards
While price matching can typically be done using cash or debit, below are a few ways a credit card may benefit when paying for the item:
- Earning potential and category: A cardmember may still earn their standard rewards points on the final adjusted purchase price. In many cases, the purchase has the same points‑earning potential as other card purchases in that merchant category, even when a price match is applied.
- Price protection: Some credit cards offer a built-in feature known as price protection. A cardmember might receive a refund for the difference if an eligible item drops in price shortly after they buy it.
The bottom line
A retailer's price match policy may help you secure a lower available cost on identical items without having to shop around. A consumer can typically use their preferred credit card for these transactions and earn rewards on the adjusted purchase price.
