FACED WITH FLAGGING

sales and an increase in fraud, retailers now make it tougher than ever to return items or exercise warranties. But thanks to some little-known credit-card protections, shoppers don't have to get stuck with unwanted or broken merchandise.

Some credit cards offer extended warranties, make price adjustments and even issue refunds on items that cardholders try (and fail) to replace or return at the store. (Typically, silver, gold and platinum cards offer these protections, but some standard cards offer them as well.) While nothing new, consumers often overlook these benefits since issuers tuck them away in the "terms and conditions" section of credit-card agreements, says Curtis Arnold, founder of credit card information site CardRatings.com.

To exercise these protections, however, shoppers will need to wade through a lot of fine print, cautions Edgar Dworsky, publisher of consumer advocacy site ConsumerWorld.org. "[Credit-card issuers] may be picky about allowing the claim," he says. The long list of exclusions can include tickets, antiques, refurbished goods and perishable items like perfume or batteries. Issuers may also restrict claims based on value or purchase date. In addition, the cardholder's account needs to be in good standing and they must attempt to resolve any issues with the store or the product's manufacturer first.

Nevertheless, credit-card purchase protections can pay off for consumers, especially when the alternative is to absorb the financial loss or shell out cash for a replacement. Here are four credit-card protections every shopper should know:

Extended Warranties

Before you pay extra for an

, find out if your credit card will cover it for free first. Credit-card issuers often offer warranty extensions. "The odds of things going wrong in that warranty period are pretty slim, which is why issuers offer them," says Scott Bilker, founder of financial advice site

. All

American Express

MasterCard

Return Guarantees

Stuck with an unwanted item because you lost the receipt, or missed the short return period? If you can prove you purchased the item (by pinpointing it on your statement) and the store rejected your request to return it, the credit-card issuer may accept the item instead.

Capital One's

Visa

Coverage of Stolen or Damaged Goods

Charge Dispute Protection

Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a federal law that enables consumers to dispute unauthorized or incorrect credit-card charges, every purchase made with plastic carries certain protections. The law covers everything from the accidental double-billing at the grocery store to the handbag you bought on eBay that turned out to be a fake. For more on filing a dispute, see our column

Extreme Customer Service Solutions

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Theft and accidents happen, but that doesn't mean you're out of luck. Some card issuers will reimburse for damaged or stolen items within 90 days of the purchase date. They usually won't cover loss or normal wear and tear, however, so specify what happened when filing the claim, says Bilker.

Citigroup's

Price Protection

If the item you recently bought goes on sale or is cheaper at another store, your credit card may refund the difference. Just present proof of the sale price or price change, and the original receipt. The catch: Many issuers exclude prices found at online stores, making the policy significantly less valuable, says Dworsky. Most

Chase

Also See:

• Credit-Card Companies Shut Down Consumers' Lines

• Not All Credit Scores Created Equal

• How to Cut Food Costs