To be fair the T&LC, the investigators assigned to my case were very easy to work with and eager to help. Ultimately, the decision was up to a T&LC judge.

The process was pretty opaque. From what I gathered, every complainant is assigned an internal investigator/advocate. If the department determines that the complaint has merit, the complaint goes before a regulatory judge who has limited authority to issue fines, revoke licenses, etc.

The system almost worked.

Is there really an effective market in credit cards' willingness to refund? Aren't credit cards preferred mostly because regulation require them to refund the user in a lot of cases?

(Also, what's with that weird US regulation about a purchase having to be "within my home state or within 100 miles of my home" to be eligible for some credit card protections?)

The credit card market is a huge money maker and incredibly competitive. Have you seen the bonuses that US banks offer?

Yes, but I don't think they're competing on refund policy. It sure isn't what's in large print in the ads, and besides, the policy is mostly dictated to them by the credit card network (which isn't so competitive, it's largely a Visa/MC duopoly) and by legislation (which isn't at all competitive).

What? Of course they are. If I felt like my credit card didn't have my back on the chargeback policy, then I'd be far more likely to go to a competitor. It may not be what's on the ads, but you do realize customer retention is a huge part of competition, not just customer acquisition.

AmeRican Express certainly is.