The Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

One of the most underrated benefits some credit cards provide is travel insurance.  These protections can help you save a lot of money in the event something goes wrong while you’re traveling.

We’ve all experienced various delays and mishaps while traveling.  From flight delays, to lost luggage, these things happen to all of us.  Sometimes these events are significant enough that we’ll incur additional expenses as we navigate through the problem.  Fortunately, there are several credit cards that offer various travel insurances that will reimburse you for a lot of these expenses.

Each credit card has its own set of rules for which expenses qualify and which items are excluded or limited.  Be sure to read your card’s benefits guide so you’re familiar with what’s covered before you run into any problems.

General Guidelines

Each credit card has their own travel insurance rules and limitation.  However, there are two items that are pretty standard across the board.

Pay For Travel With The Card – In order for your trip to be covered by the travel insurance, you have to pay for at least part of your travel with the credit card that offers it.  Long before I knew anything about credit cards, we decided to take a Mediterranean cruise.  Our trip happened to be during the time when the Icelandic volcano was erupting and causing a lot of problems.

We were connecting in London but when we landed our flight to Barcelona was cancelled.  In order to make our cruise the next day, we opted to fly to Madrid and then take a train to Barcelona.  The train tickets cost us a couple hundred dollars but we didn’t get reimbursed for them because I didn’t pay for our flights with the right credit card.

Reasonable Expenses – Every card benefits guide I’ve ever read states that it will reimburse you for “reasonable” expenses associated with the covered event.   This basically means that if you’re stranded overnight and you decide to stay at a high-end luxury hotel when other options are available, you may not get reimbursed.

However, I have seen someone get reimbursed for a $1,000/night hotel room before.  Their flight was cancelled because of a snow storm, the roads were closed and that was the only room available in the city.  A “reasonable” expense can vary by situation, so just keep that in mind should something happen.

Types Of Travel Insurance

Credit cards can offer a wide range of different travel insurance benefits.  Here are some of the most popular types of coverages that are offered.  Some cards offer all of these, while others only provide some of them.

• Trip delay reimbursement coverage
• Trip cancellation or interruption insurance
• Protection against lost or damaged baggage
• Delayed baggage protection
• Rental car insurance
• Travel accident insurance

I am a huge fan of these travel protections.  They can save you a lot of money if something unexpected happens.  Here is a list of my favorite cards that offer excellent travel insurance benefits for free.  We’ll start with the personal cards first and then further down we’ll dive into business cards.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 3x points on all travel and dining purchases plus 1x on everything else.

Review – You can read why I think this is the best credit card for frequent travelers here.

Award Travel – The card_name will cover you on award travel as long as your pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $550 (Not waived the first year)

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – You get up to $75,000 in primary rental car insurance that covers damage from collisions or theft on rentals of 31 days or less.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 6 hours or an overnight stay is required.  This is the best trip delay coverage from any credit card.
• Baggage Delay – If your bags are delays for more than 6 hours, you can get reimbursed up to $100 per day for up to 5 days.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – You can get reimbursed for up to $3,000 per passenger.  Electronic equipment, jewelry, cameras and watches are limited to $500.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 for each trip.
• Other Coverages – This card also offers an emergency medical and dental benefit, travel accident insurance and a medical evacuation benefit.  Please read the benefits guide for the details associated with these coverages.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 2x points on all travel and dining purchases plus 1x on everything else.

Review – You can read why I think this is the best starter rewards credit card.

Award Travel – The card_name will cover you on award travel as long as your pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $95 (Not waived the first year)

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – You get primary rental car insurance that covers damage from collisions or theft on rentals of 31 days or less up to the actual cash value of most rental cars.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 6 hours or an overnight stay is required.  This is the best trip delay coverage from any credit card.
• Baggage Delay – If your bags are delays for more than 12 hours, you can get reimbursed up to $100 per day for up to 5 days.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – You can get reimbursed for up to $3,000 per passenger.  Electronic equipment, jewelry, cameras and watches are limited to $500.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 for each trip.
• Travel Accident Insurance – Accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $500,000 for common carrier travel).

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

Highlights – Earn a generous 5x points on up to $500,000 in flights booked directly with the airline or through AMEX travel each calendar year and on all eligible prepaid hotel stays booked through American Express Travel.  You’ll also earn 1x on other eligible purchases.

Review – You can read my full review of The Platinum Card from American Express here.

Award Travel – card_name will cover you on award travel as long as your pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $695 See rates and fees.

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. erms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per covered trip if you’re delayed more than 6 hours.  You are limited to 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.  In order for your trip to be covered, you have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip.  For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered with a maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. You have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – You will earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 dollars spent each year on all travel, shipping, Internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases you make with social media sites and search engines.

Award Travel – The card_name will cover you on award travel as long as you pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $95 (Not waived the first year)

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – You get primary rental car coverage that covers damage from collisions or theft up to the full cash value of most rental cars on rentals, that are for business purposes, of 31 days or less.  If you’re renting the car for personal reasons in your country of residence, then the coverage becomes secondary.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed as a result of a covered hazard for more than 12 hours or an overnight stay is required.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 for each trip.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

Highlights – Earn a generous 5x points on all flights and pre-paid hotels booked directly with American Express Travel.  You can also earn 1.5x points on all eligible purchases that are $5,000 or more on up to 2 million dollars of these purchases each calendar year.  You’ll also earn 1x on other eligible purchases.

Award Travel – To be covered on award travel you must pay for the taxes and fees with card_name

Annual Fee – $695 See rates and fees.

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. erms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per covered trip if you’re delayed more than 6 hours.  You are limited to 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.  In order for your trip to be covered, you have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip.  For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered with a maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. You have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

How To File A Claim

Each credit card has a slightly different process for filing a claim.  Start by calling the toll free number on the back of your credit card.  The representative will connect you with a benefits administrator who will then explain the process.  When I have filed a claim in the past, everything was done online.

You will need to gather copies of your receipts and any other documentation they need.  Once you have everything, you’ll upload them to a secure online portal.  Once your claim is approved, they’ll issue you a reimbursement payment.  Be sure to start your claim as soon as you so you don’t miss the window to file a claim.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion the card_name is the best credit card that offers travel insurance.  They have the best set of protections, with the least amount of restrictions.  If you’re a frequent traveler, this would be the card I would strongly recommend.  If you don’t travel a lot, the card_name is another solid option with a much lower annual fee.  American Express cards also offer great protections while you’re traveling.  My only complaint is they have a few more restrictions than other travel cards.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees

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