ozbargain credit card travel insurance

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

10 Credit Cards That Provide Travel Insurance

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Travel insurance helps you get your money back when things go wrong with your trip. And it remains a debate: Do you really need it, and is it worth it?

Personally, I’ve often skipped travel insurance, preferring to put the extra money toward my trip. Yet as I pulled into the airport after a winter ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in my SUV rental, a snowplow kicked up a rock and a crack extended across the windshield. And just like that, I got in the dreaded rental car accident .

Thankfully, I had rented my car with my Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , which covered rental car windshield reimbursement. Note that I had also specifically opted out of the car rental's insurance coverage offered at the counter, which is a requirement in order to allow my credit card coverage to kick in. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

A number of credit cards provide various types of travel insurance (including trip cancellation, trip interruption and car rental loss and damage insurance) when you use your card to pay for flights, rental cars and other travel expenses. So do you need additional travel insurance? Maybe not.

What does your travel insurance cover?

First, let’s look at the different types of coverage that your credit card may offer to help protect your trip, from your bags to your rental car to your health.

Baggage delay . If your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do, you may receive a reimbursement to offset the costs of having to purchase new attire and other items you may need. The length of delay required and the coverage offered varies by card.

Lost/damaged baggage . If your bags are lost or damaged by a carrier, or items have been stolen from your baggage, your provider may provide monetary compensation.

Trip delay . If your trip on a common carrier is delayed, you may receive monetary compensation to help cover meals, hotels, transportation and necessary purchases up to a certain amount per ticket.

Trip cancellation . If you need to cancel a prepaid, nonrefundable trip, you may receive compensation to offset the lost funds. This benefit generally applies to cancellations for covered reasons, which vary by card.

Trip interruption . If you miss a portion of your trip due to a covered reason, this benefit will reimburse you for any unused, prepaid, nonrefundable reservations (i.e., excursions, hotel nights).

Medical treatment . If you are hurt while traveling and require medical treatment, medical expenses may be covered up to a certain dollar amount.

Medical evacuation . If your illness or injury requires you to return home immediately for care, the insurance coverage through your card may cover the costs.

Travel accident insurance. In the case of accidental death or dismemberment, your credit card may provide coverage to you or to your beneficiary

Rental car insurance. This coverage provides protection to your rental car against theft and damage. Coverage may be primary or secondary to your personal auto insurance, depending on the card.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Popular credit cards with travel insurance

Some of the best travel rewards cards include various forms of travel insurance. These are a few of our favorite cards that offer certain types of coverage. If you have a different travel rewards card, it’s a good idea to check the benefits of your card before assuming that it either does or doesn’t have any of the coverage listed here.

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than six hours.

Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

Travel accident: Up to $1,000,000.

Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

3. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Lost luggage: Up to $2,000 for checked bag and up to $3,000 for checked and carry-on bag. New York state residents get $2,000 per bag, up to a maximum of $10,000 for all covered persons per trip.

Travel accident insurance. Up to $500,000.

Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per trip. Maximum benefit of $1,000 per 12-month period.

Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for delays of over six hours.

Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger for checked or carry on luggage.

Damaged luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger for checked or carry on luggage.

5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for three days.

Travel accident insurance: Up to $250,000 to $500,000 (Visa Platinum and Visa Signature, respectively).

Rental car insurance: Up to actual cash value of vehicle.

Travel and emergency assistance services: Assistance and referral via the Benefit Administrator, cardholder is responsible for all costs.

6. United℠ Explorer Card

Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

Trip interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

Rental car insurance: Covers damage or theft with restrictions.

7. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Lost carry on luggage: Up to $1,250 per person for carry on baggage while in direct transit to or from a common carrier terminal, while traveling on a common carrier or while at a common carrier terminal.

Lost checked luggage: Up to $500 per person while traveling on a common carrier.

Rental car insurance: Up to $50,000.

Terms apply.

8. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

9. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger. For New York state residents, coverage is limited to $2,000 per bag.

Travel accident insurance: Up to $250,000.

Rental car insurance: Covers damage or theft with restrictions. Eligible rental periods are limited to 15 consecutive days in the cardholders home country or 32 consecutive days outside it.

10. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Baggage delay: Up to $100 per carrier for three days.

Do I need additional travel insurance?

Even with the coverage listed above, some credit cards offering travel insurance benefits may not provide enough insurance for your needs. For example, if you have paid $10,000 for a vacation using your card and trip cancellation is not offered, you may want to purchase additional coverage. Likewise, if you book a very expensive trip but your card only covers $10,000 in trip cancellation coverage, you may want to consider additional coverage.

American Express offers full travel insurance options through AmEx Assurance . This specific benefit is available to all travelers and does not require an American Express card. You can pick and choose the coverage you want, and a quote will be processed based on your age, trip expense and days traveling.

For example, here's what we found when requesting insurance for a two-day trip that costs $1,000. You can decide what coverage you'd like and see the full cost of your options:

The quote we received covered 100% reimbursement for cancellation, then offered different levels for other types of coverage.

Medical protection was available for $25,000 to $100,000.

Travel accident protection was available for $250,000 to $1,500,000.

Baggage protection was available for up to $500 to $2,500.

Trip delay coverage was offered for $150 to $1,000 per day, depending on selecting basic, silver, gold or premium options.

When renting a car, be sure to check the specific requirements of your credit card, which may vary by location and type of vehicle.

So do you need travel insurance? A good rule of thumb is if the amount you could lose is more than you want to lose (or can afford to lose) if something goes wrong, get the insurance. For a list of travel insurance companies that provide online quotes, read more about how to find the best travel insurance .

» Learn more: Does trip insurance cover award flights?

Cards with travel insurance, recapped

If you are concerned about an upcoming trip and want to be fully protected, combine your travel credit card insurance with a build-your-own plan to cover what your credit card does not.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Gide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 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.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, 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.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The 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.

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.

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.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.

Best credit cards for travel insurance

Advertiser disclosure.

We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.

Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

• Share this article on Facebook Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter Twitter
• Share this article on LinkedIn LinkedIn
• Share this article via email Email

At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously.

“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced.

Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.

• Connect with Holly D. Johnson on Twitter Twitter
• Connect with Holly D. Johnson on LinkedIn LinkedIn

• Connect with Mariah Ackary on Twitter Twitter
• Connect with Mariah Ackary on LinkedIn LinkedIn

• • Rewards strategy
• • Small business marketing
• Connect with Cathleen McCarthy on Twitter Twitter
• Connect with Cathleen McCarthy on LinkedIn LinkedIn

The Bankrate promise

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to:

• Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
• Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions.
• Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.

At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.

Editorial integrity

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.

Key Principles

We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.

Editorial Independence

Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.

How we make money

You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.

We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

Credit cards with travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses when your luggage is lost or stolen, your trip is canceled for reasons beyond your control, or someone vandalizes your rental car.

Amazingly, credit cards that come with travel insurance offer this extra protection on a complimentary basis. When you have one of the top rewards credit cards with travel insurance, you can enjoy these added perks for free.

The travel insurance benefits you’ll get with a rewards card can vary dramatically, though it shouldn’t surprise you that premium travel credit cards tend to offer the broadest coverage.

Types of coverage you may get with the best credit cards for travel insurance include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside assistance and much more.

If you’re hoping to get travel insurance as a cardholder perk, the following rewards credit cards with travel insurance should be at the top of your list.

Comparing the top travel credit cards for trip insurance

A closer look at the best credit cards for travel insurance, chase sapphire reserve: best for luxury travelers, why we picked it.

With an extensive list of luxury travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers an elevated experience for frequent travelers seeking comfort and convenience.

Cardholders enjoy an extensive list of benefits, but those who put travel-related expenses on this card see an added bonus of boosted rewards: 5X on flights purchased through Chase, 10X on hotel stays and rental cars paid for with the card, 10X on Lyft rides (through March 2025) and 3X on all other travel purchases.

• Up to $300 in statement credits annually for travel purchases
• Complimentary airport lounge access at 1,300+ locations internationally
• Global Entry or TSA Precheck or NEXUS fee credit
• Exclusive access to VIP events and dining experiences
• $550 annual fee, plus $75 fee for each authorized user
• No current introductory APR offer
• Current welcome offer for this product is not as competitive as it once was

Who should apply

Frequent travelers who will make the most of this card’s perks are likely to offset the annual fee and see the most benefit. Travelers who book through Chase Ultimate Rewards and Chase Dining will see a significantly boosted rate of rewards earnings.

Who should skip

Moderate travelers who won’t recoup the cost of the annual fee may find the Chase Sapphire Preferred a better fit, with fewer perks but a much lower ($95) annual fee.

The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for lounge lovers

The Platinum Card has the highest rewards rate of any American Express card available and provides frequent fliers with some of the most extensive lounge access available to the public. Hilton and Marriott customers can also enjoy complimentary elite access (Gold Status and Gold Elite Status, respectively); a bevy of other statement credits are available, adding up to around $1,700 in value each year.

• Extensive lounge access and travel benefits for account holders
• Up to $500 trip delay insurance (up to two claims every 12 months) and up to $10,000 per trip or $20,000 per card in trip cancellation insurance (every 12 months)
• Welcome offer currently valued up to $1,500
• Statement credits available annually add ongoing value to the card
• $695 annual fee
• Less-competitive reward rates and more niche perks than some competing products
• Elevated rewards categories are largely limited to travel spending

Routine air travelers will likely see the greatest benefit from this card, which offers extensive airport lounge access and works with 17 airline partners to provide members with 5X points earned on airfare.

Travelers looking to earn points and rewards through everyday purchases such as gas and groceries may find other cards to be a better fit.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for budget travelers

When compared to other cards designed for travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a contender with solid rewards offerings despite its modest $95 annual fee. Though the luxury perks are pared back — especially when compared side-by-side with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card — there are still built-in perks like travel insurance and supplementary auto rental coverage for cardholders.

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person or $20,000 per trip); baggage delay insurance of up to $100 per day for five days
• A 25 percent boost in value when rewards are spent using the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
• No foreign transaction fees
• Lacks luxury perks like free checked bags and airport lounge access
• No introductory APR or balance transfer offers

Business owners who are looking for a travel rewards card with a low annual fee.

Travelers who expect luxury benefits like airport lounge access, hotel regulars who could earn a higher rewards rate on hotel stays using another card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for everyday use

For travelers who need a balance between value (a comparatively moderate annual fee) and hefty, flexible rewards, the Capital One Venture X Rewards card offers boosted rewards earnings (2X) for everyday spending, as well as even more generously-boosted earnings on select travel purchases (5X to 10X).

• Flexible boosted rewards earnings: 2X on all purchases, 5X on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 10X on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Offers a middle-ground, considering its annual fee and perks offerings
• Frequent travelers who will benefit from earning miles and prefer the flexibility of earning with everyday purchases
• Fewer luxury perks when compared to some competing cards
• Less-flexible rewards redemption, when matched against some competitors

Business owners who are looking to earn travel rewards both through everyday business expenses and through travel purchases.

Cardholders looking for top-of-the-line luxury travel benefits may find more impressive perks elsewhere.

United Club℠ Infinite Card: Best for United loyalists

For travelers who don’t mind pledging loyalty to a specific airline, the United Club Infinite Card offers outstanding rewards for those who travel regularly using United. Those who use this card for flights, in-flight purchases, baggage fees, and ticket upgrades will enjoy a 4X boosted rate of rewards earnings, alongside 2X earnings on non-United travel and dining purchases.

• Generous welcome offer and perks for United flyers
• Flexible points redemption for everything from hotel stays and car rentals to gift cards and Mileage Plus catalog merchandise
• Free checked bags on United flights
• Automatic United Club lounge membership
• Global Entry / TSA Precheck application fee reimbursement
• $525 annual fee
• No introductory APR offers on purchases or balance transfers
• Requires good to excellent credit to qualify

Air travel regulars who find themselves booking United flights routinely are likely to see a strong return when using this card.

If your business travel takes you to cities without regular service by United and its partner carriers, you may be better served by a travel rewards card that offers more versatility.

Is a travel credit card right for you?

Travel cards come loaded with attractive perks and sky-high annual fees to match. Unfortunately, unless you travel often, you’ll probably have a tough time recouping the cost of that annual fee. Meanwhile, frequent travelers will get plenty of value from benefits like airline lounge access, complimentary checked baggage, and cancellation coverage. For those who are frequently on the go, the provided travel insurance can truly save the day when luggage is lost, or travel plans are abruptly canceled. Even if you only check one to two bags on a few flights per year, your card’s annual fee pays for itself.

How to choose a credit card with travel insurance

If you’re shopping around for a travel credit card that comes with travel insurance, take note of other features such as rewards and fees. That way, you’ll wind up with a card that works well when you travel while still providing plenty of value at home.

Here are some tips to consider as you browse the top credit card offers :

•  Decide which travel protections you need the most. First, it can help to decide which travel insurance benefits you care the most about. While some consumers may only need primary rental car coverage or trip cancellation and interruption insurance, think about whether you would use other benefits like baggage insurance or roadside assistance.
• Read through the terms and conditions. In addition to deciding which travel protections you’re likely to use, pay attention to coverage limits and exclusions. For example, some travel cards offer only auto rental coverage for certain rental periods or within certain countries. Other benefits come with low limits that won’t provide much protection.
• Compare rewards programs. Next, think about the types of rewards you want to earn with your credit card—whether you prefer to rack up cash back, earn points you can transfer to airline or hotel programs or get flexible rewards you can redeem in more than one way. Be sure any card you’re considering offers a rewards scheme that makes sense for your spending style.
• Weigh the perks of cards that charge annual fees. Finally, keep in mind that the best credit cards with travel insurance tend to charge annual fees and that the cards with the most robust coverage options charge fees of $500 or more. While paying the high fee on a travel credit card could be well worth it, you may be able to get basic travel protections for less (or even with no annual fee) if you take the time to compare all your options.

The bottom line

If you’re angling for a credit card with travel insurance, any of the rewards credit cards we profiled on this page should fit the bill. But be sure to compare based on other features such as rewards and fees. Travel insurance benefits can be well worth paying a credit card’s annual fee, but infrequent travelers shouldn’t overpay for protections they’re rarely in the position to use.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

The information about United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

How do I make a claim on my credit card travel insurance?

In most cases, you will file a claim on the credit card servicer’s website. Be prepared to provide documentation supporting any losses you’re requesting reimbursement for.

Does credit card travel insurance offer enough coverage on its own?

In many cases, cards like these with extensive built-in travel protections offer plenty of coverage on their own. But just because you’ve booked a trip on your travel rewards card does not mean everyone on your manifest is covered: in many cases, coverage is only extended to the cardholder and their immediate family members.

You may consider purchasing supplemental insurance coverage for your trip if you’re traveling with friends or colleagues, or if you wish to include extra flexibility around your change or cancellation needs.

Does credit card travel insurance cover COVID-19 cancellations?

In short, yes, many do. Check the fine print of your card’s travel insurance policy– many will require proof of a diagnosis from a doctor with date information that directly interferes with your trip. Precautionary cancellations due to COVID-19-related concerns are generally not covered.

Learn more : Check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit for tips and tricks on how to maximize travel with a credit card.

Related Articles

Best travel credit cards for people with bad or fair credit

Best credit cards for rental car insurance

Best cash back credit cards for travel

Is no credit better than bad credit?

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

• Credit Cards

The 7 Best Credit Cards for Travel Insurance Coverage and Protection [August 2024]

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

322 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 98 U.S. States Visited: 45

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

103 Published Articles 541 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4 U.S. States Visited: 23

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

148 Published Articles 767 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 41 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

The best credit cards for travel insurance (comparison table), types of credit card travel insurance, main benefit of having a credit card with travel insurance, what to look for in a card for travel insurance coverage and protection, how to submit a travel insurance claim, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Upgraded Points: Expertise You Can Trust

Our seasoned and experienced team brings years of expertise in the credit card and travel sectors. Committed to integrity, we offer data-driven guides to help you find the card(s) that best fit your requirements. See details on our intensive editorial policies and card rating methodologies .

• Content by Leading Industry Experts
• Routine Updates and Fact-Checks
• First-Hand Credit Card Experience
• Shared Across 200+ Top Outlets

The U.P. Rating System

• 1061+ Expert Credit Card Guides

Securing travel insurance has become a priority for many travelers, but most people don’t know that you can actually get a substantial amount of travel insurance and coverage just from your credit card!

That said, not all credit cards offer the same level of travel insurance benefits. Read on to see a breakdown of travel coverages and benefit levels by card, as each has widely differing benefits. We’re exploring the travel insurance coverages offered on a select group of popular travel rewards cards.

The Best Credit Cards for Travel Insurance Coverage (Summary)

• Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve ®
• The Platinum Card ® from American Express
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card
• Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card
• The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card (Best Overall Card for Travel Insurance)

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase is a major credit card issuer known for offering a strong selection of travel insurance benefits on its cards. As one of our top recommended cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with a long list of valuable benefits and perks , including several travel insurance coverages.

Here are the major travel insurance coverages and protections you’ll get with this card:

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver — Reserve and pay for your rental car with your card, decline the rental car agency’s collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW), and receive primary car rental insurance coverage for damage or theft.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance — Purchase your trip with your card or rewards earned on your card and receive up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per occurrence, up to a maximum of $40,000 within a 12-month period, when a covered event disrupts your trip.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement  — If your trip is delayed for a covered reason for 12 hours or more, or overnight, you could receive reimbursement for up to $100 per day for necessary incidentals for up to 5 days.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement — Receive up to $3,000 per covered person , per trip, for checked and carry-on baggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Baggage Delay — If your baggage is delayed 6 hours or more, you could receive reimbursement of up to $100 per day for 5 days for incidentals.
• Travel Accident Insurance — Should accidental death or dismemberment occur involving a common carrier and you purchased the trip with your card, you could receive up to $500,000 for common carrier travel accident insurance and up to $100,000 for 24-hour travel accident insurance.
• Roadside Dispatch — Pay a set pre-negotiated fee per service call to receive towing, tire changing, fuel, jump-starting, lock-out service, and more.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — Receive assistance when traveling away from home with message relays, referral services for legal and medical assistance, emergency transportation, and more. Cardholders are responsible for the cost of actual services.

In addition to having a fine selection of travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card stays at the top of our list for a lot of reasons.

• 5x points on Lyft (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 5x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
• 2x points on other travel
• 10% cardmember anniversary bonus based on total dollar amount spent
• $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit
• Redeem Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card for 1.25 cents each for travel via the Chase Travel portal or Chase transfer partners for even greater potential value
• Purchase protection and extended warranty
• No foreign transaction fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve ® (Best for Premium Travel Insurance)

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable

Want a premium travel rewards card delivering a collection of travel benefits that’s difficult to beat? The Chase Sapphire Reserve card might be a fit.

Here’s a sample of the premium travel insurance benefits you can expect on the card:

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver — Pay for your rental car bill entirely with your card, decline the rental car agency’s CDW or LDW coverage, and receive primary car rental coverage for damage or theft.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance — As one of the most valuable travel insurance coverages, trip cancellation/interruption insurance pays up to $10,000 per occurrence. Limits cap out at $20,000 per incident and $40,000 within a 12-month period.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement — If your trip is delayed for a covered reason for 6 hours or more , or overnight, you could receive reimbursement for up to $100 per day for necessary incidentals for up to 5 days.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement — If your checked or carry-on luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, you could receive up to $3,000 per person, per trip.
• Baggage Delay — If your baggage is delayed 6 hours or more, you could receive up to $100 per day in reimbursements for incidentals, for up to 5 days.
• Medical Evacuation Insurance — If you, or an eligible family member, become ill or injured when traveling, you could receive emergency transport coverage up to $100,000.
• Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit — Receive up to $2,500 for emergency treatment should you or an eligible family member become ill or injured when traveling 100 miles or more from home.
• Travel Accident Insurance — Pay for your trip with your card and receive up to $1,000,000 should accidental death or dismemberment occur.
• Roadside Assistance — Receive up to 4 free $50 service calls each year at no cost should your vehicle break down when away from home.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — Make 1 phone call and receive medical or legal referrals, assistance with emergency transportation, and more.

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a higher annual fee, the card could earn its place in your wallet if you spend a lot on travel, find value in worldwide lounge access , and will use the $300 travel statement credit.

See what’s great about the Chase Sapphire Reserve card outside of the travel insurance perks:

• Priority Pass Select membership with access to more than 1,400 lounge and lounge-alternative properties worldwide
• Redeem Ultimate Rewards points for 1.5 cents each via the Chase Travel portal or transfer points at a ratio of 1:1 to airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value
• $300 statement credit for travel purchases each card anniversary year
• Global Entry , NEXUS , or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement as a statement credit
• 10x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 10x points on hotels, rental cars, and Chase Dining booked through Chase Travel
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on airfare purchased through Chase Travel
• 3x points on dining
• 3x points on other travel purchases
• Luxury hotel benefits via the Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Car rental status privileges with National, Avis, and Audi on demand

Hot Tip: Read our comprehensive article on the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for a more detailed look.

Want help deciding which of these Chase cards is a fit for you? We’ve gathered all the information in our comparison of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card vs. the Chase Sapphire Reserve card .

The Platinum Card ® from American Express (Best Amex Card for Travel Insurance)

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with  no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $199 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is easily one of the best credit cards for travel. We like it because it earns valuable Membership Rewards points , offers flexible redemption options , and comes with plenty of statement credits for specific purchases.

When it comes to travel insurance benefits and protections, the Amex Platinum card is also a winner. Note that terms may apply and enrollment may be required, so make sure you check your American Express account to ensure you’re enrolled in your benefits!

Here’s what you can expect from the Amex Platinum card in the way of travel insurance benefits :

• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance — Receive up to $10,000 per covered trip, to a maximum of $20,000 within a 12-month period, should your trip be disrupted due to a covered event.
• Trip Delay Program — If a trip you paid for with your card is delayed 6 hours or more, you could receive up to $500 per trip, a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period, for necessary incidentals.
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance — The card comes with secondary car rental insurance, which means you must file a claim with your own insurance first. However, cardholders have access to purchase Amex Premium Car Rental Protection for 1 low fee of $12.99 to $24.99 which covers the entire rental car period up to 42 consecutive days.
• Baggage Insurance Plan — Use your card to pay for your ticket and receive up to $2,000 for checked baggage and $3,000 for carry-on baggage, with a maximum combined total of $3,000 per person, $10,000 per trip if your bags are lost, damaged, or stolen.
• Premium Global Assist Hotline — Receive needed emergency assistance whenever you’re more than 100 miles from home. The coverage also includes emergency medical evacuation for the cardholder and qualifying family members with no specified dollar limit.

In addition to useful travel insurance benefits, the frequent traveler will receive elevated earnings on flights and prepaid hotels, travel-related and shopping benefits, flexible redemption choices, and statement credits for select purchases. Note that some benefits require enrollment through your American Express account.

What we like about the Amex Platinum card:

• Redeem points for 1 cent each for flights via AmexTravel.com
• Use American Express transfer partners for potentially greater value
• Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status
• Hertz, National, and Avis car rental perks and benefits
• Worldwide airport lounge access to over 1,400 properties including the Centurion lounge network
• Elite benefits at American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts and the Hotel Collection
• Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
• Up to $100 statement credit for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits every year
• Up to $200 in Uber Cash every year
• Up to $300 in Equinox credits every year
• Up to $200 in airline fee credits every year
• Up to $199 in CLEAR Plus credits every year
• Purchase protection, return protection, cell phone protection, and extended warranty

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (Best Capital One Card for Travel Insurance)

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture X card is Capital One’s ultra-premium personal credit card. This card has a lot of benefits and features going for it, but it’s particularly noteworthy when it comes to travel insurance and protections :

• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance — Although not as good as the other card options, this card’s trip cancellation/interruption insurance pays up to $2,000 per ticket.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement — If your trip is delayed for a covered reason for 6 hours or more or requires an overnight stay, you could receive reimbursement for up to $500 for necessary incidentals.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement — If your checked or carry-on luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can receive reimbursements of up to $3,000 per person, per trip.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — With just a phone call, you can access medical or legal referrals, assistance with emergency transportation, and more.

The Capital One Venture X card has other noteworthy benefits and rewards that can help level up your travel:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on other purchases
• 10,000-mile anniversary bonus after every renewal year
• $300 Capital One Travel credit
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
• Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status
• Access to Capital One Lounges , Plaza Premium Lounges , and a Priority Pass Select membership
• Cell phone protection , purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )

United Club℠ Infinite Card (Best United Card for Travel Insurance)

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

The United Club℠ Infinite Card  is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.

United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.

• 4x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• $525 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United ®  purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access ® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable

The United Club Infinite card is the ultimate premium travel credit card for United travelers . In addition to a well-rounded collection of travel benefits, it also offers benefits specific to traveling with United Airlines. Let’s take a look at the travel insurance perks:

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver — Pay for the entire rental with your card, decline the agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive primary car rental coverage for damage and theft.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance — If your trip is disrupted due to a covered event, you can expect to receive up to $10,000 per covered person, with a total of $20,000 per trip for associated prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement — Once your trip has been delayed 12 hours or overnight, you may receive reimbursement for incidentals of up to $100 per day for 5 days, up to $500 per ticket.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement — If you or your eligible family member’s luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, you could receive a benefit of up to $3,000 for checked or carry-on luggage.
• Baggage Delay Insurance — If your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours, you could receive up to $100 per day for up to 3 days in reimbursements for purchasing incidentals.
• Medical Evacuation Insurance  — If you become ill or injured when traveling, you could receive emergency transport coverage up to $100,000. Eligible family members are also covered.
• Roadside Assistance — Receive up to 4 service calls each year at no cost, up to $50 in value, should you break down when away from home.
• Travel Accident Insurance — Pay for your common carrier trip with your card and receive up to $500,000 for accidental death or dismemberment.
• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — Use United’s dedicated phone line when traveling and receive medical or legal referrals, assistance with emergency transportation, and more.

Now let’s take a look at what you can expect for United-specific benefits on the card.

• Complimentary upgrades on United award flights
• United Club  membership ($650 value)
• First and second checked bag free for the cardholder and 1 companion
• Premier Access Services including priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling
• Expanded access to award space inventory

While there’s plenty of value for the United Airlines traveler and a good foundation of travel benefits on the card, there are still more reasons to consider the United Club Infinite card:

• 2x miles for travel and dining purchases
• Statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck application fee
• Avis President’s Club status
• Luxury Resort & Hotel Collection benefits such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and free Wi-Fi
• Visa Infinite concierge services
• Purchase protection and return protection

Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card (Best Overall Business Card for Travel Insurance)

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases , especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance , rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
• Earn 120k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,200 cash back or $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable

The Ink Business Preferred card comes with the same travel benefits and protections as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, with these exceptions:

• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption — The limit for these coverages on the Ink Business Preferred card is $5,000 per person, $10,000 per trip .
• Cell Phone Protection — Pay your cell phone bill with your card and receive $1,000 in cell phone protection with a $100 deductible.

You can also expect to enjoy these benefits:

• 3x earnings on travel, internet service/cable/phone, advertising on social media/search engines, and shipping (up to $150,000 in purchases each card anniversary year)
• 5x earnings on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• Redeem points for 1.25 cents each via the Chase Travel portal or transfer to airline or hotel partners for potentially greater value
• Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection benefits
• Purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees

The Business Platinum ® Card from American Express (Best Premium Business Card for Travel Insurance)

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
• High annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees )
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card ® , here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card ® .
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Platinum card comes with the same list of travel insurance benefits as the personal version of the card.

Its other features and benefits differ. As with the personal card, terms may apply and enrollment may be required to receive the stated benefits, so verify your enrollment in your American Express account.

Also, you’ll get these incremental benefits:

• Redeem Membership Rewards points for 1 cent each for flights via AmexTravel.com or transfer to airline/hotel partners for potentially greater value
• 35% rebate on qualifying airfare paid for with points
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee statement credit
• Worldwide airport lounge access to over 1,400 properties including Centurion lounges
• Elite-level benefits at American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts and the Hotel Collection
• National, Avis, and Hertz car rental elite status and perks
• Up to $400 statement credit for Dell purchases
• Up to $360 statement credit for Indeed purchases
• Up to $150 statement credit for Adobe purchases
• Up to $120 in wireless statement credits
• Up to $200 airline fee credit

Hot Tip: Access our comprehensive article on the travel insurance benefits offered on American Express cards  for more detailed information.

There are many variations of credit card travel insurance, here is a look at some of the different types of coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Protection

Trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage could be a valuable benefit if you need to cancel your trip due to a covered reason such as an illness or if your trip is disrupted due to a covered event such as weather.

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card provide up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per occurrence , up to a maximum of $40,000 during a 12-month period.

Trip Delay Coverage

Several credit cards offer a benefit if your trip is delayed, but many require more than a 12-hour delay and a lower benefit level of $100 per day for up to 3 days. Both of our recommended cards offer elevated benefit levels for delays 6 hours or more and up to $100 a day for up to 5 days .

To learn more about the best credit cards for trip delay coverage , we’ve got all the information you need in our detailed comparison.

Rental Car Insurance

A credit card could offer primary car rental coverage or secondary coverage. Secondary coverage requires you to first file a claim with your own insurance, while primary coverage does not.

We like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card best of all because it charges a lower annual fee while still providing a long list of travel insurance benefits, including primary car insurance coverage .

For a list of additional cards with primary car rental insurance , check out our recommendations.

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance is widely offered but seldom used. According to the most recent available data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics,  there were 0 deaths on a U.S. air or commuter carrier in 2020.

However, the best cards for travel accident insurance provide peace of mind that there would be a benefit offered if an accidental death or dismemberment should occur. We like that these cards offer up to $1,000,000 in coverage .

Emergency Evacuation Insurance

Should a medical emergency occur and you need to evacuate, you could be facing a steep bill for the expense. According to the leading travel insurance company Allianz , emergency evacuations start at a minimum of $15,000 and can exceed $200,000 .

The Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card provide coverage for emergency evacuation through the associated Premium Global Assistance coverage with no specified limit .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card and United Club Infinite card come with $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage plus $2,500 for emergency medical and dental services.

Lost or Delayed Baggage

There are several things that can happen to your baggage during your trip. The common carrier could lose your bags, the bags could become damaged, someone could steal your bags, or your bags could just be delayed.

Given that, it is important that you hold one of the best credit cards for lost baggage if things go wrong during your trip. These coverages can offer up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days if your baggage is delayed for more than 6 hours, or up to $3,000 per covered person for lost luggage.

Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance (or roadside dispatch, as it can commonly be referred to) usually means you’ll have a dedicated phone line to call for referral services when you have a vehicle roadside emergency.

Services can include towing, tire changes, emergency fuel, and other related vehicle breakdown-related services. Basic roadside assistance coverage comes complimentary on a lot of the best credit cards for roadside assistance .

Bottom Line:  While a particular card may stand out over another in specific benefit options, you won’t go wrong selecting any one of these premium travel rewards cards for their overall package of travel insurance benefits. 

The main benefit of having a credit card with travel insurance is simply that it can save you money, time, and stress if anything happens to go wrong during your travels.

Having a card with trip delay insurance can cover a hotel and other necessities if your flight is delayed overnight. A card with baggage delay insurance can cover your cost of new clothes and toiletries if the airline misplaces your bag. Renting a car? No need to pay extra for the rental company’s insurance policy when your credit card provides one as a complimentary benefit.

No one wants to think about things going awry during their trip, but these things do happen, and when they do you’ll be immensely thankful that you have a credit card with travel insurance.

Many credit cards come with various levels of complimentary travel benefits and protections. And while credit card travel insurance coverages are not meant to replace a comprehensive travel insurance policy , the coverage may still be sufficient for most of your trips.

We’ll get down to the specifics of which travel insurance coverages are offered on credit cards shortly, but first, let’s talk about some of the limitations of these benefits and protections.

As with all types of insurance, there are exclusions, terms, and conditions. Here are some of the most common ones normally associated with credit card travel insurance:

• If you decide to cancel your flight because you do not want to fly, flight cancellation insurance on your credit card will not provide coverage . In fact, only the reasons published in the card’s guide to benefits are covered for trip cancellations.
• Credit card travel insurance such as trip cancellation/interruption/delay coverage or lost baggage insurance/delay is normally secondary to any other reimbursement you may receive. You must usually make a claim with the travel provider or other applicable coverage you might have before coverage applies.
• Credit cards require that the trip must be paid for either entirely or partially using the eligible credit card and/or the card’s associated rewards points.
• There are conditions for coverage to be valid, such as declining coverage with the car rental agency, for the car rental insurance on your credit card to apply.
• The claim process can be difficult as credit card issuers do not directly handle travel insurance claims. Claims are processed by a third-party administrator, which could require a lot of information, documentation, and follow-up.

There can be many other exclusions and conditions for coverage to be valid, which is common with insurance in general, but the travel insurance that comes with your credit card can still offer tremendous value .

Bottom Line: While many credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance coverage, benefit levels can vary greatly. Additionally, there are exclusions to coverages, terms and conditions that must be met, and in many cases, the credit card coverage is secondary to that of the travel provider. The claim process can also be challenging. Despite all this, credit card travel insurance can be worth it. 

The exact process for submitting a claim for your travel insurance protection is going to vary based on your card issuer, but here are a few most-do things.

Call Your Issuer

Give a call to the bank that issues the credit card that you have your travel protection through and let them know the issue you are having. They can then walk you through your coverage details, what you need to do to submit a claim, and how long it might take to expect your reimbursement.

Know What Is Covered

Reading the policy terms on your credit card can give you a good idea of the purchases that should and should not be covered. If you’re filing a claim for trip delay insurance, reasonable purchases like a hotel stay, meals, etc., should be covered. However, extravagant or unnecessary purchases, such as a new laptop, are likely to be denied.

Keep Your Receipts

When you submit your claim, you’ll need to provide proof of all your purchases and their amounts to be reimbursed. Keep the receipts of every expense you incur and consider making copies of any receipts that aren’t digital.

The coverage you have on your credit cards may be sufficient to not only provide peace of mind, but serve as a more-than-adequate backup coverage if the airline or other travel provider doesn’t come through should something go wrong during your travels.

Also, keep in mind that premium travel rewards cards can come with higher annual fees. If you don’t find value in these elevated benefit levels, selecting a card with fewer benefits and a lower annual fee may be an appropriate alternative.

Keep in mind that we have not listed every benefit on each card and descriptions have been abbreviated. Before traveling, you should reference your card’s benefits guide or call the number on the back of your card for specific coverage information.

Plus, if you’re planning an expensive and/or complicated trip, it’s best to purchase a travel insurance policy that will cover that specific trip or an annual travel insurance policy that covers all of the trips you might take in those 12 months.

If you’re worried about canceling a trip for reasons not listed in the card’s coverage description,   you could consider Cancel for Any Reason insurance.  Credit card travel insurance will not cover a voluntary cancellation.

To learn more about purchasing travel insurance, check out our additional articles on the topic:

• The Best Travel Insurance Companies for All Travelers
• An Introductory Guide to Travel Insurance

If you’re comfortable with the economic risk associated with a specific trip being disrupted, there’s no need to purchase a stand-alone travel insurance policy.

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, 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. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. 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. For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance and trip delay insurance benefits of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the Premium Global Assist Hotline benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/ benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/ benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, 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. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. 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. For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance and trip delay insurance benefits of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the Premium Global Assist Hotline benefit of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. For the cell phone protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

• Join CHOICE

Travel insurance

Is credit card travel insurance worth it?

Does the travel insurance that comes with some premium credit cards stack up against standalone policies.

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE .

Credit card companies love to spruik the 'free' bonuses that come with their cards, especially those cards named after precious metals and jewels: gold, platinum, diamond. Some of these premium cards come with complimentary travel insurance, provided you meet certain criteria.

While this certainly takes the hassle out of organising insurance for every trip you take, is it worth it? How does this 'free' insurance compare with regular travel insurance?

On this page:

Credit card travel insurance pros

Credit card travel insurance cons, how to activate travel insurance on your credit card, the bottom line, australia's source of unbiased reviews.

• No fake reviews
• No advertising
• No sponsorships

Credit card travel insurance can be as good, or even better than standalone travel insurance. But you pay for it through the higher annual fee on your card and the high interest rate on your debt. If you can't afford to pay your balance straight away, consider the financial risk. The average credit card holder pays $700 in interest a year if their interest rate is between 15 and 20%.

Don't underestimate the financial risk of drumming up debt on a credit card

There are also hoops to jump through to activate the insurance. You may have to activate it online or use the card to book your airfares and accommodation. Beware of bargain fares, too – often there are threshold amounts ($500, say) that you have to spend on travel costs per person before you depart in order to activate coverage.

• Good coverage: The coverage level can be comparable to standalone policies.
• Go anywhere: Unlike standalone travel insurance, credit card insurance isn't location-specific. This means you can go from Singapore to Nairobi to London to Teotihuacan without taking out separate policies, and without paying higher premiums for longer worldwide trips. Bear in mind though that some regions (such as countries under United Nations embargo) may be excluded, and sometimes with US underwriters travel to Cuba is excluded.
• Collect rewards points:  Cards that come with travel insurance usually also come with other bells and whistles like rewards points to make the annual fees worthwhile. If these are a drawcard for you already, then travel insurance is an added bonus. 
• Spend rewards points:  If you've been squirrelling away your rewards points, some cards will still cover you if you use them to buy your tickets. Check the eligibility section of the product disclosure statement (PDS).
• Age limits:  Credit card insurance usually has an age limit. Some allow travellers older than 80 years, but a medical assessment may be required and an additional premium may also apply.
• Baggage cover:  Credit card insurance often offers higher coverage for baggage loss and damage. 
• Trip duration:  Credit card insurance policies vary in how many days of coverage they'll give you per trip – anywhere from a few weeks to 365 days – so it can be generous but check your limit if you're going on a long holiday.
• Annual fees:  Complimentary travel insurance usually only comes with higher-end credit cards, which means hefty annual fees. On the other hand, the additional fees are still often less than the premiums for standalone insurance, so if you go overseas every year or two you might end up coming out even.
• Interest rates: If you can't pay your balance in time, you'll be paying interest on your credit card debt.
• Return tickets only: Just having the credit card isn't enough – usually insurance only applies when you buy your tickets with it. In some cases you also need to have a return ticket booked before you leave, which might be a dampener for explorers looking for more open-ended adventure.
• Higher excess: For most standalone travel insurance you'll be charged about $100 excess for making a claim. With most credit card insurance, you'll be lucky to get away with paying $250 per claim, if not more.
• Pre-existing conditions: Some credit card insurance doesn't automatically cover pre-existing conditions, and won't let you pay an extra premium for an exception. Those that will cover pre-existing conditions usually have a list of them in their PDS.
• No domestic travel:  Credit card insurance doesn't apply to domestic travel, although some cards will reimburse expenses associated with domestic flight delays and missed connections.
• Making a claim:  You may not be able to claim reimbursement unless you pay for purchases (such as emergency items after a baggage delay) with the same credit card.
• Activation:  Some banks also require you to notify them to get full coverage for each trip. While base coverage will still give you emergency medical treatment, you might not get coverage for property damage or luggage delays. Check if you need to do anything to activate any extra features.

Check if your credit card can save you money on travel insurance.

Credit card insurance usually activates when you buy your air tickets (or sometimes other transport or accommodation expenses) using your card.

• Policies require a minimum spend to activate – usually around $500. So if you scored your tickets on sale for $499, you won't be covered.
• If you want cover for your spouse or dependants, you must also buy their tickets on your card.
• Some policies only activate if you book a return ticket. A one-way flight, or even 2 one-way flights, will leave you uninsured.
• Some banks require you to notify them in order to get full coverage for each trip. While base coverage will still give you emergency medical treatment, you might not get coverage for property damage or luggage delays. Check whether you need to do anything to activate any extra features.
• Some cards will cover you if you use rewards points to buy your tickets, while others won't.

If you already have a credit card and use it regularly, the free comprehensive travel insurance on your card can save you money. And if you're a regular traveller without a credit card, it's worth considering if you travel at least once a year or every second year internationally.

Case study: David* booked a trip to North America for himself and his family, including his 11-year-old daughter Petra*. The trip was cancelled because Petra got pneumonia. Unfortunately, David only activated his credit card travel insurance about an hour before the family was scheduled to fly out of Australia. The travel insurer denied his claim for cancellation costs because he knew about his daughter's illness when he activated the policy.

*To protect privacy we have changed names and some details.

Avoid the traps

• As always, read the fine print to make sure this is the product for you. The best time to do this would be before even applying for the card, rather than when planning your trip.
• Do the maths to work out whether you'll save money in the long run, and don't underestimate the financial risk of drumming up debt on a credit card.
• In the event that you do have to make a claim, the higher excess charges might end up costing you more than if you'd just taken out a standalone policy. 

If you're looking at a premium credit card because of its complimentary travel insurance, make sure that what you're getting is actually the best deal for your circumstances. If it isn't, consider a standalone multi-trip or single trip policy. 

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

• Compare the Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
• Best for Trip Delay Insurance
• Best for Rental Car Insurance
• Best for Trip Cancellation and Interruption
• Best for Lost Luggage Reimbursement
• Best for Travel Accident Insurance
• Best for Emergency Evacuation Coverage
• Why You Should Trust Us

The Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance in 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

A credit card's travel insurance feature may not sound as exciting as a 100,000-point sign-up bonus or a high earning rate on everyday spending — but when you find yourself in a bind, it can be significantly more valuable.

Here's everything you need to know about credit card travel insurance, along with the best credit cards offering the most comprehensive coverage.

Compare Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

Best credit cards for trip delay insurance.

Earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel insurance
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very high annual fee

If you're new to rewards credit cards you may want to start elsewhere, but if you know you want to earn Chase points and you spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding options.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

19.99% - 29.99% variable

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Premium perks including airport lounge access and credits for certain purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual travel credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers, with top-notch benefits and a wide range of built-in protections. It comes with a generous welcome bonus and credits that can help offset the annual fee — which is much lower than similar premium cards.

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Earn 1-5x points on purchases

21.24% - 28.24% Variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Substantial welcome bonus and great earning opportunities, especially with mobile wallets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $325 annual travel and dining credit can offset most of the $400 annual fee
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Top-notch travel insurance and protections
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. You must have an existing relationship with US Bank to be approved
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited to a 12-month complimentary Priority Pass membership with only four free visits for cardholder (plus a guest) included
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No airline or hotel transfer partners

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium credit card with benefits that have no trouble offsetting the annual fee. One of its most unique (and valuable) qualities is its ability to earn 3x points on all purchases made through a mobile wallet, so if you use payment methods like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, you'll have no problem accruing points in a hurry.

• The information related to the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
• Earn 50,000 points worth $750 on travel after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening
• Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards
• Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases
• Use your mobile device to instantly redeem points for almost any purchase

Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.

See Pay Over Time APR

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Best Credit Cards for Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. Earn 1x on all other purchases.

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.

Best Credit Cards for Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Best credit cards for travel accident insurance.

Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services. Earn 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Earn 60,000 bonus points and one free night award

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cardholders get 15 elite night credits toward status
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only offers strong rewards for Marriott purchases

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card comes with an increased limited-time welcome bonus and good perks for a no-annual-fee card, but unless paying an annual fee is a dealbreaker for you, other Marriott cards — like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card , Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card — are a better deal.

Best Credit Cards for Emergency Evacuation Coverage

Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Earn 80,000 bonus miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great intro bonus offer
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. If you want United Club membership, this card gets you it for less than buying it outright
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Get two free checked bags on United
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns 4x miles on United® purchases
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Steep annual fee, especially for an airline credit card
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. The non-United bonus categories (travel and dining) only earn 2x miles

While a few of the best travel credit cards are great for United flyers, the United Club℠ Infinite Card is the most high-end of the bunch. Not only does it offer a full United Club airport lounge membership, but it can also help you rack up the miles for free trips quickly through everyday spending.

• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

Best Credit Cards With Trip Delay Insurance

Trip delay insurance covers you (and often family members traveling with you) for expenses like meals, transportation, lodging, medication, and toiletries. For example, if your flight is delayed by more than six hours, your card may reimburse you up to $500 in "reasonable expenses" such as:

• An Uber or taxi from the airport to a hotel
• A one-night hotel reservation
• Dinner at a nearby restaurant

I've used this benefit a handful of times, and it's saved me hundreds. Just note that you must use your qualifying card to pay for your fare — even if that means simply paying taxes and fees on an award flight.

Trip delay insurance applies to more than just flights. You're eligible for coverage whenever you book a "common carrier" — defined as "any land, water, or air conveyance that operates under a valid license to transport passengers for hire and requires purchasing a ticket before travel begins." As long as it's not a taxi, limo, commuter rail, bus, or rental car, you're likely covered.

Below are the top three credit cards for trip delay insurance. Even if you don't travel regularly, you should be using one of these cards to reserve your travel, because trip delay insurance will come in handy sooner or later.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the gold standard of trip delay insurance. After just six hours of delay — or any delay that requires an overnight stay — you're eligible for up to $500 in covered expenses per ticket. You and those traveling with you (a spouse and dependent children under 22) are covered.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee, but it also comes with valuable travel benefits such as:

• Up to $300 in annual travel credits (offsets the first $300 in travel you purchase each year with the card)
• Airport lounge access (Priority Pass Select, Chase Sapphire lounges , and the Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin airport)
• Up to $100 NEXUS, Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Complimentary two-year Lyft Pink All Access membership

You'll also earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's worth $1,080 in travel, based on Personal Finance Insider's valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points at 1.8 cents each.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card Review

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is Capital One's first premium travel credit card . It's a Visa Infinite card (similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®), and benefits from extremely generous trip delay insurance***. You'll get up to $500 per ticket in covered expenses after a delay of six hours or more. Those eligible for this insurance are your spouse and dependent children under age 22.

The card has a welcome bonus offer of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's worth $1,275 in travel, based on our valuation of Capital One miles. In addition, it also comes with travel perks like:

• $300 per year in credits toward Capital One Travel bookings
• Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access
• 10,000-mile bonus each account anniversary
• Access to the Capital One Premier Collection luxury hotel booking program
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Review

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is another one of the few Visa Infinite cards on the market. As you'd expect, it's got excellent trip delay insurance. You'll receive up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren't reimbursed by the airline or other "common carrier") when your trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card comes with 50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These points are worth 1.5 cents each when you use them toward travel. That means this bonus is worth $750. You'll also get benefits like:

• Up to $325 in annual travel credits
• Up to $100 in statement credits toward Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
• Up to 30% discount on Audi on Demand (formerly Silvercar) rentals

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Review

You might already know that most travel credit cards offer some form of rental car insurance. It's a great benefit because it can save users significant money in the case of damage or theft to your rental. Even by renting a car for just a few days, you could save $50+ by waiving the rental agency's in-house insurance CDW and instead covering your rental by paying with this card.

Two kinds of rental car insurance come with many popular cards:

• Secondary insurance — Offers coverage benefits that are secondary to your personal auto insurance policy. In the event of damage due to theft or collision, car renters still have to file a claim through their personal auto insurance policy, and the secondary insurance is there to cover a portion of leftover costs. So, although this is a nice perk, it doesn't ease the sting of having to report to your personal insurance — often with resultant premium hikes.
• Primary insurance — Coverage for loss or damage will be taken care of by the credit card company without you having to make a claim with your personal policy. In the long run, this could save a car renter significantly on both CDW and LDW, and it could help avoid raising premiums on their personal auto policy.

Primary rental car insurance is what you want. You must pay for the entire transaction with the credit card you'd be filing the insurance under. Some cards even require that renters book the entire trip on the card, so read the fine print carefully.

Primary insurance also generally doesn't include liability, damage to other cars, damage to personal property, personal bodily injury, or injury to others. See Personal Finance Insider's guide to liability car insurance for more details on this type of coverage.

Below are the top three credit cards for car rental insurance.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with up to $75,000 for theft and collision for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.

You'll be extra motivated to make this card your dedicated car rental payment method because it earns 10 points per dollar for this expense when reserving through the Chase Travel ℠ Portal . Personal Finance Insider estimates Chase points value to be 1.8 cents each when used for travel — so earning 10x points equates to an 18% return.

When booking outside the portal, you'll earn 3 points per dollar for travel including rental cars.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another rewards-earning monster when it comes to car rentals. Not only will you receive primary rental car insurance***, but you'll earn 10 miles per dollar on rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel Portal . You'll earn 2 miles per dollar for travel booked outside the portal.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express doesn't offer primary rental car insurance by default. However, you can receive primary premium car rental protection for a flat rate between $15.95 and $24.95 per rental period (not per day). It's not free like the other insurances on this list, but premium rental car benefits may fit your situation better:

• You'll be covered for up to 42 consecutive days, whereas most other cards won't allow your rental to exceed 31 consecutive days.
• You're insured for up to $100,000 of primary coverage against damage or theft — a higher number than several other cards.

You can enroll your Amex Platinum and automatically be covered whenever you rent a car. You'll be charged this flat rate whenever you pay for a rental with your card.

This card has a $695 annual fee — but it also offers 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. That's worth $1,440 in travel per our valuation of Amex points. You'll also find travel perks such as:

• Up to $200 in airline fee credits each calendar year**
• Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits each calendar year**
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit ($100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or up to $85 statement credit every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck®)
• $199 per year in credits for CLEAR® Plus membership**
• Up to $200 in annual credits toward prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay)

American Express Platinum Card Review

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance protects you if you're no longer able to go on a covered trip or your covered trip is interrupted mid-travel for reasons such as:

• Your airline declared bankruptcy and cancels your flight
• One of your immediate family members dies
• There's a terrorist incident

This coverage will reimburse you for prepaid nonrefundable travel such as airfare, hotel stays, activities, etc. which you can't use (or finish). Additionally, you may be reimbursed for an unexpected flight back home.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® will reimburse you for up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, cruises, etc. Chase states that if your name is embossed on the card, you and your immediate family are all covered under this benefit. That means authorized users can utilize this benefit, as well as the primary cardholder.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card can reimburse you, your spouse, and your children up to $2,000 each for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel bookings, etc. This is a significantly smaller per-person payout than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® — but there doesn't appear to be a hard cap on how much you can earn.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a trip cancellation/interruption reimbursement of up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, and hotels. That's part of what makes both Chase Sapphire cards excellent options for travel insurance.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the single best beginner points credit card. Its annual fee is reasonable at $95 per year, and it manages to offer many similar travel protections as much more expensive credit cards.

In terms of return rates, this card earns:

• 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 2025
• 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out 
• 3 points per dollar on select streaming services
• 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases  (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar on other travel 
• 1 point per dollar on everything else

You'll also receive perks like up to $50 in annual statement credits toward hotel stays booked through Chase and a 10% anniversary point bonus (based on the dollar amount you spend).

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of  60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's worth an average of $1,080 in travel, based on Personal Finance Insider's points and miles valuations.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review

If your carry-on or checked baggage goes missing — or if the airline, cruise ship, or other common carrier damages your belongings, this coverage could reimburse you up to a specified amount. Card issuers tend to price your belongings as the lesser of the following:

• The original purchase price of your items
• The actual cash value of your items when they were lost
• The cost to replace those items

You must pay for your trip with an eligible card to be covered. Below are the three best credit cards for lost luggage reimbursement.

This card will give you up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost.

If you or an immediate family member's check or carry-on luggage is damaged or lost, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will cover you for the difference between the "value of the amount claimed" and the common carrier's compensation, up to $3,000 per covered trip.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card provides up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost — again, calculated by the difference between the "value of the amount claimed" and the common carrier's payment.

Ideally, you'll never find occasion to use any  credit card travel insurance. But this is the one to really hope will never come in handy.

Travel accident insurance covers you for things like dismemberment and death during your trip (most commonly, while you're riding as a passenger in, or entering/exiting, a licensed common carrier like an airplane or a cruise ship). Some of the best cards will pay up to $1 million. The payout you'll receive depends on the severity of the accident.

Generally, you'll get 100% of the benefit amount for things like:

• Loss of life
• Loss of speech and hearing
• Loss of speech/hearing and loss of a hand, foot, or sight from one eye
• Loss of sight in both eyes
• Loss of a combination of any two of a loss of hand, foot, or sight of one eye

You'll get 50% of the benefit amount for things like:

• Loss of one hand
• Loss of one foot
• Loss of sight in one eye
• Loss of speech
• Loss of hearing

You may also get 25% of the benefit amount for the loss of a thumb and index finger of the same hand. Credit card benefits vary by product and issuer, so be sure to read all the fine print.

Below are the top three credit cards for travel accident insurance. Remember, you must pay the entire cash portion of your travel with these cards to be covered.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the few cards that will give you up to $1 million of accidental death or dismemberment coverage under this benefit. That's double the coverage of most other cards. You'll get:

• $1 million for common carrier travel accident insurance
• $100,000 for 24-hour travel accident insurance

If your name is embossed on the card you've used to pay for your travel, you and your immediate family are covered.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another (rare) card that will cover you for up to $1 million of accidental death or dismemberment insurance.

It does not appear that immediate family traveling with you will receive this benefit — so while the potential payout is the best in the game, you may want to opt for a smaller benefit amount with more widespread coverage.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card incurs no annual fee, yet offers travel accident insurance with some of the best cards on the market. You'll get up to $500,000 in coverage:

• $500,000 for common carrier travel accident insurance

With this card, you'll earn: 

• 3x points* at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• 2x points on other eligible travel purchases
• 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Other than that, the card doesn't offer an immense value proposition — its best benefit is the 15 Marriott elite night credits each calendar year, which can help you to achieve Marriott elite status much more quickly. But if you're looking for a no-annual-fee travel credit card with insurance, it's definitely worth a look.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card Review

If you're injured or otherwise incapacitated and need to be evacuated, this coverage would reimburse expenses such as:

• Any land, water, or air transportation you require
• Medical services
• Medical supplies that are necessary related to your emergency evacuation

The benefit often requires that you be at least 100 miles from home. Additionally, if you're hospitalized for a certain period of time (usually more than eight days), the benefit can reimburse a round-trip coach ticket for a friend or relative to come to see you. As ever, benefits vary from card to card.

Below are the three best credit cards for emergency evacuation and transportation coverage.

The Platinum Card® from American Express covers you, your spouse/domestic partner, and legally dependent children for emergency evacuation and related emergency medical services, no matter how much it costs. Your trip must not exceed 90 days.

If a child under 16 is unaccompanied as a result of the emergency, this benefit will pay for a coach flight to get them home — and even pay for them to be escorted if necessary.

This card will cover up to $100,000 for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and/or legally dependent children for emergency evacuation and related emergency medical services. If your name is embossed on the front of the card, you can take full advantage of this perk.

Also, if you die during your trip, you are covered for $1,000 for your remains to be repatriated to your home country.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card will cover up to $100,000 for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and/or legally dependent children for emergency evacuation and related emergency medical services.

The United Club℠ Infinite Card comes with an annual fee of $525, but that's easily offset by its ongoing benefits, such as:

• Full-fledged United Club membership (worth $650 per year)
• Free first and second checked bags on United flights (when you pay any cash portion of your ticket with this card)
• Priority boarding on United flights
• Premier Access travel services
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit
• Complimentary Premier upgrades
• Expanded access to United award flights

This card also earns:

• 4 miles per dollar on eligible United purchases
• 2 miles per dollar on travel
• 2 miles per dollar on dining
• 1 mile per dollar on everything else

United Club Infinite Card Review

Different Types of Credit Card Travel Insurance Coverage

Before we jump into the best credit cards with travel insurance, let's examine some important definitions. Several types of protections fall under the umbrella of travel insurance:

• Trip delay insurance — If your covered trip is delayed by a specified number of hours due to a covered reason,  this will cover expenses like meals and lodging (up to a specified maximum).
• Baggage delay insurance —  This coverage provides reimbursement for essentials like clothes and toiletries if your luggage is delayed on a covered trip. 
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance — This protects you if you're no longer able to go on a covered trip or your covered trip is interrupted mid-travel for reasons such as illness, injury, weather, or a terrorist incident. This is the type of coverage you'd invoke if you needed to adjust your travel plans due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
• Lost luggage insurance — If your carry-on or checked baggage goes missing, this coverage could reimburse you up to a specified amount.
• Rental car insurance — Many credit cards offer either primary or secondary car rental insurance, so you can waive the coverage offered for an additional fee when you rent a car. With primary car rental insurance, in the event of damage due to theft or collision, your credit card coverage will kick in before your personal insurance. With secondary insurance, the coverage kicks in after whatever other insurance is in place. Note that liability coverage isn't included in any credit card auto collision damage waiver.
• Travel accident insurance  — This is the kind of insurance you'll hopefully never have to use.
• Emergency evacuation insurance — If you're injured or otherwise incapacitated and need to be evacuated, this coverage would reimburse expenses such as a helicopter evacuation.

For these coverages to kick in, you'll have to pay for your travel with a card that offers trip insurance. In other words, if you book your flight and hotels with a debit card, you won't be eligible for coverage from your credit card.

On that same note, however, redeeming airline miles or bank points for your travel should not disqualify you from coverage — as long as you pay the taxes and fees with your eligible credit card.

Credit Card Travel Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the most comprehensive travel insurance, covering everything from trip cancellations and interruptions to delayed baggage.

Depending on the card, credit card travel insurance may cover non-refundable flights, delays, cancellations, missed connections, lost luggage, an illness that cuts your travel short, and various other misfortunes.

Most travel rewards credit cards offer some degree of travel insurance. For example, many American Express cards offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage. But the specifics can vary wildly from card to card. The big exception is Citi, which eliminated most elements of its travel coverage from cards several years ago. Don't reserve travel with a Citi card if you want any sort of insurance.

If you have one of the credit cards featured in this guide, you may not need an additional travel insurance policy. However, make sure you read the fine print of your credit card's benefits guides to make sure the travel coverage is sufficient for your needs — and so you don't have any unpleasant surprises like finding out you aren't eligible for coverage when it's too late. On the other hand, if you want some extra peace of mind, or if there's a good chance you may cancel your non-refundable trip, it's worth looking into supplementary travel insurance. 

As a general rule, credit card travel insurance applies to the cardholder and the cardholder's immediate family. Refer to your credit card's benefits guide for card-specific rules.

Each credit card travel insurance policy is different, so it's important to look at your specific card's benefits guide to make sure you know exactly what is and what is not covered. And when in doubt, don't be afraid to call the card issuer for clarification. Your credit card travel insurance won't cover a trip that you don't purchase with the card, though in some cases paying for a trip in full or in part with that card's rewards points will qualify you for coverage.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards for Travel Insurance

To come up with this list of the best credit cards for travel insurance, we first identified the different types of travel insurance benefits to focus on: trip delay insurance, rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, and emergency evacuation coverage. We selected the best credit card options for each type of travel insurance by looking through their specific benefits. 

Each credit card we review also has a numerical score out of 5. We arrive at each score by following our credit card rating methodology , which factors in rewards, the welcome bonus, annual fee, and more.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

• Main content

4 times your credit card's travel insurance can help with summer travel woes, and 7 times it won't

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Travel is more unpredictable than ever this summer. I've been lucky that none of my summer trips so far have been incredibly affected by delays or cancellations. But, air travel is a total nightmare right now , and staffing is still an issue for many travel providers — so it's likely only a matter of time.

Other TPG staffers have recently experienced issues. For example, TPG's Sean Cudahy got caught in last week's travel mess , while TPG's Nick Ewen spent time in New Jersey instead of Greece due to weather-related delays.

If you've been reading TPG for a while, you may already know that some credit cards provide travel insurance when you use your card to book your flights (or pay the taxes and fees on award flights ). And you may even be using one of these cards to book your trips. But you may not know what is and isn't covered by these benefits when your travel doesn't go smoothly.

In this guide, I'll give a high-level overview of some scenarios where you can — and can't — expect your credit card's travel insurance benefits to assist.

Sign up for our daily newsletter for more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox.

Credit card travel insurance

We've written entire articles about credit cards that provide travel insurance . So, I recommend checking out the following stories to learn more about the travel insurance provided by top travel rewards cards :

• What your credit card's trip protection covers — and what it doesn't
• Flight delayed? Remember these 4 things if you want trip delay reimbursement from your credit card
• Flight delayed or canceled? Here are the best credit cards with trip delay reimbursement
• When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections

But, the protections provided by each card are different. So I recommend reading — or at least skimming — your card's guide to benefits before your next trip to familiarize yourself with those specifics. You can call the number on the back of your card for a physical copy or link if needed.

Cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express provide excellent travel protections. But, I believe the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides the best travel insurance overall.

In this guide, I'll discuss how the benefits offered to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders (see the Chase Sapphire Reserve guide to benefits here) would help (or not) in several scenarios. If you generally pay for your travel with a different card, consider how the benefits on your card may differ.

Related: Travel is tricky right now — here are 7 mistakes to avoid on your next trip

4 times when your credit card's travel insurance can help

If your travel doesn't go smoothly this summer, benefits from your travel rewards credit card may offer reimbursement or other help. Here are four real-life scenarios where your credit card's travel insurance may come in handy.

Your flight is significantly delayed or canceled

First, the bad news: You'll need to work with your airline to get rebooked if your flight is canceled. And if your flight is significantly delayed, you'll need to either wait out the delay or work with your airline to get rebooked on a different flight.

But, the good news is that some cards offer trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your flight (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket). And this benefit can help as you wait for your delayed or rebooked flight.

For example, if you used the Chase Sapphire Reserve to book your original flight, Chase may reimburse you for "reasonable expenses incurred during the delay." In particular, you can get up to $500 per ticket when you're delayed for more than six hours or your delay forces you into an overnight stay. Chase says reasonable expenses include "meals, lodging, toiletries and medication."

But, you'll only be covered if you are delayed due to "equipment failure, inclement weather, strike [or] hijacking/skyjacking." So, if you're delayed due to the crew timing out during inclement weather, you'll be covered. But if the airline simply can't find any crew to operate your flight and doesn't provide you documentation stating the delay or cancellation is due to one of the aforementioned eligible reasons, you won't be covered.

Related: Chase paid for my $1,100-per-night hotel room thanks to built-in trip delay coverage

Your baggage is significantly delayed

Once again, let's discuss the bad news first: You must report your delayed baggage to the travel supplier. For example, if your checked baggage doesn't appear on the belt after your flight, you'll need to go to the airline's baggage office and fill out a report.

Usually, the airline will start trying to locate your baggage at this point. But often, the airline won't offer to reimburse you for any essentials you might need while you're separated from your baggage.

Luckily, some credit cards cover baggage delays . For example, if you used the Chase Sapphire Reserve to book your flight, Chase may reimburse you "for the emergency purchase of essential items, such as toiletries, clothing, and chargers for electronic devices (limit one per device)."

In particular, Chase may reimburse you up to $100 per day for up to five days. To qualify for this coverage, your baggage must be "delayed or misdirected" for at least six hours.

The items you purchase and include for reimbursement should be "essential." But, Chase excludes some items from reimbursement, including hearing aids, artificial teeth, prosthetic devices, tickets, jewelry, electronics and recreational equipment.

Related: What to do when your luggage is delayed or lost by an airline

You must cancel or interrupt a trip

First things first: No credit card offers " cancel for any reason " trip insurance as a complimentary benefit. But, if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for specific reasons, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders might be eligible for reimbursement of "nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses charged by a travel supplier" and "redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program administrator." And in the case of trip interruption, cardholders can be reimbursed change fees and costs to return a vehicle to their residence or the closest rental agency.

Many credit cards offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance . But, you'll only be eligible for reimbursement if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for specific reasons listed in the guide to benefits. For example, you may be eligible for reimbursement if you can't postpone or waive a call to jury duty or subpoena from the courts, and you prepaid for nonrefundable travel expenses with your Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Related: American Express adds new 'cancel for any reason' coverage option on flights

Your luggage is lost or damaged

Earlier, I discussed a scenario where your baggage is delayed. But, it's also possible that your luggage becomes lost, stolen or damaged. As with delayed baggage, you'll need to file a claim with the travel provider once you discover the issue.

Some travel providers will provide reimbursement to repair or replace your luggage. But, if the reimbursement isn't enough, you can also seek additional reimbursement via the baggage insurance offered by your credit card. If you booked your travel with your Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could get up to $3,000 per traveler per trip.

Related: The airline couldn't find my luggage — luckily I had Apple AirTags

7 times your credit card's travel insurance won't help

Of course, your credit card's travel insurance won't help you in every situation. Although you may still find relief through your travel provider or individual travel insurance , here are some real-world scenarios where you wouldn't be covered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel protections :

• You want to be on a different flight: Flight delays and cancellations are frustrating. But, you'll need to work with your airline to get on a different flight. None of the trip delay insurance offered by credit cards will let you buy a new flight and then reimburse it.
• Staffing issues lead the airline to delay or cancel your flight: According to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's guide to benefits, only delays to your trip that are caused by "equipment failure, inclement weather, strike [or] hijacking/skyjacking" are eligible for trip delay reimbursement. So, if the airline can't find crew for your flight due to its employees being sick, for example, you won't be covered.
• Your lodging canceled on you: It's frustrating to be walked from a hotel or have your lodging canceled on you. After all, you may face much higher prices if you need to book a new stay. But, except in specific cases covered by trip cancellation and interruption insurance — such as if your lodging at your trip's destination is "made uninhabitable" — your credit card benefits aren't going to help.
• Your common carrier or travel insurance policy already provides what you need: As an example, if you are delayed overnight and the airline provides you with hotel and meal vouchers, you can't claim reimbursement for these same expenses through your credit card's trip delay benefit . The Chase Sapphire Reserve's guide to benefits states the trip delay benefit "applies to reasonable expenses incurred during your delay not otherwise covered by your common carrier, another party or your primary personal insurance policy."
• Your delay caused you to miss things you already paid for: Trip delays may cause you to miss shows, activities, separately booked flights, hotel nights and more. But, the Chase Sapphire Reserve's trip delay benefit is only for reasonable expenses you incur during your delay. As such, any prepaid trip expenses won't be covered.
• You have to cancel or interrupt your trip for a noncovered reason: As discussed above, the trip cancellation and interruption insurance offered by credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve only covers you if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for select reasons. So, if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for other reasons, your credit card's travel insurance won't help. For example, you wouldn't be covered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve's insurance if you didn't obtain a necessary visa or your airline became financially insolvent.
• You left an item or bag behind on the train, airplane or boat: Although some Amex cards include recently purchased items you lose under purchase protection insurance , most travel insurance offered by credit cards won't reimburse you for items you inadvertently left behind.

Travel insurance benefits vary from card to card, though. And, only select family members may be covered along with you for some benefits. So take a look at your card's guide to benefits or call the number on the back of your credit card to learn whether your specific scenario will be covered.

Related: 8 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Of course, this article assumes you used a credit card with travel insurance to pay for your trip, and the exact protections vary from card to card. But hopefully, this guide gave you an idea of the types of help you may get from your credit card's travel insurance if things go wrong with a trip this summer or beyond.

Finally, some premium travel cards offer an additional perk that may help if you face troubles this summer: lounge access . It can be much more relaxing to wait out a delay in the comfort of a lounge. Plus, you may gain access to agents that can help you rebook or handle complicated bookings if you have access to your airline's lounge.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

8 times your credit card’s travel insurance might not cover you

Travel insurance is a great perk that comes with a number of travel rewards credit cards . If you're traveling and something goes wrong — like lost luggage, a trip delay or an unplanned medical emergency — there's a chance your credit card's travel protection could save you a lot of money.

Although some level of travel insurance can be a valuable credit card benefit, it's also important to realize that it won't cover every scenario. Like any insurance coverage, there are times when the travel insurance that comes with your credit card might not protect you.

Every policy is different, and you'll need to check with your card issuer to confirm specific policy details and limitations. Typically, you can find a full guide to your card's benefits and exclusions online.

Here are eight scenarios where your credit card's travel insurance probably won't be helpful.

Paying with the wrong credit card

Some card issuers require you to pay for travel-related expenses (or, at least, a portion of them) with their specific card to be covered if something goes wrong. But if you use multiple cards to pay for your travel purchases, perhaps in a quest to score the most rewards possible, you might find yourself only partially protected.

For example, if you pay for your flights and hotel room with your Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card but use something else to pay for the excursions on your trip. In this scenario, the excursions might not be covered if your travel plans are unexpectedly cut short because a hurricane rolls into town. However, if the second card you used also offers travel insurance, you might simply need to make multiple claims.

Related: Best credit cards with travel insurance

Preexisting medical conditions

If you need to cancel your trip due to a preexisting medical condition, you may have a hard time getting a reimbursement with your card's trip cancellation coverage. The same rule of thumb may apply if you need an emergency medical evacuation during your trip.

Depending on the card issuer's travel insurance policy, there is a potential workaround here. In a situation where you didn't know about the medical condition in advance, you might be able to make a convincing case when you file a claim.

Traveling for medical treatment

Are you planning a trip to a destination with the intention of visiting a doctor or medical facility? If so, that action hits pretty close to the definition of traveling with a preexisting condition.

When the purpose of your trip is to seek medical treatment, there's a good chance your credit card's insurance policy won't cover you if a problem comes up. Instead, you might need to consider a stand-alone travel insurance policy with a waiver for preexisting conditions if you want coverage for this type of scenario.

Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you

Length of the trip doesn't qualify for coverage

The travel insurance policy offered through your credit card may only apply to trips of a certain length. You could run into coverage issues here if your trip is either too long or too short.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you won't be covered if you're traveling for more than 60 days. With The Business Platinum Card® from American Express , travel that exceeds 365 days away from your city of residence is ineligible for trip cancellation and interruption claims.

Traveling in a war zone

Taking a trip to an area that's deemed to be a war zone (either declared or undeclared) can be troubling for several reasons, but one concern is canceled flights or other travel-related issues due to military or war-like situations. In that case, related expenses are often ineligible for travel insurance coverage through a credit card provider.

Whether war breaks out before or after you arrive at your destination, your card's travel insurance benefits likely won't cover you. If you're traveling to an unstable location or one that has a history of unrest, you may want to consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for added peace of mind.

Recently filed claim

Some credit card travel insurance policies have an upper limit of how much money you can claim for reimbursement per 12-month period. So, if you've already filed a large claim in the last 12 months, you might not be eligible to get paid for another.

It's worth noting that The Platinum Card® from American Express offers many of its benefits per trip, so you may not have to worry as much about this particular limit if you're a cardholder.*

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: Best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance

You test positive for COVID-19

COVID-19 is often a non-eligible sickness to qualify for coverage with certain credit card travel insurance policies. Whether you have to cancel a trip, change your travel dates or quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 test result, you might be stuck paying those expenses on your own.

All protection isn't created equal

The travel insurance provided by different card issuers comes with different types of coverage. Take the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as examples. Both cards offer insurance coverage for trip cancellation and trip interruption. The Amex Platinum , on the other hand, only provides this benefit on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card.*

Similarly, the Sapphire Reserve offers cardholders emergency medical evacuation insurance up to $100,000, but the Sapphire Preferred does not include this benefit.

Related: How Chase Sapphire travel insurance saved my family over $1,500

Should you purchase more coverage?

No one likes to think about what could go wrong when you travel away from home. Unfortunately, sometimes problems and even disasters happen while people are traveling. If you have the right travel rewards credit cards (and you understand how their travel insurance benefits work), you can enjoy some peace of mind.

You could also consider adding third-party travel insurance if you want to beef up your coverage. Sometimes independent travel insurance may cover you when your credit card's travel insurance policy does not.

Additional travel insurance comes at a cost. The investment makes sense in some situations; other times, it does not. If you're considering a separate travel insurance policy, it's a good idea to compare costs, benefits and coverage limitations in advance.

Related: Why I buy an annual travel insurance policy

Bottom line

Whether you choose to pay for additional third-party travel insurance or not, it's helpful to learn about the travel protections the credit cards sitting in your wallet may offer you. Just remember to learn about the rules and limitations of your card's travel insurance benefits. Otherwise, you might be in for a surprise if you ever need to use them.

Read more: Is travel insurance worth it?

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

MASTERCARD BENEFIT INQUIRIES

Within the U.S.: 1-800-Mastercard (1-800-627-8372) | Outside the U.S.: Mastercard Global Service Phone Numbers

Availability of insurance benefits on your card may vary by card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for complete insurance benefit coverage terms, conditions and exclusions.

*Offer availability will vary for cardholders when located outside of the contiguous United States.

1. Peacock Ends 3/31/2025, subject to early termination. Must use qualifying Mastercard World or World Elite credit card and subscribe to a full-priced Peacock Premium plan directly from Peacock to receive a $3.00 monthly statement credit. Statement credit ends when user no longer meets eligibility requirements. Excludes current Peacock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers. Additional eligibility restrictions, exclusions, and terms apply. For full terms, see www.peacocktv.com/offer-terms/mastercard . ↩

2. Instacart Ends 3/31/2025, subject to early termination. Add an eligible U.S. World or World Elite Mastercard credit card and subscribe as a new Instacart+ member to receive a free two-month trial and a $10 Instacart coupon on your second qualifying order each month. Must have an active Instacart+ membership paid for with an eligible card and complete one qualifying Instacart order each month. By redeeming this offer, you agree to the Instacart+ terms , and if you select a paid plan, your Instacart+ membership will auto-renew and the applicable membership fee will be billed automatically to any payment method on file until you cancel. Additional terms apply. Please visit www.instacart.com/p/mastercard-offer . ↩

3. ResortPass Ends 9/30/2025, subject to early termination. Make a booking or purchase of a gift card of $200 or more on ResortPass using your eligible World Elite Mastercard and receive a $30 statement credit. Make a booking or purchase of a gift card of $200 or more on ResortPass using your eligible World Mastercard and receive a $20 statement credit. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Statement credits may take up to 60 days to appear on your statement. Additional eligibility restrictions, exclusions, and terms apply. For full terms, see Resortpass.com/mastercard . ↩

4. Lyft Take 3, Get $5: Beginning 4/1/21 and running through 9/30/25, Lyft users can participate in Lyft and Mastercard’s Take 3, Get $5 program (“Program”) by taking and partially or fully paying for three (3) Eligible Rides in a calendar month to receive a $5 Lyft credit (“Credit”). The rides must be paid for with an eligible World or World Elite Mastercard credit card (Apple Card is not eligible for this program, but Apple Pay or Google Pay may be eligible if your World or World Elite Mastercard credit card is the funding source). Limit one Credit per calendar month per Lyft account. An “Eligible Ride” is any Lyft ride type, excluding business rides and bicycle and scooter rental rides. Valid only in the USA. Whether a ride qualifies as an Eligible Ride for purposes of the Credit will be determined in Lyft’s sole discretion. Credits expire thirty (30) days after application. Limited time only and while supplies last. By participating in the Program, you agree to these terms and Lyft’s Terms of Service ( https://www.lyft.com/terms ), and you agree that Lyft and Mastercard may share your information for the purposes of tracking and processing the Credit and may use anonymized, aggregated data for business analytics and offer optimization. Credits may take up to two (2) days to be applied to your Lyft account. ↩

5. Booking.com Mastercard cardholders will receive up to 7% off when booking accommodations marked with the Mastercard label and prepaying for such accommodations using an eligible consumer or small business Mastercard credit card at booking.com/mastercardUS . Offer Period: April 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025, subject to early termination. Eligibility: this offer is available to all U.S. and Canadian residents who are holders of consumer credit and small business Mastercard credit cards issued in the U.S. or Canada. Exclusions: Reservations booked but not prepaid are excluded from the promotion. Must select “Pay now” on the checkout page to receive the offer. Additional Terms and Conditions: To receive the discount, bookings must be prepaid at checkout and made exclusively through booking.com/mastercardUS . The discount is applicable only to prepaid bookings when the option “Pay Now” is selected at the checkout. The discount will be applied automatically at the time of checkout and discount will vary depending on the property and dates selected. The discount applies to the accommodation cost only and does not include any additional fees or taxes. Booking.com reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time without prior notice. All bookings are subject to availability and Booking.com’s terms and conditions . ↩

6. HealthLock HealthLock is an end‑to‑end analytics‑driven platform that helps protect cardholders’ medical identities and data and monitors their medical claims for errors, fraud and overbilling. HealthLock provides three plan levels:

• Medical Claim Monitor: Helps guard against medical fraud and privacy intrusions by monitoring medical data breaches, providing alerts and helping remediate medical fraud issues.
• Medical Claim Auditor: Organizes, tracks and audits all healthcare bills (24‑month retroactive audit and ongoing auditing) in one place, verifying that all bills are accurate and identifying potential overcharges and insurance errors. This level includes everything from the previous plan.
• Medical Claim Saver: Provides access to medical bill negotiation with providers and insurance companies to potentially help reduce bills and reverse claim rejections. This level includes everything from the previous plan.

Enrolled users receive, at no cost, Medical Claim Monitor, plus a premium upgrade to Medical Claim Saver for the first 90 days. After 90 days, users will continue to receive Medical Claim Monitor at no monthly cost and have the option to continue with Medical Claim Auditor for $4.99 per month or Medical Claim Saver for $19.99 per month. See full terms here . ↩

7. ShopRunner Valid through 9/30/2025. To get the free ShopRunner membership offer, compliments of Mastercard, please go to  www.shoprunner.com/mastercard  and verify your eligibility for the offer with a World Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard account number and then complete the sign-up for a ShopRunner membership account. For details on how the ShopRunner membership works, please see the ShopRunner Terms and Conditions at  www.shoprunner.com/terms/sr , which govern the use of your ShopRunner membership offer. ↩

8. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Cardholders need to register for this service. This service is provided by Iris® Powered by Generali. Please see your guide to benefits for details or call 1-800-MASTERCARD. ↩

9. These are summary descriptions only. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. To learn more about Zero Liability, visit mastercard.com/zeroliability . Contact your issuing financial institution for complete coverage terms and conditions or call 1.800.Mastercard (1.800.627.8372) for assistance. Applicable to U.S. cardholders only. ↩

All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What You Need to Know About Credit Card Travel Insurance

What does credit card travel insurance cover how does it work and what are some credit cards that offer trip protection start to unravel the complexities in this beginner’s guide..

• Copy Link copied

Whether your flight was delayed or your trip was derailed by COVID, you could recoup some of your costs with insurance provided by travel credit cards.

Photo by Shutterstock

AFAR partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Compensation may impact how an offer is presented. Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of the AFAR editorial team.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Travel can be fun and exciting, but many things can go wrong on a trip. There are flight cancellations and delays, lost luggage, and even the dreadful reality of contracting COVID away from home . Investing in travel insurance can alleviate the fear of such situations. But sometimes protections offered by travel insurance companies are ones that you already get for free from your credit card .

You read correctly. Just by charging travel to your credit card, you may be entitled to coverage that you never knew you had. As with third-party travel insurance—and basically any insurance for that matter—so many terms and conditions apply, there are rules after rules, and COVID reimbursements are a tricky topic.

The subject of credit card travel insurance is very complicated—way too complicated for a single article—yet the basics are worth knowing before booking your next trip.

What is travel protection on a credit card?

Most—but not all—credit cards provide several implicit travel insurances as benefits for being a cardholder. These insurances usually kick in when charging travel to the credit card or using points for travel through a credit card’s loyalty program. Said travel insurances are collectively referred to as travel protections in credit card literature. Typically, when searching for the travel coverages your credit card provides, you will find them lumped under a banner or heading labeled “Travel Protections.”

What does your credit card travel insurance cover?

Some of the best travel credit cards provide travel insurance as part of their regular benefits. Some do not. Depending on the credit card, you may be entitled to some compensation under the following insurances:

• Emergency Evacuation & Transportation: If you become ill on your trip and require medical evacuation and treatment
• Trip Interruption and Cancellation: If you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to specific unforeseen circumstances
• Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit: If you require emergency medical or dental services during a covered trip
• Trip Accident Insurance: If you are severely injured, maimed, or–eek–die on your trip
• Trip Delay: If your common carrier is delayed more than a specified number of hours
• Delayed Baggage: If your bags arrive late, beyond a specified number of hours
• Lost Baggage: If your bags are deemed lost for good
• Rental Car Insurance: If you rent a car more than a specified number of miles away from your domicile and experience theft or damage to the rental car that you did not cause

Again, it’s important to note that not all cards with travel insurance include all these coverages. Each is different. Moreover, if you buy third-party travel insurance , it may or may not include specific protections (and covered reasons) that you don’t already get with your credit card.

What credit cards come with travel insurance?

Remember those pamphlets that arrived in the mail when you received your credit card, the ones you threw in the recycling bin? Likely within that paperwork was a handy “Guide to Benefits” that detailed the travel insurances of your credit card. Thankfully, most of this information can still be retrieved online when logging into your credit card account or even doing a simple Google search.

In the most general sense, every credit card is unique in its benefits—and that includes travel insurances. Some cards like the Citi Premier® Card , which ranks best in class for extended warranty protection on shopping purchases and is great for earning points on travel, comes with zero travel protections. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the most comprehensive suite of travel protections, ranging from Medevac insurance to rental car insurance as primary coverage.

Below is a chart of six popular travel credit cards and the insurances they do and do not provide.

Within each box of this chart lies more layers of complexity. Often, you are entitled to itemized coverages only under specific circumstances known as “covered reasons.” Moreover, several cards may offer the same protection, say “Trip Delay Protection,” but each may define a delay differently (i.e., 6 hours vs. 12 hours) and then may cap reimbursements at different amounts. Similarly, while some rental car insurance policies like the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer primary coverage, others offer only secondary coverage (meaning, you’d need to go through your own regular car insurance first). On top of that, travel to specific countries may be excluded under some policies.

All this to say, read the fine print!

Where does COVID related coverage fit into credit card travel insurance?

To start, your credit card travel insurance is not an umbrella policy for COVID-related expenses. But you can find some COVID coverage within the Trip Cancellation & Interruption policies of select cards.

In the most general sense, if you decide to cancel your trip because of COVID (or civil unrest—another big topic nowadays), you will not be covered. Even the most generous of travel insurance-promoting credit cards, Chase Sapphire Reserve, states in its Guide to Benefits that “your disinclination to travel due to an epidemic or pandemic” is not covered by its Trip Cancellation & Interruption policies.

However, should you get sick while traveling, some coverage may kick in. Again, this will require reading through the fine print of your specific credit card’s Guide to Benefits. Within the Trip Cancellation & Interruption policies of Chase Sapphire Reserve, it states, “quarantine of you or your travel companion imposed by a physician or by a competent governmental authority having jurisdiction, due to health reasons,” is a covered event while the guide for The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees ) states, “quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons” is also a covered event. What may be covered (if and when documented properly) is any prepaid trip expense charged to the credit card that you are unable to fulfill due to your illness. That means things like changing your flight home or a refund for the part of your trip/hotel stay missed after testing positive and having to quarantine. That said, neither card will pay for your expenses to stay in a hotel to recover from COVID.

Credit card travel insurance is complicated, and policies differ by card. However, it’s worth deciphering your card’s coverages to know exactly what you’re entitled to as a cardholder before booking your next trip–and to avoid redundant third-party travel insurance.

While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time, and may have changed or may no longer be available.

franckreporter/Getty Images

Advertiser Disclosure

Guide to travel insurance with credit cards

As you plan your next trip, check your credit cards for their travel insurance benefits

Published: July 13, 2022

Author: Susan Ladika

Editor: Grace Pilling

Reviewer: Kaitlyn Tang

How we Choose

This guide features what’s included in travel insurance and how to assess what coverage you need based on your trip type, destination and length.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

Travel insurance has your back when the unexpected happens on a trip. In fact, many countries—from Anguilla to the United Arab Emirates—require visitors to have travel insurance upon arrival.

One way to protect your investment in a grand getaway or storybook honeymoon is through travel insurance. A number of credit cards offer travel insurance , covering everything from canceled or interrupted travel to lost luggage and damage to a rental car. That said, the type of coverage varies.

According to Carol Mueller, vice president of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, about 25 percent to 30 percent of leisure travelers in the United States purchase travel insurance.

But before you purchase a travel insurance policy for your next vacation or hop on a flight assuming your credit card’s got you covered, here’s what you should know about travel insurance and how to pick the right coverage for you.

• What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance (sometimes called trip insurance) will reimburse your prepaid travel expenses if things go awry or compensate you in the event of an emergency.

Depending on the type of coverage you have — either offered via a credit card or with a travel insurance policy you paid for — you may get your money back if you have to cancel the trip before you depart or if you cut your trip short for an unforeseen reason.

Credit cards may include types of coverage that you won’t find with a travel insurance policy you purchase, such as coverage for rental cars. And the travel insurance you purchase may offer coverage that your card doesn’t include, such as medical evacuation insurance.

• Who needs travel insurance?

In some cases, the insurance benefits provided by your credit card may be enough. In other cases, you might want to boost your benefits by purchasing travel insurance. The difference may depend on where you’re headed and how much the trip costs.

If you spend $200 on an airline ticket to visit your parents one state over, you might not need additional travel insurance. But if you’re going on a cruise that costs thousands of dollars and need to make payments months in advance, you might want the extra protection that travel insurance offers.

To determine what kind of travel insurance you need, including how much coverage you need in terms of dollars, consider the following questions:

• Will you be traveling domestically or internationally?
• How long will you be traveling? Is it a short trip (seven days or less) or a long trip?
• Are you traveling for business, pleasure or an emergency?

For example, if you’re going on a quick business trip, you will likely not need the same level of travel insurance coverage as if you’re heading out on a weeklong vacation outside the U.S.

How much does travel insurance cost?

If you have a credit card that offers travel insurance, then there’s no extra cost. You generally need to just use that card to pay for the trip in order to be eligible for coverage.

If your cards don’t meet your travel insurance needs — or you just want to be covered for any contingency — you may want to supplement your coverage by purchasing a travel insurance policy.

A travel insurance policy usually costs about 5 percent to 7 percent of the cost of the trip, Mueller says.

The main factors in the price of a travel insurance policy are the type of trip, including cost, length and destination, and the traveler’s age and any existing medical conditions.

What are the types of travel insurance?

There can be big differences between credit card coverage and a travel insurance policy you pay for out of pocket. The types of coverage offered can also vary greatly from one credit card to another.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse your nonrefundable travel costs if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason, such as illness or injury, before you depart.

Trip interruption insurance can reimburse your costs when you’re already on the road and your trip is interrupted for a covered reason, such as an illness or a natural disaster.

Many credit cards provide either trip cancellation, trip interruption insurance or both. There can be wide variations in coverage limits for trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and premium cards usually offer more generous policies.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which has a hefty $550 annual fee, offers both trip interruption and cancellation insurance that provides coverage of up to $10,000 per person (up to $20,000 per trip) for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses. Meanwhile, the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Visa Signature credit card * provides up to $2,000 per person in trip cancellation or interruption insurance.

Travel accident insurance

Travel accident insurance (often called flight accident insurance or accidental death and dismemberment insurance) is included with several credit cards. This insurance can provide a payout if you are killed or lose a limb or one of your senses — such as sight or hearing — while traveling on a common carrier.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , for example, provides up to $250,000 of such insurance.

Emergency medical and evacuation insurance

This type of insurance covers emergency evacuation if you or your spouse, domestic partner or dependent children become seriously injured or ill while you’re traveling. Both the Citi Prestige® Card * and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards cover emergency services and transportation up to $100,000.

Once you are evacuated to a hospital, though, you may have to foot your own medical bills.

According to Steven Benna, spokesperson for the travel insurance site Squaremouth.com, Medicare generally does not pay if you have a medical emergency outside of the United States, and many private health insurance plans may not cover you if you’re traveling abroad.

Travel insurance policies you purchase on your own can include both emergency evacuation insurance and emergency medical insurance.

‘Cancel for any reason’ insurance

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance will allow you to earn refunds on hotels and flights even if you cancel these reservations for reasons not included by traditional travel insurance policies.

These policies can be expensive, with most carriers who provide them offering them as an upgrade to a traditional travel insurance policy. Not all CFAR policies reimburse all your travel costs. Some policies, for instance, only reimburse you for 75 percent of your costs.

Trip delay insurance

Both comprehensive travel insurance policies and many credit cards, including some airline credit cards , will cover your expenses if your trip is delayed for a certain amount of time. The United Explorer Card , for example, will cover expenses such as meals or lodging if your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or if an overnight stay is required.

Lost or delayed baggage

Comprehensive travel insurance will typically cover the purchase of clothing and other essentials if your baggage is delayed. Some credit cards will also cover lost or delayed luggage. The Capital One Venture Rewards Card, for example, reimburses you for up to $3,000 if your luggage is lost.

Auto insurance

Credit cards may also offer travel protections that extend beyond flights, hotels and cruises. A number of credit cards, including the American Express® Gold Card , will cover you if you decline the collision damage waiver when renting a car and your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance is by far the most popular type of coverage sold by travel insurance companies, Mueller says.

It bundles different coverages for one flat fee and can include trip interruption and cancellation insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, travel delay insurance, emergency medical, dental and evacuation insurance and baggage delay insurance.

Who is covered by travel insurance?

Benefits provided by your credit card may cover you, your spouse or domestic partner and your dependent children. If you purchase travel insurance, you can buy a policy just for yourself or for your whole family if you are traveling together.

Be sure to check your benefit details or clearly communicate with an insurance provider when purchasing a policy to ensure your travel insurance offers sufficient coverage for all travelers in your party who need it.

• How to find travel insurance

If you’ve got a trip coming up, first check your credit cards to see which types of coverage they provide. Travel insurance benefits on Chase cards , for example, tend to be impressive, especially on cards with a higher annual fee. You can also find solid travel insurance benefits with American Express and other issuers.

If you’re in the market for a new card and you’ve got a big trip on the horizon, you might want to check the travel benefits offered before applying for the card. You might even land a sweet sign-up bonus that will help cover some of your travel costs.

If you want to supplement your card benefits with other coverage, reach out to your current provider for home or auto insurance or check out travel insurance aggregators such as InsureMyTrip or SquareMouth .

Mueller recommends buying travel insurance within 15 days of making a deposit or paying for your trip.

Considering many policies have exclusions for preexisting conditions, you don’t want to be diagnosed with a disease and then be unable to buy travel insurance. Another reason to buy insurance well ahead of your trip includes the potential for unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack near or at your trip’s destination.

What to look out for with travel insurance

Changes to your credit card benefits.

Even if one of your credit cards offered travel insurance when you initially signed up, card issuers can change or remove benefits, so be sure to check your coverage before you depart. By the same token, perhaps you’re unaware of coverage offered by a card or, less commonly, one of your existing cards may also start offering travel insurance, so it’s wise to check the offerings on all your cards before a trip.

Exclusions and fine print

Both travel insurance that comes with your credit card and coverage you purchase will have exclusions, so read the fine print . For example, travel insurance typically won’t cover you for preexisting medical conditions or if you’re traveling against the advice of a physician.

Accidents arising from certain activities may also be excluded from coverage — if you’re participating in a competitive sport, for example, or a high-risk activity like sky diving. If your itinerary includes such activities, you might be able to purchase a special policy, often tagged as an “adventurer” package.

Bottom line

Whatever you do and wherever you go on your next trip, you’ll want to be prepared. To be safe, be sure your next trip’s planning involves checking your credit card travel insurance benefits and purchasing additional travel insurance if you feel it’s needed.

*All information about Wells Fargo Visa Signature and Citi Prestige has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Susan Ladika spent more than three decades working as a journalist, reporting everywhere from Bali to Bosnia to Tampa Bay. Susan began writing about the fascinating field of personal finance for CreditCards.com and Bankrate during the heart of the Great Recession, when everyone wanted to learn how to save money and spend what they had more wisely. Over the years she’s written about a wide range of personal finance topics, including credit cards and debit cards, financial scams and frauds, savings and checking accounts, real estate and insurance.

On this page

• Cost of travel insurance
• Types of travel insurance
• Who is covered?
• What to look out for

Essential reads, delivered straight to your inbox

Stay up-to-date on the latest credit card news 一 from product reviews to credit advice 一 with our newsletter in your inbox twice a week.

By providing my email address, I agree to CreditCards.com’s Privacy Policy

Your credit cards journey is officially underway.

Keep an eye on your inbox—we’ll be sending over your first message soon.

Learn more about Education

Best credit cards for international travel

The best credit cards for international travel can make traversing the globe a more comfortable and rewarding experience. Compare our top picks to see how they work for your travel style and goals.

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards of 2023

Looking for the best travel rewards with no annual fee doesn’t have to be hard. There are plenty of great credit cards you can explore to help you earn and redeem rewards for travel.

Best credit cards for trip cancellation

What to know about prepaid travel credit cards

10 credit and money tips for travel abroad

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. Clear: Which is best for you?

Explore more categories

• Card advice
• Credit management
• To Her Credit

Questions or comments?

Editorial corrections policies

CreditCards.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditCards.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. CreditCards.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers. CCDC has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

Since 2004, CreditCards.com has worked to break down the barriers that stand between you and your perfect credit card. Our team is made up of diverse individuals with a wide range of expertise and complementary backgrounds. From industry experts to data analysts and, of course, credit card users, we’re well-positioned to give you the best advice and up-to-date information about the credit card universe.

Let’s face it — there’s a lot of jargon and high-level talk in the credit card industry. Our experts have learned the ins and outs of credit card applications and policies so you don’t have to. With tools like CardMatch™ and in-depth advice from our editors, we present you with digestible information so you can make informed financial decisions.

Our top goal is simple: We want to help you narrow down your search so you don’t have to stress about finding your next credit card. Every day, we strive to bring you peace-of-mind as you work toward your financial goals.

A dedicated team of CreditCards.com editors oversees the automated content production process — from ideation to publication. These editors thoroughly edit and fact-check the content, ensuring that the information is accurate, authoritative and helpful to our audience.

Editorial integrity is central to every article we publish. Accuracy, independence and authority remain as key principles of our editorial guidelines. For further information about automated content on CreditCards.com , email Lance Davis, VP of Content, at [email protected] .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Tips

These Are the Best Credit Cards for Every Type of Flier, According to Points Experts

From scoring major sign-up bonuses, to up to 10x points on purchases, these credit cards may help cover your next flight.

wichayada suwanachun/Getty Images

These days, there are no shortage of credit cards that can score you perks with airlines. However, deciding between which one is best for you is the challenge.

While credit card benefits for air travelers can come in many forms including free TSA PreCheck, points on purchases, options exist for every type of traveler — from a first time card holder to a traveler looking for luxury level perks.

Here, with the help of experts, we break down which credit card may be right for you.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• Most recommended and flexible with high rewards for a low annual fee.

With 5x points per dollar on travel purchases — including flights through the Chase Travel site — 3x points on dining, streaming services and online groceries, 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1x on all other purchases, it’s nearly impossible to avoid making money back with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. “I've had this card for over a decade," founder of Points by J, Jess Bohorquez told Travel + Leisure. "I think it's the best beginner travel credit card because it's really great for points earning. Chase points are incredibly valuable because they've got awesome travel transfer partners that you can use those points with.”  Points are worth 1.25 cents apiece when redeemed for travel booked through Chase. You can also transfer them at a 1:1 rate to several airlines’ frequent-flyer programs, including Southwest, United, JetBlue, British Airways, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic.  “The fact that the points are flexible and you can use them with a ton of different airlines and hotels gives the average traveler a lot better chance of finding an amazing deal for how they're going to redeem our points,” she added.

The card has an annual fee of $95. When it’s time to use some of your points, you can get 25 percent more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, and rental cars through Chase Travel. Additionally, trip cancellation and travel insurance are free and included with every purchase through their site. However, it doesn’t offer free checked bags like other travel cards. 

Capital One Venture X Card

• Best premium rewards and lounge access.

The Capital One Venture X card 's annual fee of $395 and high variable APR may be a deterrent to some, though its perks may be more than worthwhile for frequent travelers. Cardholders can enjoy unlimited 10x points per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5x points on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus 2x points on all other purchases. Points are easily transferred to 15+ different travel loyalty programs. 

“It's just an awesome point earner with two points for every single dollar spent regardless of category,” Bohorquez said. “That's amazing because if you don't want to keep track of restaurant spending versus home improvement spending, for example, you can just use this card constantly and know that you're getting a pretty great points return.”

It also has a very attractive signing bonus: Cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, equal to roughly $750 in travel. Cardholders also receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, plus 10,000 bonus points every year, starting on your first anniversary. Frequent travelers can earn more than enough in rewards to make up for the nearly $400 annual fee.  This card will also give you unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to over a thousand airport lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network. Cardholders also receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. “If you frequent an airport that has a Capital One or Priority Pass lounge, the lounge access with the Venture X card really helps make airport travel days easier,” a points expert and travel agent, Katie Holden, told T+L. “The Venture X also has the most family-friendly lounge access policies of any publicly available card. Like many people, we find it hard to pick between these benefits and find it well worth it to have both cards in our wallet.”

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

• Premium rewards, including travel credit, with robust travel insurance.

With a steep annual fee of $550, a high variable APR, and excellent credit needed, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is likely not going to be your first card. However, it's a great fit for seasoned shoppers and frequent travelers looking to maximize their rewards.

Earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on flights when purchased through Chase Travel. Cardholders also earn 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Should you want to book outside of Chase Travel, it offers 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs 

To ease the pain of the annual fee, it offers an incredibly flexible $300 annual travel credit. Cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. And since you can get 50% more value for your points when redeeming for travel through their platform, those 60,000 bonus points can be worth $900 on Chase Travel.

You can also access up to 1,300 airport lounges worldwide and can select up to a $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS. It also comes with trip cancellation insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage insurance, and more.  “Chase has been investing heavily in opening Chase Sapphire lounges. They're absolutely stunning,” Bohorquez said. “I was so pleasantly surprised to find that the one at LaGuardia offered free facials. Talk about luxury!”

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

• Excellent mid-tier rewards for everyday spending.

Considered by many as an excellent travel card all-around and with a very manageable annual fee of $95, the Capital One Venture card can help you earn high rewards on daily purchases. Earn 5x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 2x points on every purchase. Your points will not expire for the life of the account, and there’s no limit to how many you can earn. You can also transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs. 

While this card does not offer high rewards for flights specifically, the ability to earn on every purchase will help accumulate points that can be used to pay for flights in full. The Capital One Travel platform offers great prices on thousands of trip options with nearly every major airline. The card also offers a one-time signing bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of membership, equivalent to $750 in travel. 

Cardholders can also enjoy a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. And, for hotel stays, there’s a suite of cardholder benefits, including a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more.

Bilt World Elite Mastercard

• Best for beginners looking to build points

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard made headlines for an atypical way to accumulate points: Paying rent. Yes, with this card, the average American’s largest expense can be used to build points. The rewards earned from the card can be redeemed in a variety of ways, like a 1:1 transfer to more than a dozen airlines and some hotel loyalty programs. 

“I  love recommending the Bilt card for beginners because you can get points from rent, so people who are paying rent, that's an expense you're already paying,” Raimee Iacofano, a points expert and content creator known as @raimeetravels , said.

Cardholders can earn 5x points per dollar spent on Lyft, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1 point per dollar spent on rent, up to 100,000 points per calendar year. Cardholders also earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Cardholders also get trip cancellation and interruption protection up to $5,000, as well as up to $800 in cell phone protection, if you pay your cell bill with the card. 

However, this card doesn’t boast some attractive features shared by other cards. It has no signing bonus, as you might expect to find with other rewards credit cards, and you have to commit to using the card a certain number of times every month beyond your rent to derive value from it. However, with no annual fee, this card is a great way to passively accumulate transferable points with little to no lifestyle change. 

“I think a lot of people get scared of credit cards because they don't want to max 'em out. They don't want to lower their credit score,” Iacofano said. “They don't want to be responsible for paying it off every month or spend more than they have to, which you don't to use any card, but I think it can be intimidating. So the Bilt card lets you pay your rent on your card, and that's money you're already spending.”

Related Articles

• Travel Insurance

Changes to ANZ Credit Card Travel Insurance

The opposite of a bargain received in the mail today, notification of upcoming changes to ANZ Platinum and Black card complimentary insurance coming into force 7 June 2024.

There are a number of changes that, surprise surprise, reduce the benefits to cardholders. Two of the main points that stood out are: - New Excess of $500 , previously this was $350 - Overseas Emergency/Medical assistance reduced from "Unlimited" to $20mil (okay, the new limit should hopefully be sufficient for most situations)

Related Stores

"Free Insurance" becomes worth even less.

Bump the Excess so it deters low-end claims.

Cap the Overseas Emergency/Medical assistance to reduce exposure (and their Premium).

Probably done the numbers and the savings are greater than the Customers they will lose.

if the product is free you are the product

Not "free" insurance. Gotta pay an annual fee for the credit card it's attached to.

bankwest zero platinum mastercard has $0 annual fee and complimentary travel insurance

@Gdsamp: Not bad! Might get one for the travel insurance, if i can put a super low limit on the card. No points earning ability but cant have it all.

and not "free" paying credit card surcharges for every purchase.

I do wonder what cost-benefit analysis went on.

As a bargainer that uses a credit card for the benefit of travel insurance (amongst other things), and the inability of banks to offer retention offers, I will walk away before my next annual fee charges. Suppose you are right though - some people may not care or may not use the card for travel insurance benefit.

These seem pretty minor/insignificant. I wouldn't lose sleep over these changes myself. Still seems like good value.

A 42% increase in the excess doesn't seem insignificant to me.

Along that line of thinking, I wouldn't mind a 'minor' pay increase this year.

reduced from "Unlimited" to $20mil

They've probably had one claim that has hit $20 million and that might've freaked them out. There's only one place in the world I can imagine getting a bill anywhere near that amount - that would be in America! lol

Drop for Platinum holders from 6 month cover to 3 months.

New Forum Topics