Travel insurance is a crucial consideration when planning a trip. While many people opt to purchase insurance separately, what they may not realize is that various American Express credit cards offer their own travel insurance benefits. These benefits are included in the annual fee of the cards but often go unnoticed or underutilized.
In this article, we will delve into the travel insurance benefits provided by American Express cards. We will discuss what is covered, what is not covered, and when it may be necessary to consider additional insurance. Please note that specific terms and enrollment requirements should be reviewed within your American Express account.
A Summary of Travel Insurance Benefits for Amex Cards
Let's first take a look at the travel insurance benefits provided by several Amex cards. Please refer to the table below for a summary of the key benefits:
| Card Name | Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption | Trip Delay | Car Rental | Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Baggage | Delayed Baggage | Global Assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab* | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| Corporate Platinum Card® by American Express* | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card* | $10,000 per covered trip | Up to $500 per trip for delays above 6 hours | Secondary | Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons, up to $3,000 per person | N/A | Premium |
| American Express Business Gold Card | N/A | Up to $300 per trip for delays above 12 hours | Secondary | Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons, up to $1,250 per person | N/A | Global Assist |
| American Express Gold Card | N/A | Up to $300 per trip for delays above 12 hours | Secondary | Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons, up to $1,250 per person | N/A | Global Assist |
| American Express Green Card* | N/A | Up to $300 per trip for delays above 12 hours | Secondary | Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons, up to $1,250 per person | N/A | Global Assist |
| Business Green Rewards Card from American Express* | N/A | Up to $300 per trip for delays above 12 hours | Secondary | Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons, up to $1,250 per person | N/A | Global Assist |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | N/A | Up to $300 per trip for delays above 12 hours | Secondary | Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons, up to $1,250 per person | N/A | Global Assist |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | N/A | Up to $300 per trip for delays above 12 hours | Secondary | Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons, up to $1,250 per person | N/A | Global Assist |
| The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | N/A | N/A | Secondary | Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons, up to $1,250 per person | N/A | Global Assist |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | N/A | N/A | Secondary | N/A | N/A | Global Assist |
Please note that all information about these cards has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.
Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance
If your trip is interrupted or canceled, you may be eligible for reimbursement through Amex cards. However, certain conditions must be met. To qualify for reimbursement, you must have booked a "covered trip" or have your flight canceled for a "covered reason." Understanding the terms and policies can be challenging, but it is essential to ensure you meet the requirements.
A "covered trip" refers to a round-trip ticket booked entirely with your eligible card. It is important to note that this includes more than a single round-trip ticket booked together in one reservation. Additionally, your travel should begin and end in the same city, and the duration of your travel cannot exceed 365 days away from the origin.
Furthermore, the period of travel can involve round-trip, one-way, or combinations of round-trip and one-way tickets with common carriers. It is worth mentioning that paying for taxes and fees on an award ticket and using Pay With Points are considered "covered trips."
A "covered reason" includes inclement weather, terrorist action, a call to jury duty, sudden illness, or injury to you or an eligible traveler.
Which American Express Cards Offer Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance?
Before considering reimbursement, it is crucial to determine which Amex cards offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Currently, the following cards provide this benefit:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab*
- Corporate Platinum Card® by American Express*
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*
All the listed cards offer the same level of coverage, allowing you to claim up to $10,000 for non-refundable travel expenses, with a maximum of $20,000 per account in a rolling 12-month period.
Trip Delay Insurance
Trip delay insurance provides coverage for unforeseen circumstances that result in a flight delay. To qualify for reimbursement, you must have booked a "covered trip," and your flight should be delayed for a "covered reason."
Some examples of "covered reasons" include inclement weather, terrorist action, common carrier equipment failure, lost or stolen passports, or travel documents.
Once you meet the criteria, you can file a claim for "reasonable additional" expenses, such as meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal use items.
Which American Express Cards Offer Trip Delay Insurance?
Amex provides two tiers of trip delay insurance:
The first tier covers up to $500 for a delay of more than 6 hours. The following Amex cards offer this coverage:
The second tier covers up to $300 for a delay of more than 12 hours. The following Amex cards offer this coverage:
Rental Car Insurance
Rental car insurance is a crucial consideration when renting a car during your trip. While primary car rental insurance is not provided by Amex cards, secondary car rental insurance is available. Secondary insurance acts as a backup and covers expenses that are not covered by your personal auto insurance.
Which American Express Cards Offer Rental Car Insurance?
Currently, the following Amex cards provide secondary car rental insurance:
Lost, Damaged, and Stolen Baggage Insurance
Amex is also generous when it comes to baggage insurance. The ultra-premium Amex cards offer coverage up to $2,000 for checked luggage and up to $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage per covered person. However, a total maximum limit of $10,000 applies to everyone on the trip combined.
Premium Amex cards offer coverage up to $500 for checked luggage and up to $1,250 for checked and carry-on baggage per covered person. The same total maximum limit of $10,000 applies to everyone on the trip combined.
It is important to note that coverage applies while your baggage is on a common carrier, such as a plane, train, bus, ship, or other public modes of transportation. It does not cover incidents occurring during your vacation but outside of your flights.
Certain items, such as jewelry, sporting equipment, cameras, computers, and electronics, have a coverage limit of $1,000 per person for ultra-premium Amex cards and $250 per person for premium Amex cards. However, most other items are covered under the baggage insurance.
Which Amex Cards Offer Lost, Damaged, and Stolen Baggage Insurance?
The following Amex cards offer baggage insurance:
Delayed Baggage Insurance
Amex does not currently provide any cards that offer delayed baggage insurance.
Premium Global Assist and Global Assist
Premium Global Assist is a valuable feature included with several Amex cards. This service provides assistance when you are 100 miles or more away from home and require logistical help. It covers a wide range of emergency situations, including lost passports, emergency translation services, emergency medical referrals, and more.
Global Assist, on the other hand, offers support in less extreme medical needs such as prescription medication replacement and physician or dentist referral. It also assists with financial and legal matters, including lost or stolen wallets and connecting you with local English-speaking lawyers.
Which Amex Cards Offer Premium Global Assist and Global Assist?
The following cards offer Premium Global Assist:
The following cards offer Global Assist:
In conclusion, many American Express cards offer valuable travel insurance benefits. Whether you opt for a premium card or a more affordable option, you can take advantage of various coverage options. However, it is essential to review the specific terms and conditions of your card's benefits.
Although Amex cards provide generous insurance coverage, certain aspects may not be included. If you require additional coverage, American Express offers standalone travel insurance products. Alternatively, you can explore third-party insurance providers to supplement your card's benefits.
Remember, travel insurance can provide peace of mind and protect you from unexpected expenses. Whether you're embarking on a luxurious vacation or a simple getaway, it's always wise to have the right coverage in place.
