Credit card travel insurance can be a real lifesaver when you’re on the go. It offers protection for a range of travel issues like trip cancellations, baggage problems, and even medical emergencies. Some cards even cover rental car damage. It’s important to know what each card offers so you can pick the one that best suits your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Sapphire Reserve offers top-notch travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption coverage.
- American Express Platinum provides extensive travel protections, including baggage loss and emergency medical coverage.
- Citi Prestige cardholders enjoy comprehensive travel insurance, with benefits like trip delay and baggage delay coverage.
- Capital One Venture Rewards is known for its solid travel insurance offerings, including rental car collision coverage.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you reliable travel insurance, making it a great choice for frequent travelers.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is packed with benefits that make its $550 annual fee worthwhile. One standout feature is its purchase protection, which safeguards your new purchases against damage or theft for up to 120 days.
Key Benefits
- Earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when booked through Chase.
- Receive a $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases.
- Comprehensive travel insurance, including emergency medical and dental coverage up to $2,500 with a $50 deductible.
- Excellent rental car insurance coverage both domestically and internationally.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers some of the most extensive travel insurance benefits available, making it a top choice for frequent travelers.
Additional Perks
- Access to Chase Travel℠ for easy booking with numerous airline and hotel partners.
- Lucrative bonus categories for earning points quickly.
- Flexible rewards redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
With these features, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card stands out as a top-tier option for those who travel often and want robust insurance protection.
American Express Platinum
The American Express Platinum Card is known for its extensive travel benefits. One of the standout features is its travel insurance coverage. This includes protections for trip delay and cancellation, as well as secondary rental car coverage. While the car rental coverage is secondary, meaning you must first file a claim with your personal auto insurance, it still offers a valuable safety net for travelers.
Key Benefits
- Trip delay and cancellation protection
- Secondary rental car coverage
- Baggage insurance for lost, damaged, or stolen items
The Platinum Card by American Express travel insurance includes protections for trip delay and cancellation, and secondary rental car coverage.
Overall, the American Express Platinum Card provides a solid range of travel insurance benefits, making it a reliable choice for frequent travelers.
Citi Prestige
The Citi Prestige card is a top choice for those seeking premium travel benefits. Cardholders enjoy strong earning rates on their purchases, making it easier to accumulate points quickly. One of the standout features is the two fourth-night free awards, which can save you a significant amount on hotel stays.
Other notable perks include:
- $250 travel credit each year
- Priority Pass Select membership for access to VIP airport lounges
- Extended warranty and purchase protection on eligible items
With these benefits, the Citi Prestige card offers excellent value for frequent travelers looking to maximize their rewards and enjoy luxury perks.
Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for travelers. It offers a range of benefits, including travel insurance, which can give you peace of mind on your trips. With this card, you can earn up to 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5x miles on flights booked through the same portal. For all other purchases, you earn 2x miles.
Here are some key features:
- $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles every year starting on your first anniversary
- Priority Pass lounge membership and access to Capital One lounges
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit after charging the application fee to the card (once every four years)
You’ll enjoy a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and get 10,000 bonus miles every year starting on your first anniversary. These perks can effectively offset the card’s $395 annual fee.
The card also comes with a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months. The travel insurance coverage includes up to $10,000 per claim and up to $50,000 per account, with coverage lasting 90 days from the date of purchase.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card stands out for its travel insurance benefits, especially for a card with an annual fee under $100. When you use this card to pay for your vacation-related expenses, you get free travel insurance benefits.
Key Benefits
- Trip Cancellation: Get up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. The maximum benefit is $40,000 per 12-month period.
- Trip Interruption: Also up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip, with the same $40,000 maximum benefit per year.
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That’s about $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers some of the best travel insurance for a card in its fee range. Coverage limits are generous, and the most useful travel insurances are included.
American Express Gold
The American Express Gold Card is a popular choice for foodies due to its bonus-earning categories, monthly Uber Cash, and monthly dining credit. It also offers extended warranty coverage when you use the card for purchases. However, it might not be the best fit if you want to earn more than 1 point per dollar spent on most purchases.
Key Benefits
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months.
- Annual Fee: $250
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Purchase Protection: Coverage up to $10,000 per item, excluding natural disasters.
Travel Insurance
Another useful American Express® Gold Card travel insurance protection covers cardmembers when they rent a car. To activate this coverage, just pay for the rental with your card.
Many cardholders believe American Express has the least painful claim process of any issuer.
Bank of America Premium Rewards
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a great choice for existing Bank of America customers, especially those with Preferred Rewards status. This card offers a range of benefits that cater to frequent travelers, including a $100 annual airline incidental credit and up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement (once every four years). The annual fee is $95, which can be easily offset by these travel perks.
For those who qualify as high-tier Bank of America Premium Rewards members, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card might be a better fit. This premium card comes with additional benefits such as airport lounge access, a $300 airline incidental credit, and a $150 lifestyle credit. However, it also comes with a higher annual fee of $550.
Key Benefits
- Annual Fee: $95
- Airline Incidental Credit: $100 annually
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Up to $100 every four years
- Preferred Rewards Bonus: 25% to 75% additional purchase rewards for Preferred Rewards members
Drawbacks
- Limited travel insurance compared to the Elite version
- Higher annual fee for the Elite version
If you are a frequent traveler and a Bank of America customer, this card offers a balanced mix of rewards and travel perks that can make your journeys more comfortable and rewarding.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is a premium travel card that comes with a high annual fee. However, this fee is offset by a substantial statement credit and a generous sign-up bonus.
Key Benefits
- Travel Credits: Receive up to $325 in annual travel credits, which can be used for various travel-related expenses.
- Rewards Program: Earn 3X points on travel and mobile wallet purchases, making it a lucrative option for frequent travelers.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel accident insurance.
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select.
Additional Perks
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Save money when making purchases abroad.
- Mobile Wallet Bonus: Earn extra points when using mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
- Luxury Hotel Benefits: Get special perks and discounts at luxury hotels.
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is ideal for those who travel frequently and want to maximize their rewards and benefits. It’s a premium travel card at a premium price, but the rewards and perks can make it worth the investment.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express card is a standout option for those seeking comprehensive insurance protection. One of its notable features is the cell phone insurance. If you pay your monthly bill with the Propel card, you can get up to $600 coverage against damage or theft, with just a $25 deductible.
Key Benefits
- Cell Phone Insurance: Up to $600 coverage for damage or theft.
- Sign-up Bonus: Earn $200 back if you spend $500 in the first three months.
- Rewards Rate: 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- Redemption Options: Statement credit, cash at the ATM, gift cards, or a credit to a qualifying Wells Fargo account.
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express card slightly edged out last year’s third-place winner, American Express, in the 2024 study.
Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard
The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard is a great choice for travelers looking for solid rewards. With this card, you can earn 2 miles per $1 on all purchases, making it easy to rack up points quickly. The card comes with a $395 annual fee, but the benefits can outweigh the cost if you travel often.
Key Features:
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending a certain amount in the first few months.
- Regular APR: Ranges from 19.99% to 29.99% (variable).
- Credit Score Requirement: Excellent (750 – 850).
Benefits:
- Access to VIP airport lounges.
- Hotel room upgrades.
- Up to $100 every four years to help offset TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application costs.
This card is perfect for those who value travel perks and want to maximize their rewards on everyday spending.
In summary, the Barclaycard Arrival Plus offers a straightforward redemption process, allowing you to turn miles into travel experiences easily. If you’re an existing cardholder, you can enjoy these benefits without worrying about complicated rules or restrictions.
Conclusion
Choosing the right credit card with the best insurance protection can make a big difference in your travel experience. From covering trip cancellations to protecting your purchases, these benefits offer peace of mind and financial security. Always check the details of your card’s policy to understand what is covered and what is not. By doing so, you can travel with confidence, knowing you have a safety net in place. Remember, the best credit card for you is the one that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is credit card travel insurance?
Credit card travel insurance offers various protections for your trips. It usually includes benefits like trip cancellation or interruption insurance. Some cards also cover baggage loss, theft, or delay, and emergency medical costs. Premium cards may even offer rental car collision damage waivers or emergency evacuation services.
How do I choose a credit card for travel insurance?
When picking a credit card for travel insurance, consider what protections you need. Look at the benefits each card offers, such as trip cancellation, baggage coverage, and emergency medical help. Make sure to read the details to know what is and isn’t covered.
What does credit card travel insurance cover?
Credit card travel insurance can cover a range of issues like trip cancellations, baggage problems, and emergency medical expenses. The amount of coverage varies by card, so check your card’s policy to see what’s included.
What does credit card travel insurance not cover?
Not everything is covered by credit card travel insurance. There are usually limits and exclusions, so it’s important to read your card’s policy. Common exclusions might include pre-existing medical conditions or certain high-risk activities.
Which credit card companies offer purchase protection?
American Express, Visa, and Mastercard all offer purchase protection plans, though the specifics can vary. Discover does not currently provide purchase protection.
How do I use credit card travel insurance?
To use credit card travel insurance, you usually need to book your trip with the card that offers the protection. Some cards also allow you to use points from their rewards program to pay for the trip. Always check your card’s policy for specific requirements.