You may be surprised to learn how few credit cards provide comprehensive travel insurance. That’s why we have identified the best of the bunch and reviewed them below. You generally need a good to excellent credit score to obtain any of these cards.
And a critical reminder: The insurance details differ for each card, so please read the benefits statement to understand coverages and limitations.
Top Credit Cards With Travel Insurance Coverage
Issuers had travelers in mind when they designed these credit cards. All offer various travel-related benefits, including some form of insurance. Cards with higher annual fees typically provide more extensive insurance, but even some relatively inexpensive travel cards can offer valuable coverage.
- 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®
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Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
22.49%-29.49% Variable
|
$550
|
Good/Excellent
|
Chase Sapphire Reserve® is our pick as the best credit card for travel insurance. True, it charges a hefty annual fee, but its welcome bonus, benefits, credits, and rewards repay you handsomely. You also receive a reimbursement for TSA Precheck and Global Entry fees.
This card delivers the complete package of travel insurance coverage. By familiarizing yourself with each benefit, you can avoid wasting money on unnecessary policies. Add in the card’s other travel and non-travel benefits, and you’ve got the gold standard of credit card value. The card targets consumers with an excellent credit score.
- 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, 2024.
- Member FDIC
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Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.49%-28.49% Variable
|
$95
|
Good/Excellent
|
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides trip cancellation insurance that also covers interruptions and delays. Its reasonable annual fee includes a handsome welcome bonus and many other perks.
If your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations, the card can reimburse you up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid nonrefundable travel expenses. Coverage includes passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
- Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new card to make $8,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly through airlines or American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Also earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
- $200 annual hotel credit, $200 annual airline fee credit, $25 monthly Equinox credit, $15 monthly Uber cash credit, $50 bi-annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, and more.
- Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to all locations of The Global Lounge Collection, including 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries.
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status. Enrollment required.
- Choose among three card designs
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Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.24% – 29.24% Pay Over Time
|
$695
|
Excellent
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express may be the best credit card for travelers who prefer no preset spending limits. It also provides many travel-related benefits, including car rental insurance and reimbursement of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry fees.
When you use the card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter, the card covers your rental vehicle for damage or theft. This insurance is secondary and does not include liability coverage. You may also unlock extra value when you book your trips through American Express Travel.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 cash back or $1,250 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℠
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.24%-26.24% Variable
|
$95
|
Good/Excellent
|
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card from Chase has the same moderate annual fee as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It provides business owners and their employees with many travel protections, including a rental car collision damage waiver, trip cancellation insurance, and roadside dispatch.
The card also offers purchase protection, cellphone insurance, and extended warranties. And business owners can get additional employee cards at no extra cost. The card rewards eligible purchases with rewards points worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel.
- 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 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
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
|
$395
|
Excellent
|
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the issue’s premier travel card. Its annual fee is in between those of the Sapphire siblings. The card delivers primary car rental loss and damage insurance, trip price drop protection, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip delay coverage.
If something goes wrong on your trip, including an accident, illness, or death that causes you to cancel or terminate it, you, your spouse, and dependent children are covered for up to $2,000 per person in expenses. Booking through Capital One Travel ensures you’ll get the issuer’s best prices on thousands of options.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points worth $750 on travel when you spend $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 Center.
- Earn 3X points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases and 3X points on eligible mobile wallet purchases
- Complimentary 12-month Priority Pass™ Select membership that gives access to more than 1,500 VIP lounges worldwide
- Get reimbursed up to $325 annual credits for eligible travel purchases and dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery purchases
- $400 Annual Fee
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
22.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
|
$400
|
Excellent
|
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card offers several types of travel coverage, including auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and travel accident insurance. This Visa Infinite card covers your transport to the nearest medical facility for treatment if you are sick or injured.
You also get luggage reimbursement for checked or carry-on luggage up to $3,000 if lost or stolen. Additionally, you can get help with medical, legal, and travel services while you’re away from home.
- Earn 65,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
- Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and purchases made directly with hotels
- Earn 1.5x miles up to $100,000 of combined eligible purchases per year on transit including rideshares, taxicabs, and more, at U.S. shipping providers, and on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more
- You can check your first bag for free and save up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight, plus enjoy early boarding on Delta flights
- Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
20.99% – 29.99% variable
|
$350
|
N/A
|
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card from American Express provides insurance covering trip delays, lost, stolen, or damaged baggage, and car rental loss and damage.
The card also offers several travel benefits, including priority boarding, free baggage check, 20% back on in-flight purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. When you renew your card each year, you receive a domestic, main cabin, round-trip companion certificate. You can book your trips through Delta or American Express Travel.
What Are the Different Types of Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a broad term denoting any credit card coverage that reimburses you when something goes wrong on your trip. You must use the card to book and pay for the trip.
Here, we describe the primary forms of travel insurance available from the reviewed credit cards. Not all travel credit cards provide every type of insurance.
Travel Accident Insurance
Travel accident insurance covers you for up to a set limit in cases of accidental death or dismemberment. The insurance covers any public mode of transportation, including travel by air carrier, train, ferry, bus, courtesy ground transportation, and other conveyances.
Coverage for accidents involving courtesy ground transportation applies to and from an airport and between terminals. The coverage is active while you are at the airport immediately before departure or after arrival on any scheduled covered trip.
The policy typically covers you regardless of other coverage you may have.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
This benefit reimburses you and your family for the nonrefundable cost of your passenger fare. Coverage may apply to more than air travel — it also can cover other forms of eligible transportation, including a ferry, train, bus, or cruise ship.
A set maximum coverage per trip applies. Coverage usually excludes trips canceled as a result of a pre-existing condition, accidental injuries arising from participation in some sporting events, racing or speed contests, or uncertified scuba diving.
Additionally, the ill or injured person cannot have been under the influence of drugs (except those prescribed and used as directed by a physician) or alcohol.
Trip Delay Insurance
You can receive a cash reimbursement or statement credit of up to a maximum amount when a carrier delays your flight by more than a set number of hours or when you need to stay overnight. Trip delay insurance covers reasonable expenses that you would not have had to purchase if you had been on your flight, such as food, a hotel stay, or transportation to the hotel and back to the airport.
This coverage typically is in place, even if the delay is due to bad weather or mechanical problems. This benefit works in addition to airline vouchers for food or hotel stays. Coverage includes the time you spend on the tarmac waiting to take off.
Remember to save your receipts — you’ll need them when filing your claim. Coverage usually includes you, your spouse, and your dependent children.
Luggage Insurance
You receive reimbursement for your checked or carry-on luggage and its contents, up to a maximum per trip or bag, if lost due to theft or misdirection by the airline.
You typically must file a report with the common carrier before leaving the premises. You’ll eventually receive a claim form you must submit by a set date. Certain items are not covered, so read the card’s terms and conditions carefully.
Rental Car Insurance
Rental car collision damage waiver (CDW) provides reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft for most rental vehicles when you travel within the US and abroad. Coverage requires you to decline the rental car’s CDW.
Primary CDW kicks in before your auto insurance, but most travel credit cards offer secondary CDW that fills the gaps in your primary policy. Coverage extends to the renting cardowner and any additional drivers the rental company permits.
Coverage may be for a limited amount or the actual cash value of the vehicle and usually includes towing charges and valid loss-of-use charges that the rental agency incurs. Rental periods qualifying for this coverage cannot exceed a set number of consecutive days.
The insurance usually lists several exclusions, so read the fine print to know what’s covered and what’s not.
How Should I Choose a Credit Card For Travel Insurance?
Here’s a checklist to help you decide which travel credit card suits you best.
Types of Coverage
Ask yourself which types of coverage you need. Inevitably, more coverage means higher annual fees, so limit your choice to one that doesn’t saddle you with unnecessary credit card insurance.
For example, if you prefer to drive your own car rather than fly, you may not be interested in baggage or rental insurance. Travel delay, cancellation, and interruption coverage may be of little value.
A collision damage waiver is unnecessary unless you plan to drive a rental car — in which case, you may also want travel accident insurance and emergency medical/dental coverage.
On the other hand, air travelers may want the full suite of credit card insurance policies, especially when traveling abroad. Visa Infinite cards and World Elite Mastercards offer a broad range of coverages, as do some American Express cards.
The safest bet is to review the benefits summary from each card on your list. You can usually view these summary documents online.
Limits and Restrictions
Some coverages sound great at first, only to disappoint when you discover their low coverage limits. Check the maximum amount you can claim for each type of coverage and any eligibility requirements (including age, types of travel, pre-existing conditions, etc.).
Some cards offer travel insurance that’s valid worldwide, but others may have country-specific exclusions. You should also check if you must pay for the entire trip with the card to be eligible for coverage.
Costs
A card’s most obvious cost is its annual fee. Expect to pay more for the most extensive coverage, but weigh the yearly fee against the card’s benefits.
We prefer travel cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad. This fee is typically 3% for the cards that impose it. Better cards waive the fee.
Also, check the card’s APR if you plan to finance your travel over multiple billing cycles. It’s always cheaper to pay your entire balance monthly and avoid interest charges altogether.
Other Perks and Benefits
Features beyond travel insurance can influence which card you choose. For example, check whether the card offers cash back, points, or miles. If it provides miles, you’ll get more versatility from generic miles than those in an airline’s frequent flyer program. But if you always fly the same carrier, you may want a cobranded air miles card.
Many travelers will pay a higher annual fee for cards that provide extensive access to airport lounges. Not all lounges are equal, so research the ones each card supports. You also want to find out any limitations on the number of uses per year and whether guests must pay a fee.
Concierge service may be a lifesaver when you need to make last-minute plans or reservations. Many travel cards offer this service, but its usefulness varies from card to card.
Usability and Reviews
A fundamental question is whether foreign merchants will accept your card at your destination. Check whether the card offers 24/7 customer service worldwide (most in this bracket do).
Many financial websites provide in-depth reviews and comparisons of credit cards. You also want to look for reviews from other users who have had experience with a card’s handling of travel insurance claims.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Credit Card Travel Insurance?
Credit card travel insurance can offer various benefits, but it also has limitations. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
Convenience: You don’t need a separate policy If you use a credit card with good travel insurance. Managing travel insurance through your credit card is less of a hassle.
Cost savings: Separate travel insurance, especially for frequent travelers, can be expensive. You’ll save money when your credit card provides the insurance.
Automatic coverage: You automatically receive coverage when you pay for trips with your card. Automatic coverage simplifies insurance processing.
Comprehensive packages: The best travel cards offer extensive travel insurance packages that cover a broad range of events, including trip cancellations, lost luggage, and medical emergencies.
Bonus rewards: Many cards that provide travel insurance offer travel rewards in the form of points or miles you can redeem for future travel.
Additional perks: Top-shelf credit cards offer travel-related benefits, such as airport lounge access, car rental insurance, and concierge services. These extras add value to the card.
Ease of claims: The best-known credit card companies usually streamline their claims processing. You want customer service to assist with your needs around the clock and anywhere in the world.
Consider whether a travel credit card with good benefits belongs in your wallet. But before you do, check out some of the potential downsides they present.
Cons
Travel cards are not perfect. Here are some concerns to consider regarding their travel insurance policies:
Limited coverage: Credit card travel insurance is often more limited than standalone policies. For example, credit cards might not cover high-risk activities or pre-existing medical conditions.
Lower payouts: The maximum coverage amounts from travel cards may be lower than those from standalone travel insurance policies.
Conditional eligibility: Typically, you must pay for the entire trip using your credit card to qualify for coverage. This rule can be inconvenient if you use another method, such as vouchers, to pay for part of the cost.
High Annual Fees: Cards with the best travel insurance benefits often charge high annual fees. This expense might not be worth the benefits you receive if you don’t travel frequently.
Foreign transaction fees: Some cards that offer excellent travel benefits may charge foreign transaction fees, which can add up when you’re abroad. We prefer credit cards that waive this fee.
Complicated terms and conditions: Credit card travel insurance often imposes many exclusions, conditions, and limitations that can make it confusing to understand the coverage.
Potential denial: The insurer may deny claims that don’t meet the card’s specific terms and conditions.
Weighing these pros and cons can help you make an informed decision.
Do Visa Cards Have Travel Insurance?
The three Visa card tiers are Traditional, Signature, and Infinite. Visa card issuers usually provide the benefits associated with each tier, but this isn’t always the case. That’s why you must read a card’s fine print to know what benefits you can rely upon.
Visa Traditional
The Visa Traditional tier offers modest benefits. Regarding travel insurance, these cards provide roadside dispatch coverage that includes tire changing, jump-starting, lockout service, fuel delivery, and standard winching and towing.
Emergency cash and card replacement are valuable benefits during foreign travel. The issuer will replace your card in one to three days after you report it lost. Alternatively, Visa can arrange for cash to be available at a location near you, usually within hours of your bank’s approval.
Visa Signature
Visa Signature adds travel and emergency assistance to the benefits from the Visa Traditional tier. Covered Visa cardholders can call anytime for help worldwide.
Your Visa Signature Card gives you access to a multilingual call center — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Cardholders, their spouses, and dependent children under 22 years of age can call a dedicated toll-free number in the United States or call collect when traveling abroad.
The types of assistance include medical referrals, emergency transportation, emergency message delivery, prescriptions, and legal referrals. You also get emergency ticket replacement, a lost luggage locator, and emergency translation services.
Visa Infinite
Visa Infinite supplements the travel insurance benefits of Visa Signature with several additional coverages, which we described earlier. They include the following:
- Travel accident insurance
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Lost luggage reimbursement
Visa Infinite adds several significant types of insurance that help explain why these cards typically charge high annual fees.
Do Mastercards Have Travel Insurance?
Mastercard offers three tiers — Standard, World, and World Elite — analogous to Visa’s tier structure.
Standard Mastercard
The Standard Mastercard tier offers global emergency assistance worldwide, in any language at any time. You can get a replacement card, obtain an emergency cash advance, or find the nearest ATM. You also receive rental car insurance with a Standard Mastercard.
World Mastercard
Graduating to a World Mastercard provides several additional benefits, including a hotel stay guarantee. Mastercard will assign you a lifestyle specialist to resolve your issue or find other suitable accommodations. This coverage applies only to hotels with ratings of three or more stars.
You also get worldwide automatic insurance for travel accidents and trip cancellations or interruptions.
World Elite Mastercard
World Elite Mastercard increases the maximum coverage for travel insurance. You also get a flight delay pass that provides access to airport lounges. World Elite Mastercard may include lost/delayed baggage reimbursement and medical emergency assistance.
Travel With Peace of Mind
A credit card with travel insurance can come in handy if something goes wrong on your trip. Our review of travel cards with the best insurance features points you to several worthy candidates to add to your wallet. For those who can afford it, the cards with the best coverage are worth the high annual fees. Because traveling with peace of mind is priceless.
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