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If you're hesitant about upcoming travel plans, you're not alone. Many Americans are second-guessing vacations due to growing monkeypox and coronavirus concerns.
The World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a global health emergency, with more than 23,000 cases confirmed around the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although there are no monkeypox-related travel restrictions in place, the spread has spurred various travel warnings and restrictions that may cause you to rethink an upcoming trip. Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have also been on the rise again.
If you purchased travel with a credit card that offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, you may be covered under certain circumstances, which we explain below.
Select dug through the terms of top credit card travel insurances to list what coronavirus coverage you can expect to receive in the event of a trip cancellation.
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Will my credit card travel insurance cover any trip cancellations or changes from monkeypox or coronavirus?
It depends — the key is whether you choose to cancel a trip, or if you have no control over the decision and the choice is made for you.
Credit card travel insurance has a lot of quirks when it comes to what is and what isn't covered. In most cases, travel insurance covers prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses including passenger fares, tours and hotels. These eligible travel expenses will only be covered when the full amount of each expense was purchased with your eligible travel credit card.
Assuming these factors are true, your credit card will cover a canceled trip when you meet "covered situations," which typically include:
- Accidental bodily injury, loss of life or sickness experienced by you, a traveling companion or an immediate family member
- Severe weather that prevents the start or continuation a trip
- Terrorist attack or hijacking
Precautionary cancellations aren't likely to be covered. So if you're worried about traveling for fear of contracting monkeypox or coronavirus and choose to cancel or change your trip, there are slim chances your credit card travel insurance will provide reimbursement.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®'s (see rates and fees) guide to benefits states that "your disinclination to travel due to an epidemic or pandemic" is not covered by its trip cancellation and trip interruption.
Who will be covered by credit card travel insurance because of monkeypox or coronavirus?
There is a circumstance in which your canceled travel would likely be covered for monkeypox or coronavirus — and that's if you actually have either of the viruses.
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.Chase Sapphire Reserve Guide to Benefits
If you become ill or receive notice from your physician that travel is not advised to an infected area, or because of your health condition, your credit card travel insurance will likely cover cancellations. And if an authoritative power, such as a governor or mayor, imposes travel restrictions, you may also be covered.
The Sapphire Reserve 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. Likewise, it states in the American Express Platinum Card® guide to *trip cancellation and interruption insurance that a "quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons" is a covered loss.
So if you are prevented from traveling due to contracting monkeypox or coronavirus, or if your plans were interrupted by a politician's or physician's orders — you may be covered.
The best credit cards for travel insurance
Below are some of Select's picks of credit cards that offer robust travel insurance. It's important to know that each card's benefits may vary, so read the terms and conditions to see if you're situation will be covered.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Other ways to be reimbursed for travel cancellation
Many airlines travel providers allow customers to change or cancel their bookings for free. Just note that basic economy bookings are usually excluded from this flexibility.
If you want to cancel a trip over coronavirus concerns and you're not covered by your credit card travel insurance, contact the airline, other form of transportation or hotel.
Read more
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Please visit americanexpress.com/ benefitsguide for more details.
For rates and fees for the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
