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Even veteran travelers can be thrown off course by a delayed flight, lost luggage or sudden illness.
If you didn't buy a travel insurance policy when you booked, you could be out thousands in airfare and hotel reservations. But many credit cards have built-in travel insurance that reimburses you for these unexpected calamities.
Here's what to know about credit card travel insurance, including how it works, what it covers and which cards are the best for travel insurance benefits.
What does credit card travel insurance cover?
You may get a full refund from the airline if your flight is cancelled, but that doesn't cover other nonrefundable costs, like hotel reservations, tours or theater tickets. Many credit card companies reimburse for a trip cancellation, delayed or lost luggage, rental car insurance and other travel-related expenses.
In almost all cases, you must have paid for your trip using the card with the benefits. In addition, most credit card travel insurance is secondary insurance: If your luggage is stolen, you have to file a claim with your homeowners insurance provider before your card company will pay out.
Trip cancellation/interruption
Trip cancellation and interruption protection help if your travels are canceled or cut short due to unforeseen circumstances, like a medical emergency or a death in the family. You may also be able to get reimbursed for expenses related to getting home, like a cab to the airport.
Read your card's policy to understand what is covered and how much you could be reimbursed.
Trip delay
Airlines aren't required to compensate passengers for a delayed flight — you might not even get a meal, depending on the cause. Trip delay insurance kicks in after a delay of a certain number of hours or if it necessitates an overnight stay. There's usually a per-day limit and a total maximum benefit per person.
Credit card trip delay coverage is secondary, which means if the airline gives you vouchers for food or a hotel, you can't file a claim with your card.
Delayed/lost baggage
Airlines are required to compensate passengers for lost luggage up to $3,800 per person for domestic flights and up to $1,700 for international flights. Many carriers exclude laptops, cameras and other valuables, however, and it's unlikely you'll be reimbursed the full value of your belongings.
If your bags are misplaced or misrouted by the airline, baggage delay protection can cover the cost of clothes, toiletries and other items you may need in the meantime. If your baggage is delayed at least six hours, for example, Chase credit cards will reimburse you for essentials for up to $100 a day for five days.
If the airline never finds your bags, lost luggage reimbursement can cover the difference between their actual cash value and what your carrier is willing to give you. It can also pay for items that are lost or stolen elsewhere on the trip.
Rental car
Most travel rewards cards come with rental car insurance. Usually, it's secondary coverage, which means it won't kick in until after you file with your regular car insurance provider.
Just because your card covers damages to the vehicle, however, doesn't mean it will reimburse the cost of repairing another driver's vehicle. You might still want to consider full liability protection from the rental company or see if your own auto policy includes extended rental car coverage.
Travel medical and evacuation
U.S. health insurance usually isn't valid overseas, so medical coverage can help pay for a doctor's visit or hospital stay. If your card's travel insurance has evacuation coverage, it may include transport if a covered event disrupts your trip (like severe weather, medical emergency or civil unrest).
Travel medical care and emergency evacuation coverage are less common among travel cards.
Travel accident
It's not something anyone wants to think about, but people can be hurt badly or even killed on vacation. Travel accident insurance is a kind of accidental death and dismemberment policy, paying out a lump sum if you lose your sight, speech, hearing, limb or life while on a trip.
Travel accident protection is also not commonly included with credit card travel insurance but the cards we highlight here all offer it.
Best credit cards with travel insurance
For frequent travelers, a credit card with travel insurance can be worth the annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- 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.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
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
Chase Sapphire Reserve (see rates and fees) offers some of the most generous travel protections of any card, including trip cancellation or interruption worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. It also reimburses for trip delays and lost or delayed baggage and comes with up to $75,000 in rental car insurance.
Unlike most cards, Sapphire Reserve's coverage is primary insurance. That means you don't have to file a claim with your car or homeowners insurance provider and risk raising your premiums.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an affordable card that makes sense for the occasional Southwest traveler.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 3,000 bonus points every card member anniversary
- Not especially rewarding for common expenses such as groceries or dining
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card (See rates and fees) comes with trip cancellation and trip delay protection, as well as a lost luggage benefit of up to $3,000 per passenger and baggage delay insurance worth up to $100 a day for three days if your bags are delayed for more than six hours.
Its $99 annual fee is one of the lowest for travel cards that offer travel accident insurance.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent business card with useful benefits, valuable rewards and a generous welcome bonus.
- Earns flexible travel rewards you can transfer to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Valuable welcome bonus worth $1,125 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel
- Strong travel and shopping protections
- No intro APR offer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- 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
- Go further when you book with Chase TravelSM. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The *Ink Business Preferred Credit Card (see rates and fees) comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Rental car insurance with Ink Business Preferred is primary if it's for business reasons or if you're renting outside a vehicle outside of the U.S.
American Express Platinum Card®
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)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
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 Platinum Card® covers *trip cancellation and interruption, lost /delayed baggage and **rental car insurance, as well as access to AmEx's 24/7 ***Premium Global Assist hotline.
If your trip is delayed at least six hours for a covered reason, you can be reimbursed for up to $500 for food, hotels and other necessities, with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period.
Credit card travel insurance vs. a standalone policy
Many travel credit cards have built-in travel protections that can help in many situations. However, there are substantial differences from getting a standalone travel insurance policy.
Cost
Your card's annual fee pays for travel insurance benefits, so there's no additional per-trip cost. A standalone travel insurance policy, on the other hand, typically costs between 4% and 8% of a trip's total value.
Coverage limits
Credit cards usually have much lower limits than standalone policies: Chase Sapphire Reserve caps payouts for travel cancellation at $10,000 per person, for example, while Allianz Travel's OneTrip Prime policy reimburses up to $100,000 per traveler.
Features
While a travel card can cover trip cancellations, delays and interruptions, a separate policy will almost always have more benefits and options for customized limits.
Many insurers offer a cancel for any reason (CFAR) add-on, for example, which lets you cancel your trip for nearly any reason — even one not otherwise covered by your policy. They may also have a waiver for pre-existing medical conditions, which credit cards lack.
Credit card travel insurance pros and cons
- Coverage is free and automatic with purchase
- Other travel benefits may apply, including bonus points, free bag check and lounge access.
- Usually comes with 24/7 travel concierge service to help you cancel or rebook your trip
- The trip must be booked using that credit card
- Coverage limits are much lower than with a standalone policy
- Cards with travel insurance benefits typically charge an annual fee
- Most cards do not reimburse for medical care or emergency evacuation
How to file a travel insurance claim with your credit card company
If you're facing a covered loss, you should be able to file a claim on your credit card website, although it will probably be processed by a third-party insurance provider, like Allianz.
You'll need to provide documentation. Depending on the claim, that could include:
- Proof of trip delay, interruption or cancellation
- Receipts for any expenses relating to the claim (food, cab ride, hotel stay, etc.)
- Medical bills and hospital records
- Police reports
- A loss report from the airline or other transportation provider
- A list of what was in your luggage and its value
Here's how to file a claim with several major credit card carriers.
| Card company | Contact | File claim within |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | 844-933-0648 or go on the Amex app | 60 days |
| Chase | 888-320-9961 or go to eclaimsline.com | 20 days |
| Citibank | 866-506-5222 | 60 days |
| Capital One Venture X | 800-825-4062 or or go to eclaimsline.com | 20 days |
Travel insurance FAQs
What does credit card travel insurance cover?
Credit cards with travel insurance typically reimburse you for a trip delay, interruption or cancellation, as well as for baggage that's been delayed or lost.
What does credit card insurance not cover?
It's rare for credit cards to cover adventure travel, medical evacuation or medical care relating to preexisting conditions. Other common limitations include cancellation because of job loss, COVID-19 or acts of war or terrorism.
How do I file a travel insurance claim with my credit card company?
Call your card servicer or visit their website for details on filing a claim. Hold onto any documentation and submit as soon as possible to avoid missing the filing deadline.
What is the best credit card travel insurance?
The best credit card for travel insurance depends on the coverage you need and the rewards you want. Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, the Platinum Card®, the Ink Business Preferred credit card and the Bank of America Premium Rewards card all come with robust trip cancellation and trip delay coverage, as well as less common benefits.
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*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit the American Express benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
** Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit the American Express benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
*** Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit the American Express benefits guide for more details. Please 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 rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
