Travel insurance benefits offered through credit cards can include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel delay coverage and lost luggage reimbursement. You must pay for travel with a common carrier with your respective card for complimentary travel insurance benefits to apply. While credit cards with travel insurance can help protect your trip, they come up short when it comes to protection for emergency medical expenses.
Our top recommendations
- card_name: Best travel insurance benefits overall.
- card_name: Best travel insurance benefits, runner-up.
- card_name: Best for premium benefits.
- card_name: Best for luxury travel.
- card_name: Best for food spending.
- card_name: Best for flat-rate rewards.
- card_name: Best with no annual fee.
- card_name: Best airline credit card for travel insurance.
- card_name: Best for Marriott Bonvoy.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Best for Hilton Honors.
card_name: Best travel insurance benefits overall
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to airlines and hotels.
- Get 50% more value for travel booked through Chase.
- Comes with $300 travel credit each year.
- Includes airport lounge access.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Comes with generous travel insurance benefits.
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee.
- High variable APR.
- Requires very good or excellent credit.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
- Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
- Trip delay coverage worth up to $500 per ticket (six-hour delay required).
- Baggage delay coverage worth up to $100 per day for five days.
- Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger.
- Travel accident insurance worth up to $1 million.
- Primary rental car coverage worth up to $75,000.
- Emergency medical and dental benefits worth up to $2,500 when you’re at least 100 miles from home.
- Emergency evacuation coverage worth up to $100,000.
The card_name Card has the best selection of travel insurance benefits of any credit card on the market today by far. Its coverage is broad and rewarding with included benefits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation you don’t see from other travel credit cards.
This card also earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise or travel through Chase with 50% more value. Points also transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like British Airways, Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.
card_name: Best travel insurance benefits, runner-up
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Points transfer 1:1 to Chase airline and hotel partners.
- Get 25% more value for points when booking travel through Chase.
- Other flexible rewards options.
- Excellent earning rate for everyday purchases.
- Comes with a $50 annual hotel stay credit.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- Requires very good to excellent credit.
- High APR.
- No luxury travel benefits.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
- Trip interruption insurance worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
- Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per ticket (12-hour delay required).
- Baggage delay insurance worth up to $100 per day for five days.
- Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger.
- Travel accident insurance worth up to $500,000.
- Primary rental car insurance worth up to the actual cash value of the car.
The card_name offers similar travel insurance protections as the Reserve, but with fewer benefits and some lower coverage limits. However, the annual fee on this card is just annual_fees, and users still earn valuable and flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
This makes the card_name a good option for frequent travelers who want the chance to transfer their rewards to airline and hotel partners but want to keep costs down. Customers can also use their points to book travel through the Chase portal, or they can redeem for cash back, gift cards or merchandise.
card_name: Best for premium benefits
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Earns flexible miles that transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners.
- $300 annual travel credit.
- Airport lounge membership included.
- Excellent rewards rate for eligible travel purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Lower annual fee than other premium cards with airport lounge access.
Cons:
- High APR if you carry a balance.
- Excellent credit required.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $2,000 per person.
- Trip interruption coverage worth up to $2,000 per person.
- Travel accident insurance worth up to $1 million.
- Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per covered trip ($2,000 per bag in New York).
- Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per ticket (six-hour delay required).
- Primary auto rental coverage worth up to $75,000.
The card_name is a Visa Infinite card, so it includes a range of travel insurance protections you won’t find with other cards. This flexible travel credit card also earns Capital One miles that can be used to book travel through Capital One or transferred to Capital One airline and hotel partners. Additional flexible redemption options include gift cards, statement credits, merchandise and more.
Other reasons to love this card include its $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge membership, cell phone protection and Hertz President’s Circle status.
card_name: Best for luxury travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
- Trip Delay Insurance – Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance – The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- Premium Global Assist Hotline – You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. 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.
- Cell Phone Protection – Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- Extended Warranty – When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
- Return Protection – With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Purchase Protection – Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
- Baggage Insurance Plan – Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
- Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Pros:
- Earns flexible Amex Membership Rewards points.
- $1,500+ in statement credits each year.
- Broadest airport lounge membership available today.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee.
- High variable APR.
- Very good to excellent credit required.
- Statement credits can be difficult to use.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per trip (maximum benefit of $20,000 each 12-month period).
- Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per trip (maximum benefit of $20,000 each 12-month period).
- Trip delay coverage worth up to $500 per trip (six-hour delay required).
- Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger.
- Travel accident insurance worth up to $500,000.
- Secondary rental car insurance worth up to $75,000.
card_name doesn’t offer as many travel insurance benefits as other premium travel credit cards on our list, but it does offer more statement credits and the broadest airport lounge membership available from a credit card. This card also earns flexible American Express Membership Rewards points that can be used for travel through Amex, point transfers to Amex airline and hotel partners, gift cards and other flexible options. Terms apply.
card_name: Best for food spending
American Express® Gold Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Trip Delay Insurance – Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Global Assist Hotline – You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Extended Warranty – When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Purchase Protection – Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Baggage Insurance Plan – Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Pros:
- Points transfer to Amex airline and hotel partners.
- Comes with up to $240 in statement credits each year.
- Generous rewards for food spending and airfare.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee.
- High APR can apply.
- Very good to excellent credit required.
- Statement credits can be difficult to use.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Baggage insurance plan worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and up to $500 for checked bags ($10,000 aggregate coverage limit for residents of New York).
- Secondary auto rental coverage worth up to $50,000 per rental agreement.
- Trip delay insurance worth up to $300 per covered trip (up to two claims allowed per 12-month period).
The card_name offers a few important travel protections, plus generous rewards for big food spenders. In addition to its impressive rewards rates for purchases at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, this card also comes with up to $240 in credits per year that can apply to select dining purchases and Uber rides or Uber Eats food deliveries.
Cardholders with the card_name also earn American Express Membership Rewards points that are highly flexible and valuable when it comes to travel redemptions.
card_name: Best for flat-rate rewards
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Earns flexible rewards with Capital One.
- Miles transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners.
- Excellent flat rewards rate.
- Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership included.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- High APR if you carry a balance.
- Excellent credit required.
- No luxury travel benefits.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Primary auto rental coverage worth up to the actual cash value of a vehicle if you don’t have your own insurance (secondary coverage if you have your own insurance)
- Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per trip ($2,000 per bag for New York residents)
- Travel accident insurance worth up to $250,000
The card_name offers a few travel insurance benefits that can help protect your trip. Cardholders also earn flexible Capital One miles that can be used to book travel through Capital One or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Rewards can also be used for statement credits, gift cards and other flexible options.
The annual_fees annual fee on this card makes it a steal when you consider the sign-up bonus you can earn, along with perks like a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.
card_name: Best with no annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Generous cash back rate for everyday purchases.
- annual_fees annual fee.
- Comes with intro APR offer.
- Rewards points are flexible.
Cons:
- Points do not transfer to Chase airline and hotel partners.
- High variable APR after intro offer.
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $1,500 per passenger and $6,000 per covered trip.
- Trip interruption coverage worth up to $1,500 per passenger and $6,000 per covered trip.
- Secondary auto rental coverage.
The card_name is an excellent choice for infrequent travelers who want protection for trip cancellation and interruption first and foremost. This card doesn’t charge an annual fee, and it features incredible cash back rates in several everyday spending categories. Users even get an intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration, which can help them save on interest payments for more than a year.
card_name: Best airline credit card for travel insurance
United Quest℠ Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Earns United miles that are redeemable for flights with United and Star Alliance partners.
- Comes with frequent flyer benefits.
- Earn PQP toward elite status.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- annual_fees annual fee applies.
- High variable APR.
- Rewards inflexibility.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $1,500 per traveler and up to $6,000 per covered trip.
- Trip interruption coverage worth up to $1,500 per traveler and up to $6,000 per covered trip.
- Baggage delay insurance worth up to $100 per day for three days (six-hour delay required).
- Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger.
- Trip delay reimbursement worth up to $500 per ticket (12-hour delay or overnight stay required).
- Primary auto rental coverage worth up to the cash value of the vehicle.
While the card_name requires a annual_fees annual fee, this card comes with a robust selection of travel insurance benefits and frequent-flyer perks. Users also earn United miles that can be used for flights with United and partners to more than 1,200 destinations in 186 countries around the world.
This card also gives members the chance to earn PQP toward elite status with the United MileagePlus program.
card_name: Best for Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Trip Delay Insurance – Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance – The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Premium Global Assist Hotline – You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- 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.
Extended Warranty – When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Return Protection – With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Purchase Protection – Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Baggage Insurance Plan – Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Pros:
- Automatic Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy.
- Includes a range of travel benefits and statement credit offers.
- Comes with airport lounge membership.
- Generous welcome bonus and earning rates.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- Rewards inflexibility.
- annual_fees annual fee.
- High variable APR.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
- Trip interruption insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
- Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per trip (six-hour delay required) with a maximum limit of two claims per 12-month period.
- Baggage insurance plan worth up to $2,000 for checked bags and up to $3,000 for both checked and carry-on luggage ($2,000 per bag in coverage for New York residents with aggregate limit of $10,000).
- Secondary auto rental coverage.
The card_name offers a suite of impressive benefits Marriott Bonvoy enthusiasts will love, including annual dining credits, automatic Platinum Elite status, and a $100 property credit. Other cardholder perks help justify the annual_fees annual fee, including Priority Pass Select membership and the credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.
This card also includes more travel insurance benefits than many other hotel credit cards on the market today.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Best for Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Welcome bonus
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.
Pros:
- Comes with automatic Hilton Diamond status.
- Range of hotel benefits and statement credits included.
- Comes with Priority Pass Select membership.
- Free night award each year.
- Several flight benefits included.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- Rewards inflexibility.
- $550 annual fee.
- High variable APR.
Travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
- Trip interruption insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
- Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per trip (six-hour delay required) with a maximum limit of two claims per 12-month period.
- Baggage insurance plan worth up to $2,000 for checked bags and up to $3,000 for both checked and carry-on luggage ($2,000 per bag in coverage for New York residents with aggregate limit of $10,000).
- Secondary auto rental coverage.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers a robust selection of benefits for air travel, airports and stays with the Hilton brand. While the $550 annual fee is high, perks like airport lounge membership, annual hotel stay credits and a free night award each year can more than make up for it. The included travel insurance benefits for this card are also generous, and they can be well worth having if you need to file a claim.
Best credit cards for travel insurance 2024: Comparison
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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card |
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points. |
How we chose the best credit cards for travel insurance
To find the best credit cards for travel insurance, we looked at cards based on their included insurance benefits first and foremost. We gave preference to cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage, as well as insurance for lost or delayed bags and travel delays.
We also looked for credit cards that offer the most lucrative rewards structures and welcome offers, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. Other factors we took into consideration include annual fees and interest rates.
Choosing the best credit card for travel insurance: Where to begin
The best credit card for travel insurance can vary from person to person, and assessing each card based on the most important factors can help you in your search. Consider the following criteria as you select a credit card for your next trip.
Travel insurance benefits
The credit cards in this ranking offer complimentary travel insurance protections, although you have to pay for travel with your card for a trip to be covered. These benefits can include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay insurance, primary auto rental coverage and more. Some cards even offer limited coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation.
Annual fees
Credit cards with the most benefits tend to charge annual fees of $395 to $695. Meanwhile, there are some credit cards with travel insurance that charge $0 to $95 per year.
Either way, you’ll want to make sure any annual fee you pay is worth it based on the travel insurance benefits, rewards and other perks you receive.
Travel perks and features
Decide if you want premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, expedited airport security or annual travel credits. If you do want a travel credit card with all the bells and whistles, prepare to pay several hundred dollars in annual fees each year.
Customer satisfaction rankings
You can also look at customer service rankings from different card issuers to determine the quality of customer service you’ll receive. Consider the customer service scores below from J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study, which were assigned by using responses from 31,418 credit card customers from August 2022 through June 2023.
Eligibility by credit score
Note that the majority of credit cards with travel insurance require very good or excellent credit. If you have poor credit or fair credit, you should focus on improving your credit score and financial health before you apply.
Rewards programs
Finally, consider the rewards rates for cards you’re looking at and the type of rewards you’ll earn. You’ll find that credit cards with travel insurance can earn cash back, flexible rewards for travel, airline miles or hotel points.
What does travel insurance from a credit card cover?
Credit cards with travel insurance can offer different protections with their own unique coverage limits and policy limitations. The most common types of travel insurance you can get with a credit card include:
- Trip cancellation coverage: This coverage can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when you must cancel a trip for a covered reason like the death of an immediate family member or a sudden illness.
- Trip interruption coverage: Interruption insurance can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when a trip must be interrupted for a covered reason, such as falling ill during your vacation.
- Trip delay coverage: This coverage can pay for sudden hotel bills or meals when a trip is delayed by at least six or 12 hours or a delay forces an overnight stay.
- Baggage delay insurance: Baggage delay coverage can pay for clothing, toiletries and other essentials when your bags are delayed by at least six or 12 hours.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Insurance for lost luggage can reimburse you for your baggage and belongings when your luggage is lost in transit while in the care of a common carrier.
- Rental car coverage: This protection can be primary or secondary to your own insurance, and policy limits apply.
- Medical and dental expense coverage: This protection can pay for emergency medical and dental expenses you incur when traveling away from home.
- Medical evacuation coverage: This type of travel insurance can pay for transportation in a helicopter, an ambulance or a plane when you must be medically transported due to a health emergency.
- Travel accident insurance: This coverage can kick in if you lose your life or are accidentally dismembered during a covered trip.
Pros and cons of credit card travel insurance
Credit card travel insurance comes with its share of benefits that cannot be denied, but there are downsides that come with relying on a credit card for travel insurance protection as well.
Consider these pros and cons:
Pros of credit card travel insurance
- Complimentary coverage: The biggest upside of credit card travel insurance is the fact it’s offered for free. You just have to pay for travel with your credit card (or your rewards points in some cases) for coverage to apply.
- Coverage limits can be high: Some credit card insurance protections come with high limits that are enough to cover most trips.
- Can apply to family members: The best coverages apply to the primary cardholder and other companions they’re traveling with, including family members.
Cons of credit card travel insurance
- Low coverage limits in some cases: Some cards have relatively low travel insurance limits that may not provide enough protection when you need it most.
- Limited coverages with some cards: Some credit cards with travel insurance only have a few kinds, so they may leave you without important protections you need.
- Minimal protection for emergency medical expenses: Only one credit card offers travel insurance for emergency medical expenses (the card_name), and this coverage is only worth up to $2,500 when you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home.
Do you need additional travel insurance?
Whether you need to buy travel insurance that applies independently of what your credit card offers depends on the type of trip you’re taking and how much it costs. If you’re driving a few towns away to stay in a hotel, for example, you may be fine with credit card travel insurance. The same is true if you’re flying to another state for a relatively inexpensive vacation.
If you’re traveling internationally where your own health insurance won’t apply, however, you’ll likely want to purchase a travel insurance plan that includes robust protection for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. Expensive trips may also need travel insurance with higher limits than you can get with credit card coverage.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do credit card companies sell travel insurance?
Credit card companies do not sell travel insurance, but plenty of reputable travel insurance providers do. If you’re ready to compare plans, you can check out companies like Allianz, Travelex and World Nomads.
Is travel insurance worth it for international travel?
Travel insurance is essential for international travel if you want to have coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. After all, U.S. health plans do not work overseas, nor do government healthcare programs like Medicare.
Does my Visa card cover travel insurance?
The travel insurance protections you get with a credit card depend on the exact card you have.
How do I know if my credit card covers travel insurance?
Read over your credit card’s guide to benefits to find out which protections are already included. You can also call your card issuer to inquire about coverage, but make sure they send you the information in the mail.
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Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.