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Guide to American Airlines Travel Insurance

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Travel insurance can be one of the most confusing parts of booking a trip. Since many credit cards already include travel insurance, the question of whether to buy airline insurance can make sense.

Why would you pay twice for the same benefits? But, that’s the thing: Not every type of credit card covers the same travel insurance perks.

You’ll want to check if the card you use to book a flight covers a cancellation , lost baggage or an abrupt change to your travel plans — perhaps due to a medical emergency. Being prepared can save you a lot of money in the long run.

This is especially true if you cannot take a trip, which would mean forfeiting the money you spent on nonrefundable flights and hotels.

If you want maximum protection, consider your credit card insurance with an airline’s policy like from American Airlines travel insurance.

Understanding the American Airlines insurance policies can protect you on your next trip with the carrier.

American Airlines trip insurance plans

American has plans for international and domestic trips you book with the carrier, and the services are administered by Allianz Global Assistance . You’ll see the offer when completing a flight reservation on the website.

When you qualify, the policy can refund part of an itinerary or the entire purchase based on any travel costs or emergency medical expenses in case of a disruption or delay. The promotional offer you receive when booking a ticket is based on the cost of your flight. It is valid for that trip only, unlike annual or multi-trip plans that you would buy from Allianz directly.

Often, you won’t see the trip insurance policy on your American reservation, as it's sold by a third party. But keep a record of the policy information.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

What does American Airlines travel insurance cover?

When you buy American Airlines travel insurance, you will be eligible for coverage for various travel issues like delayed or lost bags, medical expenses during the trip or if you have to cancel the trip altogether.

Some features of travel insurance can vary depending on where you live, so be sure to read the fine print.

This is what the flight insurance from American Airlines covers:

Trip cancellation and trip interruption costs. If you paid for any nonrefundable expenses and have to cancel or change your trip due to reasons like illness or injury, you’ll receive a refund for those costs. This can be especially valuable for bucket-list trips like cruise or safari vacations where you spend a lot of money. Each U.S. state sets a limit for the refund amount, so be sure to review those details.

Emergency medical transportation. If you need to be airlifted or driven a long distance to the nearest appropriate hospital or urgent care center, this would be covered by insurance. This can be pretty expensive in some remote locations, and insurance can cover the cost of a helicopter airlift if needed. The American travel insurance benefit for emergency medical transportation is as much as $50,000.

Emergency medical and dental protection. While at the hospital or urgent care facility, you may need immediate care. American Airlines trip insurance would cover up to $10,000 in medical and dental expenses for an eligible occurrence. 

Travel delay. This is a valuable benefit, one covered by many credit cards. If you encounter a trip delay of at least six consecutive hours, this insurance will provide meal and accommodation reimbursements. The maximum coverage limits vary by U.S. state. Airlines have their own policies in these situations, and if traveling from the European Union or on an E.U.-based carrier to Europe, you may also be covered for additional compensation. 

Lost or damaged baggage. If your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen, American Airlines travel insurance reimburses you up to $500 for your personal items.

Baggage delay. This protection covers the contents of your bag if your baggage was delayed for more than 24 hours. You’ll want to keep eligible receipts of your purchase to submit a reimbursement claim, typically up to $100 per person.

24-hour assistance. This policy would provide you with direct access to someone who can assist you with any travel-related emergencies.

Rental car collision and damage. You would be eligible for primary coverage without a deductible.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

What isn't covered by American Airlines travel insurance?

Remember that airlines like American receive a percentage of the sale of travel insurance, so they are eager to promote it. But not all circumstances are covered. This means it is important to review the exclusions.

These are some of the situations that wouldn't be eligible for reimbursement or assistance.

Losses due to government restrictions, travel advisories or warnings (For example: If the U.S. government issues a warning not to travel somewhere).

Losses due to known, foreseeable and expected events (like a hurricane where advance warnings are available).

Epidemics, natural disasters, pollution leading to flight disruption and war.

Preexisting medical conditions.

Pregnancy, fertility treatment and childbirth.

Health issues related to alcohol or drug use.

Injury during professional or amateur sports training.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance: Which is right for you?

American Airlines international travel insurance cost

The cost will vary depending on where you are going, often based on the total nonrefundable trip cost and the state where you reside.

To get a more detailed idea of an American Airlines travel insurance plan, an online form calculates your trip details to give an approximate cost. After purchasing it, you have 15 days to change your mind and request a refund as long as your trip hasn't started or you haven't filed a claim.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

This travel protection plan offers insurance for just one trip itinerary unless you buy an annual plan. A single trip insurance plan otherwise does not cover additional trips or mishaps that happen before or after your flight journey. It comes with protections for lost bags or emergency medical assistance, which can be helpful — especially if you don’t use a credit card to pay for the trip that has its own insurance protections. Other benefits can include trip interruption or cancellation, emergency dental care, rental car insurance and baggage delay.

You can pay for this when you purchase a flight on American’s website or any time after you buy a ticket on the Allianz website.

American travel insurance plans come underwritten by Jefferson Insurance Company or BCS Insurance Company. They use AGA Service Company as the licensed producer. These plans are recommended and sold by Allianz Global Assistance, not American Airlines.

Yes, if canceled within 15 days of purchase and your trip has not begun. If you have filed a claim, then you would not be able to cancel.

You can pay for this when you purchase a flight on American’s website or

any time after you buy a ticket

on the Allianz website.

Is American Airlines travel insurance worth it?

This will come down to your own personal risk tolerance, but with so many exclusions on the list, it may not be. That’s because you are already protected by your credit card in many instances.

If you use a card like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® to pay for your trip, you may end up paying again on certain benefits when buying flight insurance from American.

Be sure to compare the benefits, as the amount of lost baggage or emergency medical coverage can be different for each credit card or airline.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Buying a nonrefundable flight ticket may be one of the top reasons to consider this flight insurance, but make sure that the exclusions don’t apply to you. Also, you will want to consider your finances if you are required to cover the cost of lost bags or flights.

If not, the small added cost of insurance could be decent protection in the long run if something were to go wrong during the journey.

(Top photo courtesy of American Airlines)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

on Citibank's application

1x Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.

70,000 Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Plan Your Trip

What Does Trip Insurance Cover For American Airlines

Published: December 6, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Dania Mizell

Introduction

Traveling is an exciting adventure, whether you’re jetting off for business or taking a much-needed vacation. However, unexpected events can sometimes disrupt our travel plans, leaving us stressed and stranded. That’s where trip insurance comes to the rescue. It offers a safety net, providing coverage for a range of unforeseen circumstances that could impact your journey.

When it comes to air travel, American Airlines is a popular choice for many travelers. To ensure a worry-free trip, it’s important to understand what trip insurance can cover for American Airlines passengers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various aspects of trip insurance, giving you a clear understanding of the protection it offers and helping you make an informed decision about whether to purchase it for your next American Airlines flight.

From trip cancellation and interruption to lost baggage and medical emergencies, trip insurance can provide valuable coverage and peace of mind. It’s important to note that the specific coverage and terms may vary depending on the insurance provider and the policy you choose, so be sure to carefully review the details before making a purchase.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the different coverage options typically offered by trip insurance for American Airlines passengers. We’ll discuss the protection provided for trip cancellation or interruption, trip delay, lost or delayed baggage, medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, travel accidents, and even rental car protection. Additionally, we’ll cover any exclusions or limitations you should be aware of, as well as how to purchase trip insurance for your American Airlines flights.

So, whether you’re heading on a domestic getaway or an international adventure with American Airlines, read on to discover the benefits of trip insurance and how it can safeguard your travel plans.

Overview of Trip Insurance

Trip insurance, also known as travel insurance, is a type of insurance that provides coverage for unexpected events that may occur before or during a trip. It is designed to protect travelers from financial loss and provide assistance in various situations that could disrupt travel plans.

When it comes to American Airlines, trip insurance can be purchased to cover a wide range of potential issues that could arise before or during your trip. These could include trip cancellation or interruption, trip delay, lost or delayed baggage, medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, travel accidents, and even rental car protection.

By investing in trip insurance, you can have peace of mind, knowing that you are financially protected if something unexpected happens. Whether it’s a sudden illness or injury, a natural disaster, a travel advisory, or any other covered event, trip insurance can help you recoup some or all of the expenses associated with your trip.

It’s important to note that trip insurance is typically purchased separately from your airline ticket. While some airlines may offer their own trip insurance options, it’s advisable to explore coverage from third-party providers as well. This allows you to compare different policies, levels of coverage, and pricing to find the best fit for your specific needs and budget.

When considering trip insurance, it’s essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of the policy to understand what is and isn’t covered. Each policy will have its own set of limitations, exclusions, and coverage limits, so it’s important to choose a plan that aligns with your travel plans and preferences.

In the following sections, we’ll delve into the specific coverage options provided by trip insurance for American Airlines passengers. Whether you’re looking for protection against trip cancellation, delay, lost baggage, or medical expenses, understanding the details of trip insurance coverage will help you make an informed decision for your future travels with American Airlines.

Coverage for Trip Cancellation or Interruption

One of the primary benefits of trip insurance is coverage for trip cancellation or interruption. Life is unpredictable, and there may be instances where you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to unforeseen circumstances. Trip insurance can help protect your investment by reimbursing you for non-refundable expenses.

If you need to cancel your trip before your scheduled departure, trip insurance can provide coverage for a variety of reasons such as a sudden illness or injury, the death of a family member, or a natural disaster that renders your destination uninhabitable. Depending on the policy, you may also be covered for events like a travel advisory issued by the government or the bankruptcy of the airline or tour operator.

In the case of trip interruption, if you need to return home early due to an emergency or unforeseen event, trip insurance can cover the additional expenses incurred, such as change fees for flights or unused portions of accommodations.

It’s essential to carefully review the coverage limits and exclusions of your trip insurance policy. Some policies have specific covered reasons for trip cancellation or interruption, while others offer more comprehensive coverage. It’s also worth considering whether you want “cancel for any reason” coverage, which provides more flexibility but may come at an additional cost.

When purchasing trip insurance for American Airlines travel, be sure to consider the total cost of your trip and select a coverage amount that adequately protects your investment. Keep in mind that trip insurance must be purchased before any unforeseen event occurs, so it’s wise to secure coverage as soon as you book your trip.

Trip cancellation or interruption coverage helps minimize the financial risk of having to cancel or cut short your trip due to unexpected circumstances. By including this coverage in your trip insurance policy, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you have financial protection if your plans need to change.

Coverage for Trip Delay

When it comes to travel, delays can be frustrating and inconvenient. Fortunately, trip insurance can provide coverage for trip delays, offering assistance and reimbursement for certain expenses incurred as a result of the delay.

If your American Airlines flight is delayed for a significant amount of time due to reasons beyond your control, such as weather conditions, mechanical issues, or other unforeseen events, trip insurance can help cover the additional costs you may incur during the delay.

Common expenses that may be covered include meals, accommodations, transportation, and even necessary phone calls or internet access while you wait for your flight to depart. The specific coverage and limits will depend on your trip insurance policy, so it’s important to review the details before purchasing.

It’s worth noting that trip delay coverage typically comes into effect after a certain period of delay, such as a minimum of six hours. Prior to that, it’s advisable to check with the airline for any compensation or assistance they may offer. Once the minimum delay threshold is met, trip insurance can provide reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred during the extended delay.

When purchasing trip insurance, consider the potential for delays and the impact it may have on your trip. If you have a tight schedule or important events booked, having coverage for trip delays can provide peace of mind and financial protection.

It’s important to keep all receipts and documentation related to the expenses incurred during the trip delay, as you will likely need to submit them for reimbursement. Contact your trip insurance provider as soon as possible to understand the process for filing a claim and receive proper guidance.

With trip delay coverage, you can navigate unexpected delays with more ease. Rather than bearing the financial burden yourself, trip insurance can help cover necessary expenses, ensuring that you can make the most of your travel experience with American Airlines.

Coverage for Lost or Delayed Baggage

One of the most frustrating experiences while traveling is when your baggage is lost or delayed. Luckily, trip insurance can provide coverage and assistance in such situations, helping to alleviate some of the stress and inconvenience.

If your luggage goes missing or is delayed by the airline during your American Airlines travel, trip insurance can cover the cost of necessary items you may need to purchase. This coverage typically includes essentials like clothing, toiletries, and other personal items. The specific coverage limits will vary depending on your policy, so be sure to review the details when purchasing trip insurance.

In the event that your baggage is lost and doesn’t get recovered, trip insurance may provide reimbursement for the value of your lost belongings. It’s important to keep track of the items in your luggage and their estimated value, as you may need to provide documentation to support your claim.

When your baggage is delayed for an extended period, trip insurance can also provide coverage for the additional expenses you may incur. This could include the cost of purchasing essential items, such as clothing and toiletries, while waiting for your luggage to be delivered. The coverage limits and waiting period for delayed baggage will vary depending on your policy, so it’s important to review this information carefully.

To ensure a smooth claims process, it’s recommended to report any lost or delayed baggage to the airline immediately and obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or relevant documentation. This will serve as evidence when filing a claim with your trip insurance provider. Be sure to keep all receipts for items purchased during the delay or in the process of replacing lost items.

By including coverage for lost or delayed baggage in your trip insurance policy, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you’ll be financially protected and able to replace any essential items if necessary. This coverage provides a valuable safety net and ensures that your travel experience with American Airlines remains as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Coverage for Medical Expenses and Emergency Medical Evacuation

Medical emergencies can happen at any time, even during your travels with American Airlines. Trip insurance can provide coverage for medical expenses incurred while traveling and even offer assistance in arranging emergency medical evacuation if needed.

If you experience a sudden illness or injury during your trip and require medical attention, trip insurance can help cover the costs of necessary medical treatment. This can include doctor’s visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and other related expenses. It’s important to review the medical coverage limits and any exclusions mentioned in your trip insurance policy.

In addition to medical expenses, some trip insurance policies also offer coverage for emergency medical evacuation. This means that if you require immediate medical attention that is not available locally, trip insurance can help arrange and cover the cost of transporting you to a suitable medical facility. This could involve air ambulances, specialized medical transportation, or coordination of medical repatriation back to your home country.

When choosing trip insurance, consider the coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, as some policies may have limitations or exclusions. If you have any pre-existing conditions, it’s important to disclose them when purchasing the policy or seek out a policy that offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.

When a medical emergency occurs, it’s crucial to contact the emergency assistance hotline provided by your trip insurance provider. They can guide you through the process, assist in finding appropriate medical care, and make arrangements for necessary transportation or evacuation if required.

Having coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation gives you peace of mind, knowing that you will be taken care of in the event of a medical emergency during your travels with American Airlines. It helps alleviate the financial burden and ensures that you receive the necessary care and attention, no matter where you are in the world.

Coverage for Travel Accidents

While no one wants to think about accidents happening during their travels, it’s important to be prepared and protected. Trip insurance can provide coverage for travel accidents, ensuring that you have financial assistance in case of unforeseen incidents.

Travel accident coverage typically provides benefits in the event of accidental death or dismemberment that occurs during your trip. This coverage can help provide financial security for you and your loved ones in the unfortunate event of a fatal accident or severe injury while traveling with American Airlines.

The coverage amount for travel accidents varies depending on your trip insurance policy. Some policies offer a fixed amount, while others provide coverage based on a percentage of the policy’s total benefit limit. It’s crucial to review the details of the coverage and the terms and conditions.

While travel accident coverage can provide peace of mind, it’s important to note that it is not a substitute for health or life insurance. Travel accident coverage typically focuses on accidents that occur specifically during your trip and may have certain exclusions or limitations. If you’re looking for more comprehensive coverage, you may want to consider purchasing additional life or health insurance.

In case of a travel accident, it’s essential to contact your trip insurance provider as soon as possible to begin the claims process. They will guide you on the documentation required and the steps to take. Be prepared to provide any necessary evidence, such as medical reports and police reports, to support your claim.

By including travel accident coverage in your trip insurance policy, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have financial protection in the event of a travel accident. It’s an extra layer of security that adds to the overall safety and preparedness during your travels with American Airlines.

Coverage for Rental Car Protection

When traveling, many people opt to rent a car to explore their destination conveniently. However, accidents or damage to the rental car can put a damper on your trip. Fortunately, trip insurance can provide coverage for rental car protection, ensuring that you’re financially protected in case of any mishaps.

Rental car protection coverage helps safeguard you from the financial burden of damages or theft to the rental car. If you’re involved in an accident or if the rental car is stolen or vandalized during your trip, trip insurance can help cover the costs associated with repairs or replacement.

Depending on your trip insurance policy, rental car protection coverage may include damage to the rental vehicle, loss of use charges imposed by the rental company, and even reimbursement of the deductible you may be responsible for under the rental car agreement.

It’s important to note that rental car protection within trip insurance typically acts as secondary coverage. This means that it steps in to cover costs that exceed what may already be provided by the rental car company’s insurance or your personal car insurance policy. It’s advisable to review your existing insurance policies to understand your coverage and determine if additional rental car protection is necessary.

Before renting a car, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the rental agreement and the terms and conditions set by the rental car company. This allows you to understand your responsibilities and any potential liabilities. It’s also recommended to inspect the rental car thoroughly and document any existing damages to avoid any disputes later on.

In the event of an accident or damage to the rental car, notify your trip insurance provider as soon as possible to initiate the claims process. They will guide you on the necessary documentation and steps to take to receive reimbursement for the covered expenses.

By including rental car protection coverage in your trip insurance policy, you can explore your destination with peace of mind, knowing that you’re financially protected in case of any unfortunate incidents involving the rental car. It’s an added layer of security that enhances your travel experience with American Airlines.

Additional Benefits and Add-Ons

In addition to the core coverage options, trip insurance for American Airlines passengers may offer additional benefits and add-ons to enhance your travel protection. These optional features can provide extra peace of mind and tailor your coverage to meet your specific needs. Here are some common additional benefits and add-ons to consider:

• Travel Medical Insurance: If you require more comprehensive medical coverage while traveling, you may have the option to add travel medical insurance to your trip insurance policy. This can provide coverage for medical expenses unrelated to trip interruptions or accidents.
• Cancel for Any Reason: Some trip insurance plans offer a “cancel for any reason” add-on, providing more flexibility in canceling your trip. This can be beneficial if you have concerns about traveling due to personal reasons not covered by standard trip cancellation coverage.
• Pre-existing Condition Coverage: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you may be able to add coverage specifically for these conditions. This ensures that any medical issues related to your pre-existing conditions will be covered during your trip.
• Adventure Sports Coverage: If you plan on participating in adventure sports or activities during your trip, you may have the option to add coverage specifically for these high-risk activities. This can provide protection against injuries or accidents that may occur during such activities.
• Identity Theft Protection: To protect yourself from identity theft while traveling, some trip insurance policies offer identity theft protection as an add-on. This can help with services such as credit monitoring and resolution assistance in case your personal information is compromised.

When considering additional benefits and add-ons, it’s important to carefully review the details and terms of the coverage. Evaluate your specific needs and assess if the additional cost is worth the added protection.

Keep in mind that these optional benefits and add-ons may not be available with all trip insurance providers or policies. It’s recommended to compare different insurance plans to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

By taking advantage of these additional benefits and add-ons, you can customize your trip insurance coverage to provide the level of protection and peace of mind that matches your unique travel requirements, ensuring a worry-free journey with American Airlines.

Exclusions and Limitations

While trip insurance can provide valuable coverage for various travel contingencies, it’s important to understand that there are certain exclusions and limitations to be aware of. These exclusions and limitations define what is not covered by your trip insurance policy. Here are some common exclusions and limitations you may encounter:

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Many trip insurance policies have specific limitations on coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. It’s crucial to review the policy’s definition of pre-existing conditions and understand any restrictions or exclusions that may apply.
• High-Risk Activities: Some policies may exclude coverage for injuries or accidents related to high-risk activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, or other extreme sports. If you plan on participating in these activities, consider adding an adventure sports coverage add-on to your policy.
• Intentional Acts or Illegal Activities: Trip insurance typically does not provide coverage for losses or expenses incurred as a result of intentional acts or illegal activities. Any claims related to these activities will likely be denied.
• War or Terrorism: Most trip insurance policies exclude coverage for losses or expenses resulting from acts of war or terrorism. It’s important to understand the specific definition of these terms and their implications for your coverage.
• Carrier Bankruptcy: While trip insurance can provide coverage in the event of carrier bankruptcy, it’s essential to review the policy’s specific requirements and limitations. Coverage may vary depending on the timing of your trip and when the carrier bankruptcy was announced.
• Unattended Belongings: If your personal belongings are lost or stolen while left unattended, trip insurance may not cover the loss. It’s important to take reasonable precautions to ensure the security of your belongings.

These exclusions and limitations are intended to manage risk for the insurance provider and ensure that coverage is provided for genuine unforeseen circumstances. It’s crucial to carefully review the full terms and conditions of your trip insurance policy to understand the specific exclusions, limitations, and any other provisions that may affect your coverage.

If you have any concerns or questions about the exclusions and limitations of your trip insurance policy, it’s recommended to reach out to your insurance provider for clarification. They can provide the necessary information and help you make informed decisions regarding your travel coverage.

By understanding the exclusions and limitations of your trip insurance policy, you can better manage your expectations and ensure that you have appropriate coverage for the specific risks and situations you may encounter while traveling with American Airlines.

How to Purchase Trip Insurance for American Airlines

When it comes to purchasing trip insurance for your American Airlines travel, there are a few steps you can take to ensure you find the right coverage that meets your needs. Here’s a guide on how to purchase trip insurance:

• Evaluate Your Travel Needs: Start by assessing your specific travel needs. Consider factors such as the length of your trip, the destination, any pre-existing medical conditions, and the value of your travel investment. This will help you determine the level of coverage and the specific features you require from your trip insurance policy.
• Research Trip Insurance Providers: Look for reputable trip insurance providers that offer policies suitable for your travel needs. Consider factors such as their financial stability, customer reviews, and the range of coverage options they provide.
• Compare Coverage and Pricing: Request quotes from multiple trip insurance providers and compare the coverage and pricing of their policies. Pay close attention to the specific coverage areas that are important to you, such as trip cancellation, medical expenses, or rental car protection.
• Read the Policy Details: Before making a final decision, thoroughly read the details of the policy you are considering. Pay attention to coverage limits, exclusions, and any additional benefits or add-ons that may be offered. Ensure it aligns with your travel needs and provides sufficient coverage.
• Purchase the Policy: Once you have selected the trip insurance policy that meets your requirements, proceed with the purchasing process. This can typically be done online through the insurance provider’s website. Fill out the required information accurately and make the payment to secure your coverage.
• Keep Documentation Handy: After purchasing the trip insurance, make sure to keep a copy of your policy documents, receipts, and any other relevant documentation. This will be important in case you need to file a claim or refer to your coverage details during your trip.

It’s important to note that trip insurance should ideally be purchased soon after booking your American Airlines travel. This ensures that you have coverage in case any unforeseen events occur before your departure.

If you have any questions or need assistance during the purchase process, don’t hesitate to reach out to the trip insurance provider’s customer service for clarification or guidance. They can help you navigate through the policy options and provide the necessary information to make an informed decision.

Purchasing trip insurance for your American Airlines travel is a smart way to protect your investment and provide peace of mind. By following these steps, you can select a policy that suits your travel needs and enjoy a worry-free journey.

Traveling with American Airlines can be an exciting and enriching experience. However, unexpected events can sometimes disrupt our travel plans and leave us in a state of uncertainty. That’s where trip insurance comes in, providing a safety net and offering coverage for a range of unforeseen circumstances that could impact your journey.

In this comprehensive guide, we have explored the different coverage options typically offered by trip insurance for American Airlines passengers. We discussed the protection provided for trip cancellation or interruption, trip delay, lost or delayed baggage, medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, travel accidents, and rental car protection.

It’s important to note that the specific coverage and terms may vary depending on the insurance provider and the policy you choose. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully review the details of the policy before making a purchase to ensure it aligns with your specific needs and preferences.

We also discussed additional benefits and add-ons that you can consider to enhance your trip insurance coverage, such as travel medical insurance, cancel for any reason coverage, pre-existing condition coverage, adventure sports coverage, and identity theft protection.

Furthermore, we highlighted the exclusions and limitations that you should be aware of when it comes to trip insurance. Familiarizing yourself with these exclusions and limitations will help you manage your expectations and ensure that you have appropriate coverage for your specific travel circumstances.

To purchase trip insurance for your American Airlines travel, evaluate your travel needs, research reputable trip insurance providers, compare coverage and pricing, carefully read the policy details, purchase the policy, and keep all documentation handy for reference.

Ultimately, trip insurance provides valuable protection and peace of mind for your travels with American Airlines. It offers financial security, assistance in emergencies, and a safety net to protect your travel investment. By understanding the coverage options and selecting the right policy, you can travel with confidence, knowing that you’re protected against unforeseen events and ready to make the most of your journey.

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Allianz Trip Insurance

Protect your travel experience

Read about Allianz Trip Insurance’s COVID-19 insurance coverage limitations and accommodations.

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Top reasons to buy trip insurance

• Financial reimbursement if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a covered illness, injury, jury duty, and more
• Emergency medical benefits in and outside the U.S. – where many personal health insurance policies (like Medicare) won’t cover you
• 24-hour emergency assistance to help you solve medical and other travel-related problems on the go

Types of trip insurance plans

Allianz Trip Insurance comes in a variety of plans to fit your specific needs. Single-trip plans can protect one trip, annual plans can protect all your trips for an entire year, and rental car protection plans can keep your budget safe from accidental collision and damage to a rental vehicle.

All insurance is recommended / offered / sold by 3rd party, Allianz Global Assistance, not American Airlines. Underwriter: Jefferson Insurance Company or BCS Insurance Company. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans. AGA Service Company is a licensed producer in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

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Trip insurance benefits

Reimburses your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if you need to cancel your trip due to a covered illness, injury, and more.

Reimburses the unused, non-refundable portion of your trip and increased transportation costs it takes for you to return home early or to continue your trip due to a covered illness, injury, and more.

Reimburses expenses related to covered emergency medical or dental care incurred on your trip.

Provides benefits for medically necessary transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility following a covered injury or illness.

Reimburses extra meals and accommodations you may need if your flight is delayed for 6 or more hours for a covered reason.

Reimburses you if your luggage is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip—keeping your travel plans on track.

Reimburses the purchase of essential items if your luggage is delayed for more than 24 hours.

Turn your trip into a VIP experience. Our travel experts can give you destination information, make restaurant reservations, find tickets to shows, and more.

Help is just a phone call away. Our team of multilingual problem solvers is available to help you with medical and other travel-related emergencies.

Provides primary coverage with no deductible.

Review period

If you’re not completely satisfied, you have 15 days (or more, depending on your state of residence) to request a refund, provided you haven’t started your trip or initiated a claim. Plans are non-refundable after this period.

Additional assistance

Coverage by country of residence.

• Frequently asked questions

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best’s 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at 800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive,Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected]

Email [email protected]

PLEASE BE ADVISED: This plan contains insurance benefits (which may include disability and/or health insurance benefits) that only apply during the covered trip. This optional coverage may duplicate coverage already provided by your personal auto, home, renter’s, health, life, personal liability, or other insurance policy or source of coverage but may be subject to different restrictions. You should review the terms of this policy with your existing coverage. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer/health plan or insurance agent/broker. This insurance is not required to purchase any other products/services. Unless licensed, travel retailers and their employees may provide general information about the insurance, including a description of coverage and price, but are not qualified/authorized to answer technical questions about terms, benefits, exclusions, and conditions of the insurance or evaluate the adequacy of existing coverage. Plans are intended for U.S. residents only and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Rental Car Protector is not available to KS and TX residents, except when purchased as a separate policy and is not available in all countries or for all cars. This coverage does not provide liability insurance or comply with any financial responsibility law, or any other law mandating motor vehicle coverage and does not cover you for any injury to another party. Additionally:

California Residents: We are doing business in California as Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Agency, License # 0B01400. California offers a toll-free consumer hotline at 1-800-927-4357.

New York Residents: The licensed producer represents the insurer for purposes of the sale. Compensation paid to the producer may depend on the policy selected, or the producer’s expenses, volume of business, or profitability. The purchaser may request and obtain information about the producer’s compensation, except as otherwise provided by law.

Maryland Residents: The purchase of travel insurance would make the travel insurance coverage primary to any other duplicate or similar coverage. The Commissioner may be contacted to file a complaint at: Maryland Insurance Administration, ATTN: Consumer Complaint Investigation Property/Casualty, 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Texas Residents: Before deciding whether to purchase this insurance plan, you may wish to determine whether your own automobile insurance or credit card agreement provides you coverage for rental vehicle damage or loss and determine the amount of deductible under your own insurance coverage. The purchase of this insurance plan is not mandatory. This coverage is not all inclusive, which means it does not cover such things as personal injury, personal liability, or personal property. It does not cover you for damages to other vehicles or property. It does not cover you for any injury to any other party.

Plan charge includes the cost of insurance benefits and assistance services. See your Plan Details for more information, or call Allianz Global Assistance at 800-284-8300.

AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) compensates their suppliers or agencies for allowing AGA to market or offer products to customers of the supplier or agency.

*Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply, including for pre-existing conditions. Plans may not be available to residents of all states. Insurance benefits are underwritten by either BCS Insurance Company or Jefferson Insurance Company, depending on insured’s state of residence. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans.

Protect Your Trip »

Is travel insurance worth it yes, in these 3 scenarios.

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Getty Images

Travel insurance can be useful, but it's not always necessary.

The key to knowing if you need travel insurance is figuring out your specific risks for any given vacation, then deciding if you can buy coverage that adequately protects you from any financial losses and pitfalls that might occur.

While insurance can be invaluable no matter the traveler and trip, these are the scenarios where it's especially useful:

• You're concerned about flight disruptions: Flight cancellations and delays are commonplace, especially during the holiday and summer travel seasons. Most trip insurance will reimburse you for incidental expenses that occur while you wait for your flight to depart or for your checked luggage to arrive. Examples include meals and hotel stays if your flight is delayed overnight, or clothing and toiletries you have to buy while you wait for your bags to show up at your destination. Limits apply to this coverage, but it can still pay off if you have to use it.
• You need the option to cancel your trip: Do you have a medical condition that might suddenly prevent you from traveling? What about young children who are prone to illness, or the possibility of your beach vacation getting rained out during hurricane season ? These are just some of the instances when cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage can help. Offered as an add-on to many insurance policies, this coverage lets you cancel your trip for a reason not covered within a typical trip cancellation benefit. If you need to use this coverage, you'll typically get 50% to 80% of your prepaid travel expenses refunded.
• You're traveling internationally: U.S. health insurance policies typically don't cover medical care or emergencies overseas, which is why so many people seek out travel medical insurance . According to Allianz Travel Insurance, the average costs of international medical evacuation can range from $15,000 in Mexico all the way up to $220,000 in Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Fortunately, many travel insurance policies offer up to $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage or potentially more.

The best travel insurance options

If one of the above applies and/or you're still curious about travel insurance, you can find the top-rated policies in a variety of categories below.

Any rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the insurance company directly for applicable quotes.

What does travel insurance cover?

You'll quickly notice that each travel insurance policy is different from the next. Most plans offer coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions, lost or delayed baggage, medical emergencies, and other common perils; some let you add optional coverage for a rental car , sporting equipment and more.

To give you an overview of the way different travel insurance policies work, the chart below shows the included benefits in several plans from a travel insurance company called Travelex:

Compare Travelex plans and get a quote .

What does travel insurance not cover?

It's important to note that travel insurance policies cannot possibly cover every unexpected bill you encounter before, during or after a trip. That's because travel insurance is not meant to be used like other types of insurance, including traditional medical coverage you have for routine health care expenses.

According to Allianz Travel Insurance , travel insurance "does not cover losses that arise from expected or reasonably foreseeable events or problems." Here are some of the most common exclusions found in travel insurance policies:

• Civil unrest
• Epidemics (except COVID-19)
• Extreme, high-risk sports
• Government-issued travel bulletins or warnings
• Natural disasters
• Nuclear reaction, radiation or radioactive contamination
• Preexisting conditions (unless specifically covered by your plan)
• Pregnancy-related medical expenses that aren't an emergency (including regular labor and delivery)
• Terrorist events
• Travel to participate or train for a sporting event

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

When should you skip travel insurance?

While the cost of a travel insurance policy can be worth it in the end, there are plenty of travel scenarios where you may not need to purchase a plan. Consider the following situations where buying insurance may not be worth the trouble:

• You're planning a short road trip within the U.S.: If you're planning a short trip within the U.S. where your own health insurance coverage will apply, you may not need trip insurance for medical expenses. The fact that you're not flying also means you don't have to worry about flight cancellations, and that your luggage will likely remain in your possession the entire trip.
• You plan to use credit card travel insurance: There may be instances where credit card travel insurance coverage is sufficient for your plans, although only you can make this decision. For example, the popular Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with trip cancellation and interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip; primary rental car coverage for damage or theft worth up to $75,000; lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger; emergency evacuation and transportation coverage worth up to $100,000; and more.
• You bought insurance from your travel provider: There may be instances where the travel insurance coverage from your airline or cruise line is good enough. If you're flying within the U.S. to see a family member and staying in their home for free, for example, you'll likely just need protection against flight cancellations, eligible trip delays, and lost or delayed baggage.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning writer who has extensive experience when it comes to researching and buying travel insurance for her own trips to more than 50 countries around the world. Johnson has interviewed top executives from many of the best travel insurance companies and has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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Allianz Travel Insurance Coverage Review — Is It Worth It?

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Editor-in-Chief

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Why Purchase Travel Insurance

Allianz epidemic coverage endorsement, onetrip plans — for affordability and select coverages, alltrips annual plans — cover all of your trips for a 12-month period, how to obtain a quote with allianz, onetrip emergency medical plan, onetrip cancellation plus plan, rental car damage protector, allianz vs. credit card travel insurance, allianz vs. other travel insurance companies, allianz vs. point-of-sale travel insurance and protection, final thoughts.

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There are a lot of choices when it comes to travel insurance companies , so narrowing your selection to those that have a solid financial rating, offer products that provide good value, and receive high customer ratings should be baseline criteria.

Allianz Global Assistance company ( Allianz Travel) checks all of those boxes. Its parent company, Allianz SE, receives an A+ rating from A.M. Best (a leading insurance financial rating firm), and the company offers competitive individual trip and annual travel insurance products. It also serves over 45 million customers in the U.S. each year with 84% of those customers giving the company a 5-star rating.

Allianz has also been around a long time. In fact, the company was there to insure the Wright Brothers’ first flight and the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge — so you know you’re working with an established organization. You’ll also find that Allianz does business in more than 35 countries.

Let’s take a look specifically at Allianz Travel’s insurance products, show you how to obtain a quote, and give you some tips on purchasing and comparing travel insurance policies.

And while our focus is on Allianz Travel coverage, much of our information can apply to purchasing travel insurance in general.

Travel insurance can protect your trip investment with coverage for disruption due to unforeseen events such as severe weather, should you become ill, for illness in your family, missed connections, medical emergencies, and more.

Deciding whether to purchase travel insurance for your trip is an option each time you make a travel booking. The coverage is commonly offered by airlines, cruise companies, tour operators and other travel providers at the point of sale. If you travel infrequently and the cost is relatively low, you may just opt for the coverage during the booking process.

However, if you’re going to be taking several trips, you may be able to save money and receive better coverage if you compare with other travel insurance policies in the marketplace. Additionally, you’ll want to determine if it makes sense to purchase single insurance coverage for each trip or an annual all-trips-included policy.

Situations where it makes sense to purchase travel insurance include the following:

• You’re booking an expensive trip that includes a lot of non-refundable upfront expenses
• Your trip includes several travel providers (i.e. airlines, hotels, and tour operators)

While travel insurance is meant to cover unforeseen events, purchasing Cancel for Any Reason coverage may allow you to cancel your trip for any reason.

Bottom Line: If you’re uncomfortable with the amount of money you have at risk when you travel, securing travel insurance can provide immediate peace of mind . You’ll have solace in knowing that if you needed to cancel your travel plans due to a covered event or if your travel is disrupted, you’ll be able to recoup most, or all, of your investment.

Travel Insurance and the COVID-19 Virus

Most travel insurance policies do not provide coverage for trip cancellation due to fear of the coronavirus pandemic . However, COVID-19 is an included illness on many travel insurance policies as it relates to certain coverages such as emergency medical care while traveling and canceling a trip if you become ill with the virus. You may also have coverage if a family member or travel companion contracts the virus and you must cancel your trip as a result.

The only way to cover trip cancellations due to fear of contracting COVID-19 is to purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance. This coverage can be added to a comprehensive travel insurance policy (with limitations) and subsequently allows you to cancel your trip for any reason.

While Allianz does not offer Cancel for Any Reason insurance , it may cover COVID-19 related illness in the following circumstances:

• Emergency medical care while traveling
• Trip cancellation due to becoming ill with the virus

Allianz recently announced that it is adding a new endorsement to select policies that will offer limited coverage for COVID-19 . Circumstances such as becoming ill with COVID-19 and having to cancel your trip, hospitalization, and trip delays due to such illness while traveling will have coverage.

Emergency transportation coverage has also been expanded to include COVID-19-related illness. Terms and conditions apply and the endorsement is not available on all policies Allianz offers.

You can find policies that offer Cancel for Any Reason insurance at TravelInsurance.com  and Aardy.com .

Bottom Line: Travel insurance policies normally do not cover canceling your trip because of fear you might get ill. However, Cancel for Any Reason insurance allows you to cancel a trip for any reason you determine is necessary. 

Types of Travel Insurance Policies Available With Allianz

Allianz Travel offers 2 core types of travel insurance plans: single trip plans and multi-trip plans . Each plan allows you to select the level of coverage you want and subsequently, the level of premium you prefer to pay.

We’ve used criteria to obtain a quote for a traveler age 35, traveling for 1 week to Mexico on a trip costing $3,000 . All benefits are per person, per trip, unless otherwise noted.

The single trip option allows you to select from a Basic, Prime, or Premier plan. Premiums vary by plan and coverage levels.  For the example we selected, the premiums ranged from  $116 for the Basic to $192 for the Premier pla n .

OneTrip Basic Plan — the Most Affordable Plan

The OneTrip Basic plan offers basic trip protection at an affordable price.

OneTrip Prime Plan — the Most Popular Plan

Need more coverage but still want your travel insurance protection to be affordable? The OneTrip Prime plan offers higher coverage limits at a reasonable cost.

The following are the maximum coverage limits for OneTrip plans. These coverages can be found under the OneTrip Premier Plan:

• Trip Cancellation —  up to $100,000 reimbursement for prepaid non-refundable expenses; pre-existing medical conditions included
• Trip Interruption —  up to $150,000 reimburses for remaining non-recoverable expenses and increased cost of return transport due to trip interruption as the result of a covered event; pre-existing medical conditions included
• Emergency Medical — up to $25,000
• Emergency Medical Transportation — up to $500,000 for transportation to the nearest medical facility
• Baggage Loss/Damage — up to $1,000 for theft, loss, or damage
• Baggage Delay —  up to $300 for delays 12 hours or more
• Trip Delay — up to $800 ($200/day for 4 days) for delays of 6 hours or more, for eligible expenses; an option to receive $100/day with no receipts required is also available
• Change Fee Coverage — $500
• Loyalty Program Re-deposit Fee Coverage — $500, covers re-deposit of points/miles due to covered trip cancellation
• 24 Hour Hotline Assistance
• Optional coverages include pre-existing medical coverage, rental car coverage, and required to work coverage — restrictions apply

Also worth noting is that kids age 17 and under are covered at no additional charge when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Bottom Line: Allianz offers several levels of single-trip travel insurance plans that can fit every budget and level of coverage needed. 

If you’re a frequent traveler and want to ensure all of your trips are covered without having to purchase individual travel insurance policies, one of the AllTrips plans might be an appropriate choice. All of the trips you book within the 12-month policy period are covered automatically.

Coverage limits are per person, per trip, but more than 1 person can be included in the policy. Children 17 and under are covered at no additional charge when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

The AllTrips Executive plan is the most comprehensive policy and includes the maximum coverage limits listed below . AllTrips Prime and AllTrips Basic have less coverage than the Executive plan but may still be appropriate for your situation.

For example, the AllTips Basic plan does not include trip cancellation/interruption insurance but has emergency medical, evacuation, trip delay, baggage insurance, and car rental insurance.

• Trip Cancellation —  up to $10,000 reimbursement for prepaid non-refundable expenses
• Trip Interruption —  up to $10,000 reimburses for remaining non-recoverable expenses and increased cost of return transport due to trip interruption as the result of a covered event
• Emergency Medical — up to$50,000
• Emergency Medical Transportation — up to $250,000 for transportation to the nearest medical facility
• Baggage Loss/Damage —  up to $1,000 for theft, loss, or damage
• Baggage Delay — up to $1,000 for delays 12 hours or more
• Trip Delay —  up to $200 per day for eligible expenses, up to $1,600 in coverage , for delays of 6 hours or more
• Rental Car Damage and Theft — up to $45,000
• Business Equipment Coverage — up to $1,000
• Change Fee Coverage — up to $500
• Loyalty Program Redeposit Fee — up to $500
• Travel Accident Insurance — up to $50,000
• Concierge Services
• Optional Pre-Existing Medical Coverage — restrictions apply

Bottom Line: Allianz’s AllTrips 12-month plans offer affordable options to cover every trip you have booked or have yet to book within a 12-month period. 

Travel insurance is one of the easiest policies for which to obtain a quote and subsequently purchase a policy. Unlike auto or home insurance, you simply input some basic information about your trip, your age, where you reside, and your quote is instant.

You can then read through the coverages, select a policy that fits, and hit the purchase button. There is also no risk as you’ll have a free-look period where you can review the policy and decide whether to keep it or not.

If not, you can get a full refund. This period can be 10-14 days after purchase , depending on your plan and state regulations.

Additional Travel Insurance Offered by Allianz

In addition to the travel insurance packages offered by Allianz, you can purchase these additional plans and coverages available for single trips:

If trip interruption/cancellation is not important to you, you’ll find this plan with emergency medical, baggage insurance , emergency transport, travel accident coverage , and trip delay an affordable alternative.

If you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason or your trip is interrupted for a covered event, you’ll have coverage. Trip delay and 24-hour assistance are included.

For $9 per day, receive rental car damage/theft coverage, rental car trip interruption protection, and baggage loss coverage.

Hot Tip: If trip cancellation/interruption or trip delay coverage comes with your credit card is adequate for your trip but you want additional medical coverage, the Allianz’s OneTrip Emergency Medical plan may be a viable and affordable supplement. 

How Allianz Compares

When it comes to comparing travel insurance policies, it’s difficult to match apples to apples. Coverages vary widely, as well as terms and conditions. The lowest-priced policy is not always the best value for your needs. The flip side is possible, too. You may find a policy with plenty of coverage at a price that is more than you want to spend.

The best solution is when you find a balance between coverage and cost.

Here’s how Allianz’s travel insurance offerings compare with other travel insurance options.

The coverage that comes with your credit card does not compare with a comprehensive travel insurance policy . In addition to the limited travel insurance coverage credit cards offer, if you do have a claim, you’ll have the potential hassle of dealing with a third-party claims administrator.

With that being said, the trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay insurance, and primary rental car insurance coverages found on several credit cards may be more than adequate for your trip.

Here are some of the best credit cards for travel insurance:

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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The Amex Platinum card comes with trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance with a benefit of $10,000 per trip, up to a maximum of $20,000 per account per 12-month period.

Pay for your trip with your eligible card and you, your immediate family, and eligible traveling companions are covered for non-refundable expenses paid to the travel provider. Trip interruption coverage will also reimburse for additional travel expenses incurred due to a covered loss during your trip.

Trip delay coverage is also included on the Amex Platinum card for delays more than 6 hours. Reimbursement for incidentals and eligible incurred expenses is limited to $500 per trip with 2 claims allowed per 12-month period.

The Amex Platinum card also comes with emergency medical evacuation coverage .

For more information, check out our detailed guide to the travel insurance benefits offered by the Amex Platinum card.

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• 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 Ultimate Rewards ® .
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® , 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® . 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

Chase Ultimate Rewards

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
• Military Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Pay for your trip with your eligible card for up to $10,000 in coverage per person, $20,000 per trip, and up to $40,000 in a 12-month period. You and your qualifying immediate family are covered.

You’ll also find primary car rental insurance on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® card .

To learn more about the travel insurance benefits on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card , you’ll want to review this detailed article.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ® Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• 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 ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve

In addition to the same trip cancellation/interruption/delay coverage as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers up to $2,500 in emergency dental and medical coverage , emergency medical evacuation .

For more information check out this guide to all of the travel insurance benefits offered by the Sapphire Reserve.

Before purchasing any travel insurance policy, it’s wise to compare — fortunately that’s an easy task to execute. With comparison sites such as the ones listed here, you can compare as many as 100 travel insurance policies very quickly and find a policy that fits your situation and budget.

Keep in mind that insurance rates and coverages are highly regulated by the states . Insurance companies file a certain policy for a certain price with the state insurance commission, then the company is allowed to offer that policy, at that price, in that state.

For this reason, you won’t find the same policy offered at different prices. However, you could find a policy that is a better fit and possibly for less money by comparing several companies’ offerings.

Not all comparison sites include Allianz but when comparing similar policies, you’ll find that the company is competitively priced (a few companies lower and many companies higher). Individual results will vary based on your criteria.

Here are 4 websites that allow you to easily compare travel insurance policies.

• Insure My Trip — With over 60,000 customer reviews, 21 highly-rated travel insurance providers, and a best price guarantee, Insure My Trip makes it easy to find the right travel insurance policy.
• Travelinsurance.com — Compare major top-rated travel insurance company policies easily with this licensed online insurance search engine.
• SquareMouth — This popular travel insurance search engine offers easy comparisons of hundreds of policies offered by dozens of highly-rated insurance companies.
• Aardy — AardvarkCompare is a licensed travel insurance company with agents on staff to help you find the right travel insurance policy. Its website allows you to compare the policies of over 30 travel insurance providers.

There are also specialty companies such as World Nomads  that do a great job providing travel insurance for active individuals. If you’re into outdoor sports, adventure activities, or even more risky activities such as skydiving, you can find coverage through World Nomads.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking to purchase a travel insurance policy, you’ll want to compare companies and policies . First, look at companies with a strong financial rating, select a policy with coverages that are a priority to you, then select a premium you’re comfortable paying. 

Allianz is actually one of the companies that provides the travel insurance you’re offered when you book a flight. An example is displayed in the above image of their offerings when you purchase a Delta Air Lines ticket.

Point-of-sale travel insurance, however, can run from inexpensive options that offer little coverage to expensive options that provide greater coverage but still have limitations, similar to stand-along travel insurance policies.

If you fly once or twice a year, the coverage is adequate for your needs, and the cost is reasonable, you may easily choose to go this route and purchase coverage at the point of sale. However, you may fare better by securing a separate travel insurance quote to compare coverage/cost.

Always read the fine print before purchasing any coverage to ensure you’re getting the coverage you expect. For example, one might assume by looking at this example that canceling the trip would be covered, when in reality the covered reasons are limited.

Bottom Line: Even for point-of-sale travel insurance to cover a single travel purchase, it’s good to get a comparison quote. Securing a quote may save you money while offering broader coverage that could cover your entire trip versus just a portion of it. 

Allianz is a solid, established, company offering a nice selection of packaged travel insurance products. Its website is easy to use with a quick quoting function and a simple purchase process. The site is also easy to understand as it is clearly written in plain language rather than legal verbiage.

One downside of Allianz is that the company does not sell Cancel for Any Reason Insurance . This is not an issue if you understand this up front and know that your policy does not allow you to cancel a trip for just any reason. After all, this is the case with most travel insurance — there are specific covered reasons for being able to cancel a trip and have coverage.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance can also result in a premium as much as 70% more than a standard policy, so many travelers may not consider it due to its cost.

If money is not a concern, you can purchase as much insurance as you’d like to have. However, in reality, purchasing travel insurance that works for you involves finding a balance between the coverage you want and the maximum premium you’re willing to pay.

Allianz is a respected company that offers a variety of policy choices with appropriate coverage for the majority of travelers at price points that fit most budgets.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is travel insurance worth it.

Yes, it can be worth it. If you are uncomfortable with the amount of money you would lose or be forced to pay in the event you had to cancel your trip or if you incurred disruption while traveling, you should purchase travel insurance.

An inexpensive trip or single flight may not warrant purchasing travel insurance, but insuring an expensive or complicated trip where you have a lot of non-refundable prepaid expenses at risk makes economic sense.

Travel insurance also provides the intangible benefit of peace of mind, knowing you are protected if you have to cancel due to a covered event or your trip is disrupted once in motion.

What is covered for trip cancellation?

There are limited covered reasons for receiving a benefit from trip cancellation insurance. The number 1 reason most travelers cancel their trips, according to InsureMyTrip.com , is the unforeseen illness of the traveler or of family members.

Fortunately, this is a covered reason for trip cancellation, although the level of coverage varies by company and policy.

Additional covered reasons can include death, hospitalization, or accident to you or covered family, legal obligations, your home becomes uninhabitable, the default of the travel provider, or natural disaster.

Deciding not to take a trip is not a covered reason for trip cancellation. Cancel for Any Reason insurance must be purchased in order to cover canceling a trip for a reason you personally deem necessary.

Does travel insurance cover flight cancellations?

Yes, travel insurance can cover flight cancellations in certain circumstances and depending on the policy purchased.

However, if an airline cancels your flight, whether prior to travel or during your travels, you would first contact the airline or the agency where you purchased your ticket for rebooking, a refund, or travel credit.

If you are not made whole, you could then look for coverage in your travel insurance policy.

If a flight is canceled due to weather during your travels, for example, and you are forced to incur unexpected expenses as a result, you could have coverage under a travel insurance policy if these expenses are not covered, or insufficiently covered, by the airline.

There could also be coverage under trip interruption/delay insurance if an airline cancels a flight and it causes you to miss ongoing travel which has been prepaid and is non-refundable.

Which is the best travel insurance company?

The best travel insurance company will have a high financial rating from a respected insurance industry rating company such as A.M. Best, offer a selection of coverages that matches your protection priorities, and does this at a price you’re willing to pay.

You should check reviews as well, keeping in mind that most consumers want to pay the least amount of money they can at the time of purchase and by doing so, coverage can be sacrificed. When there’s a claim, it’s natural to want the highest degree of coverage, although that may not have been the level purchased.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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What is travel insurance and is it worth it?

Find out how travel insurance protects you and whether you should buy a policy for your next trip..

After booking airfare and locking down your accommodations for that big trip, spending money on travel insurance is probably the last thing you want to do. But the additional expense of purchasing a policy could save you big time in certain circumstances, and depending on the details of your trip, it's borderline financially irresponsible not to pick up some coverage. 

CNBC Select explains what travel insurance covers, when it makes sense to get a policy, and what alternatives to explore if you want some protection without purchasing insurance.

What is travel insurance and what does it cover? 

Travel insurance is a type of coverage designed to protect against risks and financial losses before and during your trip. These risks often include unforeseen events like missed airline connections, delayed luggage, injuries or minor illness. The typical price of a travel insurance policy is between 4% - 10% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs , but you can expect to pay more (or less) than this depending on your exact policy and what it covers. AXA Assistance USA , CNBC Select's pick for best overall travel insurance company, offers three different tiers of coverage and our runner-up, Travel Guard , also excels in providing flexible plans that work with a wide variety of travel needs.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

24/7 assistance available

• Three tiers of plans available
• Highly rated for financial strength
• Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

Travel Guard® Travel Insurance

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

• A variety of plans are available to help cover different types of trips
• Not all products are available for purchase online

Trip Cancellation 

You usually can't get a refund for airfare or hotel bookings if you have to cancel, which is where travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage helps. You may not get your money back from the airline or hotel, but your policy will reimburse you if you need to cancel your plans for covered reasons.  

Travel insurance will typically cover trips canceled because of: 

• Unexpected illness, injury or death of a family member 
• Suffering an injury or illness yourself 
• An unforeseen natural disaster either at your point of departure or destination 
• Legal obligations such as jury duty 
• There's also an add-on coverage known as "cancel for any reason" travel insurance (CFAR) which lets you cancel a trip and receive partial reimbursement as long as you cancel 48 hours before your scheduled departure. 

Flight cancellations  

Flight canceled by the airline? Federal law generally mandates that airlines refund your ticket cost if your flight gets canceled and you choose not to travel. If the airline delays your flight, you can possibly still get a refund, but you'll have to take it up with the Department of Transportation and get a ruling whether the delay was "significant" enough. 

On the other hand, travel insurance with flight cancellation coverage will typically reimburse you for any delay lasting three to 12 hours (after 12 hours, the insurance might consider your flight canceled and reimburse you for that reason). 

Travel insurance also covers other prepaid and nonrefundable costs caused by the covered delay or cancelation.   

So, if you've already booked a vacation rental or activity at your destination and the airline has rebooked your next flight for the next day, travel insurance would cover the cost of your accommodation.   

Travel medical insurance for emergencies 

Travel medical insurance should not be confused with travel health insurance, which covers routine health expenses for people who frequently travel abroad. Travel medical insurance is meant for emergency medical expenses such as treating a sudden injury or evacuating you to a medical care facility. Coverage may include specific family members that are traveling with you such as your spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandparents and more. 

Many US health plans don't offer coverage outside the country, so you don't want to assume your plan will cover the cost of getting you to a hospital while abroad. Check your health insurance policy and if it doesn't cover these types of expenses, seriously consider travel medical insurance for your next trip overseas.  

Missed connections 

You can save a lot of money on airfare if you book a connecting flight, but missing that connection can add both stress and additional expenses to your trip. Missed connection travel insurance, however, will reimburse you if you miss a departure for a reason listed in its policy.  

The reimbursement would typically compensate for a travel delay of three to 12 hours caused by mechanical failure or weather.   

Baggage insurance 

The possibility of your luggage being lost, stolen or damaged is another headache that a travel insurance policy with baggage insurance can cover. Baggage insurance also covers personal possessions, so you can file a claim if someone steals your belongings.

However, it's important to note that the insurance does not fully compensate you for brand-new versions of your lost items. Instead, it covers the depreciated value of your belongings, meaning the amount your luggage and personal belongings are worth now — not when you first bought them (as determined by the insurance company). There are also exclusions and caps on certain items. According to InsureMyTrip, items such as expensive jewelry , watches or high-end technology are likely worth more than the per-item limit or specific item limits of a typical baggage policy.  

What does travel insurance not cover? 

Travel insurance only covers you if your plans get derailed by a situation covered by your policy. If you've decided to cancel your trip simply because you changed your mind, you would need to find a policy that allows for CFAR coverage. You'll typically get about 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses back, although terms and conditions vary by policy.   

Because of the variety of exclusions and terms that travel insurance providers offer, it's essential to read the fine print so you're aware of what your plan provides. For example, some plans don't cover accidents that occur while taking part in activities. Also, expenses caused by a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes or arthritis, are seldom covered by trip insurance. 

However, some policies do cover such needs if specific criteria are met. If any of these apply to you, check for a plan that includes them and if your current health insurance covers medical expenses while traveling.  

When is travel insurance worth it? 

Travel insurance is worth considering in many cases when it comes to protecting your health when traveling internationally and protecting your overall trip if, for example, you're traveling to a destination with weather-related issues. Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether travel insurance is a good idea for you.  

• Are you traveling internationally?   
• Does your trip include many prepaid, non-refundable tours, day trips or activities? 
• Are you traveling to a remote area with limited healthcare facilities?
• Does your trip involve connecting flights or multiple destinations?   
• Are you looking to be partially reimbursed if you cancel your trip or return home early for any reason? 

Overall, if all of your reservations can be canceled without penalty, then travel insurance may not be the best option for you. Also, if you have a US-based health insurance policy and you're traveling domestically, you probably already have sufficient coverage for medical concerns.  

Credit card travel protection alternatives 

While travel insurance can be helpful for various reasons, many travel credit cards also offer coverage for lost luggage and delays or flight cancellations and delays. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance, as well as baggage and trip delay insurance. And the American Express® Gold Card has a *baggage insurance plan that covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen. Terms apply.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.

Welcome bonus

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 Ultimate Rewards®.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

American Express® Gold Card

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

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.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

However, credit card benefits don't typically protect you in case you are injured or get sick during your trip, so be sure to weigh your options carefully.  

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Bottom line

When trying to decide if travel insurance is a good choice for you, think about where you're going, your planned activities and how much it's costing you. If you're paying for lots of prepaid, non-refundable activities, it may be worth considering investing in a travel insurance plan with sufficient coverage.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

* 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 .

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here .

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How to Pick the Best Flight Insurance Policy for Your Next Trip

Here’s what you need to know about flight insurance before you buy.

Caroline Purser/Getty Images

From flight delays to damaged bags, air travel can be stressful. Thankfully, there’s a range of flight insurance options that will cover expenses in case something goes wrong and provide peace of mind, even if everything goes as planned. 

So, what is flight insurance? Flight insurance is a type of policy that only protects the cost of your flight and flight-related expenses. This type of insurance can include trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay , and lost or damaged baggage coverage. Unlike a comprehensive travel insurance policy, flight insurance doesn’t cover things like emergency medical coverage or emergency evacuation.

Here’s everything you need to know about flight insurance so you can decide which plan is best for you.

Chalabala/Getty Images

Pros of Flight Insurance 

The obvious benefit of buying flight insurance is that you’ll be protected financially if things go wrong. Even if your trip goes according to plan, the peace of mind you’ll have may be worth the relatively small cost of a basic insurance plan. In 2022, the average cost of a policy was just $266, while the average payout was $2,157, according to Squaremouth , a travel insurance comparison website.

Cons of Flight Insurance

Ironically, the biggest con of purchasing flight insurance occurs when your trip goes smoothly.  “If you have it, chances are you won't need it, “ says Faith Ann Liuzzo-Bartholomew, a travel advisor who is a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors. That’s what can make the decision to purchase flight insurance so difficult. 

“Flight insurance is a guarantee that your hard-earned dollars and trip plans are protected in case any problems or issues occur,” says Liuzzo-Bartholomew. However, If your trip ends up problem-free, the money spent on flight insurance can feel wasted.

Types of Flight Insurance

There are different types of flight insurance, and each type of policy covers different aspects of a trip.

Airline-issued Flight Insurance Policies

You can buy flight insurance directly from the airline when you’re purchasing a ticket. For example, American Airlines offers flight insurance policies through Allianz Travel that include trip cancellation and trip delay coverage, as well as lost and damaged bag protection. United Airlines offers policies through AIG that include coverage for flight cancellations, missed connections, and lost baggage.

These types of policies tend to offer bare-bones coverage, according to Liuzzo-Bartholomew. 

“If you add the insurance through the airlines with your flight purchase, it is more of a budget policy and includes the basics for delays, cancellations, luggage issues, and re-bookings.” 

Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policies

If you are planning an expensive trip or would rather pay a little more upfront for additional peace of mind, a comprehensive travel insurance policy may be a good option. This type of policy can still have many variables but will generally cover more than just a flight insurance policy. 

For even more flexibility, keep an eye out for a policy that includes the option to upgrade to “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance. A CFAR policy allows travelers to cancel a trip for reasons not covered in their base insurance policy. There are additional restrictions on when you can add CFAR insurance and when a trip needs to be canceled to qualify for reimbursement.

Credit Card Travel Insurance

Many credit cards come with complimentary flight insurance that can cover you in the event of disrupted travel plans. For some travelers, the coverage provided by their credit card may be enough.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a top-notch policy that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage, lost and delayed baggage coverage, and trip delay insurance that kicks in just six hours after a flight’s scheduled departure time. Another premium credit card, The Platinum Card from American Express , includes trip cancellation, interruption, and trip delay insurance.

Since we’re talking about flight insurance, you may assume that all airline co-branded credit cards come with flight insurance. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Some, like the United Club Infinite Card , include trip cancellation/interruption coverage, while others, like the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard , don’t have any type of insurance.

Keep in mind that it’s important to purchase your flight with the card that has the insurance coverage for the policy to be valid.

Giselleflissak/Getty Images

How to Choose the Best Policy

There are different types of flight insurance policies, so you’ll want to do some research to find the one that best fits your needs.

Mitch Krayton, owner of Krayton Travel and a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors, advises his clients to think about what matters most to them. “Ask what risk you are most concerned about in your travels and what support and financial compensation you are willing to pay a premium for.”

The type of flight insurance policy you’ll need will depend largely on what type of traveler you are. A couple who enjoys weekend trips to different destinations in the U.S. might not need much more than what is offered by the airline or is available through a credit card. 

However, Pamela Holt, travel expert and host of “Me, Myself & The World: The Art of Solo Travel” on Amazon Prime, illustrates an opposite scenario.  “Someone like me, who is constantly traveling solo throughout the year to remote locations and requires some flexibility with travel dates, will likely upgrade to a more comprehensive travel insurance plan,” she says.

Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images

How to Use Flight Insurance 

Picture yourself right after your flight gets canceled. The airline rebooks you on the next flight out, but it’s not until the following morning, Even if a hotel voucher is provided, you’ll still end up with out-of-pocket costs. Flight insurance can reimburse you for those extra expenses like transportation to and from the hotel and meals that won’t be covered by the airline.

If you’re making a claim on your credit card’s travel insurance, you’ll need to charge any expenses on the card that has the insurance. Save all of your receipts and grab any relevant screenshots that show your flight was delayed or canceled.

If you need to file a claim for damaged baggage, act fast. Most airlines require you to submit a claim within 24 hours of landing. Airlines are required to cover some damage in certain situations, but having a flight insurance policy can fill in the gaps between what they cover and what your out-of-pocket expenses actually are.

If you purchased a flight insurance policy from your airline or a travel insurance company, you’ll need receipts for all of your unreimbursed expenses and proof of your disrupted travel plans. Be sure to file a claim as soon as you get home, as many policies have timing requirements.

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Despite the relaxation and excitement that a vacation can bring, traveling can be stressful. You have to get to the airport on time, deal with the crowds at security, and keep all of your belongings secure — all while preparing for the possibility of a trip interruption such as a canceled flight or trip delay.

Between the bustling environment of the airport and uncontrollable factors like weather, there are many places where you can run into obstacles along your journey.

That’s why providers like American Airlines provide the option to add travel insurance coverage to your purchase. And at first glance, travel insurance may seem like a sensible purchase to protect you from anything that goes wrong with your trip.

But do you need travel insurance? If so, is American Airlines’ travel insurance actually worth buying? The short answer is usually no. In fact, AA’s policy may specifically exclude the very event you’re concerned about. In this guide, we’ll cover the ins and out of travel insurance cover so that you can make an informed decision.

To ensure you're getting the best deal on travel insurance, compare multiple quptes. You can compare easily using our free search tool right now.

What Protection Does American Airlines’ Travel Insurance Cover?

Like other travel insurances, American Airlines’ travel insurance is sometimes advertised as if it is some necessity for every conscious consumer.

But before you click “purchase,” let’s look into what this policy really covers.

American Airlines’ travel insurance policy addresses a variety of scenarios that may alter your travel plans. These situations include:

• Circumstances impacting your travel – In the cases of illness, job loss, extreme weather, or other extenuating circumstances, travelers who purchase American Airlines travel insurance may receive financial coverage of changed plans or trip cancellation.
• Cancellations – If your flight is canceled, American Airlines travel insurance may reimburse some of your expenses.
• Lost luggage – A suitcase missing at baggage claim is a nightmare for any traveler. Travel insurance could potentially cover the cost of essential items you may need to purchase at your destination if your luggage is lost or delayed in transit.
• Injury or illness – If you sustain an injury or require medical attention during your trip, travel insurance can provide you with emergency medical and dental benefits in some cases.
• Damage to your rental car – Accidents can happen even when you’re on vacation, and it can be especially difficult to resolve legal and insurance matters when you get in an accident while driving a rented vehicle. American Airlines’ travel insurance could help you cover any damage to your rental car if your auto insurance policy only covers the vehicle you own. Keep in mind that, just as with regular auto insurance, exclusions apply.
• Theft – What happens if your rental car is stolen? American Airlines travel insurance can help you work through this stressful situation by providing theft coverage.

Airport employees are always doing their best to serve you, but long lines and complicated logistics can nonetheless make for a frustrating experience when problems arise.

American Airlines tries to encourage customers to purchase travel insurance by offering a streamlined customer service experience. In addition to these various areas of coverage, American Airlines also advertises the additional perk of “24/7 assistance hotline and concierge services” for customers who opt for travel insurance.

All of these offerings combine to depict a streamlined and protected travel experience.

But how accurate is this depiction, and is this travel protection worth the cost? Read on to dive deeper into the world of travel insurance writ large.

How Do I Know if a Travel Insurance Policy Is Worth It?

You’re not even legally allowed to drive without auto insurance, so does it follow that you should never be caught in the airport without travel insurance?

Not necessarily.

Sure, any number of scenarios could unfold and derail your travel plans. Insurance exists so you can stay protected in the event of these what-ifs—accidents, illnesses, and so on.

However, travel insurance policies aren’t always as beneficial to the customer as they may seem. Airlines take a large percentage of the profit from every insurance purchase, so it benefits them to market it to their customers as more essential than it is.

• With travel insurance, you may end up saving money in the case of flight cancellation or inclement weather.
• But consider your past travel history — most of the time, everything runs smoothly. You get where you’re going without spending money on insurance.
• Even if your journey does hit a roadblock or two, the policy may still not be your most economical option. When you dig deeper into the scenarios that travel insurance policies actually cover, you can expect to find many limitations and exclusions — so the coverage may not apply to your situation at all.

Exclusions, Explained

Are you worried about the possibility of extreme global circumstances throwing a wrench into your perfectly planned vacation?

While we live in an unpredictable world, it’s important to understand that travel insurance may specifically exclude the very situation you’ve been nervous about.

Exclusions in American Airlines’ travel insurance policy include:

• Natural disasters
• Pollution leading to grounded or delayed flights
• Nuclear and radioactive events
• Civil unrest
• Government bans on travel

While these circumstances may sound extreme, less extreme conditions such as standard rain or snow will usually not alter your travel plans to the point where travel insurance would prove beneficial.

Travel Insurance and Medical Care

Maybe you’re worried about your health delaying your plans or causing you trouble once you arrive at your destination.

American Airlines’ policy also names many exclusions on when they will provide health coverage, including:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Pregnancy, fertility treatments, and childbirth
• Mental health issues including self-harm
• Health issues accompanied by alcohol or drug use
• Issues stemming from training and competition in professional or amateur sports

Whether your condition is pre-existing or you start to feel sick after consuming a few too many airport martinis, there are many scenarios where your health needs will not be covered by travel insurance.

Additionally, even though many mental health disorders can lead to or cause physical ailments, travel insurance offers no coverage for them.

If you would like to account for potential health issues during travel, be sure to do your research to make sure your areas of concern are covered by the policy.

Travel Insurance in the COVID-19 Pandemic

We’ve already talked about one major exclusion — epidemics.

Of course, we’re continuing to live with the global results of a pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak has introduced a new level of precarity to the travel industry, with increased regulations and safety measures impacting flight schedules and airline ticket availability.

This uncertainty around travel may make travel insurance seem like a reasonable step to take. If your flight is canceled or rescheduled, you don’t want to be left in the dust.

However, American Airlines’ travel insurance does not offer protection against issues caused by the pandemic.

How do other policies stack up? Unfortunately, the Consumers Checkbook explains that “Most travel insurance policies specifically list epidemics and pandemics as general exclusions, which means if you buy one of these policies you aren't covered if you cancel or interrupt your trip due to an outbreak.”

You certainly want to handle travel with care and precision. However, travel insurance may not be the best way to do so.

Your best bet is to arrive at the airport early to give yourself ample time to sort out any issues. In addition, pay attention to safety protocols to protect your health and the health of your fellow travelers.

Broad Exclusions

American Airlines goes even further to shift the responsibility onto the individual and avoid covering losses.

They list the broad exclusion of “any loss, condition, or event that was known, foreseeable, intended, or expected when your certificate was purchased.”

Intent can be a hard thing to prove. Given the wording of these exclusions, it appears that American Airlines has broad discretion to avoid payouts on travel insurance.

A 2018 study on travel insurance by the office of Senator Edward Markey — aptly titled the Flyer Beware Report — reports, “The airlines and OTAs aggressively market these insurance policies as providing total trip protection, but travelers who purchase these insurance policies through airline or OTA websites may get much less coverage — and security — than they are led to believe.”

What Other Travel Insurance Options Do I Have?

Senator Markey’s study suggests that seeking out third-party travel insurance may be more advantageous than purchasing a policy directly from your air carrier.

Just because you want to stay protected while you travel doesn’t mean you need to buy the exact policy that is being pushed on you by your airline. Remember: you are in control of the insurance that you obtain. Despite what your airline tells you, there are other options out there.

How We Can Help You Stay Protected

The insurance market can be a tricky one to navigate. Different providers attempt to pull you in different directions and persuade you to buy their products. In many cases, they may be prioritizing their profits over your best interest.

Don’t fall victim to these business practices and end up with an expensive insurance policy you don’t need. We’re here to help you navigate the world of travel insurance — and all kinds of insurance! — bringing clarity to the chaos. We offer free comparative quotes , helping businesses and consumers make connections and find excellent matches for their needs and wants.

References:

• https://www.aa.com/i18n/plan-travel/extras/trip-insurance.jsp
• https://www.allianzworldwidepartners.com/api/certificates/disclosure?ProductID=001004474&State=CA

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About The Author: Alison Tobin

Feature Insurance Writer

Alison Tobin is a Feature Insurance Writer at Clearsurance. Her writing interests include “How to” guides across different insurance types as well as other educational pieces. Alison earned a BA in Communication and Media from Merrimack College in Massachusetts. She has been working in the insurance space for 4 years.

FinanceBuzz

8 Reasons It’s Worth It To Buy Travel Insurance (And 6 Times To Skip It)

Posted: July 12, 2023 | Last updated: July 12, 2023

Life is full of unexpected events and complications, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling. If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home.

Travel insurance can help you avoid wasting money if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical coverage while you’re traveling, or send you home for medical reasons.

However, it may not always be necessary and can sometimes be a waste of money. Keep reading to learn when you should and shouldn’t opt for travel insurance.

Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel

Safety net for international travel

The number one reason people buy travel insurance is to cover an expensive trip. And if you’re traveling overseas, chances are your travels will cost a lot of money.

In addition, there are potential complications when it comes to international travel, from losing luggage during connecting flights, missed or canceled flights, sickness, and more.

And if something catastrophic happens in a foreign country, travel insurance provides evacuation so you can get home safely.

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Medical coverage

Getting sick or injured is unpleasant enough when you’re in the comfort of your home, but it’s a new beast entirely when you’re abroad.

Generally, you can expect basic medical expenses to be covered through your travel plan, often including dental. Medicare will not cover medical expenses in a foreign country. If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance for potential medical costs is worthwhile.

Cover rental car mishaps

Renting a car is a great way to get around when traveling because you can explore a place on your own. Using taxis or ride-share services may cost more money. However, even the best drivers make mistakes, and no one can protect themselves from reckless drivers.

Your U.S. car insurance won’t cover you when driving in a foreign country. So choosing the car-rental insurance option when you buy travel insurance may be a good move.

Be aware that most travel insurance rental-car plans cover collisions and may not cover medical expenses, damages to other cars or property, or personal property damage or loss.

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Pre-existing conditions often aren’t covered

Unfortunately, as with many health insurance plans, travel insurance often won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Travel health insurance is usually meant for unforeseen illnesses or injuries instead of complications due to an existing medical issue.

Even travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing issues often only cover physical maladies and exclude mental conditions and typical pregnancy-related symptoms and complications.

Protect lost luggage

A big fear for travelers is losing their luggage, either having it not arrive at the destination or stolen during their trip. Most airlines will offer reimbursement for luggage they lose, but it can take quite a while for this to process.

Travel insurance will cover the cost of replacing your clothing and other items while you wait for your luggage to be located and can also cover theft and damage.

Cover valuable items and gear

You should consider buying travel insurance if you’re traveling with valuables, including expensive jewelry, art, or even pricey sporting or adventure gear.

You’ll need to talk to the insurance agency specifically about covering your valuables, as they may need to be insured separately. Depending on your homeowners insurance policy, your jewelry may be covered even when you travel.

Sporting goods, including golf clubs, will not be covered by your homeowners insurance if you’re traveling, so you will need travel insurance to replace them if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.

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Emergencies happen

While we do our best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, we can’t stop life from happening. Things like medical emergencies, a death in the family, or other catastrophes can halt your travel plans.

If you have travel insurance, rescheduling or cancellation fees will be covered, allowing you to deal with the emergency at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about losing the money spent on the trip and subsequent fees.

Natural disaster coverage

Are you planning a fall trip to the Gulf Coast or Florida? Consider your travel destination and the time of year you're going.

If you’re visiting someplace prone to natural disasters, especially seasonal occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and such, travel insurance can help you recoup your money should these events interrupt your travel plans.

Similarly, if a natural disaster occurs during your trip, often, insurance will pay to move you to a more secure location.

Extreme adventures may not be covered

Your insurance will most likely cover typical travel-related injuries but don't expect your medical bills to be covered if your itinerary involves extreme adventures or dangerous exploits.

Surfing, sailing, kayaking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme sports do not fall into everyday illnesses or injuries. For these activities, consider getting a specific plan for adventure activities.

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Shaky travel companies

If you booked your trip through a travel company and it goes bankrupt, travel insurance may provide a safety net to ensure you get your money back.

Airlines, cruise ships, travel companies, and other travel-related businesses suffered during the pandemic, and many may not be on solid financial ground yet.

This may not be covered in a basic insurance plan, so make sure your agent adds financial default coverage if you are concerned about the health of your travel provider. 

In the situation any company or organization closes or is otherwise inoperable during your trip, you’ll be covered.

Now let’s look at times you may not need travel insurance.

Your credit card offers travel protections

Before purchasing travel insurance, consider which credit card you have. Many of the top credit cards  offer travel protections.

Some protections you may already have include lost luggage, rental car insurance, trip delay, and trip interruption or cancellation.

Credit card programs often don’t cover medical or other interruptions, so consider your priorities before choosing this option.

You have a domestic trip

If you’re traveling within the U.S. and its territories, travel insurance may not be necessary. For example, you won’t need medical coverage as your health insurance should be honored nationwide.

Domestic travel is also usually much less expensive. If you’re taking a cheap, last-minute, or nonstop flight and staying at an inexpensive hotel or rental, the cost of travel insurance may not be worth it.

One exception might be a family trip to Disney World. The estimate for a trip for a family of four in 2023 is more than $6,000, so travel insurance might be money well spent in this case.

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Don’t add expense to cheap trips

Not all travel is planned. Whether traveling for work, a family emergency, or just a last-minute vacation, you likely don’t need insurance in these circumstances. Odds are, you’re packing light, and both your flight and hotel are relatively inexpensive.

In these scenarios, the things insurance covers won’t be relevant, including baggage loss, flight cancellations, hotel issues, and so on. 

Not only will these costs likely be minimal, but they can be disputed with your airline or hotel, although it may take a little while to get your money back.

The airline has a flexible rebooking policy

If you’re buying travel insurance to cover the cost of rescheduling a flight, you’re better off purchasing a refundable ticket at a higher price. And some airlines have more flexible policies now.

Many airlines allow last-minute ticket changes and will even help you reschedule your flight within a specific timeframe. The timeframe and policy vary by airline, and you may be subject to a nominal cancellation or rebooking fee, but it will be significantly less than insurance.

Insurance will not cover political unrest

One emergency situation insurance probably won’t cover is war or political unrest. If you’re visiting a location with political tensions and your trip is canceled as a result, don’t expect your insurance to cover the costs.

Insurance companies generally follow the travel advisories the U.S. State Department issued for medical and political situations.

Similarly, insurance won't cover these costs if you have to leave your trip early for safety concerns. Consider your destination's political environment before booking your travel or buying insurance.

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Your hotel may cover cancellations

Many hotel cancellation policies have tiers depending on the booking you make. For example, some may have free cancellation within a specific period, while others charge different rates for rooms booked as non-refundable or partially refundable.

If your sole reason for purchasing insurance is hotel flexibility, consult with the hotel before you book. They may have a policy as flexible as your insurance or can work with you should something unexpected arise.

Penalty-free cancellations for major hotels tend to be around 24-48 hours prior to arrival.

Bottom line

Travel insurance may be pricey, but it’s a lifesaver in many situations. However, in others, it’s overkill and a waste of money.

Every travel situation is different, so consider your specific needs when purchasing. And, if you want more money to cover your insurance, consider these ways to make extra cash for travel funds.

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• 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
• 12 legit ways to earn extra cash.
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Is the Delta Platinum Amex worth it? For many, yes. Here’s how to be sure it’s right for you

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  

Delta recently revamped their credit card offering and made their Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card a lot more attractive to both casual and power users alike. Whether you’re a Delta frequent flyer or casual user, the card has a good value proposition for many different kinds of people. The card doesn’t have a terribly strong earning rate for rewards, but the ancillary benefits more than make up for that. This card could make sense to have and to hold, but not for necessarily everyday use.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

See Rates and Fees

Intro Bonus

Reward rates.

• 3x Earn 3 miles per dollar at hotels
• 2x Earn 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
• 1x Earn 1 mile per dollar of eligible purchases.
• Benefits for Delta flyers, like first checked bag free, MQD Boost and MQD earned through spending
• Companion certificate good for a round trip domestic, Caribbean or Central American Main Cabin flight each year upon renewal of your card
• 15% Discount on Award Tickets on Delta Flights
• High annual fee
• Limited travel insurance options
• Companion pass comes with limitations
• Statement credits toward Delta Stays, Resy and rideshare purchases
• Consumer protections including cell phone insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection

For whom is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card worth it?

One of the main reasons people consider an airline credit card is the perks that you can get by flying with the airline or rewards for using your card in everyday spending. This card shines with Delta Air Lines related benefits including checked bag waivers, priority boarding, achieving elite status, a companion pass for free travel, access to the upgrade list and more. 

The rewards earned aren’t great, but they’re also not subpar. Overall, it’s a good card for someone who wants to increase their relationship with one of the world’s largest airlines.

Someone pursuing elite status with Delta

Chances are that if you’re flying enough to take advantage of all the benefits of the Delta Platinum American Express card, you’re going to be knocking on the door of elite status soon. Simply holding the card will get you a $2,500 MQD (Medallion Qualifying Dollars) boost each year, enough to get you halfway to Silver Medallion status. 

If you’re racking up spend through purchases, you can also add $1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card. While it may not be a ton of MQDs, for every $10,000 spent on the card you’ll net $500 MQD.

People who can make use of the monthly rebates

Every month you’ll earn $10 in credit for rideshare services and $10 for Resy purchases in the U.S. There’s also a $150 credit that comes after booking a prepaid hotel or vacation package via the Delta Stays website. 

While the $150 comes in one fell swoop, the $120 for rideshare and Resy restaurants come in $10 monthly chunks, and if you don’t use them each month, you’ll lose them. If there are restaurants that participate in the Resy network nearby where you live, then this could be an easy redemption. Otherwise, make sure to not forget to use them every month.

People who are on Delta planes fairly often

If you’re a casual Delta flyer then you’re probably not considering applying for this card anyway, but it goes without saying that the person getting the most benefits from this card is someone who flies with Delta on the regular.

The companion pass that comes with the card is good for a round trip flight in the Main Cabin to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, so you can take a trip with a friend or loved one each year. You’ll earn miles and MQD for the trip as the primary cardholder but the guest will not be eligible to earn any miles.

The other fringe benefits of the card such as the TakeOff15 discount, free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary Medallion upgrades and elite status boost will all benefit you only when you’re flying on Delta.

For whom is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card not worth it?

If you don’t think that you’ll be able to achieve elite status and you’re just looking for some basic flight benefits, the card might be a little too expensive and too powerful for the general user. Also, if you value using airport lounges when you travel, know that the card offers zero ability to enter the Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. In the past you had the ability to purchase day passes at a reduced rate, but that benefit has been discontinued.

Big Spenders

For those looking to spend multiples of tens of thousands of dollars a year, there are other personal cards that could provide more value. Apart from the 3 miles per dollar at hotels and the 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, 1 mile per dollar of eligible purchases.

There are many cards on the market that offer multipliers for all purchases no matter the source. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2x miles on everyday purchases and 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. The American Express® Gold Card earns 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x), along with 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, giving you the chance to earn potentially thousands more rewards each and every year.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card , see this page . 

Travelers who value flexibility in your reward choices

All Delta credit cards from American Express earn only one type of reward, Delta SkyMiles. Those miles can be used on Delta flights and flights with the Delta partners, but offer poor redemption values elsewhere.

If you enjoy the flexibility of using your rewards on multiple airlines, hotels, or even just for cash back, you’ll want to consider a card that earns a flexible reward currency. Look for cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou points, or Capital One Venture X Miles. All of these will allow you the flexibility to redeem however you like.

How to Maximize Rewards with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Since this card earns bonuses of 3 miles per dollar at hotels and 2X miles on dining, make sure that you’re pulling out this card to pay at all your hotels and restaurants. This will make sure that you’re earning as many SkyMiles as possible. Don’t forget that this card also works to earn 2X miles on supermarkets in the U.S., offering you the ability to earn even more.

Another pro tip is to set up alerts to remind you about using your monthly credits. You could set a reminder every 15th of the month telling you to “use my Delta Amex credits,” that way not a single one goes to waste.

Finally, don’t miss out on the welcome bonus. Currently there is a limited time offer of 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. If you don’t hit this number, you will have missed out on a huge number of miles for your future travel. If you’re worried you are getting close but you don’t know how much more you have to spend, call the number on the back of the card or contact Amex via chat. They’ll be able to give you the amount you need to achieve your bonus.

The takeaway

While the annual fee might be a turn-off for many applicants, the benefits have the ability to strongly outweigh the price. Between the rideshare, restaurant, hotel, and Global Entry credits you’re earning well over the annual fee, a total of $490 back every year. Those credits don’t even take into account the money you’ll save by taking a friend or loved one with you on a vacation somewhere nice with the annual companion pass. Overall this card makes a solid choice for those looking to increase their flight benefits with Delta Air Lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the companion pass difficult to use.

While there are certain restrictions on where and when you can use the pass, using it is quite simple. When you log into your Delta account the certificate will be automatically loaded for you in the “certificates and eCredits” section of the website. 

Simply make your booking like you would as normal, and the computer will automatically apply the certificate discount for you. Make sure to give yourself plenty of advance notice to get the best pricing and availability for flights.

How do I apply the Take Off15 discount?

There are no special promotion codes or special code to enter to use the 15% discount on Delta flights. When you are logged into your SkyMiles account, the system will automatically detect that you have a Delta SkyMiles Platinum credit card and the 15% will come off the top. If you’re not seeing the discount, make sure that you’re redeeming for Delta flights and not for one of their partners.

Do the miles I earn with the credit card expire?

There’s no rush to use the miles you earn since Delta got rid of their expiration of their SkyMiles quite some time back. This gives you the chance to build up a balance to save for the flight of your dreams without feeling the FOMO of having to use your miles before a certain date.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

Airline credit cards vs. travel credit cards: Which are best?

Credit cards aimed at travelers come in various forms, the two most popular being airline credit cards and travel credit cards . While both types of cards can help you pay for travel, several differences may affect your choice.

Choosing a card that best suits your travel needs can be challenging considering how competitive the landscape has become regarding welcome offers, card rewards and other benefits. We review the ins and outs of airline and travel credit cards to help you determine which type of card is right for you.

What is an airline credit card?

Airline credit cards are cobranded cards offered by the issuer and a partner airline that provide benefits for flying with that specific airline. Airline credit cards earn miles associated with the airline's frequent flyer program , which you can redeem for flights on that carrier or its partner airlines.

The annual fee for airline credit cards can range from no annual fee to upward of $500. Usually, an airline credit card with a higher annual fee includes impressive benefits such as increased earning rates, free checked bags and statement credits, among other perks.

For example, the United Quest℠ Card has an annual fee of $250 and offers 8 miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, up to $125 annual statement credit for United purchases, priority boarding and other impressive benefits.

Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

Pros and cons of airline credit cards

When comparing airline and travel credit cards, there are several reasons why you might prefer an airline credit card. Although not an exhaustive list, the following table highlights the pros and cons of airline credit cards.

When does an airline credit card make sense?

Several factors may play a role in dictating whether an airline credit card makes sense. As a cardholder, if you live near an airport with a hub for a specific airline, having a card for that airline makes sense to maximize your benefits.

For example, residents who live near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), a United hub, should consider a United credit card , such as the United Club℠ Infinite Card or the United℠ Explorer Card , to take advantage of lounges, free checked bags, priority boarding and redemption options for award flights.

If you don't live near an airline hub and aren't committed to a particular carrier, an airline credit card might not be your best option.

Related: The best credit cards to reach elite status

What is a travel credit card?

A travel credit card earns rewards on all purchases, including bonus-earning categories. You can use your rewards to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more. A travel credit card earns rewards within the issuer's own ecosystem rather than through a specific airline frequent flyer program.

Examples of credit card programs include American Express Membership Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards , and Capital One Miles .

Annual fees for travel credit cards can range from nothing to $700, corresponding to the card's perks and benefits. Typically, the higher the annual fee, the more valuable the benefits, whereas the lower the annual fee, the opposite is true.

For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express has an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees ) but offers perks and benefits that can easily top $1,000. Benefits include an annual up to $200 hotel credit, an annual up to $200 airline credit, up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue statement credit (up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December; enrollment required), a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit and an entertainment credit for select streaming services.

Travel credit cards can offer other travel-related perks, such as complimentary travel insurance, including emergency travel medical, trip delay or cancellation**, and baggage insurance***.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Related: The best time to apply for these 10 popular travel credit cards, based on offer history

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Based on your personal preferences, travel credit cards may be more appealing than airline cards. Although not an exhaustive list, consider the following travel credit card pros and cons before you apply.

Travel credit cards maximize flexibility for cardholders thanks to their ability to earn transferable currency points . In addition to not being limited to one airline, you can often redeem your points toward hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and more.

As cards become more premium, so do their benefits, which translates to high annual fees. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $300 annual credit and Priority Pass lounge access but has an annual fee of $550.

When does a travel credit card make sense?

If you are flexible about the airline carriers you choose to fly with, a travel credit card makes sense. You'll benefit from bonus points for travel-related purchases, such as airfare, hotels, rental cars and sometimes parking meters and tolls.

When contemplating between travel and airline credit cards, remember that travel credit cards won't help you earn elite status, unlike some airline cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® . The biggest benefit of a travel credit card is the flexibility you get when redeeming your points or miles.

Unlike an airline credit card, travel credit cards have a variety of transfer partners you can use to book your next adventure.

Related: How many credit cards should I have?

Should you get both?

Both airline credit cards and travel credit cards have pros and cons. For example, it pays to have an airline credit card if you regularly check bags for domestic flights, especially considering the increase in checked bag fees across numerous carriers . Meanwhile, travel credit cards offer various travel insurance coverages that can provide peace of mind while traveling.

My very first travel-orientated card was the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® because I found value in American Airlines' award chart and had several American flights lined up for the year in which I needed checked bags.

The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Soon afterward, I opened a Chase Sapphire Reserve for its lounge access, transfer partners and annual travel credit. Nowadays, I use both cards. However, since I have elite status with American, the Citi card's free checked bag is less important. That said, I still hold onto the card to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

Bottom line

Both airline credit cards and travel credit cards offer benefits. They can offset travel costs and provide perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags, lounge access and various statement credits. We recommend choosing a card based on your travel needs and circumstances. You may even benefit from holding both types of cards, as long as you're maximizing the perks.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here .

American Airlines flight blows tire during takeoff, lands safely at LAX, authorities say

An American Airlines flight landed safely in Los Angeles Wednesday night after the Boeing plane blew a tire during takeoff from Dallas, federal authorities said.

American Airlines flight 345, a Boeing 777 plane, took off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and landed at Los Angeles International Airport without incident around 8:45 p.m. local time Wednesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines.

"The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally," the airline said in a statement sent to USA TODAY.

According to the airline, the pilots "received an indication that the pressure was low in one of the aircraft’s tires," before landing.

There were no immediate reports of injury to anyone on board.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

The blown tire is the latest incident to plague the aviation industry in recent weeks.

Watch: Tire falls off United Airlines plane after takeoff, damages cars in parking lot

LATAM Airlines: 50 people injured, 13 sent to hospital after 'technical event' on flight

Last week, a United Airlines flight from Houston that was headed to Florida made an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire midair.

“United flight 1118 returned to Houston shortly after takeoff due to an engine issue. The flight landed safely, and the passengers deplaned normally," United released in a statement to USA TODAY.

In another incident, a United flight that took off from San Fransisco and was heading to Japan made an emergency landing in LAX after one of the six landing gear tires on the Boeing 777-200 plane fell off.

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The Fallout From a Credit Card Shake-Up

A proposed settlement between Visa and Mastercard and merchants on swipe fees promises savings, but it may also alter the economics of premium credit cards.

By Andrew Ross Sorkin ,  Ravi Mattu ,  Bernhard Warner ,  Sarah Kessler ,  Michael J. de la Merced ,  Lauren Hirsch and Ephrat Livni

A settlement that could scramble the credit card business

A long-running fight between the credit card giants Visa and Mastercard and retailers in the United States is nearing an end, with the promise of lower fees for merchants.

But the proposed class-action settlement could have wider consequences, including for the lucrative business of high-end credit cards — and for retailers.

What’s in the settlement: Visa and Mastercard said on Tuesday that they had agreed to reduce swipe fees, costs associated with the use of a credit card, for about five years. Lawyers for merchants who had brought the case estimate that this could save about $30 billion worth of fees.

Perhaps more important, merchants will be able to raise their prices based on the kind of card. For example, buying groceries with a higher-fee card — typically a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve — could become more expensive than paying with a lower-end one.

Why it matters: Swipe fees, also known as interchange fees, are a big business; the Nilson Report, which tracks the payments industry, estimates that Visa, Mastercard and card-issuing banks collected $72 billion last year alone.

For card issuers, much of that money is then funneled into rewards associated with high-end cards, which entice consumers to spend more, racking up more fees for the banks (and, potentially, interest on unpaid balances).

The settlement may change that business. Consumers may be less inclined to use higher-end cards if it means they will have to pay more. Some analysts think banks could still fiddle with rewards programs to keep users hooked, but the business probably won’t be as profitable as it once was.

Retailers will face a choice. They will have the freedom to charge more for the use of rewards cards, but will they want to annoy customers?

The proposed change “makes the merchants the tax collector for the charges — and it makes merchants the bad guy in the eyes of the consumer,” Doug Kantor, general counsel for the National Association of Convenience Stores, told The Times. (Some merchants may end up swallowing the costs.)

Expect further pressure on the credit card industry. Some analysts say the settlement allows smaller retailers to band together to negotiate with card issuers. And Senator Dick Durbin, the Illinois Democrat who has long fought to rein in swipe fees, will most likely press forward with legislation that would impose more competition upon Visa and Mastercard .

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING

The Supreme Court looks unlikely to restrict access to mifepristone. Justices appeared skeptical of arguments made on Tuesday that the F.D.A. acted improperly in widening availability of the abortion pill. While the case touches on abortion, experts say it has more consequences for the rule-making ability of federal agencies.

The F.T.C. reportedly may sue TikTok over its data security practices. The agency is examining whether the video app deceived users by denying that individuals in China had access to their data and ran afoul of a child privacy law, according to Politico. Federal charges would be the latest point of pressure on ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant, as Congress weighs forcing it to divest TikTok over national security concerns.

Cocoa prices hit a record. May futures for the commodity broke past $10,000 per metric ton on Tuesday, as unfavorable weather conditions and disease have ravaged cocoa crops in major producers like Ivory Coast and Ghana. That could hurt snack giants like Hershey and Mondelez, which have been raising prices for chocolate products and increasingly promoting non-chocolate alternatives .

Apple is expected to introduce its artificial intelligence strategy in June. Bloomberg reports that the iPhone maker’s annual developers conference, scheduled to begin June 10, will focus heavily on A.I. (An Apple executive said in the event’s announcement that it would be “Absolutely Incredible” — get it?) Tech watchers have awaited updates from the company on the sector amid reports that it has been in talks with Google and OpenAI about incorporating their services into iOS.

The impact from the Baltimore bridge collapse

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the shutdown of one of the United States’ busiest ports is testing an already strained global supply chain, with experts warning that the deadly episode could lead to a wave of insurance claims worth billions of dollars and cause significant economic damage .

The authorities are investigating why the propulsion system on the Dali, a 985-foot-long cargo ship that struck the bridge, failed. Officials said that six missing construction crew members that had been working on the span were presumed dead.

The ship was carrying cargo for the Danish shipping giant Maersk. Built in 2015, the Dali was a workhorse used worldwide. Last year, inspectors in Chile flagged a deficiency with the boat’s “propulsion and auxiliary machinery,” but it’s unclear if that’s related to Tuesday’s incident.

The collision puts a focus on the nation’s aging infrastructure. President Biden said he wanted the federal government to pay to rebuild the bridge (an investment that could have an inflationary effect, Citigroup’s Andrew Hollenhorst told Bloomberg ).

Last year, more than $80 billion worth of goods transited through the Port of Baltimore, including lumber, coal and construction equipment. Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen largely rely on the port to ship cars and light trucks .

Companies and shipping operators were scrambling to reroute cargo vessels. Disruptions during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic showed how quickly delays could snarl the logistics sector, creating traffic jams and weekslong waits at sea . But big lessons have been learned on how to adapt.

“The ports in Norfolk and New York and New Jersey have capacity to handle the overflow,” Lars Jensen, the C.E.O. of Vespucci Maritime, a consulting firm, told DealBook. “This will create some delays and bottlenecks and costs, but nothing disastrous.”

Global trade routes are already under pressure. The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has vowed to step up its attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a campaign that has muddled a vital trade route and sent freight rates soaring . Ships are also avoiding the drought-stricken Panama Canal .

Until Tuesday, trade routes into the East Coast of the U.S. had been largely free of disruption, analysts note.

A new front in the U.S.-China trade fight

President Xi Jinping of China met with a group of U.S. business leaders in Beijing on Wednesday, trying to show that his country isn’t closed to American businesses and investors.

But the photo op probably won’t end trade tensions between the world’s two biggest economies, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen set to issue a new warning about China’s clean energy exports flooding the global market.

The C.E.O.s wanted to project normality. American executives who attended the event — including Steve Schwarzman of Blackstone; Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm; Raj Subramaniam of FedEx; Evan Greenberg of Chubb, the insurance company; and Mark Carney, the former central banker who now chairs Bloomberg L.P. — were eager to affirm their commitment to a vital global market.

And Xi sought to reinforce his dominance. Even the logistics of the event, including whether Xi would host it and last-minute invites that forced many attendees to rejig their schedules , were a “total power move,” according to one longtime China watcher.

But a new trade fight over green energy is about to open. Yellen is expected to say in a speech on Wednesday that Chinese exports could distort the market in a way that “hurts American firms and workers” and could damage the global economy. She is expected to make her second trip to China as Treasury secretary in the coming weeks.

China has poured billions into clean tech. The country spent more than $130 billion last year in the solar industry alone, according to the energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, which estimates that China will dominate that business for years.

The Biden administration has drawn criticism for its own green energy policies. The Inflation Reduction Act made available billions in federal subsidies to bolster domestic production of electric vehicles and other clean tech. That has angered European countries , who say that the incentives are pulling investment away from the continent to the U.S.

Beijing has been hitting back on trade. It filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization on Tuesday claiming that the Biden administration’s subsidies for domestic E.V. makers discriminated against Chinese companies.

In other U.S.-China business news: Elon Musk’s close ties with China made Tesla a global powerhouse, but also opened up new vulnerabilities for the mogul. And iPhone shipments in China , a crucial market for Apple, fell again last month amid growing competition from domestic rivals.

“They’re a real and present danger, and wildfires are happening right now.”

— Rob de Pruis , an official at a Canadian insurance industry trade body, warning that companies and governments are bracing for a repeat of last summer when record numbers of forest fires blanketed North America in smoke.

Takeaways from Trump Media’s blockbuster debut

Donald Trump’s social media company is up again in premarket trading on Wednesday after its first day of trading.

Shares in Trump Media & Technology Group climbed as much as 59 percent on Tuesday despite choppy trading that forced a brief halt. The rally added billions in paper wealth to the former president’s fortunes as he faces huge legal bills and runs for president. Still, the company isn’t profitable and has tiny revenues and user numbers compared with other social media platforms.

Here are three things that have markets watchers buzzing:

At Tuesday’s close, Trump Media had a market capitalization of about $8 billion, making it more valuable than companies like Alaska Airlines and Western Union.

The company was trading at price-to-sales ratio of roughly 2,300 , an eye-wateringly high valuation compared with peers like Reddit. The company had reported sales of $3.3 million in the first nine months of last year and recorded a loss of $49 million.

Trump Media’s stock has become one of the most expensive to short , according to S3 Partners, a data firm that tracks such trades.

THE SPEED READ

Alibaba, the Chinese internet giant, abandoned plans to take its logistics business public in Hong Kong, four months after it scrapped an I.P.O. of its cloud unit. (WSJ)

International Paper is in talks to buy DS Smith for about $7.2 billion, setting up a potential bidding war with Mondi over the British packaging company. (Reuters)

“The U.S. Investors Caught in the Scrum Over TikTok” (NYT)

Andy Bechtolsheim , the billionaire co-founder of Sun Microsystems, agreed to be barred from serving as an executive or board member of a public company for five years after he was accused of insider trading. (Bloomberg)

“Tax the Rich Is Actually a Popular Bipartisan Stance , Poll Shows” (Bloomberg)

Could the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple put a chill on Big Tech’s stock buyback binge ? (FT)

Best of the rest

Investors betting against crypto-linked stocks like MicroStrategy and Coinbase have lost almost $2 billion this year as Bitcoin has hit record levels. (Business Insider)

As President Biden has crusaded against carbon emissions, he’s also presided over an oil boom . (Axios)

“The War at Stanford ” (The Atlantic)

We’d like your feedback! Please email thoughts and suggestions to [email protected] .

Andrew Ross Sorkin is a columnist and the founder and editor at large of DealBook. He is a co-anchor of CNBC’s "Squawk Box" and the author of “Too Big to Fail.” He is also a co-creator of the Showtime drama series "Billions." More about Andrew Ross Sorkin

Ravi Mattu is the managing editor of DealBook, based in London. He joined The New York Times in 2022 from the Financial Times, where he held a number of senior roles in Hong Kong and London. More about Ravi Mattu

Bernhard Warner is a senior editor for DealBook, a newsletter from The Times, covering business trends, the economy and the markets. More about Bernhard Warner

Sarah Kessler is an editor for the DealBook newsletter and writes features on business and how workplaces are changing. More about Sarah Kessler

Michael de la Merced joined The Times as a reporter in 2006, covering Wall Street and finance. Among his main coverage areas are mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and the private equity industry. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Lauren Hirsch joined The Times from CNBC in 2020, covering deals and the biggest stories on Wall Street. More about Lauren Hirsch

Ephrat Livni reports from Washington on the intersection of business and policy for DealBook. Previously, she was a senior reporter at Quartz, covering law and politics, and has practiced law in the public and private sectors.   More about Ephrat Livni