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A credit card’s travel insurance feature may not sound as exciting as a 100,000-point sign-up bonus or a high earning rate on everyday spending — but when you find yourself in a bind, it can be significantly more valuable.
Find the right travel credit card with travel insurance
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Restrictions, delays, cancellations, and various other misfortunes continue to seesaw in response to developing news of the coronavirus and its variants (most recently Omicron). If you’re a would-be traveler who is now rethinking an upcoming vacation or work trips, you’ll benefit from having a card that reimburses you for things like:
- Non-refundable flights
- Delayed bags
- Missed connections
- Illness that cuts your travel short
- Death
Here’s everything you need to know about credit card travel insurance, along with the best credit cards offering the most comprehensive coverage.
Different types of travel insurance
Let’s examine some important definitions before we jump into the best credit cards with travel insurance. Several types of protections fall under the umbrella of travel insurance:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance — This protects you if you’re no longer able to go on a covered trip or your covered trip is interrupted mid-travel for reasons such as illness, injury, weather, or a terrorist incident. This is the type of coverage you’d invoke if you needed to adjust your travel plans due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
- Trip delay insurance — If your covered trip is delayed by a specified number of hours due to a covered reason, this will cover expenses like meals and lodging (up to a specified maximum).
- Baggage delay insurance — This coverage provides reimbursement for essentials like clothes and toiletries if your luggage is delayed on a covered trip.
- Lost luggage insurance — If your carry-on or checked baggage goes missing, this coverage could reimburse you up to a specified amount.
- Rental car insurance — Many credit cards offer either primary or secondary car rental insurance, so you can waive the coverage offered for an additional fee when you rent a car. With primary car rental insurance, in the event of damage due to theft or collision, your credit card coverage will kick in before your personal insurance. With secondary insurance, the coverage kicks in after whatever other insurance is in place. Note that liability coverage isn’t included in any credit card auto collision damage waiver.
- Travel accident insurance — This is the kind of insurance you’ll hopefully never have to use.
- Emergency evacuation insurance — If you’re injured or otherwise incapacitated and need to be evacuated, this coverage would reimburse expenses such as a helicopter evacuation.
For these coverages to kick in, you’ll have to pay for your travel with a card that offers trip insurance. In other words, if you book your flight and hotels with a debit card, you won’t be eligible for coverage from your credit card.
Read more: I only use a credit card for my spending — here’s why I never use debit or cash
On that same note, however, redeeming airline miles or bank points for your travel should not disqualify you from coverage — as long as you pay the taxes and fees with your eligible credit card.
Compare the best travel credit cards with travel insurance
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular APR
19.24% – 26.24% Variable
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
18.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$695
See Rates and Fees
Show more
Intro offer
100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular APR
18.24% – 25.24% Variable
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
18.24% – 23.24% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Intro offer
50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Less Highlights. Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet Less Highlights. Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Intro offer
50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Less Highlights. Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet Less Highlights. Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Less Highlights. Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet Less Highlights. Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases.
Intro offer
50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Regular APR
16.99% – 23.99% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the measuring stick with which we compare all credit card travel insurance. Its generous coverages are the best in the business — though when it comes to trip cancellation/interruption insurance (the type of coverage you’d need to use in the event of illness such as the flu), its coverage is identical to other cards with significantly lower annual fees, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Here’s what to expect:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, cruises, etc.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 in reimbursement per day for up to five days for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries for baggage delays of six hours or more.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to $75,000 for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
- Emergency evacuation coverage: Up to $100,000 to cover you, your spouse/domestic partner, and/or legally dependent children for emergency evacuation and related emergency medical services.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee, but it also comes with valuable travel benefits such as:
You’ll also earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening on your Chase Sapphire Reserve. That’s worth $1,080 in travel, based on Insider’s valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.8 cents each.. Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review for everything you need to know.
Read more: Top benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the newest member of the premium credit card space. It offers top-notch travel insurance for an annual fee of $395. Here’s what you’ll get:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $2,000 per person for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel bookings, etc.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging when your trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: If you or an immediate family member’s check or carry-on luggage is damaged or lost, you’re covered for the difference between the “value of the amount claimed” and the common carrier’s compensation, up to $3,000 per covered trip.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to $75,000 for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, new cardholders receive. It also comes with travel perks like:
- Up to $300 per year in statement credits toward Capital One Travel bookings
- Priority Pass and Capital One airport lounge access
- 10,000-mile bonus each account anniversary
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Read our Capital One Venture X credit card review for more info.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is arguably the most potent travel card on the market. It’s jammed full of travel and “lifestyle” benefits, some of which are extremely generous.
Many of its travel insurance benefits come with more restrictions than Chase’s policies, such as the limit of up to two claims per consecutive 12-month period for the trip cancellation and trip delay benefits, but hopefully, you’ll never have to take advantage of this coverage more than twice a year.
Here are the card’s travel coverages:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per card for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, and hotels in a consecutive 12-month period.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay — with a maximum of two claims per eligible card in a consecutive 12-month period.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per covered person for checked luggage, up to $3,000 per person for carry-on luggage.
- Rental car coverage: Primary rental car insurance when you pay between $19.95 and $24.95 per rental period (not per day). You are covered for up to $100,000 in damage or theft.
- Emergency evacuation coverage: You, your spouse/domestic partner, and/or legally dependent children are covered for emergency evacuation and related emergency medical services, no matter how much it costs. You must be at least 100 miles from home.
This card has a $695 annual fee — but it also offers 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership. That’s worth $1,800 in travel per Insider’s valuations. You’ll also find travel perks such as:
Read our American Express Platinum credit card review.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the single best beginner points credit card. Its annual fee is reasonable at $95 per year, and it manages to offer many similar travel protections as much more expensive credit cards:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, and hotels
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 in reimbursement per day for up to five days for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries for baggage delays of six hours or more.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to the actual cash value of the rental car for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
You may notice a few couple differences between this card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Most notably, the Chase Sapphire Preferred trip delay insurance kicks in after 12 hours — instead of six hours with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $1,080 in travel, per Insider’s valuations. You can read our Chase Sapphire Preferred card review for more details of this card.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
If you have a for-profit venture, even if it’s a side-gig, you qualify for small business credit cards. Whether you are a tutor, tennis instructor, DoorDash delivery driver, or freelance writer, you should have your eye on cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
This card comes with a $95 annual fee, and offers travel insurance benefits similar to personal credit cards — but occasionally with conditions that you must be traveling for business:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $5,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, and hotels.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 in reimbursement per day for up to five days for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries for baggage delays of six hours or more.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage when you’re renting a car for business purposes; up to the actual cash value of the rental car for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage
The Ink Business Preferred comes with 100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $1,800 in travel, according to Insider’s valuations. Read our Ink Business Preferred card review.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a great alternative for those of us who have already opened the majority of the above cards. It’s got a $400 annual fee, but it also allows you to easily rack up points. For example, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on any purchase for which you use your card via a mobile wallet like Samsung Pay or Apple Pay.
Here are the card’s travel coverages:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $2,000 per person for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses from the common carrier.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to $75,000 for theft and damage to rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card comes with 50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These points are worth 1.5 cents each when you use them toward travel. That means this bonus is worth $750. You’ll also get benefits like:
- $325 in annual travel credits
- Up to $100 in statement credits toward Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
- 30% discount on Silvercar rentals
Frequently asked questions
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the most comprehensive travel insurance, covering everything from trip cancellations and interruptions to delayed baggage.
Most rewards credit cards offer some degree of travel insurance, but the specifics can vary wildly from card to card. The big exception is Citi, which eliminated most elements of its travel coverage from cards in late 2019. Don’t reserve travel with a Citi card if you want any sort of insurance.
If you have one of the credit cards featured in this guide, you may not need an additional travel insurance policy. However, make sure you read the fine print of your credit card’s benefits guides to make sure the travel coverage is sufficient for your needs — and so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises like finding out you aren’t eligible for coverage when it’s too late.
On the other hand, if you want some extra peace of mind, or if there’s a good chance you may cancel your non-refundable trip, it’s worth looking into supplementary travel insurance. Also keep in mind that you may need to purchase travel insurance if you’re traveling for an extended period, since most credit card travel insurance only applies for about a month-long trip.
Refer to your credit card’s benefits guide, but as a general rule credit card travel insurance applies to the cardholder and the cardholder’s immediate family.
Each credit card travel insurance policy is different, so it’s important to look at your specific card’s benefits guide to make sure you know exactly what is and what is not covered. And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to call the card issuer for clarification!
Your credit card travel insurance won’t cover a trip that you don’t purchase with the card, though in some cases paying for a trip in full or in part with that card’s rewards points will qualify you for coverage.
Other areas where potential exclusions could crop up are covered reasons (if your trip is canceled or delayed because decide to change your plans, not because of illness or weather), covered trip length (most credit card travel insurance is capped at a certain amount of time, usually around a month), and covered destination (if you’re traveling to a region where your card’s coverage doesn’t apply).
Compare Insider’s picks for the best travel insurance »
Insider’s experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
A credit card’s travel insurance feature may not sound as exciting as a 100,000-point sign-up bonus or a high earning rate on everyday spending — but when you find yourself in a bind, it can be significantly more valuable.
Find the right travel credit card with travel insurance
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Restrictions, delays, cancellations, and various other misfortunes continue to seesaw in response to developing news of the coronavirus and its variants (most recently Omicron). If you’re a would-be traveler who is now rethinking an upcoming vacation or work trips, you’ll benefit from having a card that reimburses you for things like:
- Non-refundable flights
- Delayed bags
- Missed connections
- Illness that cuts your travel short
- Death
Here’s everything you need to know about credit card travel insurance, along with the best credit cards offering the most comprehensive coverage.
Different types of travel insurance
Let’s examine some important definitions before we jump into the best credit cards with travel insurance. Several types of protections fall under the umbrella of travel insurance:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance — This protects you if you’re no longer able to go on a covered trip or your covered trip is interrupted mid-travel for reasons such as illness, injury, weather, or a terrorist incident. This is the type of coverage you’d invoke if you needed to adjust your travel plans due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
- Trip delay insurance — If your covered trip is delayed by a specified number of hours due to a covered reason, this will cover expenses like meals and lodging (up to a specified maximum).
- Baggage delay insurance — This coverage provides reimbursement for essentials like clothes and toiletries if your luggage is delayed on a covered trip.
- Lost luggage insurance — If your carry-on or checked baggage goes missing, this coverage could reimburse you up to a specified amount.
- Rental car insurance — Many credit cards offer either primary or secondary car rental insurance, so you can waive the coverage offered for an additional fee when you rent a car. With primary car rental insurance, in the event of damage due to theft or collision, your credit card coverage will kick in before your personal insurance. With secondary insurance, the coverage kicks in after whatever other insurance is in place. Note that liability coverage isn’t included in any credit card auto collision damage waiver.
- Travel accident insurance — This is the kind of insurance you’ll hopefully never have to use.
- Emergency evacuation insurance — If you’re injured or otherwise incapacitated and need to be evacuated, this coverage would reimburse expenses such as a helicopter evacuation.
For these coverages to kick in, you’ll have to pay for your travel with a card that offers trip insurance. In other words, if you book your flight and hotels with a debit card, you won’t be eligible for coverage from your credit card.
Read more: I only use a credit card for my spending — here’s why I never use debit or cash
On that same note, however, redeeming airline miles or bank points for your travel should not disqualify you from coverage — as long as you pay the taxes and fees with your eligible credit card.
Compare the best travel credit cards with travel insurance
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
Show more
Regular APR
19.24% – 26.24% Variable
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
18.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$695
See Rates and Fees
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Intro offer
100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular APR
18.24% – 25.24% Variable
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Intro offer
100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
18.24% – 23.24% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Intro offer
50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Less Highlights. Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet Less Highlights. Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Intro offer
50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Less Highlights. Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet Less Highlights. Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Less Highlights. Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet Less Highlights. Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases.
Intro offer
50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Regular APR
16.99% – 23.99% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the measuring stick with which we compare all credit card travel insurance. Its generous coverages are the best in the business — though when it comes to trip cancellation/interruption insurance (the type of coverage you’d need to use in the event of illness such as the flu), its coverage is identical to other cards with significantly lower annual fees, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Here’s what to expect:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, cruises, etc.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 in reimbursement per day for up to five days for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries for baggage delays of six hours or more.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to $75,000 for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
- Emergency evacuation coverage: Up to $100,000 to cover you, your spouse/domestic partner, and/or legally dependent children for emergency evacuation and related emergency medical services.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee, but it also comes with valuable travel benefits such as:
You’ll also earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening on your Chase Sapphire Reserve. That’s worth $1,080 in travel, based on Insider’s valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.8 cents each.. Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review for everything you need to know.
Read more: Top benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the newest member of the premium credit card space. It offers top-notch travel insurance for an annual fee of $395. Here’s what you’ll get:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $2,000 per person for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel bookings, etc.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging when your trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: If you or an immediate family member’s check or carry-on luggage is damaged or lost, you’re covered for the difference between the “value of the amount claimed” and the common carrier’s compensation, up to $3,000 per covered trip.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to $75,000 for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, new cardholders receive. It also comes with travel perks like:
- Up to $300 per year in statement credits toward Capital One Travel bookings
- Priority Pass and Capital One airport lounge access
- 10,000-mile bonus each account anniversary
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Read our Capital One Venture X credit card review for more info.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is arguably the most potent travel card on the market. It’s jammed full of travel and “lifestyle” benefits, some of which are extremely generous.
Many of its travel insurance benefits come with more restrictions than Chase’s policies, such as the limit of up to two claims per consecutive 12-month period for the trip cancellation and trip delay benefits, but hopefully, you’ll never have to take advantage of this coverage more than twice a year.
Here are the card’s travel coverages:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per card for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, and hotels in a consecutive 12-month period.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay — with a maximum of two claims per eligible card in a consecutive 12-month period.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $2,000 per covered person for checked luggage, up to $3,000 per person for carry-on luggage.
- Rental car coverage: Primary rental car insurance when you pay between $19.95 and $24.95 per rental period (not per day). You are covered for up to $100,000 in damage or theft.
- Emergency evacuation coverage: You, your spouse/domestic partner, and/or legally dependent children are covered for emergency evacuation and related emergency medical services, no matter how much it costs. You must be at least 100 miles from home.
This card has a $695 annual fee — but it also offers 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months of card membership. That’s worth $1,800 in travel per Insider’s valuations. You’ll also find travel perks such as:
Read our American Express Platinum credit card review.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the single best beginner points credit card. Its annual fee is reasonable at $95 per year, and it manages to offer many similar travel protections as much more expensive credit cards:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, and hotels
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 in reimbursement per day for up to five days for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries for baggage delays of six hours or more.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to the actual cash value of the rental car for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
You may notice a few couple differences between this card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Most notably, the Chase Sapphire Preferred trip delay insurance kicks in after 12 hours — instead of six hours with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $1,080 in travel, per Insider’s valuations. You can read our Chase Sapphire Preferred card review for more details of this card.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
If you have a for-profit venture, even if it’s a side-gig, you qualify for small business credit cards. Whether you are a tutor, tennis instructor, DoorDash delivery driver, or freelance writer, you should have your eye on cards like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
This card comes with a $95 annual fee, and offers travel insurance benefits similar to personal credit cards — but occasionally with conditions that you must be traveling for business:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $5,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like plane tickets, hotel reservations, and hotels.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 in reimbursement per day for up to five days for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries for baggage delays of six hours or more.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage when you’re renting a car for business purposes; up to the actual cash value of the rental car for theft and collision for rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage
The Ink Business Preferred comes with 100,000 points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $1,800 in travel, according to Insider’s valuations. Read our Ink Business Preferred card review.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a great alternative for those of us who have already opened the majority of the above cards. It’s got a $400 annual fee, but it also allows you to easily rack up points. For example, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on any purchase for which you use your card via a mobile wallet like Samsung Pay or Apple Pay.
Here are the card’s travel coverages:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Reimbursement of up to $2,000 per person for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses from the common carrier.
- Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per ticket in coverage for expenses like meals and lodging (that aren’t reimbursed by the airline or other “common carrier”) when your trip is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per person if you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that is damaged or lost.
- Rental car coverage: Primary coverage; up to $75,000 for theft and damage to rental cars in the US and abroad.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of accidental death or dismemberment coverage.
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card comes with 50,000 points after you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These points are worth 1.5 cents each when you use them toward travel. That means this bonus is worth $750. You’ll also get benefits like:
- $325 in annual travel credits
- Up to $100 in statement credits toward Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
- 30% discount on Silvercar rentals
Frequently asked questions
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the most comprehensive travel insurance, covering everything from trip cancellations and interruptions to delayed baggage.
Most rewards credit cards offer some degree of travel insurance, but the specifics can vary wildly from card to card. The big exception is Citi, which eliminated most elements of its travel coverage from cards in late 2019. Don’t reserve travel with a Citi card if you want any sort of insurance.
If you have one of the credit cards featured in this guide, you may not need an additional travel insurance policy. However, make sure you read the fine print of your credit card’s benefits guides to make sure the travel coverage is sufficient for your needs — and so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises like finding out you aren’t eligible for coverage when it’s too late.
On the other hand, if you want some extra peace of mind, or if there’s a good chance you may cancel your non-refundable trip, it’s worth looking into supplementary travel insurance. Also keep in mind that you may need to purchase travel insurance if you’re traveling for an extended period, since most credit card travel insurance only applies for about a month-long trip.
Refer to your credit card’s benefits guide, but as a general rule credit card travel insurance applies to the cardholder and the cardholder’s immediate family.
Each credit card travel insurance policy is different, so it’s important to look at your specific card’s benefits guide to make sure you know exactly what is and what is not covered. And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to call the card issuer for clarification!
Your credit card travel insurance won’t cover a trip that you don’t purchase with the card, though in some cases paying for a trip in full or in part with that card’s rewards points will qualify you for coverage.
Other areas where potential exclusions could crop up are covered reasons (if your trip is canceled or delayed because decide to change your plans, not because of illness or weather), covered trip length (most credit card travel insurance is capped at a certain amount of time, usually around a month), and covered destination (if you’re traveling to a region where your card’s coverage doesn’t apply).
Compare Insider’s picks for the best travel insurance »