amex travel insurance claim

Your complete guide to travel protections on American Express cards

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Numerous American Express cards offer travel protections that can take the headache out of your vacations. However, the coverage you get (and the limits of said coverage) differ by card. Rather than trying to remember all of this on your own, we will guide you through the travel protections offered by American Express cards.

This guide provides a comprehensive, detailed look at the variety of travel protections offered across the American Express card portfolio. Each section outlines a type of coverage and the cards offering this coverage. We also include coverage limits and any additional caveats to keep in mind.

Here's what you need to know about American Express travel insurance coverage.

Trip delay insurance

Trip delay insurance covers you when you encounter travel delays. This could be a delayed flight due to mechanical issues or an unexpected overnight due to a weather-related cancellation. Other reasons are covered, but individual policies vary in what they do and don't cover. If the reason for your delay is not specifically mentioned in your policy, assume that it's not covered.

With trip delay protection, there are two different "levels" of coverage, depending on the card you carry.

Level 1: Higher-end cards

Some of American Express' top products offer trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than six hours, capped at two claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive months.*

This protection becomes effective when you purchase a ticket using any of the following cards:

• The Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Business Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley**
• The Platinum Corporate Card from American Express**
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card **
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®**

*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.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Level 2: Mid-tier cards

Other American Express cards offer trip delay reimbursement of up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours, capped at two claims per 12 consecutive months.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase your tickets:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card**
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

This type of coverage is for situations in which your trip is canceled or interrupted (meaning you started the trip but must end it to return home). As a result, you're forced to forfeit prepaid, nonrefundable reservations. Again, be sure that your policy mentions your specific reason for it to be covered.*

All Amex cards with this benefit provide the same level of protection. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, you can receive a maximum of $10,000 per covered trip and a maximum of $20,000 per eligible card in a 12-month period.

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase travel:

• The Corporate Platinum Card® from American Express**
• The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express**

Global Assist Hotline

Eligible cardholders can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency services coordination and assistance while traveling more than 100 miles from home.*

The Global Assist Hotline coordinates services but is not the service provider. Any third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for your tickets:

• American Express® Cash Rebate Credit Card**
• Blue for Business® Credit Card**
• Blue Cash® from American Express**
• Blue Sky from American Express®**
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express **
• Clear from American Express®**
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
• The Plum Card® from American Express
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
• Amazon Business Card**
• Amazon Business Prime Card**
• Lowe's Business Rewards Card**
• American Express® Corporate Gold Card**
• Corporate Green Credit Card**
• American Express Cash Magnet® Card **
• The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express**
• The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express**
• Blue from American Express®**
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card**
• SimplyCash® Business Card**
• American Express® Platinum Credit Card**
• American Express® Credit Card**
• One from American Express®**
• Zync from American Express®**
• Schwab Investor Card® from American Express**
• Morgan Stanley Credit Card from American Express**
• Platinum Optima® Card**
• Optima® Card**
• Bluebird® American Express® Reloadable Prepaid Card**
• Serve® American Express® Reloadable Prepaid Card**
• The Corporate Platinum® Card from American Express**
• American Express® Corporate Green Card**
• Business Extra℠ Corporate Card**
• American Express® Corporate Accenture Gold**
• American Express® Corporate Meeting Card**
• American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Card**
• American Express® Corporate Purchasing Card**
• Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred® American Express Card**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Premium Global Assist Hotline

Like the benefit above, eligible cardholders for certain premium Amex cards can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24/7 for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency services coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles from home. With the Premium benefit, emergency medical transportation assistance and related services may be provided at no cost.*

If approved and coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost to you. Otherwise, third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

*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.

Baggage insurance plan

Baggage insurance applies to covered persons for eligible lost, damaged or stolen baggage during travel on a common carrier vehicle (such as a plane, train, ship or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket on the trip (one-way or round trip) is charged to an eligible card.

This benefit has two different "levels" of coverage, depending on the card you carry.

Some of American Express' top products offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage. This coverage is in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. Coverage is subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip.*

For New York state residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/per suitcase limit for each covered person, with a maximum of $10,000 aggregate for all covered persons per covered trip.*

Other American Express cards offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage. This coverage is in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier.*

For New York state residents, there is a maximum of $10,000 aggregate for all covered persons per covered trip.*

• American Express® Green Card
• American Express® Gold Card for Ameriprise Financial**
• American Express® Corporate Accenture Gold Card**
• American Express® Executive Business Card**

*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.

Car rental loss and damage insurance

Car rental loss and damage insurance applies to the theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use an eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the rental car company. Note that this product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply.

Some of American Express' top products offer car rental loss and damage insurance of up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to eligible rental vehicles.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for eligible rentals:

• Centurion® Card from American Express**
• Business Centurion® Card from American Express**

Other American Express cards offer car rental loss and damage insurance of up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to eligible rental vehicles.*

• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card**
• Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card**
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Card**
• American Express® Business Purchase Account**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Bottom line

Understanding what benefits your card has to protect you when things go wrong during a trip can help reduce headaches. To that end, American Express provides multiple travel protections across many of its card products.

Coverage limits within the same benefit can vary by the card you have, so consult your card's detailed benefits at americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for full details.

AnnaStills / Getty Images

Advertiser Disclosure

American Express travel insurance benefits

The right Amex card can save you money if a trip gets interrupted unexpectedly

Published: May 13, 2022

Author: Ana Staples

Editor: Barri Segal

Reviewer: Kaitlyn Tang

How we Choose

American Express cards offer valuable travel insurance benefits, with premium cards providing higher levels of protection.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

COVID-19 disrupted the travel industry and kiboshed many travel plans around the globe. Having to cancel a vacation or postpone an important trip indefinitely isn’t only frustrating – it can be expensive, too. Can travel insurance benefits offered with your credit card cover the costs?

Most American Express cardholders enjoy some kind of travel insurance benefit, though it varies by card. Read on to learn more about which travel insurance benefits are available with each Amex card and how they can help you cover unexpected costs during your trip.

Types of Amex travel insurance vary by card

On Jan. 1, 2020, American Express dropped travel accident insurance and roadside assistance from its cards’ travel insurance benefits. Fortunately, the issuer replaced them with arguably more valuable protections: trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance. Each benefit is offered on select cards.

What American Express trip delay insurance covers

Trip delay insurance covers expenses caused by delays resulting from the following:

• Weather conditions that prevent you from continuing the trip – for example, if your flight was rescheduled due to severe weather
• Terrorist action or hijacking
• A carrier’s equipment failure, as documented by the airline
• Stolen or lost passports or other travel documents

This type of travel insurance covers expenses such as meals, hotel stays, medication and personal-use items.

Amex cards that include trip delay insurance

What american express trip cancellation and interruption insurance covers.

If a trip that you booked using a qualifying Amex card gets interrupted or canceled, American Express can reimburse you for nonrefundable round-trip tickets. These can include everything from airfare to train tickets, plus tickets you booked through a tour operator – and more.

Note that in order to be covered, your trip must be canceled or interrupted due to one of the following reasons:

• Accidental injury, illness or death
• Severe weather
• Military orders
• Jury duty or subpoena by the courts that can’t be postponed or waived
• Traveler’s home has been made uninhabitable
• Quarantine imposed by a doctor for health reasons

Tip: Note that if you’re canceling your trip because you’re still worried about COVID-19, you might not be eligible for this coverage. According to a Coronavirus FAQ published on the company’s website, “American Express travel insurance covers only specified covered reasons. Fear of contracting the coronavirus is not a covered reason under the American Express travel insurance certificate of insurance/policy.”

The maximum reimbursement amount is $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per year. This coverage is secondary, meaning it kicks in only after any other applicable policy you have offers reimbursement.

Here’s the list of American Express cards that offer this travel insurance benefit:

• The Platinum Card from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

What American Express baggage insurance covers

Another valuable travel insurance benefit available to some Amex cardholders is baggage insurance. It’s also secondary coverage, meaning you can receive compensation after being reimbursed by the carrier.

The level of protection varies by card, with premium cards offering more coverage.

What American Express car rental loss and damage insurance covers

If you rent a car during your trip and charge it on your eligible Amex card, you can be reimbursed if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. Premium cards, such as the Platinum and Business Platinum cards, offer up to $75,000 in coverage. The rest of the American Express cards that provide this benefit can cover up to $50,000.

To calculate the amount needed to cover repairs, Amex compares the actual cost of repairs, the car’s wholesale book value and purchase invoice price. The most cost-effective option becomes the reimbursement amount.

Note that the policy only covers rentals for up to 30 consecutive days, and not all cars are included. For example, the policy excludes commercial vehicles, certain types of vans and trucks, cars that are at least 20 years old, limousines and some other types of vehicles. Additionally, this travel benefit doesn’t work for car rentals in Australia, Italy, New Zealand or any country that’s subject to U.S. sanctions.

It’s essential to read your benefits guide carefully since there are many other instances in which damage to your car rental won’t be covered. And keep in mind that like other travel insurance benefits American Express offers, its car rental insurance policy is secondary to any other coverage you may have.

What American Express Global Assist offers

Last but not least, American Express cards offer Global Assist, a hotline that can help cardholders with valuable information and advice during their travels. This can include translation services, help with missing luggage, medical referrals and more.

You can call the hotline toll-free at 1-800-333-AMEX (2639).

If you have a premium Amex card, such as the Platinum or Business Platinum, you get access to the Premium Global Assist hotline. It offers the same assistance as the basic version does but can fully cover some of the services. For instance, it can provide reimbursement for medical transportation.

The following co-branded Amex cards also offer Premium Global Assist:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

You can call the Premium Global Assist Hotline at 1-800-345-AMEX (2639).

How to make a travel insurance claim with American Express

Before filing a claim using your Amex travel insurance benefits, you need to use your primary policy or file with the common carrier first. Remember that the coverage provided by your American Express card is secondary, meaning you won’t be reimbursed until you’ve exhausted your other policies first.

After that, file a claim with Amex as soon as possible. Check your benefits guide to find out how long you have to make a claim and read about the terms of your policy.

You can start your claim using the following numbers and websites:

• For baggage insurance claims: 1-800-645-9700 or online
• For car rental insurance claims: 1-800-338-1670 or online
• For trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance claims: 1-844-933-0648

Next, American Express will provide you with claim forms and instructions for filing proof of loss. You can find examples of which documentation may be required in your benefits guide.

Which is the best card for American Express travel insurance benefits?

Premium cards like the Platinum card offer the most comprehensive travel insurance benefits of all American Express cards. If you travel a lot and want to have the highest level of protections available, this kind of coverage may justify high annual fees . On the other hand, if you only travel occasionally, it might make more sense for you to find a travel credit card with a lower or no annual fee and invest more in your primary travel insurance.

Note that some Amex cards don’t offer all of these benefits, so make sure you examine a card’s terms before you apply.

Bottom line

If you’re an Amex cardholder, you’ll find the card issuer can assist you in many situations when you travel. With an abundance of travel insurance benefits across its suite of cards, American Express is a great addition to your wallet wherever you go. Make sure to put all major travel purchases on your qualifying card, and always read the terms and conditions in full to be aware of the benefits it offers. That way, you can rely on those benefits in case of unexpected events.

*All information about the American Express Green Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Ana Staples is a staff reporter and young credit expert reporter for CreditCards.com and covers product news and credit advice. She loves sharing financial expertise with her reader and believes that the right financial advice at the right time can make a real difference. In her free time, Anastasiia writes romance stories and plans a trip to the French Riviera she'll take one day—when she has enough points, that is.

On this page

• Trip delay insurance coverage
• Trip cancellation coverage
• Baggage insurance coverage
• Car rental insurance coverage
• American Express Global Assist
• How to make a travel insurance claim with Amex
• Best card for Amex travel insurance

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• Amex Gold Card

Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Amex Gold Card [2023]

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Table of Contents

Amex gold card — snapshot, amex gold card — travel insurance benefits, travel benefits, final thoughts.

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The American Express ® Gold Card is known for being a go-to card for everyday purchases at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets. The card also doubles as a travel rewards card offering elevated earnings on select flight purchases and a nice selection of flexible travel redemption options.

The card is far less known for its travel insurance benefits. Today, we’re turning the spotlight on some of the useful travel insurance benefits that come with the card and talking about how these benefits can add value to the cardholder.

First, let’s look at the overall earning and redemption features of the Amex Gold card, then jump right into the list of travel insurance benefits you can expect to find on the card.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with  no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• 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.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card Overall

We like that you can jumpstart your earnings with a generous welcome bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements in the first 6 months after card approval.

The Amex Gold card also strikes a nice balance between functioning as an everyday spending card and offering accelerated earnings on flights. It also offers flexible travel redemption options.

You’ll earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year). Plus, you’ll receive 3x earnings on flights purchased directly with the airline and via AmexTravel.com .

With monthly statement credits for select purchases, it’s easy to find enough value to offset the annual fee.

When it’s time to use your rewards, you’ll have options such as redeeming points for flights via AmexTravel.com or transferring your points to the American Express transfer partners for even more potential value.

While the Amex Gold card doesn’t come with a long list of comprehensive travel benefits, you’ll find these core travel insurance benefits useful for saving money and for access to assistance should something go wrong during your journey.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Having car rental insurance can save you money and provide a level of peace of mind when renting a vehicle . The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance that would require you to first file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage kicks in.

Secondary coverage can still be valuable coverage, but there is another car rental coverage option included on the card that is a much better choice.

Premium Protection

The option to purchase Premium Protection car rental insurance on the Amex Gold card is a game changer.

You’ll pay one low price of $12.25 to $24.95 for the entire period, up to 42 total days, for primary theft and damage coverage. The actual rate will depend on your state of residence and the level of coverage chosen. Note that this is not a per-day rate like the car rental agencies charge.

Just enroll in the coverage via your online card account, then whenever you charge your rental car to your card, you’ll have the coverage automatically. You are not charged prior to renting a car.

There is no deductible. Accidental death/dismemberment coverage is included. Liability coverage, uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage, or disability coverage is not included.

Cardholders and authorized listed drivers are covered.

Applicable coverages for both secondary and Premium Protection include rental car damage, theft, and loss of use.

Coverage is not available when renting vehicles in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand.

There are several additional exclusions, including the theft of an unlocked vehicle, illegal activity, intoxication of the driver, and war. Access the Guide to Benefits for a complete list of exclusions, terms, and conditions.

Filing a Claim

You can file a claim online or call 800-338-1670. You must file the claim within 30 days of the event and submit the required claim form within an additional 15 days. You’ll then have 60 days to submit the required documentation.

Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance with the option to purchase primary Premium Protection for one low rate that covers the entire rental period. 

Trip Delay Insurance

To be eligible for trip delay insurance, you must pay for your entire trip with your Amex Gold card, associated rewards, or a combination of the 2. Using airline vouchers, certificates, or discounts, such as those associated with your frequent flyer account, in combination with your card, are also acceptable. Eligible travelers include family members, travel companions, and a spouse or domestic partner.

Trip delay insurance reimburses an eligible traveler for incidental expenses incurred after a 12-hour or greater trip delay. Eligible expenses can include lodging, meals, toiletries, medication, and necessary personal items.

Eligible Losses and Coverage Limits

The following types of losses are eligible covered losses :

• Inclement weather preventing a traveler from beginning a trip or continuing on a trip
• Terrorism or hijacking
• A common carrier’s equipment failure (documented)
• Lost/stolen travel documents, such as passports

You could receive up to $300 per trip with a limit of 2 claims per card, per 12-month period. Coverage is secondary to any other applicable coverage including reimbursement by the airline.

Loss exclusions include prepaid expenses, losses that were known to the public or the traveler prior to the trip, and intentional acts by the covered traveler. Access the card’s  Guide to Benefits for more details on loss exclusions under trip delay coverage.

You’ll have 60 days from the date of the loss to file a claim. You can do so by calling 844-933-0648 or the number on the back of your card to be directed to the claims department.

You’ll then have 180 days to submit the required documentation, which can include a statement from the common carrier validating the delay, receipts, your card statement showing the trip charge, and other requested supporting information.

Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card comes with trip delay insurance that provides up to $300 per trip for eligible expenses incurred after a 12-hour or greater delay due to a covered loss. 

Baggage Insurance Plan

To be eligible for baggage insurance, pay for your common carrier ticket entirely with your Amex Gold card and/or associated rewards. Trips paid for, in full or in part, with non-American Express rewards such as airline loyalty programs are not eligible.

You, your spouse or domestic partner, children under 23, and certain dependent handicapped children are covered for baggage insurance as long as the trip is paid for in full with your card and/or associated rewards.

Lost, damaged, or stolen baggage is covered, except in the event of war, government confiscation, or acts arising out of customer actions, for the following coverage limits.

High-risk items such as jewelry, gold, silver, platinum, electronics, furs, and sporting equipment, are limited to $250 per item maximum, per trip. 

Certain items are not covered under baggage insurance — here is a condensed list of those items:

• Credit cards, cash, securities, or money equivalents (such as money orders or gift cards)
• Travel documents, tickets, passports, or visas
• Plants, animals, or food
• Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, prosthetic devices, and prescription or non-prescription drugs
• Property shipped prior to departure

You’ll have 30 days from the date of the loss to file a claim. To file a claim, you can go online or call 800-228-6855 within the U.S. To call from outside of the U.S., call 303-273-6498 collect.

You’ll then have 60 days to submit supporting documentation including a list of items lost, receipts, a statement showing the trip was purchased with the card or associated rewards, and common carrier reports.

Please note that we have abbreviated coverage descriptions and all terms and conditions are not spelled out in their entirety. You’ll want to access the benefits guide for full information.

Bottom Line: You and certain family members are covered for baggage insurance of up to $1,250 per person when traveling with a common carrier. You’ll need to pay for your entire trip with your card or rewards associated with your card for coverage to be valid. 

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance that comes with the Amex Gold card pays a benefit in the unlikely event of accidental death or dismemberment of the primary card member, additional card member, spouse or domestic partner, or children under the age of 23.

The trip must be paid for with the Amex Gold card and/or associated Membership Rewards points (Pay With Points).

The coverage pays a benefit for death or severe injury suffered as a result of riding in, boarding, exiting from, or being struck by a common carrier.

The benefit paid is based on a table provided and can be up to $100,000.

While not travel insurance specifically, these additional benefits can provide assistance when planning a trip or if an unexpected event should disrupt your trip.

Emergency Travel Assistance

The Amex Global Assist Hotline provides important 24/7 assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home. Receive help finding medical, legal, and translation referrals as well as assistance securing emergency transportation.

In addition, you could receive help securing a replacement passport or finding missing luggage.

You can reach the Global Assist Hotline at 800-333-2639. Outside the U.S., call 715-343-7977.

Actual services provided by third parties that incur costs are the responsibility of the cardholder.

Services are also not available in areas such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or the Crimea region.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

You’ll want to include the Amex Gold card during your next trip, as the card does not charge foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ).

Additional Travel Benefits

Receive help planning your trip with Insider Fares via AmexTravel.com, upgrade your flights with points , American Express Travel Insurance , onsite benefits at The Hotel Collection , Amex Offers , and more.

While the Amex Gold card comes with several valuable travel insurance benefits, you would not select the card for this specific reason. The card shines when it comes to earning on select everyday purchases, for purchasing airline tickets, and its flexible travel redemption options. Those should be key reasons for selecting the card.

The fact that there are travel insurance benefits that come complimentary with the card is just one more reason to consider the card.

If having premium travel insurance benefits is a priority for you, you might consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card , The Platinum Card ® from American Express , the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , all of which offer some of the best travel insurance benefits.

You can read about more credit cards with travel insurance  in our article on this specific topic.

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of the American Express Gold Card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the trip delay insurance benefit of the American Express Gold Card, up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the American Express Gold Card, 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. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the global assist hotline benefit of the American Express Gold Card, you can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the amex gold card have travel insurance benefits.

While the list of travel insurance benefits on the Amex Gold card is not extensive, you will find coverage such as secondary car rental insurance, the option to purchase Premium Protection car rental insurance, trip delay, baggage insurance, a Global Assist Hotline, and travel accident insurance.

Does the Amex Gold card have trip interruption or trip cancellation insurance?

No. The Amex Gold card does not offer trip interruption or trip cancellation insurance. The card does come with trip delay insurance.

Does the Amex Gold card charge foreign transaction fees?

No. You will not be charged foreign transaction fees when using the Amex Gold card for foreign purchases ( rates & fees) .

Does the Amex Gold card cover lost luggage?

Yes, the Amex Gold card can cover lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. The coverage is secondary to any coverage or reimbursement received by the airline or other applicable insurance.

Does the Amex Gold card have good car rental insurance?

The Amex Gold card comes with secondary car rental insurance, which means that you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance before card coverage kicks in. You will have the option, however, to purchase Premium Protection for one low rate that covers the entire rental period, up to 42 days.

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On This Page

• Key takeaways

How does American Express travel insurance work?

Complimentary amex travel insurance, our picks for american express cards with travel insurance, standalone american express travel insurance plans, should i use the complimentary benefits or purchase a standalone policy, how to file an amex travel insurance claim, amex travel insurance faqs.

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2024 Complete Guide to American Express Travel Insurance

• American Express offers two main forms of travel insurance: complimentary benefits for cardholders and standalone travel insurance policies .
• Complimentary travel insurance benefits for eligible cardholders include coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions, car rental loss and damage, baggage insurance and more.
• The top cards that offer Amex travel insurance are the Platinum Card® from American Express , the American Express® Gold Card , and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card .
• You can also purchase standalone travel insurance from Amex with any major credit card. There are four types of policies: basic, silver, gold and platinum.
• Depending on the type of coverage you select, you may be eligible for medical protection, travel accident protection, baggage protection and reimbursement for trip cancellation.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance is not included , and medical coverage tends to be low unless you purchase a premium package. If you need additional coverage, you can compare quotes from other travel insurance providers .

American Express offers a variety of travel-related benefits. If you have an Amex card , you may already have access to numerous travel perks, such as trip cancellation and baggage insurance. You can also purchase standalone coverage from Amex for more comprehensive protection.

We created this guide to help you determine if you should rely on free travel insurance from American Express or purchase a standalone insurance policy before your next business or leisure trip.

We’ll cover:

• How Amex travel insurance works
• Complementary Amex travel insurance
• Standalone Amex travel insurance plans
• If the complementary insurance is enough, or if you need to purchase a plan
• How to file a claim

Our top picks for the best american express travel insurance

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best Overall for Travel Insurance
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Businesses
• American Express® Gold Card: Best for Basic Coverage

Featured American Express offers

The platinum card® from american express.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express® Gold Card

American Express offers two forms of travel insurance:

• Travel insurance as a complimentary benefit for certain cards
• Standalone travel insurance packages that you can purchase

While the complimentary Amex travel insurance perks may be enough for your trip, you should consider purchasing a standalone policy if you want more comprehensive coverage that includes medical insurance .

If you’re not an American Express cardholder, you can purchase one of four standalone travel insurance packages using any major credit card.

All four standalone travel insurance packages include:

• 24/7 travel assistance
• Baggage protection
• Medical coverage
• Trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage

The high-end packages also include travel accident protection and coverage for global trip delays.

Many American Express credit card comes with six types of complimentary travel insurance:

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Trip delay insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance, premium global assist, global assist.

Let’s dive more into each of these types of travel insurance and what they cover.

American Express offers 13 credit cards with complimentary trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance.

If you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason, American Express will reimburse you for any nonrefundable expenses paid to an airline, hotel or other travel supplier using your Amex card.

Here’s how it works. Imagine you used your American Express Platinum Card to book a $10,000 vacation to the Bahamas. Included in the $10,000 total was a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit. If you have to cancel your trip due to a medical condition, American Express will reimburse you $9,000 — the original cost of your trip, less the $1,000 nonrefundable deposit.

If your trip is interrupted for a covered reason, American Express will reimburse you for:

• The pre-paid, non-refundable land, air and sea transportation arrangements that you missed
• Additional transportation expenses for you to rejoin your common carrier or return home

The following are considered American Express covered reasons:

• Accidental bodily injury or sickness (must provide proof from a physician)
• Inclement weather
• Change in military orders
• Terrorist action or hijacking
• Call to jury duty or subpoena by the courts (and unable to postpone or waive)
• You’re home becoming uninhabitable
• Quarantine ordered by a physician for health reasons

The trip coverage does have some limitations, including:

It doesn’t cover cancellations or interruptions caused by a pre-existing condition.

This is an illness or injury that began in the 60 days prior to your purchase of a covered trip. That means if you purchased your trip to the Bahamas on April 1, you wouldn’t be eligible for reimbursement if you had to cancel due to a medical condition that developed between January 31 and April 1.

Additional transportation expenses can’t cost more than an economy-class airline ticket by the most direct route.

Amex won’t cover business class tickets for you to return home or join your common carrier. In travel lingo, a common carrier is a transportation provider that offers its services to the general public.

Additional expenses to purchase new tickets can’t exceed the difference between your original fare and the economy fare for your rescheduled trip.

American Express checks the most direct route to determine how much to refund. For example, if your original ticket cost $500 and an economy ticket for your new departure date costs $750, you’ll receive the $250 difference. Amex doesn’t refund the entire ticket price.

Amex travel insurance only covers $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per eligible credit card per 12-month period.

This applies to trip cancellations and trip interruptions.

American Express won’t refund any expenses covered by other travel suppliers.

This includes refunds, vouchers, credits, goodwill payments or other benefits provided by airlines, cruise lines, tour companies and other travel providers. For example, if you have to miss a theater performance due to a trip interruption, American Express won’t cover the cost of the tickets if the theater gives you a full refund.

American Express offers 20 cards with free trip delay insurance , from the Amex Platinum Card to the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card.

This type of travel insurance covers trip delays due to:

• lost or stolen travel documents
• terrorist activity
• inclement weather
• equipment failure

For example, if your flight is canceled due to a mechanical problem with the aircraft, you may be eligible for reimbursement under trip delay insurance.

American Express has more than 50 cards with complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance. This type of insurance covers vehicle damage or theft of a vehicle from a covered territory.

If your rental car is damaged, Amex will pay the lowest amount of the following:

• The invoice price of the vehicle, minus reasonable depreciation and salvage costs
• The wholesale book value of the vehicle, minus reasonable depreciation and salvage costs
• The actual cost to repair the vehicle

For example, if the rental company purchased your vehicle for $25,000, the vehicle is worth $18,500 today and it will cost $7,500 to repair the vehicle, your insurance will pay $7,500 since it’s the lowest amount.

To activate this type of insurance, you must reserve and pay for your rental with an eligible Amex credit card, such as the Platinum Card or Cash Magnet Card.

You must also decline these optional coverages at the car rental counter:

• Personal property coverage
• Personal accident insurance
• Full collision damage waiver
• Similar insurance coverage

Finally, you must sign the rental agreement as the person responsible for taking control of the vehicle . Therefore, you can’t use your rental loss and damage insurance on a vehicle rented by your spouse, parent, child, sibling or friend, even if you have a Platinum card or other eligible credit card.

American Express has more than 40 cards with baggage insurance benefits, including the Amex Gold Card and the American Express Executive Business Card.

Amex covers lost and damaged bags under the following circumstances:

• The loss or damage occurs while in direct transit to or from the carrier’s terminal (carry-on bags only).
• The loss or damage occurs while you’re at the carrier’s terminal (carry-on bags only).
• The loss or damage occurs while traveling in a carrier’s vehicle (carry-on bags and checked bags).

Amex has different coverage limits for high-risk items, such as sporting equipment and jewelry, so make sure you understand what’s covered before you pack your bags.

If you have an American Express Card with Premium Global Assist, you’ll have access to a variety of travel assistance services any time you travel more than 100 miles from home.

These Premium Global Assist services include:

• Lost item search
• Missing baggage
• Passport replacement
• Emergency transportation
• Translation
• Card cancellation
• Embassy referrals
• Medical assistance
• Financial assistance
• Legal referrals
• Urgent message relay

The Premium Global Assistant service also helps with pre-trip research and planning. With this service, you can get information about customs requirements, foreign exchange rates, vaccination requirements, local weather, travel warnings and visa requirements.

Global Assist provides many of the same benefits as the Premium Global Assist coverage included with the Platinum card and other high-end Amex cards. The main difference is that Premium Global Assist provides better coverage for medical emergencies.

For example, Global Assist will not cover the cost of returning your minor child to their principal residence if you’re unable to continue traveling with them due to a covered illness or injury. If you have a Platinum Card with Premium Global Assist, you may get this protection.

Best Overall for Travel Insurance

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1X points on other eligible purchases.

Card Details

Travel Insurance Details

• Trip cancellation/interruption: $10,000 per covered trip or up to $20,000 in a 12-month period
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays over 6 hours
• Car rental: Secondary
• Lost/damaged baggage coverage: Up to $2,000 per person for checked bags and $3,000 per person for carry-ons (up to $3,000 per person total)
• Global Assist: Yes, Premium

*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.

• Excellent rewards rate for travel purchases
• Qualify for $1,500+ in statement credits
• Very generous welcome offer
• High annual fee of $695
• Many statement credit offers are too specific and hard to use
• Non-travel-perks aren’t spectacular

This is quite a spectacular card with incredibly valuable benefits, but the annual fee is objectively very high.

Best for Businesses

Earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel, 1.5 points per dollar on eligible business expenses and purchases of $5,000+ (up to $2 million yearly), and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

• Global Assist: Premium
• Excellent welcome offer
• Easy to earn points
• Great travel benefits
• No intro APR offer
• Hefty $695 annual fee
• High spending requirement for welcome offer

The annual fee certainly has a shock factor but for the premium business traveler, this card’s luxury perks could make it well worth it.

Best for Basic Coverage

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

• Trip cancellation/interruption: N/A
• Trip delay: Up to $300 per trip for delays over 12 hours
• Lost/damaged baggage coverage: Up to $500 per person for checked bags and $1,250 per person for carry-ons (up to $$1,250 per person total)
• Global Assist: Yes
• Generous welcome offer
• High rewards potential
• Many transfer partners available
• High annual fee
• Complicated statement credits
• Good or excellent credit recommended

If you like to dine out frequently, the $200+ worth of dining-related annual statement credits can easily help justify the yearly fee.

You don’t need to have a Platinum Card or another high-end American Express Card to get travel insurance. All you have to do is purchase a standalone plan with any major credit card.

The company offers four standalone insurance plans: Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Basic travel insurance plan

The basic plan is a good option if you want cheap travel insurance . While it includes various types of coverage, these levels tend to be low.

Basic plan benefits:

• Cancellation: Up to $1,000
• Trip interruption: Up to $1,000
• Global medical protection: Medical up to $5,000; dental up to $750; evacuation/repatriation up to $5,000
• Global luggage protection: Baggage loss up to $250; up to $100 for a delay of 24 hours or more
• 24-hour travel assistance

Silver travel insurance plan

With the silver plan, most coverage levels are much higher than with the basic plan. For example, trip cancellation will cover up to 100% of the total trip cost instead of up to just $1,000.

However, medical coverage is still low compared to most travel insurance plans at just $25,000.

Silver plan benefits:

• Cancellation: Up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption: Up to 100% of the trip cost
• Global medical protection: Medical up to $25,000; dental up to $750; evacuation/repatriation up to $100,000
• Travel accident protection: $50,000 to $100,000, depending on circumstances
• Global luggage protection: Baggage loss up to $500; up to $300 for a delay of 6 hours or more
• Global delay: Up to $150 per day; limit of $500 per trip

Gold travel insurance plan

The gold plan is very similar to the silver plan. The main differences are the increases in medical evacuation limits, accident protection and baggage loss.

Gold plan benefits:

• Trip interruption: Up to 150% of the trip cost
• Global medical protection: Medical up to $25,000; dental up to $750; evacuation/repatriation up to $500,000
• Travel accident protection: $100,000 to $200,000, depending on circumstances
• Global luggage protection: Baggage loss up to $1,000; up to $300 for a delay of 6 hours or more
• Global delay: Up to $150 per day; limit of $750 per trip

Platinum travel insurance plan

This is the most comprehensive plan. It covers up to $100,000 for medical expenses, which is similar to other insurance providers. However, it still does not include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage .

Platinum plan benefits:

• Global medical protection: Medical up to $100,000; dental up to $750; evacuation/repatriation up to $1 million
• Travel accident protection: Up to $200,000
• Global luggage protection: Baggage loss up to $2,500; up to $500 for a delay of 3 hours or more
• Global delay: Up to $300 per day; limit of $1,000 per trip

For most people, the complimentary benefits available with the Platinum Card and other types of American Express travel credit cards are more than adequate.

However, the company doesn’t offer medical coverage with any of its free insurance benefits. If you have a chronic health condition, consider purchasing a standalone policy from Amex or another insurance provider.

You should also consider a standalone policy if you’re concerned about getting into an accident during your trip, as the free insurance options don’t include any kind of travel accident coverage.

Note: 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.

If you need to file a travel insurance claim, you must contact your benefits administrator.

Here’s what to do for each type of claim:

• Rental car coverage: Call (800) 338-1670 within 30 days of the covered event. You can also submit a claim online .
• Luggage: Call (800) 228-6855 within 30 days of the covered event. You can also submit a claim online .
• Delays, interruptions or cancellations: Call (844) 933-0648 within 60 days of the covered event.

Is American Express travel insurance worth it?

If you already have an American Express Card with complimentary travel insurance benefits, these perks are absolutely worth it since you pay nothing extra to access several types of insurance coverage.

Paying for a standalone Amex travel insurance plan may be worth it if you’re going on a long trip or a trip with multiple stops. These trips are more complex, so it’s more likely you’ll encounter a problem, making good insurance coverage essential.

However, Amex travel insurance is lacking when it comes to medical coverage and cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance. For more comprehensive travel insurance that includes the types of protection, we recommend comparing travel insurance policies from other providers to find one that suits your needs.

Do I get travel insurance with my American Express card?

Each Amex credit card comes with some type of travel insurance. The amount of coverage depends on the type of credit card you have.

Do all American Express cards offer travel insurance?

Every Amex credit card comes with rental car loss and damage insurance. You may qualify for additional insurance benefits if you have the Platinum American Express Card or another high-end credit card from American Express.

In addition to travel insurance, some Amex credit cards come with additional travel benefits, such as airline credits or a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership.

Do I have to have an American Express credit card to get American Express travel insurance?

No. You can purchase an Amex travel insurance policy with any major credit card, including Visa, Mastercard and Discover .

Does American Express travel insurance cover COVID?

It depends on the circumstances. If you choose to travel after the government issues COVID-related travel restrictions, your travel insurance won’t cover any medical or quarantine costs related to COVID-19.

If you qualify for Amex insurance, it may cover the following:

• Your destination has new travel restrictions that were imposed after you’d already booked your trip.
• Your flight is canceled due to COVID-19.
• You develop a COVID-19 infection and can’t travel.
• Your origin country advises against nonessential travel after you’ve already booked your trip.

Does American Express travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

No, this type of travel insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. These are medical conditions that develop within 60 days prior to booking your trip.

About the Author

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

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How to File a Travel Insurance Claim

W hen it comes to travel, there are generally two types of people: people who cannot travel as it is too expensive and those who budget $4,000 per year for vacations, according to Forbes. Travel is costly, so people often purchase travel insurance to safeguard their financial investment from unforeseen events like illnesses, luggage delays, personal emergencies, and more.

When policyholders pay honest money for an insurance policy to offer protection, they want to be able to reap the benefits of the travel insurance claim. If your travel insurance company has denied payment, our tips on how to properly file a travel insurance claim may be helpful.

Why Buy Travelers Insurance?

Travel is generally less stressful with vacation insurance — it is packaged as a wise investment that can protect you against financial losses due to unexpected events. For instance, the U.S. State Department highly recommends international travel trip insurance as Medicare and Medicaid often do not cover overseas medical costs.

The travel insurance premium is relatively small compared to the non-refundable trip costs you could lose in a bad situation. It is particularly worth it if your trip involves non-refundable costs, international travel, or travel to a remote area with limited healthcare facilities or regions prone to natural disasters.

Some of the primary reasons people buy trip insurance are to help offset:

• Emergency medical services and treatment
• Cancellations due to a sudden illness or serious health condition
• Emergency evacuation
• Loss of a friend or family member
• Compromised destinations
• Delayed or lost luggage
• Trip interruption or cancellation

What Is Not Covered By Travel Insurance?

The best insurance policies cover basic and common travel risks and bundle different coverage types related to trip cancellation, medical issues, luggage or trip delays, and more. Travel insurance is not meant to cover all foreseeable events, and every policy will address exclusions differently. Examples of potential limitations are:

• Tropical storms, hurricanes, and other dangerous weather conditions
• Certain medical issues
• Acts of war
• High-risk behavior involving drugs, unlawful acts, or riots
• Government-imposed restrictions

Travel insurance claims submitted without proper documentation or cancellation for reasons not covered by your travel policy are surefire ways to prevent coverage and reimbursement. This is why it is helpful to understand travel insurance coverage properly and take appropriate actions before assuming foul play.

Can You Cancel Travel Insurance and Get a Refund?

Most travel insurance carriers allow refunds, depending on when a policy is canceled and if there is a money-back guarantee. Most insurers ask that the policy be revoked during the review period outlined in the contract terms to qualify for a complete travel insurance refund. If the review period has passed, then policyholders might be eligible for a partial refund or not qualify for one at all.

What To Do if a Travel Insurance Claim Is Denied

If your travel insurance claim submitted for medical reasons, delays, cancellations, or any other reason was denied by your insurer, then remember that you have options. Both denials and rejections may happen for valid as well as unethical reasons. An insurance claim denial is not the end of the road; you can dig deeper to figure out whether you can still be reimbursed under your insurance.

Travel insurance claims are routinely denied when policyholders make common mistakes in their claim forms, or they mistakenly assume their policy covers their specific situation. Good faith denials happen when policyholders do not fill out their travel insurance claim form correctly, do not submit the right documents, or do not include info like contact details for follow-up questions.

In some cases, travel insurance companies may wrongly deny claims and stall the claims process. For instance, they might fail to investigate the claim or conduct proper due diligence. In such scenarios, it is advisable that policyholders adjust and resubmit their insurance claim, appeal the denial, or pursue legal action if insurers continue to illegally hold their payout.

How To Appeal a Travel Insurance Claim: 4 Steps

The travel insurance claim appeal process allows policyholders to ask the insurer to reconsider its decision. When appealing their travel insurance claim, policyholders must:

• Carefully Review the Denial Letter: Review the specific reasons for the denial to determine your next steps. Cross-check the reasons stated with your policy documents, additional emails, and other papers.
• Review Your Policy: Review the terms of your travel insurance policy and pay attention to disclaimers, damage limits, filing time limits, and submission requirements.
• Reach Out for Assistance: After carefully reviewing your policy, if you find the denial letter and policy terms do not line up, contact an insurance legal expert with experience in handling travel insurance claims for help.
• Gather Documentation and Keep Careful Records: Maintain communication records with your insurer, copies of denial letters, and other documentation regarding your claim.

How To Write a Travel Insurance Claim Letter

Sometimes, travelers have to file a trip insurance claim when their vacation does not go according to the plan. A travel insurance claim letter is a formal piece of communication between you and your insurance agency. Its purpose is to ask for reimbursement for covered damages or losses under the travel insurance policy. Therefore, it is important to craft a professional and detailed claim letter to increase your chances of a favorable resolution.

A claim letter should include the following information:

• Introduce Yourself. Include all relevant information of the person appealing (such as the policy number and contact information).
• Address the Denial. Summarize the date you received the letter and why the denial was made. Do not leave out any important details.
• Point Out the Error. Explain why you do not agree with the claims denial, based on your policy and pertinent information.
• Attach Extra Documents. Include all other documents supporting your trip insurance claim, such as photos, additional correspondence, transcripts of phone calls, etc.

How Long Does It Take To Get Reimbursed From Insurance?

Travel insurance companies generally process most claims within a few weeks. Sometimes, the insurance claims process office might have follow-up questions, thereby increasing the time you can expect to hear back. However, if you feel that your insurance claim is taking months to resolve without a proper reason, you should speak to an experienced insurance dispute lawyer. While every situation is different, policyholders should always keep careful and consistent notes as it will help them take informed legal action if necessary.

Travel Insurance Claims Advice on Documentation

You must be thorough with your documentation to enhance your chance of successful recovery. When you file a trip claim, your insurer will more likely refund travel insurance when you include the following information in your claim submission:

• Lost Luggage: Make a list of what was lost, along with the details and cost of each lost item.
• Job Loss: Request that your previous employer send you a notarized letter on company letterhead in the case of a trip cancellation due to job loss.
• Medical Emergency: Include detailed medical records in your claim if a health emergency kept you from traveling.
• Canceled/Delayed Flight: If you could not attend your trip because the flight was canceled or delayed, provide proof such as an email that relays the reasons (mechanical issues, weather, etc.).
• Receipts for Delayed Flights: You might want to keep receipts for necessary expenses incurred due to delays, like hotel stays, transportation costs, meals, and personal necessities.
• Police Reports: These reports can help substantiate claims made for stolen items or car troubles.
• Other Reports: You may include tickets for unused flights or excursions in your insurance claim.

Has a Formal Complaint Been Filed Against the Travel Supplier?

Formal complaints against travel suppliers are helpful in legal cases dealing with similar situations. The Van Rossem v. Penney Travel Service (April 15, 1985) case exemplifies travel insurance gone wrong.

In this case, a newlywed couple arranged a honeymoon trip with travel agent Penney Travel. The agent used a wholesaler, Lotus Tours, to book the reservation without the couple's knowledge. Lotus Tours abruptly went bankrupt before booking the client's reservation with SANDLES, which remained unpaid. When the case came before the court, the judge noted that "an agent who makes the contract in his own name for an undisclosed principal is liable as a principal." Here, the defendant had failed to disclose the identity of Lotus Tours, and so, it was responsible as the principal. The couple had paid $2,059 in advance. The judge awarded them reimbursement of $1,312, plus costs and disbursements.

In another lawsuit, Touhey v. Trans National Travel , a travel agent did not check to see if the hotel a client had booked was duly constructed. The plaintiff-client was awarded $25,000 in special damages because of the mistake.

What Are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Bad faith insurance refers to unethical insurance practices used by an insurer to delay, deny, or lowball policyholders. Examples of bad faith insurance practices include:

• Misrepresenting contract language to prevent a payout
• Failing to disclose policy limitations and exclusions to policyholders
• Making unreasonable demands, like excessive paperwork requests to prove a covered loss

Sometimes, only a seasoned insurance dispute lawyer who regularly deals with contract breaches and bad faith claims can identify honest errors from serious red flags and help a policyholder get paid their due.

How to File a Travel Insurance Claim: A Summary

Travelers usually plan their vacations down to the last detail. Travel insurance is a buffer for unplanned curveballs that can derail even the most meticulous plans, such as medical emergencies or misplaced luggage.

Insurance companies are explicit about what travel mishaps or unexpected events they will or will not cover, which is why it is crucial to understand policy limitations and how to properly file a travel insurance claim.

As a final snapshot, the key steps to filing a travel insurance claim include:

• Reviewing policy terms and exclusions.
• Gathering necessary documentation based on submission requirements.
• Submitting your claim according to the insurer's timing and filing guidelines.
• Filing an appeal if an insurance claim is wrongly denied.
• Consulting an experienced insurance dispute lawyer to assist with an intentionally stalled, denied, or undervalued claim.

Travel insurance claims can become challenging, depending on the situation and response from your insurer. When small bumps in the road become permanent roadblocks, it is helpful to know that qualified travel insurance claims attorneys are available to help frustrated policyholders recover their losses. 

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What types of travel insurance does the American Express® Gold Card provide?

Understanding the american express® gold card baggage insurance policy, how to get rental car insurance through the american express® gold card, american express® gold card trip delay travel insurance, how amex global assist works, american express® gold card travel insurance, recapped.

The American Express® Gold Card is best known for its dining, grocery and rideshare perks. However, this mid-tier rewards card also offers cardholders several benefits that can make it an appealing option for booking flights and rental cars. Terms apply.

Does the American Express® Gold Card have travel insurance ? Yes — in fact, several kinds. From travel protections to car rental damage waivers, let's find out how the American Express® Gold Card travel insurance works. Terms apply.

American Express offers four types of travel insurance and protections to holders of the American Express® Gold Card :

Baggage insurance that covers lost, damaged or stolen baggage.

Car rental insurance which covers damage to or theft of eligible car rentals.

Trip delay insurance reimburses expenses when your travel plans are delayed by more than 12 hours.

Global Assist helps coordinate services when things go wrong on a trip.

Terms apply.

Each of these travel protections has limits, exclusions and requirements. For example, you'll generally need to pay for trips with your American Express® Gold Card to get these travel protections. And the maximum benefit for each of these is capped at a certain amount. Let's dig into the details. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to file travel insurance claims

Cardholders of the American Express® Gold Card can get baggage protection on their checked and carry-on bags when traveling on a common carrier — such as an airline. To activate this coverage, all you need to do is pay for the entire cost of the flight, train, bus or cruise with your American Express® Gold Card or American Express Membership Rewards points. Terms apply.

AmEx even covers the loss or damage of bags on the way to or from the "common carrier terminal" (e.g., the airport). And it's not just the cardmember's bags that are covered. AmEx also covers the bags of your:

Spouse or domestic partner.

Dependent children under 23.

Certain disabled dependents.

If you need any more incentive to pack light: AmEx protects up to $1,250 in loss, damage or theft for carry-on bags and $500 max for checked bags. Note that this limit is applied per person — and not per bag. So, you won't get a higher amount of coverage if you spread your personal items across several bags. Terms apply.

AmEx also places a $250 cap on the amount that it will reimburse for "high risk items" — such as jewelry, cameras, sports equipment, computers or other precious metals. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Rental car insurance explained

Another useful American Express® Gold Card travel insurance protection covers cardmembers when they rent a car. To activate this coverage, just pay for the entire rental with your American Express® Gold Card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver product. Then, AmEx will automatically reimburse up to $50,000 in damage or theft for most rentals up to 30 days in length. Terms apply.

However, you'll need to be wary of several key restrictions:

Coverage is secondary. That means you'll need to file with your personal auto insurance company first.

AmEx doesn't provide coverage for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy or New Zealand.

Certain vehicle types are excluded — such as cargo vans, motorcycles, mopeds and campers.

This AmEx collision damage waiver, or CDW, covers damage and theft to the car you rent. You're still responsible for damage and injury done to others. So make sure your personal auto insurance covers your liability when renting cars.

» Learn more: The cheapest car rental companies, according to data

One of the newest travel insurance perks of the American Express® Gold Card (added as of Jan. 1, 2020) is trip delay insurance protections. This trip delay insurance kicks in when you pay for a trip with your American Express® Gold Card or AmEx points. Terms apply.

Then, if your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours for a covered reason, American Express will reimburse you up to $300 for reasonable expenses such as meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items. Terms apply.

Unfortunately, not every flight delay will be covered. This American Express® Gold Card travel insurance takes effect only when your trip is delayed more than 12 hours due to:

Inclement weather.

An equipment failure of the airline or common carrier.

Lost or stolen passports or travel documents.

Terrorist action or hijacking.

Note that you must be on a trip starting from your city of residence to be covered. But, don't worry if you booked a complicated itinerary. This trip delay insurance is effective as long as you start from your home and pay for your entire trip with the American Express® Gold Card — including all round-trip and one-way travel along the way. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to book better and avoid flight delays

Think of AmEx Global Assist as your travel assistant. AmEx Global Assist can help with everything from visa and vaccination information before your trip, to emergency cash wires if things go wrong during your trip.

AmEx provides many travel advice and assistance services free of charge. However, if you need outside help — such as emergency translation or legal assistance — you'll be on the hook for payments to third-party service providers.

The AmEx Global Assist Hotline services available to American Express® Gold Card members aren't as comprehensive as what you'll get on other premium AmEx cards. However, it can still be an excellent resource when you need help before or during your travels. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards may surprise you

While the American Express® Gold Card isn't a premium travel card, it still offers core travel insurance protections that can make it the go-to card for booking travel and rental cars. Terms apply.

Use your American Express® Gold Card to book travel to get up to $1,250 in coverage for lost or stolen baggage and up to $300 in reimbursements during a covered delay of 12 hours or more. Rent a car with your American Express® Gold Card to get secondary coverage of up to $50,000 for damage or theft. And you can fall back on AmEx Global Assist anytime you run into issues — when planning your trip or if you have an emergency during the trip. Terms apply.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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

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Published 5:44 a.m. UTC June 3, 2024

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Frequent travelers know that The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) is loaded with premium travel benefits and annual statement credits that can justify its large annual fee. The Amex Platinum’s car rental benefits include protection against theft or damage¹ and elite status perks with Avis, Hertz and National Car Rental (enrollment required).

The card’s secondary rental car coverage¹ puts it at a distinct disadvantage to other luxury travel cards that include primary rental car insurance. However, Amex cardholders can also opt for primary rental car protection for a flat fee under $25 that’s only charged once per rental period (price varies depending on coverage selection and location).

When the annual fee can be worth it: Here’s how this card holder gets every penny back from the annual fee on their Amex Platinum

Amex Platinum Card overview

The American Express Platinum Card includes a variety of premium travel benefits for luxury travelers. In exchange for its $695 annual fee, you receive more than $1,500 in value, such as annual statement credits, airport lounge access, complimentary elite status and more. Here are a few of the major perks included with this card:

• Welcome bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Earn high rewards in several areas: 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Flexible redemption options: Membership Rewards points have numerous redemption options, including booking travel, cash back (via statement credit), gift cards, online shopping and more. Plus, Amex partners with nearly two dozen airlines and hotels, so you can transfer points to book award reservations through those loyalty programs.
• Global Lounge Collection: Complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges from American Express, Priority Pass (enrollment required) and more.
• Travel protections: Your trips are covered against delay², cancellation and interruption³ when using your Amex Platinum to book your reservations.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s take

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.
• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

Card details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, 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.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $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.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• 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 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), 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.
• 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.

How does Amex Platinum car rental insurance work?

To receive Amex Platinum car rental insurance¹ on your reservation, you must use your card to pay for the entire rental and decline the rental company’s coverage options. This coverage also applies when redeeming Membership Rewards points to pay for some or all of the reservation.

Rental car protection¹ covers Amex Platinum cardholders, their spouse or domestic partner and any authorized drivers.

Rental car elite status

As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you and your authorized Platinum Card users receive complimentary elite status from three major rental car companies. Each program requires manual activation of these benefits, and you must use the special code when booking a rental car to receive benefits like free upgrades and discounts.

Avis Preferred

When you enroll with Avis Preferred, you’ll receive Avis Preferred Plus status. This status level includes a complimentary upgrade (when available) and additional Avis Preferred points on your reservations. To receive discounts on your rental, use your Platinum AWD discount code “A756900” and pay with your Amex Platinum Card. 

Plus, you’ll receive a free weekend offer after completing two qualifying Avis rentals in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands within the following promotional period: January 1 – June 30 or July 1 – December 31. Terms and conditions apply.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Amex cardholders receive complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. As a President’s Circle member, you’ll receive a discount on the base rate, a 4-hour grace period on returns within the U.S. and guaranteed car-class upgrades on certain classes of vehicles (with at least a 24-hour advance reservation). 

You’ll receive these benefits when paying with your Amex Platinum Card and using the Amex Corporate Discount Code (CDP) “211762” on your reservation.

National Car Rental Emerald Club

When you activate benefits with National Car Rental Emerald Club, you’ll receive complimentary Executive tier status. You can choose any car within the Executive Selection area and receive automatic upgrades when a full-size through luxury car is reserved. Plus, after six qualifying rentals, you’ll receive a complimentary rental day. You can also choose to receive airline miles or hotel points from one of National’s partners on your reservations.

What does Amex car rental insurance cover?

When using your Amex Platinum car rental benefits, your rental car is insured for up to 30 consecutive days per rental agreement. Eligible vehicles are covered up to $75,000 against damage or theft of the vehicle.¹

Additionally, this protection covers you for other charges beyond vehicle damage. Rental car companies may charge drivers for loss of rental vehicle use, towing charges, appraisal fees, storage, administrative fees and more. The American Express Platinum card covers all of these costs.¹

These benefits also include accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $300,000, accidental injury coverage up to $300,000 and personal property coverage up to $2,000.¹

What it doesn’t cover

Although the most exclusive cards, like American Express, are known for excellent customer service and generous benefits, the Amex Platinum car rental insurance¹ doesn’t cover every situation or claim. There are numerous exceptions where you won’t be covered against loss. Here are a few of the situations not covered by your Amex car rental coverage that may apply to your next rental car reservation.

• Vehicles rented in Australia, Italy or New Zealand.
• Illegal activity by the renter.
• Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
• Off-road operation of the vehicle.
• Intentional damage by the renter.
• Normal wear and tear.
• Theft or damage to an unlocked vehicle.
• Cargo vans, box trucks or vans with seating capacity for more than eight passengers.
• Using the vehicle for commercial or “for hire” purposes.
• Off-road vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds or recreational vehicles.

Additionally, these car rental benefits only apply to theft or damage to the rental car. This insurance does not cover damage to other vehicles or property. Nor does it cover injuries to passengers, other drivers or pedestrians.¹

How to file a claim for Amex Platinum rental car insurance

If your rental car experiences damage or theft during your rental period, you’ll need to file a claim . Since the Amex Platinum car rental benefits provide secondary coverage ¹, you must also involve your auto insurance carrier unless you paid the additional fee to make the insurance primary.

• Start your claim within 30 days of the loss or as soon as reasonably possible. You can call (800) 338-1670 or go online at americanexpress.com/protectionbenefits . If you’re outside the U.S., call collect at (303) 273-6497.
• Claim forms will be sent to the Amex Platinum Card customer after starting your claim. If you haven’t received these forms within 15 days, you can submit your own written statement with the details of your claim.
• Submit your claim forms and proof of loss within sixty days. Required documents vary by situation, but may include an itemized repair bill and copies of the rental agreement, the charge slip for the rental, your auto insurance coverage, your driver’s license and a police report (if applicable).
• Claims for benefits are typically paid within 30 days of receipt of all requested documents supporting your proof of loss.

Amex Premium car rental protection

Although the Amex Platinum car rental benefits include secondary coverage¹, many travelers want a higher level of protection. 

Amex Premium Car Rental Protection has two coverage options that offer primary rental car insurance. Depending on which coverage level you select, you’ll pay either $19.95 or $24.95 per rental period. This is one flat fee per rental, not a daily charge. California and Florida residents receive this coverage for a lower price.

This coverage provides insurance against damage or theft of your rental car for up to 42 consecutive days (up to 30 consecutive days for Washington State card members). It does not include liability coverage for injuries to others or property damage. Coverage is worldwide, except for Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica and New Zealand.

This optional insurance can provide huge savings over the daily rental insurance fees charged by rental car companies.

Other Amex cards that offer rental car insurance

If you don’t have an Amex Platinum, other American Express cards include secondary rental car insurance¹ benefits at no extra charge, including (terms apply):

• American Express® Gold Card
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express * The information for the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

All information about Amex EveryDay® Credit Card and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Additional Amex Platinum benefits worth noting for your next trip

The American Express Platinum Card is loaded with benefits beyond rental cars that may also be useful for your next trip. Here are a few benefits you should know about. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

$200 hotel statement credit

Save money with an annual hotel statement credit from the Amex Platinum Card. Get up to $200 back via statement credit for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay). These programs also include benefits like a welcome gift, complimentary upgrades when available and more.

Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold elite status

Link your Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty program accounts to your Amex Platinum Card to receive complimentary Gold elite status in both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. These benefits provide higher earning power on paid stays and generous benefits when staying at participating hotels.

Trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance

When booking a trip with the Amex Platinum Card, you’re covered if your trip is delayed, canceled or interrupted. Trip delay insurance² covers eligible expenses up to $500 per trip when your flight is delayed more than six hours. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance³ reimburses you for prepaid, non-refundable reservations up to $10,000 per trip that are affected for a covered reason.

Amex Offers

Before booking your rental car, check out your card’s Amex Offers . These limited-time offers may provide special incentives for rental car reservations. Depending on your card’s profile, you may receive bonus points, discounts or statement credits when booking your car. Enrollment is required.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes, the Amex Platinum Card includes secondary rental car insurance¹ at no extra charge. Use your card to pay for the entire reservation to be protected against theft or damage to the vehicle.

If your lender accepts credit card payments, you can use your Amex Platinum to make your monthly payment. However, if they do accept credit card payments, lenders typically charge a fee to cover credit card transaction costs. Contact your lender to ask if they accept credit card payments and what fees they charge.

Another option is to use a balance transfer or convenience check to make your payment. If you choose this option, be sure to understand the fees and interest rate associated with the checks.

The Amex Platinum car rental benefits¹ are the best of any Amex card. While the rental car protection offered by eligible Amex cards is essentially the same, the Amex Platinum Card includes additional perks that make it the most valuable choice. These benefits include rental car elite status, travel protections and generous hotel benefits.

The Amex Platinum car rental protection is secondary.¹ However, you can upgrade to primary coverage through Amex’s Premium Car Rental Protection for one flat fee per reservation (varies based on coverage selection and location). If you choose this option, it means that you don’t have to involve your personal auto insurance policy when making an eligible claim for theft or damage of a rental car.

To learn about your credit card benefits, contact customer service, read your card’s Guide to Benefits or review the card’s marketing page. When searching for your benefits, note whether the coverage is primary or secondary and if any exclusions apply to your rental.

Yes, authorized users, spouse or domestic partners and eligible authorized drivers are covered against theft or damage when using the Amex Platinum car rental benefits.¹ To receive coverage, your Amex Platinum Card or Membership Rewards points must pay for the entire reservation.

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

¹Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

²Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

³The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

*The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Lee Huffman spent 18 years in banking and investments and now uses that insider knowledge to write about credit cards, travel, and other personal finance topics. Lee enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less, and live better through the power of travel rewards. You can connect with him at BaldThoughts.com.

Ashley Barnett has been writing and editing personal finance articles for the internet since 2008. Before editing for USA TODAY Blueprint, she was the Content Director for an international media company leading the content on their suite of personal finance sites. She lives in Phoenix, AZ where you can find her rereading Harry Potter for the 100th time.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Platinum Travel Insurance*

Comprehensive worldwide travel insurance for you, your immediate family, and your Supplementary Cardmembers and their immediate family, from the moment you book with your Card.

Please download the full insurance coverage documentation  here.

If you cancel a trip

Cancelling, postponing or abandoning your trip provides cover for up to £7,500 cover for unused travel, accommodation, excursion and leisure activities that have been paid for, or pre-booked, on the Card Account which are not refundable or a fee is charged to change them.

Key exclusions and limitations

* Pre-existing medical conditions other than those on the accepted conditions list which is available by visiting our Insurance Benefit Centre

* Cancellation due to business reasons

* Abandonment after the first leg of a trip

* £50 excess applies

* Circumstances known before booking a trip

* Disinclination to travel

If you cut short a trip

Cutting short your trip provides up to £7,500 cover for costs to return home (and to resume original trip) and unused travel and accommodation costs where a trip has been purchased on the Card Account.

*  Pre-existing medical conditions other than those on the accepted conditions list which is available by visiting our  Insurance Benefit Centre

*  No refund for unused tickets where an insurer has paid for alternative travel arrangements to the same destination

* Cutting short a trip due to lack of enjoyment or adverse weather conditions

If you experience a delay on your journey

- Up to £300 for missed departure due to accident or breakdown, travel delay, overbooking, or missed connection

- Up to £300 for baggage delayed by airline·

- Additionally, up to £300 for extended baggage delay by airline

*Claims where travel tickets were not purchased on the Card Account

*Purchases which are not on the Card Account

* Costs where a transport provider has offered an alternative

* Baggage delay on the final leg of a trip

* Purchases made after baggage has been returned

* Costs which are recoverable from any other source

* Delays of less than four hours

If you are renting a vehicle

Car Rental Benefits – Theft, Damage and Liability

- Up to £50,000 for theft or damage to vehicle (including any applicable excess)

- Up to £500,000 (Up to US$1 million in USA) for damage to another person or their property

* Commercial vehicles, motor homes, caravans and trailers

* Cover applies only when rental agency allows refusal of their insurance

* An insured person must be named on the rental agreement

If your travel documents, money or belongings are lost or stolen

Up to £2,000 cover for personal belongings, money and travel documents which are lost, stolen or damaged when your trip has been purchased on the Card Account.

You will not be covered in respect of the following:

• Deductions are made for wear and tear 
• Money or travel documents which are not kept on insured’s person or in a safe
• Loss, theft or damage that has not been reported to local police, transport or accommodation provider
• £50 excess applies
• £500 limit for money and travel documents
• £500 limit for a single item, pair or set of items
• Limit of £50 money cover for children under the age of 16 where no excess will apply

If you become ill or have an accident while travelling

Provides up to £2,000,000 cover for necessary medical, surgical and hospital costs during a trip, all necessary repatriation and evacuation costs, or £2,500 for local funeral, and £1,000 emergency dental treatment.

* Claims arising directly or indirectly from any pre-existing medical conditions other than those on the accepted conditions list which is available by visiting our  Insurance Benefit Centre

* Medical assistance and expenses benefits if aged 70 years or over at any time during the trip 1

* Medical treatment in the country of residence

* Sports or activities that may be considered dangerous

* All costs must be approved in advance by the Insurer. If the unexpected happens on your travels and you need medical assistance, we should be your first point of contact. Simply ring the number on the back of your Platinum Card and we will ensure you get the treatment you need by a doctor who speaks your language

* In order to receive certain insurance benefits, you need to purchase the trip on your Platinum Card in full

1 If you are concerned about cover ending at age 70 and how it affects you, your family or Supplementary Cardmembers, please call us on 0800 917 8054

If you suffer serious injury on your trip

Up to £50,000 for death or permanent disablement on a trip caused by an accident (increases to up to £250,000 when travelling on a public vehicle)

* Terrorist activities except on a public vehicle

* Participating in or training for professional sports

* Work-related accidents

* The benefit amount for death is reduced to £10,000 for children under the age of 16

If you need Legal Assistance

- Up to £25,000 legal defence costs and legal costs in pursuit of compensation

- Up to £1,000,000 for legal liability for injuring another person, or damaging their property or possessions

* Legal costs in pursuit of compensation where the Insurer feels there is no reasonable chance of winning a case or receiving compensation

* Claims made against the insured Person by family members or an employee of the insured Person

* Liability which is covered by another insurance

* Legal costs incurred when using a motorised vehicle owned or possessed by the insured Person (liability benefits may apply where the vehicle is rented)

* If legal proceedings are successful and costs are awarded in favour of the insured Person, any legal costs and expenses are to be reimbursed from costs awarded

* Subject to enrolment

To learn more visit https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/customer-service/faq.enrol-insurance-benefits.html

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Descriptions of Platinum Card® insurance coverages are provided on this website for informational purposes only. The Terms and Conditions provide complete coverage information and supersede all other sources. Please note, by clicking the link below, you will be redirected to a third party website.