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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Everything you need to know about Amex’s Premium Global Assistance and trip insurance benefits
Benji Stawski is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation.
November 12, 2024 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Premium travel cards often include lesser-known protections such as a global assistance hotline and trip insurance.
The global assistance hotline offers 24/7 support for travelers over 100 miles from home, including emergency medical transportation if deemed necessary by a physician.
Trip insurance benefits can cover delays, cancellations or interruptions for eligible round-trip bookings, with reimbursement for certain nonrefundable expenses.
Coverage details, eligibility and benefit levels vary by card, and specific exclusions apply.
What to consider
Trip insurance typically requires round-trip travel paid entirely with an eligible card, including taxes and fees on award tickets.
Coverage excludes preexisting conditions, certain high-risk activities and non-emergency treatments, so reviewing the full terms is essential.
Benefit levels and eligibility can differ between premium and mid-tier cards, with mid-tier options often providing lower reimbursement and stricter delay thresholds.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of what is and isn't covered by global assistance and trip insurance, plus real-world examples of how these benefits work in practice.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Among them are Premium Global Assist and trip insurance. (Enrollment required.)
These protections are separate from perks like baggage insurance — they assist with more severe issues like emergency medical transportation and unforeseen trip cancellations. While we all hope never to have to use these benefits, they’re worth familiarizing yourself with, as they can save you a ton of money and aggravation if you are in a time of need.
Amex cards that offer Premium Global Assist and trip insurance
All Amex cards have access to Amex’s Global Assist Hotline, but trip insurance benefits are reserved for the higher-end cards.
CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
For the most protection, you’ll need Amex’s premium cards:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express Corporate Platinum Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The information for the Amex Corporate Platinum, Amex Centurion and Amex Business Centurion 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.
Whenever you’re traveling on a trip of 90 days or less and that is 100 miles or more from home, you have access to Amex’s Premium Global Assist Hotline^.
This 24/7 hotline can help you with everything from customs information and destination guides to unexpected issues you may encounter during your trip, such as arranging emergency medical transportation, medical prescription replacement, missing luggage assistance and legal assistance.
For example, TPG reader Joseph was able to get tremendous value from the Global Assist Hotline during a trip to New Zealand when both of his children got sick and he needed help finding reputable medical facilities nearby.
KEITH BROFSKY/GETTY IMAGES
While most services the hotline coordinates for you are at your own expense, there are some benefits available to premium cardmembers at no cost. They include emergency medical transportation and evacuation — if the Amex physician or local physician decides that it is medically necessary and advisable due to the inadequacy of local facilities — and repatriation of mortal remains.
There are some important exclusions, such as preexisting conditions and refusal of permission by local authorities, so you’ll want to read the full terms and benefits guide (warning: PDF link) for your card. Also, note that the coverage is only for the cost of evacuation, not the actual medical care.
^Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
With the trip delay insurance provided by the cards listed above, you’ll be reimbursed for unexpected expenses — such as meals, lodging, and personal-use items — if your trip is delayed by more than six hours due to a covered reason. You’re covered up to $500 per trip so long as you booked round-trip flights and paid entirely with an eligible card (if you paid taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay With Points tickets, that is also covered).
Amex defines round-trip tickets as travel consisting of “roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip or one-way tickets.” So, for example, an itinerary bringing a covered traveler from New York to Los Angeles and then back from San Francisco to New York would qualify.
Some of Amex’s mid-tier cards offer trip delay protection as well, but only for delays of more than 12 hours, with reimbursement of only up to $300.
*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.
On the other hand, trip cancellation and interruption insurance provide reimbursement for covered expenses when you are forced to cancel or cut a covered trip short for an eligible reason. If you qualify, you may receive reimbursement of nonrefundable travel expenses of up to $10,000 per trip, with a maximum of up to $20,000 per eligible account for each consecutive 12-month period.
Covered reasons for canceled trips include inclement weather, terrorist action, call to jury duty, sudden illness or injury to you or an eligible traveler, the traveler's dwelling is made uninhabitable and if a quarantine is imposed by a physician for health reasons. Again, you must book “round-trip” travel, paid for entirely using your eligible card, to be covered.
Here’s a sampling of what’s not covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
Preexisting conditions
The eligible traveler’s suicide, attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury
A declared or undeclared war
Mental or emotional disorders, unless hospitalized
The eligible traveler’s participation in a sporting activity for which he or she receives a salary or prize money
The eligible traveler being intoxicated at the time of an accident. Intoxication is defined by the laws of the jurisdiction where such an accident occurs
The eligible traveler being under the influence of any narcotic or other controlled substance at the time of an accident, unless the narcotic or other controlled substance is taken and used as prescribed by a physician
The eligible traveler’s commission or attempted commission of any illegal or criminal act, including but not limited to any felony
The eligible traveler parachuting from an aircraft
The eligible traveler engaging or participating in a motorized vehicular race or speed contest
Dental treatment, except as a result of accidental bodily injury to sound, natural teeth
Any non-emergency treatment or surgery, along with any routine physical examinations
Hearing aids, eyeglasses or contact lenses
One-way travel that does not have a return destination
A counterfeit scheduled airline or train ticket, or a scheduled airline or train ticket which is charged to a fraudulently issued or fraudulently used eligible card
Any occurrence while the eligible traveler is incarcerated
Loss due to intentional acts by the eligible traveler
Financial insolvency of a travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier
Any expenses that are not authorized and reimbursable by the eligible traveler’s employer if the eligible traveler makes the purchases with a commercial card
**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.
Lesser-known benefits such as Premium Global Assist Hotline and trip insurance can save you time, money and in some cases — your actual life. Just be sure to review your card’s benefit guide very carefully for the full list of terms and conditions.
Apply here: Amex Platinum - Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
