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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
Your complete guide to travel protections on American Express cards
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
December 24, 2025 • 15 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 note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Some cards mentioned below are no longer available.
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Quick summary
American Express cards offer a range of travel protections, including trip delay, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage insurance, car rental coverage and emergency assistance services.
Coverage levels and limits vary by card, with higher-end products generally providing more robust benefits than mid-tier options.
Trip delay and baggage insurance are split into two tiers, with higher coverage amounts for premium cards and lower limits for others.
Emergency assistance is available to most cardholders, with select cards offering enhanced medical transportation benefits.
What to consider
Coverage eligibility, benefit levels and exclusions differ by card, so reviewing the specific benefits guide is essential.
Trip delay and baggage insurance have claim caps and minimum delay thresholds that vary depending on the card tier.
Car rental protection is secondary and may not cover all vehicle types or locations; liability coverage is not included.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of which cards provide each type of protection, including specific coverage limits and important policy caveats.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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.
Various 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 overview of the travel protections available across the American Express card portfolio. Each section outlines a coverage type and the cards that offer it. We've also included coverage limits and any additional caveats to note.
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.
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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:
*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:
*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.
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:
*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.
Global Assist Hotline
Eligible cardholders can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency services coordination and assistance while traveling more than 100 miles from home.*
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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:
*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.
**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.
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.
Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for your tickets:
*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.
**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.
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.
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Level 1: Higher-end cards
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 exceeds the 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.*
This protection becomes effective when you purchase a ticket using any of the following cards:
**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 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.*
Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase your tickets:
American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Card**
American Express® Corporate Purchasing Card**
Business Extra℠ Corporate Card**
American Express® Corporate Gold Card**
American Express® Corporate Green 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.
**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.
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.
This benefit has two different “levels” of coverage, depending on the card you carry.
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Level 1: Higher-end cards
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:
*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.
**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.
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 the Amex benefits guide for full details about what your card offers.
