The 9 best credit cards with travel insurance

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

Travel insurance can save you a lot of money if something goes wrong on a trip. Luckily, some of the top travel rewards cards offer travel insurance when you pay for travel with your card. For example, some cards will reimburse select expenses if your baggage is damaged, you’re stranded overnight due to a flight delay or cancellation or you have to return home to handle a family medical emergency.

I almost always rely on travel protections provided by premium credit cards instead of purchasing travel insurance. But when traveling during the coronavirus pandemic, you should consider when to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections.

We have a separate guide about the best travel insurance if you want to buy a policy. So, today I’ll discuss some of the best rewards cards that provide travel insurance. In particular, I’ll focus on cards that offer both travel insurance and bonus rewards when you use the card to purchase flights, trains, buses and other scheduled transportation.

Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG’s free daily newsletter.

Best credit cards with travel insurance

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best overall card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best sub-$100 annual fee card
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best business card
• United Club Infinite Card: Best for United loyalists
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for business travel booked with Amex Travel
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for Delta loyalists
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: Best for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Best for U.S. Bank customers

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Types of travel insurance you can get from a credit card

Many of the best travel rewards cards offer travel insurance when you use your card to purchase travel. Although some cards will provide coverage even if you only pay taxes and fees on an award ticket, some cards require you to pay for your entire trip with the card. See the links below for more information on the types of travel insurance offered by select cards and the best cards for each kind of insurance:

• Baggage delay protection
• Lost/damaged baggage protection
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Medical evacuation benefit and travel accident insurance
• Emergency medical and dental benefit (offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Rental car coverage

As you’ll notice in this guide, the types and levels of protection vary significantly across credit cards. And most protections have exclusions or limitations. So be sure to read the guide to benefits on your card before assuming something or someone will be covered.

Related: TPG’s comprehensive guide to independent travel insurance — including coronavirus coverage

Comparing credit cards with travel insurance

Now let’s take a closer look at each card to determine how you can use these perks when things go wrong on a trip.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $1,200.

Rewards: 10x points on Lyft rides through March 2022; 3x points on dining and travel; 1x points on everything else

Travel insurance:

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage more than six hours
• Lost/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Medical evacuation benefit: Up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home (100-mile requirement waived for New York residents)
• Travel accident insurance: Accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel)
• Emergency medical and dental benefit: Up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home (100-mile requirement waived for New York residents)
• Rental car coverage: Primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or less

Annual fee: $550 ($75 for each authorized user)

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all travel purchases. Due to its 6% return and excellent travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is my go-to card for travel expenses. Plus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides protections on award tickets even when I only charge the award’s taxes and fees to the card.

To learn more, check out the full Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review and guide to benefits. If you decide to apply, here’s the official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Sapphire Reserve, Ink Preferred and Freedom Unlimited

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit on grocery purchases in the first year of account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $1,650.

Rewards: 5x points on Lyft rides through March 2022; 2x points on dining and travel; 1x points on everything else

Travel insurance:

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a common carrier delays your baggage more than six hours
• Lost/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Travel accident insurance: Accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $500,000 for common carrier travel)
• Rental car coverage: Primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to the actual cash value of most rented cars on rentals of 31 days or less

Annual fee: $95

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel rewards credit cards for the average traveler. Although a 4% return on travel purchases isn’t fantastic, it’s still respectable considering the card’s modest $95 annual fee and travel protections. As with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll get coverage on award tickets even when you only use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay the taxes and fees.

To learn more, check out our Chase Sapphire Preferred review and the complete guide to benefits. And here’s the official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

Related: 5 reasons why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should be your first card

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $2,000.

Rewards: 3x points on the first $150,000 spent each account year in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines; 1x points on everything else

Travel insurance:

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a common carrier delays your baggage more than six hours
• Lost/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Travel accident insurance: Accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $500,000 for common carrier travel)
• Rental car coverage: Primary coverage (except when renting for personal reasons in your country of residence, in which case coverage is secondary) for damages caused by theft or collision up to the actual cash value of most rented cars on rentals of 31 days or less

Annual fee: $95

The Ink Business Preferred is one of the best business travel rewards cards on the market. It earns a 6% return on the first $150,000 spent in select categories, which is excellent considering the card’s $95 annual fee and travel protections. As with other Chase cards, you’ll be protected on award tickets as long as you use your Ink Business Preferred to pay the taxes and fees.

To learn more, check out the full Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review. And here’s the official application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card

United Club Infinite Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $975.

Rewards: 4x miles on purchases with United; 2x miles at restaurants and on other travel; 1x miles on everything else

Travel insurance:

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to three days if a common carrier delays your baggage more than six hours
• Lost/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Rental car coverage: Primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to the actual cash value of most rented cars on rentals of 31 days or less

Annual fee: $525

The United Club Infinite Card provides decent travel protections, a 5.2% return on purchases with United and a United Club membership. But, its 2.6% return on other travel purchases and 1.3% return on all other purchases means you’ll earn rewards slowly. As with other Chase-issued cards, you’ll be protected on award tickets even when you only use your United Club Infinite Card to pay the taxes and fees.

To learn more, check out the full United Club Infinite Card review. And here’s the official application link: United Club Infinite Card.

Related: Best ways to use the United Club Infinite Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on your new card at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases) during your first six months of card membership. Based on TPG’s valuations, the 75,000-point bonus is worth $1,500. However, you may be able to snag a targeted 100,000-point offer through the CardMatch tool (offer subject to change at any time).

Rewards: 5x points on 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; 1x points on other purchases

Travel insurance:

• Lost/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000 per traveler for carry-on baggage and up to $2,000 per traveler for checked baggage, but only $1,000 per traveler for high-risk items. Note that you must pay the entire fare with your card (including Pay with Points).
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per covered trip and up to two claims per 12-month period per card if a common carrier delays you by more than six hours. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Rental car coverage: Get secondary coverage of up to $75,000 for damages caused by theft or collision on rentals of 30 days or less when you pay for the entire rental with an eligible card (including Pay with Points). You can pay per rental to upgrade to primary coverage through the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program.
• Emergency medical transportation: At no cost if the Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department determines it is medically necessary and advisable due to inadequate local facilities. You must be traveling more than 100 miles from home on a trip of 90 days or less.

Annual fee: $550 ($175 for up to three additional Platinum cards, then $175 for each additional Platinum card after the first three; see rates and fees)

The Amex Platinum provides an impressive 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year). it also offers 5x points for prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. So, using TPG’s latest valuations, you’ll get a 10% return on these purchases. But even with a 10% return on select airfare purchases, I still don’t use the Amex Platinum to book flights. Instead, I use the Amex Platinum primarily as a membership card since the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s travel protections provide better coverage for my travel style.

To learn more, check out our Platinum Card from American Express card review and take a look at the terms and conditions of each benefit. Here’s the official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express. But, you may also want to check the CardMatch Tool to see if Amex has targeted you for a different offer. However, CardMatch offers are subject to change at any time.

Related: Comparing built-in travel insurance with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 125,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG’s valuations, the 125,000-point bonus is worth $2,500.

Rewards: 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; 1.5x points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more (up to one million additional points per year); 1x points on other purchases

Travel insurance:

• Lost/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000 per traveler for carry-on baggage and up to $2,000 per traveler for checked baggage, but only $1,000 per traveler for high-risk items. Note that you must pay the entire fare with your card (including Pay with Points).
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per covered trip and up to two claims per 12-month period per card if a common carrier delays you more than six hours. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Rental car coverage: Get secondary coverage of up to $75,000 for damages caused by theft or collision on rentals of 30 days or less when you pay for the entire rental with an eligible card (including Pay with Points). You can pay per rental to upgrade to primary coverage through the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program.
• Emergency medical transportation: At no cost if the Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department determines it is medically necessary and advisable due to inadequate local facilities. You must be traveling more than 100 miles from home on a trip of 90 days or less.

Annual fee: $595 (see rates and fees)

The Amex Business Platinum provides an impressive 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. Based on TPG’s latest valuations, this means you’ll get a 10% return on these purchases. But, if you don’t want to book through Amex Travel and would prefer to earn bonus points on a wide variety of business expenses, you may be better off with the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

To learn more, check out our Business Platinum Card from American Express card review and take a look at the terms and conditions of each benefit. And here’s the official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express.

Related: Why you should consider having both the personal and business Amex Platinum cards

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first three months. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG’s valuations, the 50,000-mile bonus (plus the statement credit) is worth $650.

Rewards: 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta; 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.

Travel insurance:

• Lost/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000 per traveler for carry-on baggage and up to $2,000 per traveler for checked baggage, but only $1,000 per traveler for high-risk items. Note that you must pay the entire fare with your card (including Pay with Points).
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per covered trip and up to two claims per 12-month period per card if a common carrier delays you more than six hours. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Rental car coverage: Get secondary coverage of up to $75,000 for damages caused by theft or collision on rentals of 30 days or less when you pay for the entire rental with an eligible card (including Pay with Points). You can pay per rental to upgrade to primary coverage through the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program.
• Emergency medical transportation: At no cost if the Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department determines it is medically necessary and advisable due to inadequate local facilities. You must be traveling more than 100 miles from home on a trip of 90 days or less.

Annual fee: $550 (see rates and fees)

The Delta Reserve Amex provides a 3.3% return on purchases made directly with Delta as well as travel protections that can protect you on eligible round-trips. I’d personally use the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card instead of the Delta Reserve when buying flights. But the Delta Reserve offers decent travel protections if you don’t have any of these Chase-issued cards or want to earn Delta miles.

To learn more, check out the full Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review and take a look at the terms and conditions of each benefit. And here’s the official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.

Related: Choosing the best credit cards for Delta flyers

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. This bonus is worth $500.

Rewards: 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points on all other purchases. Plus, earn 2x points for every $1 spent on grocery store purchases- now through 12/31/21.

Travel insurance:

• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket for unexpected trip delays of more than 12 hours
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $2,500 per person, per trip for unused pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days for baggage delays of more than six hours
• Lost luggage reimbursement: Provides coverage for luggage and its contents if they are lost or stolen due to theft or misdirection by your common carrier
• Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage: Covers eligible medical services and transportation if you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip far from home that results in an emergency evacuation.
• Rental car coverage: Get secondary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision.

Annual fee: $95

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers solid value in exchange for its $95 annual fee. For example, you’ll get an up to $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck application fee credit every four years and an annual up to $100 airline incidental fee statement credit.

But, this card is ideal for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members. After all, these members can earn between 25%-75% more points on their purchases. That means the card’s 2x earnings on travel and dining could increase up to 3.5 points per dollar. Meanwhile, the 1.5x earnings on all other purchases could rise as high as 2.625 points per dollar.

To learn more, check out our Bank of America Premium Rewards Visa Credit Card review.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 points after you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening. These points are worth $750 when redeemed to offset eligible travel purchases. However, this card is only available to U.S. Bank customers who have an eligible U.S. Bank account relationship open and active at least five business days before applying.

Rewards: 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 3x points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending; 3x points on takeout, food delivery and dining through June 30, 2021; 1x points on other purchases

Travel insurance:

• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket purchased with your card if you’re delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: Up to $2,000 per person, but only to cover non-refundable common carrier tickets
• Lost baggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per trip (up to $2,000 per bag for New York residents) if your checked or carry-on bag (or its contents) is lost due to theft or misdirection by a common carrier
• Travel accident insurance: Up to $500,000 of accidental death and dismemberment coverage when you use your card to purchase a ticket for eligible forms of transportation
• Rental car coverage: Coverage for physical damage and theft, reasonable and customary towing and valid loss-of-use charges

Annual fee: $400

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card can be an excellent choice for daily spending and travel purchases, especially if the merchants you shop with accept mobile wallet payments. But the card doesn’t include baggage delay protection and the trip cancellation and interruption protection only covers common carrier tickets. However, the Altitude Reserve provides a solid alternative to those who can’t get accepted for a Chase card.

For more information, check out our U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card review.

Related: What credit score is needed for a U.S. Bank Card?

Main benefits of having a credit card with travel insurance

There are multiple benefits to having a credit card that provides travel insurance when you pay for eligible travel expenses with your card. The main advantage is simplicity: I don’t need to research independent travel insurance unless I’m going on a trip for which my credit card’s travel insurance doesn’t provide the level of coverage I want.

Having a credit card with travel insurance can also save you money. My sister-in-law paid more than $100 to buy theft and collision insurance from a car rental company. After that experience, she finally got the Chase Sapphire Preferred to obtain similar coverage as a card perk. Now, she can recoup her annual fee even if she just rents a car a couple of times each year.

Finally, having a credit card with travel insurance provides reassurance. I don’t need to worry if bad weather causes a flight cancellation and strands me overnight since I know my card will provide trip delay protection. And, I’m almost happy when the airline temporarily misplaces my checked bag for a few days, as my card’s baggage delay insurance means I can purchase some essential clothing items while I wait.

Related: Why you might want to get a premium credit card instead of purchasing travel insurance

How to submit a claim

If you’re in a situation where you believe you may be eligible for your credit card’s travel insurance, your first step should be to read your card’s guide to benefits or call the number on the back of your card. Even if you believe you’ll be covered after reading your card’s guide to benefits, it is usually a good idea to call the number on the back of your card. By calling, you can ensure you’re covered, learn about deadlines for making your claim and determine what documents you’ll need to collect.

The benefits administrator will usually walk you through the necessary steps for making your claim. Luckily, many card issuers now allow you to file claims online, so you may not need to send in physical documents. Be sure to pay attention to any deadline for starting your claim and uploading documents, as well as any specific requirements for requested documentation.

Related: Your guide to Chase’s trip insurance coverage

What card should I use for travel insurance?

The Amex Platinum‘s 5x points for airfare booked directly through airlines or Amex Travel is impressive. But the lack of baggage delay protection and the requirement of round-trip travel for some benefits usually discourages me from using Amex-issued cards for flights.

Instead, I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve when booking flights and other common carrier travel due to its solid mix of earnings and protections. But, if you can’t quite justify the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card both provide reasonable travel protections for a sub-$100 annual fee.

Related: Why the Sapphire Preferred should still be the first rewards card in your wallet

Bottom line

Credit card travel protections are easy to under-value. However, I’ve gotten thousands of value from credit card travel insurance over the years. As such, I’ll often forgo better earning rates to put airfare and award flight taxes and fees on a card I know provides solid protection. For me, this card is usually the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. However, I purchase independent travel insurance for select trips when I want additional benefits, such as cancel or any reason coverage or non-medical evacuation coverage.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, please click here.

Featured photo of the Beachfront Villa, Residence Terrace at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort. (Photo courtesy of Four Seasons)

Updated on 5/3/21.