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Capital One just bought my favorite flight insurance program 'Freebird'

Aug. 29, 2020
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3 min read
Delta Boeing 737-900ER first class seat
Capital One just bought my favorite flight insurance program 'Freebird'
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Last summer, my sister ended up with a $1,200 Delta First class ticket for the low cost of $19 because I paid for Freebird flight protection. I absolutely loved the protection the service offered for domestic itineraries and usually bought it for every low-cost carrier flight.

However, earlier this year with coronavirus wrecking havoc on the aviation industry, Freebird stopped offering its protection to the public as its business model was no longer sustainable with such unpredictability. That certainly doesn't mean its technology is worthless and Capital One obviously thinks the same thing.

Earlier this week, Skift reported that Capital One acquired Freebird's flight disruption technology and most of its staff are now working for Capital One.

Freebird can be a lifesaver when you encounter delays or cancellations.

As soon as I read the news, the possibilities of what Capital One could offer with this technology flooded my mind. I don't think they can offer Freebird protection in its previous form, but the technology could make a really savvy and really affordable flight insurance policy intriguing to Capital One cardholders, bank customers and Capital One travel customers.

Best case scenario, we end up with an amazing new card benefit with some form of Freebird protection being offered on domestic flights booked with a Capital One credit card. I think worse case scenario, a Freebird-type protection is offered at a very affordable price as an add-on to any travel booked via Capital One.

When I originally found the service and talked to representatives, it was apparent that this technology created to track and predict domestic flight disruptions was incredible. The company had almost hidden in plain sight for a number of years before it became popular with frequent flyers just over the last 18 months or so.

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Capital One seized Freebird at the right moment and I'd imagine got a great value buy with Freebird's public-facing business model, effectively done with COVID-19. Freebird founder Ethan Bernstein is now a Senior Business Director for travel at Capital One and will hopefully help integrate his technology into a great offering for Capital One customers. I'll be closely following how this unfolds and look forward to what the two companies come up with together moving forward.

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.