Emirates to become first airline to offer global COVID-19 insurance
Emirates will now cover coronavirus-related expenses should a customer be diagnosed with the virus while traveling.
The insurance, which is offered free of charge without any separate registration, will be extended to any Emirates passenger planning to fly from July 23 to Oct. 31. The coverage is valid for 31 days from the first leg of the traveler's journey, regardless of if the journey continues beyond the final Emirates destination.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Passengers can claim up to 150,000 euros ($174,000) for medical expenses and quarantine costs of 100 euros ($116) per day for 14 days. Funeral costs and repatriation assistance may be covered as well.
Emirates is also offering a dedicated hotline number and a WhatsApp number for the passenger to file claims or to contact for any inquiries regarding the insurance program.
An important exception to some of these expenses is that testing is not covered by insurance. In addition, expenses will only be covered by contacting the hotline — any attempts to pay out-of-pocket will not be reimbursed.
More: Emirates to bring back on-the-ground premium experience
"It is an investment on our part, but we are putting our customers first, and we believe they will welcome this initiative," Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said in a press release.
As Emirates resumes flights to more cities, giving customers the confidence to fly beyond borders is critical to sustaining its hub operations in Dubai. That's exactly what the airline is trying to do with the new insurance.
Emirates is not alone.
Many airlines have focused on emphasizing health and cleaning initiatives, and some have even established health advisory panels to highlight these health-related commitments to passengers. U.S.-based carriers are now rolling out policies to ban passengers if they choose to not wear masks. Going beyond these actions, Emirates is slating itself to become the first global airline to extend such a comprehensive offering that would cover the medical costs of its passengers.
Related: Lufthansa Group begins to offer 'return-flight guarantee' in Europe
Emirates' new program takes a notch up from what the Lufthansa Group began to offer last month, which is an "all-round carefree package" insurance that guarantees a return flight for customers in case borders shut down again.
While the Lufthansa Group's insurance package focuses on ticket flexibility and potential quarantine costs to passengers on its inter-European flights, Emirates is extending the scale and depth to include every passenger taking its flights — setting the airline apart from its competitors.
The airline has already established several safety protocols in addition to the new insurance such as mandating face mask usage on board and providing hygiene kits. It also began to require certain passengers (including those from select parts of the U.S.) to undergo coronavirus testing before boarding, a policy that has most often been seen with country reopening plans.
Related: Dubai is reopening, and this is what you have to know
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees