Emirates will discontinue COVID-19 travel insurance after Dec. 1
Traveling during the pandemic means that travelers have to be prepared for just about anything, including catching COVID-19.
Many airlines have focused on emphasizing health and cleaning initiatives, and several —including Emirates — rolled out COVID-19-related insurance plans to reassure skittish travelers. But now, the airline is discontinuing its multi-risk insurance policy (which included COVID-19 coverage) for tickets purchased after Dec. 1, 2021. The news was first reported by the Dubai-based Khaleej Times and confirmed by Emirates.
"This decision was made after a review of customer usage and feedback since Emirates first introduced its industry-first complimentary insurance cover," Emirates told the Khaleej Times.
The policy was eligible for customers who purchased an Emirates ticket on or after Dec. 1, 2020, with a ticket number beginning with 176. Benefits included up to $500,000 for overseas medical expenses and emergency evacuation, up to $7,500 for trip cancellation for nonrefundable costs if the traveler is diagnosed with COVID-19 before the trip and a generous $150 per day per person for travelers required to quarantine. Travelers don't have to fill out a separate form and are covered whether they booked through the Emirates website, contact centers or travel agent.
The removal of this policy represents a significant change in the travel industry: Travel providers are eager to get back to normal and have begun rolling back pandemic-era perks.
Still, it's important to note that this expiration hasn't gone into effect just yet, so you're still covered under the plan if you have an Emirates flight coming up this month. Additionally, you'd still be protected even after the Dec. 1 cutoff date as long as your ticket was booked before Nov. 30, 2020.
Before the pandemic, tourists might not have thought much about travel insurance, dismissing it as a cash-grab. Now, it's become a necessity (and a requirement to enter specific destinations). If you don't have an Emirates flight planned this month and won't be covered under the expiring policy, there are still ways to safeguard your trip.
My colleague, TPG senior reporter Katie Genter, put together a helpful guide for booking the right policy for COVID-19 coverage. I'll link to it here, but there are some pretty essential takeaways.
First, if the Emirates news impacts you, you'll want to make sure to insure your travel plans with a policy that specifically covers COVID-19. This is extremely important as many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse insured expenses if you cancel your trip due to COVID-19-related concerns -- and you'll be on the hook for the costs.
Secondly, if your travel booking is nonrefundable, you may want to consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and adding optional, cancel-for-any-reason protection. (Not all travelers will qualify for this plan, however.)
Finally, it may be beneficial to take a look at insurance marketplace websites, such as InsureMyTrip.Your insurance options will vary depending on your destination, trip duration and many other factors, but this site can help narrow down the many insurance options out there. I've used the site several times on trips to Mexico and Thailand and found affordable and comprehensive plans for my travel needs. It has a pretty user-friendly interface, and travelers looking for COVID-specific coverage only have to select "Top Picks for COVID-19" to display your options.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.