✈ The Claim That AI Got Wrong (and Paid Me Hundreds), TSA Lines Reach 3 Hours at Major Hubs & More From TPG ✈

March 9, 2026

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Think you aren't covered? Read this

by Ben Smithson, Senior writer

Here’s something I wasn’t expecting to write: My credit card’s rental car coverage actually paid out for damage I was almost certain would be excluded.

I almost didn’t even bother filing a claim, and I learned a valuable lesson about double-checking in the process.

On a recent trip to Fiji, heavy recent rain and low visibility caused me to hit a water-filled pothole, which shredded my tire. When I got home and checked the fine print on my premium credit card’s coverage policy, things looked grim.

The policy excluded “wear and tear, gradual deterioration, or mechanical breakdown” — and when I asked Google, ChatGPT and a fellow TPG expert whether a flat tire might be covered, all three told me it almost certainly wouldn’t be.

But before I wrote it off as a travel misadventure, I called the benefits administrator directly. While it took some time to get a definitive answer, it turns out that sudden impact damage from a road hazard is treated very differently from gradual wear and tear.

Ultimately, my claim was approved in full after I submitted the appropriate documentation. Word to the wise: Make sure you get a receipt for any repairs, and always do this one quick and very important thing before driving your rental.

The lesson here isn’t really about driving cautiously. It’s that the fine print on credit card travel benefits is genuinely complex, and even a thorough reading (or an AI second opinion) can lead you to the wrong conclusion. If you’ve ever assumed a claim wasn’t worth filing, you might want to think again.

The worst outcome is a no and 30 minutes of your time lost. The best outcome, as I discovered, is a full reimbursement you weren’t expecting.

Before you assume you’re not covered, pick up the phone. It could be well worth the effort!

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Photo Credit: ANDRES BALCAZAR/GETTY IMAGES.

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Today’s top stories

TSA wait times hit 3 hours Monday as partial government shutdown drags on

Wait times at TSA checkpoints escalated Sunday amid staffing crunches across the country.

X marks the spot: Staying at Hyatt’s artsy The StandardX, Melbourne

This hotel is filled with trippy art, colorful and cozy rooms, and hip bars and restaurants.

How I used my Amex Platinum benefits to save over $500 on a dream stay in Morocco

This TPG reporter maximized his Amex Platinum benefits for a dream stay at La Mamounia.

How to save on New York City travel for Harry Styles’ ‘Together, Together’ tour

Here's how to find a hotel and use credit card perks to make this concert more affordable.

Earn an instant $200 Amazon gift card with the Prime Visa’s current welcome offer

The Prime Visa card is one of the best credit cards for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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