amex gold usa travel insurance

Your complete guide to travel protections on American Express cards

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

Numerous American Express cards offer travel protections that can take the headache out of your vacations. However, the coverage you get (and the limits of said coverage) differ by card. Rather than trying to remember all of this on your own, we will guide you through the travel protections offered by American Express cards.

This guide provides a comprehensive, detailed look at the variety of travel protections offered across the American Express card portfolio. Each section outlines a type of coverage and the cards offering this coverage. We also include coverage limits and any additional caveats to keep in mind.

Here's what you need to know about American Express travel insurance coverage.

Trip delay insurance

Trip delay insurance covers you when you encounter travel delays. This could be a delayed flight due to mechanical issues or an unexpected overnight due to a weather-related cancellation. Other reasons are covered, but individual policies vary in what they do and don't cover. If the reason for your delay is not specifically mentioned in your policy, assume that it's not covered.

With trip delay protection, there are two different "levels" of coverage, depending on the card you carry.

Level 1: Higher-end cards

Some of American Express' top products offer trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than six hours, capped at two claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive months.*

This protection becomes effective when you purchase a ticket using any of the following cards:

• The Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Business Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley**
• The Platinum Corporate Card from American Express**
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Level 2: Mid-tier cards

Other American Express cards offer trip delay reimbursement of up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours, capped at two claims per 12 consecutive months.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase your tickets:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card**
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

This type of coverage is for situations in which your trip is canceled or interrupted (meaning you started the trip but must end it to return home). As a result, you're forced to forfeit prepaid, nonrefundable reservations. Again, be sure that your policy mentions your specific reason for it to be covered.*

All Amex cards with this benefit provide the same level of protection. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, you can receive a maximum of $10,000 per covered trip and a maximum of $20,000 per eligible card in a 12-month period.

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase travel:

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card **
• The Corporate Platinum Card® from American Express**
• The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express**

Global Assist Hotline

Eligible cardholders can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency services coordination and assistance while traveling more than 100 miles from home.*

The Global Assist Hotline coordinates services but is not the service provider. Any third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for your tickets:

• American Express® Cash Rebate Credit Card**
• Blue for Business® Credit Card**
• Blue Cash® from American Express**
• Blue Sky from American Express®**
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express **
• Clear from American Express®**
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
• The Plum Card® from American Express
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
• Amazon Business Card**
• Amazon Business Prime Card**
• Lowe's Business Rewards Card**
• American Express® Corporate Gold Card**
• Corporate Green Credit Card**
• American Express Cash Magnet® Card **
• The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express**
• The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express**
• Blue from American Express®**
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card**
• SimplyCash® Business Card**
• American Express® Platinum Credit Card**
• American Express® Credit Card**
• One from American Express®**
• Zync from American Express®**
• Schwab Investor Card® from American Express**
• Morgan Stanley Credit Card from American Express**
• Platinum Optima® Card**
• Optima® Card**
• Bluebird® American Express® Reloadable Prepaid Card**
• Serve® American Express® Reloadable Prepaid Card**
• The Corporate Platinum® Card from American Express**
• American Express® Corporate Green Card**
• Business Extra℠ Corporate Card**
• American Express® Corporate Accenture Gold**
• American Express® Corporate Meeting Card**
• American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Card**
• American Express® Corporate Purchasing Card**
• Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred® American Express Card**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Premium Global Assist Hotline

Like the benefit above, eligible cardholders for certain premium Amex cards can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24/7 for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency services coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles from home. With the Premium benefit, emergency medical transportation assistance and related services may be provided at no cost.*

If approved and coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost to you. Otherwise, third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Baggage insurance plan

Baggage insurance applies to covered persons for eligible lost, damaged or stolen baggage during travel on a common carrier vehicle (such as a plane, train, ship or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket on the trip (one-way or round trip) is charged to an eligible card.

This benefit has two different "levels" of coverage, depending on the card you carry.

Some of American Express' top products offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage. This coverage is in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. Coverage is subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip.*

For New York state residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/per suitcase limit for each covered person, with a maximum of $10,000 aggregate for all covered persons per covered trip.*

Other American Express cards offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage. This coverage is in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier.*

For New York state residents, there is a maximum of $10,000 aggregate for all covered persons per covered trip.*

• American Express® Green Card
• American Express® Gold Card for Ameriprise Financial**
• American Express® Corporate Accenture Gold Card**
• American Express® Executive Business Card**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car rental loss and damage insurance

Car rental loss and damage insurance applies to the theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use an eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the rental car company. Note that this product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply.

Some of American Express' top products offer car rental loss and damage insurance of up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to eligible rental vehicles.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for eligible rentals:

• Centurion® Card from American Express**
• Business Centurion® Card from American Express**

Other American Express cards offer car rental loss and damage insurance of up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to eligible rental vehicles.*

• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card**
• Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card**
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Card**
• American Express® Business Purchase Account**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Bottom line

Understanding what benefits your card has to protect you when things go wrong during a trip can help reduce headaches. To that end, American Express provides multiple travel protections across many of its card products.

Coverage limits within the same benefit can vary by the card you have, so consult your card's detailed benefits at americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for full details.

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American Express Travel Insurance Coverage Review – Is It Worth It?

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

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Why Purchase Travel Insurance

Travel insurance and the covid-19 virus, package policy options, custom select coverage options, pricing by age, cancellations and changes, to other travel insurance companies, to credit card travel insurance, travelinsurance.com, insuremytrip, squaremouth, final thoughts.

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We frequently discuss the travel insurance coverages that are offered complimentary on most credit cards . We do so because these benefits, especially the long list of travel insurance coverages on premium cards, can save you money, offer peace of mind during your travels, and provide help if something goes wrong.

These complimentary coverages are useful and can offer more than adequate coverage for most trips. However, if you’re investing in an expensive trip or 1 that involves multiple travel providers, purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy is a prudent move. You’d also want a travel insurance policy if your trip has a complicated itinerary or if you’re anxious about the possibility of having to cancel any portion of the journey.

Additionally, it’s imperative that if you’re worried about having medical coverage while traveling, you’d want to purchase a travel insurance policy that provides medical coverage.

Fortunately, travel insurance is widely available, reasonably affordable, and simple to secure. There are several reputable travel insurance companies , highly-rated by financial rating organizations such as AM Best , that offer nearly endless options from which to choose.

American Express Travel Insurance , underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, is one of those highly-respected, highly-rated, established companies offering comprehensive travel insurance solutions.

Join us while we check out the types of policies the company offers, any limitations of which to be aware, and additional options for protecting your next trip appropriately.

Travel insurance can help you avoid losing the investment you made when booking your trip, reimburse you for covered expenses should your trip be disrupted due to a covered event, or pay for emergency medical services.

Policies are designed to cover disruption due to the reasons listed in the policy you purchased. These reasons consist of events that are unforeseen and unexpected.

Here are a few situations where travel insurance could cover your loss:

• You or a covered family member become ill and you must cancel your trip. Trip insurance can cover prepaid non-reimbursable expenses.
• You are injured in an accident during your trip and need to be evacuated to a hospital by air ambulance.
• You become ill during your trip and must return home versus continuing on your journey.
• Your flight is delayed or canceled and you must stay at a hotel and incur expenses for lodging and incidentals.

Whether you should purchase travel insurance or not is a personal decision. If losing your trip investment or having to pay for extra expenses if the trip is disrupted makes you uncomfortable or would present a financial burden, then you should purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

If worrying about having to cancel your trip or having it disrupted during your journey is an issue, purchasing a travel insurance policy will definitely deliver some peace of mind, both prior to and during your trip.

For more tips on buying travel insurance in general, you’ll find valuable information in our guide to buying the best travel insurance .

Bottom Line: The longer, more expensive, and more complicated your trip, the greater the need for a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

When you purchase travel insurance and your trip is canceled, you expect to have coverage. However, not all cancellations are covered — only those specifically listed in your policy.

Once COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, it became a known event and therefore is not covered on travel insurance policies. While it’s reasonable to want to cancel your trip due to fear of COVID-19, canceling a trip due to the fear of any illness is not a covered reason on any travel insurance policy.

There is also no coverage for canceling a trip due to a U.S. State Department announcement warning of COVID-19 in a particular area.

In order to have coverage for voluntary trip cancellations, you would need to purchase “Cancel for Any Reason Insurance” (CFAR) . CFAR is not a stand-alone insurance policy — it is an add-on coverage you select when you purchase a travel insurance policy or coverage you may be able to add to a travel insurance policy after purchase, within an initially specified timeframe.

CFAR insurance is expensive, does not cover the entire cost of your trip, and not all companies sell the coverage, including American Express Travel Insurance.

Additionally, there is a small window of time when you are able to purchase the coverage, including during your initial purchase or up to 10 to 21 days after the purchase, depending on the company.

While American Express Travel Insurance does not cover trip cancellation due to fear of contracting COVID-19, there may be coverage in certain circumstances. For example, if you become sick with the virus and have to cancel your trip as a result, you may have coverage under trip cancellation insurance.

Additionally, if you become ill with the virus during your travels, you may have coverage under Travel Medical Protection. Terms and conditions apply.

Bottom Line: Travel insurance does not cover canceled trips due to fear of getting COVID-19 or a government declaration that a specific destination is unsafe. Cancel for Any Reason Insurance must be purchased to cover these voluntary cancellations. 

American Express Travel Insurance Options

American Express offers you 2 options when it comes to purchasing travel insurance. You can select a package policy that includes several types of coverages in 1 plan or you can build your own travel insurance plan and select just the coverages that are important to you.

Coverage is worldwide except for where it would violate U.S. trade or economic sanctions. All permanent U.S. residents are eligible to purchase travel insurance with American Express.

American Express Travel Insurance offers 4 levels of travel insurance package policy plans — a Basic Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan. Each has its own levels of coverage and associated premium cost.

Let’s take a look at the package policy offerings and pricing. We chose a week-long trip for a 40-year old that cost $3,000. Prices ranged from $59 to $208 to cover the entire trip.

With package policies, you can expect to find the following coverages. The limits of coverage differ based on the policy plan you select.

• Trip Cancellation/Interruption — Receive reimbursement for prepaid non-refundable expenses due to cancellation for covered reasons and additional costs if your trip is disrupted, also for covered reasons.
• Global Medical Protection — Receive worldwide emergency medical and dental coverage for the first 60 days of your trip and access to emergency evacuation/repatriation services.
• Travel Accident Protection — Receive coverage for accidental death/dismemberment from the time you leave on your trip until the time you arrive home.
• Global Baggage Protection — Coverage varies from $250 to $2,500 for lost luggage depending on the level selected. Baggage delay coverage starts from 3- to over 24-hour delays, depending on the policy plan selected.
• Global Trip Delay — Receive up to $300 per day, $1,000 per trip, depending on the level of coverage selected. Coverage is valid for delayed/canceled flights or involuntary-denied boarding.
• 24-Hour Travel Assistance — Have global access to planning and emergency assistance before and during your trip.

Bottom Line: American Express Travel Insurance offers 4 different levels of package policies, each comprising a collection of coverages most travelers look for. The plan you select and the level of coverage limits chosen determine the amount of the premium cost. 

If some of the coverages in the package plan are not important to you, you can select only the coverage(s) you want and pay accordingly. Perhaps, for example, you have a need for just medical coverage while traveling abroad. You have the option to select just that coverage.

This example shows the levels of coverage available and the associated premium costs. The Gold Plan selected offers up to $100,000 in emergency medical, up to $750 in emergency dental, and up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation/repatriation. The price of this plan would be $32 for the entire trip.

Bottom Line: Having the option to select only the coverages you want allows you to save money by not paying for coverages you don’t need. This is a key benefit of purchasing travel insurance through American Express Travel Insurance. Few travel insurance companies offer the option to purchase stand-alone travel medical coverage. 

Additional Information — American Express Travel Insurance

Like most travel insurance companies, American Express Travel Insurance prices its products within age brackets. The price for coverage is the same for everyone in that specific age bracket.

Based on dozens of quotes obtained, pricing brackets were determined to be as follows:

• Age 17 to 40
• Age 41 to 65
• Age 66 to 70
• Age 70 to 80
• Age 81 or over

Knowing this upfront can help you determine if you’re at the beginning of the highest price bracket or the end. For example, if you are 40 years old, you’re going to pay less than a 41-year-old in the next pricing bracket but the same as a 17-year-old.

If you’re a senior and want to learn more about purchasing travel insurance in your 60s, 70s, and beyond , the tips in our article will help guide you in the right direction.

Bottom Line: Knowing a travel insurance company’s age pricing brackets can help you determine which company offers you the best value for your money.

Here is some information you should know about cancellations and changes to an American Express Travel Insurance policy.

• You can change or modify your policy prior to your trip.
• You can request a full refund within 14 days after receiving your policy documents. Some restrictions vary by state.
• If you have purchased American Express Travel Insurance and your trip was canceled due to COVID-19, you may qualify for a policy refund . Contact AMEX Assurance Company for details at [email protected]. Terms apply.
• Once your trip is completed, you cannot request a refund.

Hot Tip: Due to the overall decrease in travel, many travel insurance companies now allow you to cancel your travel insurance and receive a full refund or extend your policy without extra charges. 

How Does American Express Travel Insurance Compare

When comparing other package policies to American Express Travel Insurance, the company’s premiums came up higher overall for this specific trip and traveler (1-week trip, 40-year-old, total value $3,000).

The first policy above with Assistance USA for $77, for example, has coverages similar to the Silver Amex plan which has a premium of $133. The coverage on the $102 Assistance USA plan above compares more with the Amex Gold plan at $157.

Prices will vary considerably based on the types of coverages selected, age, and limits of each coverage. We used policy comparison websites and found similar but not identical policies. With so many different coverage options, it’s difficult to compare apples to apples.

This is a very limited comparison — your results will be different based on your specific details. The most important factors to consider are that you’re purchasing from a highly-rated company, the coverages are a match for your needs, and the premium is one with which you’re comfortable paying.

The travel insurance coverages that comes complimentary on your credit card can serve to provide coverage for some trips. For example, if you book a domestic round-trip flight, a hotel, and a rental car, you may have sufficient coverages on your credit card to cover that trip.

Credit card travel insurance coverage, however, is not a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy , for these reasons:

• Most credit card travel insurance coverage is secondary and in excess of other coverage you might have. You’ll normally be working with 2 (or more) entities to get your claim resolved.
• Credit card travel insurance is administered by a third party, not by the issuing financial institution, thus making the claims process potentially redundant and complicated.
• You generally won’t find medical coverage on a credit card. The Platinum Card ® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® offer emergency medical evacuation and there is a small medical benefit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• Coverage limits are set on credit card travel insurance. Travel insurance policies can offer higher limit options.
• Credit card travel insurances have requirements such as purchasing the trip with the associated credit card.
• Additional coverages can be added to travel insurance policies such as CFAR insurance, a preexisting conditions waiver, and other benefits not available with credit cards.

Bottom Line: While the travel insurance coverages that come with credit cards may be sufficient to cover a simple trip where there is no large investment at stake, these coverages are by no means a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. 

The Value of Travel Insurance Comparison Sites

Because travel insurance is widely available and quite competitive, you may find drastic differences in the price you’ll pay between companies and policy offerings. Selecting a company is not difficult as there are dozens of reputable, highly financially-rated, established companies, but comparing policies is essential for getting the best value for your money.

One way to easily compare pricing and coverages is to utilize a travel insurance comparison site to narrow down the appropriate options for your situation.

Here are some of the most popular, easy-to-use comparison sites that only feature highly financially-rated travel insurance companies.

• Coverage is available instantly
• The comparison tool is easy to use
• The company has a “best price guarantee”
• Calls are handled by licensed agents
• The website contains educational information for understanding travel insurance coverages and policies
• Features nearly 2 dozen companies
• Compare 90 different policies from over 20 different companies
• Customer service receives high accolades
• Over 86,000 reviews

Bottom Line: Utilizing a travel insurance comparison website can help you quickly narrow your choices to policies that fit your needs and your budget. 

There is no doubt that American Express is a financially-stable, established, and well-respected travel insurance company.

One of the company’s strengths is that it offers the consumer the ability to purchase needed coverages separately , such as medical insurance for an international trip. The premiums for such coverage are also very competitively priced. This could be a huge plus if you are not interested in duplicating credit card travel insurance coverages or in having just secondary or excess coverage.

One downside, especially in today’s environment, is that American Express Travel Insurance does not sell CFAR insurance. If this is important to you, you should attempt to find the coverage elsewhere by using comparison sites.

Another downside that may or may not be important is that American Express Travel Insurance does not sell annual or multi-trip policies. You must purchase a new policy for each individual trip.

Also, like several other travel insurance companies, high-risk adventurous activities may not be covered with American Express Travel Insurance. You might look to a company specializing in insuring these activities such as World Nomads .

If you want to make sure you’re purchasing from an established company and have specific coverages you’re more interested in than others, American Express Travel Insurance is a solid decision . For package travel insurance policies, you might be able to realize modest savings by shopping around, but you won’t go wrong with the company selection of choosing American Express Travel Insurance.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is american express travel insurance worth it.

Yes, overall. American Express Travel Insurance is backed by AMEX Assurance Company which is highly-rated, established, and reputable.

The company offers competitive travel insurance package policies but also allows the traveler to build their own policies with only the coverages they deem necessary. This option can save the traveler money.

If you’re looking for medical coverage for an international trip, for example, purchasing with an established company at a reasonable price makes American Express Travel Insurance a worthy choice.

Do I have to have an American Express credit card to purchase American Express travel insurance?

No, you do not need to be an American Express cardholder to purchase a travel insurance policy from American Express Travel Insurance.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Travel insurance does not cover canceling your trip due to fear of getting sick. It also does not cover canceling your trip due to a government shutdown due to COVID-19, or a surge in cases in a particular area.

You may have coverage if you become ill due to COVID-19 and need to cancel your trip, depending on the terms of your policy.

You may also have coverage if you become ill due to COVID-19 during your travels.

Is credit card travel insurance any good?

The travel insurance coverages that come with your credit card can be sufficient to cover simple trips. If you’re booking a trip that has a complicated itinerary, involves several travel providers, or is more than a week in length, you might consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

In addition, if your trip is an expensive one, even if it’s simple and short, it would be prudent to cover your investment with a travel insurance policy.

Finally, credit cards do not come with medical insurance coverage. If you need this coverage while traveling, you’ll want to purchase a separate policy.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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How the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card’s Travel Insurance Works

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Whether you are traveling internationally or within the U.S., it is advantageous to have travel insurance if plans go awry. Many credit cards include some form of travel insurance to cover travel booked using the card.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has some protections, but not all travel insurance policies are created equal. For example, who qualifies and under what circumstances? Here is what you need to know about Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance. Terms apply.

When does the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card provide coverage?

The insurance coverage that comes with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card applies to the cardholder and traveling companions as long as they permanently reside in the U.S. and use the card to pay for the travel purchase. Terms apply.

The insurance will cover car rental loss or protection and baggage delay or damage, and it includes a global hotline for assistance. You must pay for the entire trip with the card. Using SkyMiles to cover the cost of the trip is not eligible for travel insurance benefits. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Common myths about travel insurance and what it covers

AmEx Delta travel insurance benefits and limits

The card provides only limited forms of travel coverage, which does not include if your trip gets canceled or delayed. It does include car rental coverage, bag delay assistance and a global assistance hotline for emergency help when traveling. Terms apply.

Car rental coverage

This is one of the biggest travel benefits that comes with the card, but it is secondary to other insurance you have. The cardholder must use the card to pay for the entire rental, although the use of certain coupons or discounts is allowed. You must be the cardmember or an authorized user on the card and have signed the rental agreement. Terms apply.

Your permanent residence must also be within the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Do Delta credit cards have rental car insurance?

To activate the coverage, you must decline the full collision damage waiver or pay for a partial collision damage waiver at the rental desk. The policy covers damage or theft to a rental vehicle up to $50,000, but several vehicle types are excluded from coverage including off-road vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, vans with more than eight seats or cars rented in Italy, Australia or New Zealand, among others. Terms apply.

Global baggage protection

This type of insurance covers lost, delayed or stolen baggage, whether mishandled via an airline as a carry-on or checked item. The protection will provide a reimbursement of up to $1,250 per covered person or up to $250 per high-risk item like jewelry, sports equipment or computers. The card must have been used to pay for the eligible travel. Terms apply.

Checked bags are protected only when on the aircraft, while carry-on bags are protected on board the aircraft, at the airport and in transit to the airport. There are numerous exclusions to protection benefits, too, including sunglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and prescription medication, among other items. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The guide to baggage insurance

Global Assist hotline

When traveling more than 100 miles away from home, you can take advantage of the Global Assist hotline for emergency coordination or assistance at any hour, as long as you’ve used your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to pay for the trip. This can come in handy when you’re in a pinch. Terms apply.

The service can help with lost passports , wiring cash, providing medical or legal referrals or offering advice with a bag delay. While there is a fee for some of these services, it is good to have a resource to know where to start. Terms apply.

How to claim AmEx travel insurance

Filing an insurance claim with AmEx can be done online at americanexpress.com/onlineclaim or by calling 800-228-6855. Claim information is available in the documentation and benefits guide mailed to you when you receive the card.

Keep all supporting documentation because it will be required when filing a claim.

You must file a claim within a certain time period after an incident. Be sure to verify all deadlines to ensure you don’t miss out on coverage.

The documentation can include details from the airline or other transportation carrier about missing bags, receipts for purchases or other proof of covered items that were lost, damaged or stolen.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

What if the card benefits aren’t enough?

Depending on the type of trip you take or the items you travel with, you may determine that Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance is not enough, especially because it doesn’t include trip interruption or delay insurance. That’s why you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage.

To search for a policy, contact your insurance provider or check out an insurance comparison site such as Squaremouth. There are numerous kinds of policies , including travel medical insurance, long-term travel insurance or “Cancel For Any Reason” insurance . The latter is often an upgrade to existing coverage but can refund a large chunk of your expenses — no matter what the reason for cancellation.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance, recapped

Whether you use travel insurance that comes with your credit card or buy another policy, it is helpful to know you have coverage in the event of a trip mishap or emergency. Be familiar with the intricacies of each plan because they can vary.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance offers basic protections that can help when hiccups occur along the way, but it does not provide the most comprehensive protections that other cards may have . Terms apply.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Amex Gold benefits guide

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Key takeaways

• Make sure to use your dining and Uber Cash credits each month, as these benefits don't roll over.
• Thanks to extended warranty coverage and purchase protection, the American Express® Gold Card can be a good choice for major purchases — especially if you can pay off these purchases promptly.
• To best use the Amex Gold's benefits, spend time familiarizing yourself with how the American Express Membership Rewards program works and how to maximize your points' value.

The American Express® Gold Card benefits are very generous, especially when you consider the card’s $250 annual fee. Not only does this flexible rewards card let consumers earn points in the American Express Membership Rewards program, but it comes with a lucrative welcome offer and a range of perks, including up to $120 in Uber Cash credits annually (up to $10 per month) and up to $120 in dining credits annually (up to $10 per month). Other Amex Gold Card benefits include various purchase protections and travel insurances.

The Amex Gold Card also gives consumers the chance to earn 4X points on up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1X points) and 4X points at restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.). Cardholders can also earn 4X points on Uber Eats purchases, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases.

Before you can decide if the Amex Gold Card is worth it , it helps to know the Amex Gold Card benefits you’ll be eligible for. Keep reading to learn about this popular rewards card , the benefits you can qualify for and how to maximize the card overall.

Amex Gold dining and entertainment benefits

Several American Express Gold Card benefits can help you save money on dining and entertainment, and one can even help you get tickets to sought-after cultural and sporting events. The following benefits come standard with your Amex Gold Card:

Up to $120 in dining credits

As a cardholder, you’ll receive up to $120 in dining credits per year, which are given out on a monthly basis in increments of $10. These credits do not roll over from month to month, so you’ll lose value each month you don’t use them. The dining credits are only good for purchases with Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and participating Shake Shack locations. Enrollment is required.

Up to $120 in Uber Cash

Cardholders also receive up to $120 in Uber Cash each year, which can be used for Uber Eats food deliveries or Uber rides in the U.S. These credits are also given out on a monthly basis in increments of $10, and they don’t roll over from one month to the next.

American Express Preferred Access

This Amex Gold card perk can help you get premium tickets to select cultural and sporting events (based on availability). While available events can vary and some are invite-only, it’s not uncommon to find entertainment options like Hamilton tickets or professional sports tickets through the Amex entertainment portal.

Amex Gold travel benefits

While Amex Gold travel benefits aren’t as generous as those you’d get with The Platinum Card® from American Express , this card does come with a few travel insurance perks (and a hotel credit) worth considering.

Car rental loss and damage insurance

Qualify for secondary auto rental coverage when you pay for an eligible rental car with your Amex Gold Card. Exclusions and restrictions apply, and this benefit does not include any coverage for liability.

$100 Hotel Collection credit

Cardholders also receive up to $100 in experience credits with The Hotel Collection, which can be used for eligible dining, spa and resort activities at qualifying properties. This credit applies when you book at least two consecutive nights at a participating property through American Express Travel. You can also receive a room upgrade on arrival (based on availability).

Baggage insurance plan

Qualify for baggage insurance when you pay for a common carrier fare with your credit card. This coverage is good for up to $1,250 per covered person for carry-on baggage. You also get up to $500 per covered person in protection for checked baggage when traveling on a common carrier vehicle (like a plane, train or bus). Other exclusions and restrictions apply.

Trip delay insurance

Amex Gold benefits also include trip delay insurance that is good for up to $300 per covered trip, although a maximum of two claims are allowed every consecutive 12-month period. This protection can be useful when a trip delay results in incidental expenses like meals or hotel stays. Coverage is secondary, and it can only be utilized when a trip is delayed by more than 12 hours. Other exclusions and restrictions apply.

Amex Gold card protections and insurance benefits

The Amex Gold Card also has a few protective benefits that can save cardholders money, hassle and stress. Keep in mind you have to pay for items with your credit card to be eligible for these benefits.

Extended warranties

Qualify for extended warranty coverage on eligible items that come with a manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less. This benefit gives you one extra year of warranty protection.

Purchase protection

You also get American Express purchase protection with the Amex Gold Card, which helps protect against damage or theft for up to 90 days from the purchase date. This coverage is good for up to $10,000 per covered purchase and up to $50,000 per eligible card per calendar year. You can also get up to $500 in coverage per eligible event when a natural disaster strikes.

How to maximize the perks and benefits offered by the Amex Gold

While the Amex Gold Card charges a $250 annual fee, the rewards and benefits can be well worth it. After all, American Express Membership Rewards points are valued at up to 2.0 cents each toward transfer partner travel, according to Bankrate’s points and miles valuations .

There are additional ways to maximize the Amex Gold Card benefits you receive, including the following:

Amex Offers

Adding Amex Offers to your credit card is a great way to get more value over time. These offers let you earn additional cash back or Membership Rewards points when you make an eligible purchase with a participating retailer or travel brand. Amex Offers are free to use, and the benefit they offer is given on top of the rewards you earn for paying with your credit card.

You may even be able to stack your Amex Offers with the annual dining and food delivery credits your card offers. For example, you may find you have an Amex Offer for Grubhub or The Cheesecake Factory, which would also be eligible for the $10 per month in dining credits on your card.

Sign up for the Amex trifecta

You can also maximize your Amex Gold Card by using it as part of the Amex trifecta . This trio of rewards credit cards also includes the Amex Platinum Card and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express , both of which have complementary earning structures and perks. With these three cards combined, you can make the most of all your spending and maximize your rewards.

Utilize your dining and food delivery credits

Another way to maximize your American Express Gold Card involves making sure you use the monthly dining credits and Uber Cash. Keep in mind that if you don’t live near any of the dining establishments that qualify for the dining credit, you can use it to order various groceries and household items via GrubHub.

Also, take the time to add your Amex Gold Card as the preferred method of payment to your Uber account. That way, your card will already be loaded and ready the next time you order a rideshare or an Uber Eats food delivery.

Use your card for big purchases

In addition to using your American Express Gold Card to maximize rewards in bonus categories, you should also strive to use it for larger purchases that require some protection or would be costly to replace.

For example, you could use the card to pay for home appliances, updated electronics, a computer for work and more, then benefit from consumer protections like extended warranties and purchase protection against damage or theft.

Learn the ins and outs of the American Express Membership Rewards program

Finally, you’ll want to understand the best ways to maximize points earned with this card. Generally speaking, this means learning all you can about the American Express Membership Rewards program and how it works.

You should know that an array of redemption opportunities are available to you, including the chance to use your points for statement credits , gift cards or merchandise. However, you can also use your points to book travel through the American Express Travel portal, or you can transfer them to Amex hotel and airline partners , if you prefer.

You’ll ultimately get more value out of your points if you go with the latter option and transfer your points to partners like Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

You can begin your research by reading over our guide on the best ways to spend American Express points .

The bottom line

The American Express Gold Card benefits are definitely worth your attention, especially since they are complementary and offered in addition to the rewards you can earn. Still, you should take the time to compare all the best rewards credit cards available, including other American Express credit cards , before you sign up.

Why I love the Amex Gold

Why the Amex Gold is great for traveling foodies

American Express Green Card vs. Amex Gold

Is the Amex Gold worth the $250 annual fee?

Is the Amex Gold worth it?

American Express Gold Card review: The foodie gold standard

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Credit Cards

Amex Gold Card benefits guide 2024

Julie Sherrier

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 6:09 a.m. UTC Feb. 26, 2024

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From best-in-class earning rates at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets to annual credits that almost entirely cover the annual fee, there’s a lot to like about the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees ). However, the annual fee could be a turnoff for some and justifying it can take some work.

The American Express Gold Card earns valuable American Express Membership Rewards® points, which you can transfer to more than 20 airline and hotel programs, among additional redemption options. And it earns these points at a quick pace.

However, when most people see the $250 annual fee, they may wonder whether the card is worth the cost. But, the card offers two main benefits worth up to $240 total per year. And that’s before you consider any of the Amex Gold Card’s other benefits, such as insurance protections, fantastic earning rates at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, quality earnings on flight purchases and Amex Offers that can provide extra rewards on qualifying purchases with select brands when you enroll for the offer.

Offsetting or even justifying the annual fee on the Amex Gold Card can take some work. For those who know they’ll take full advantage of the benefits, however, this card can easily become a long-term keeper. Let’s review those benefits up close.

Amex Gold Card overview

Unlike traditional cards, the Amex Gold Card doesn’t have a preset spending limit. That doesn’t mean you can spend unlimited money on the card, however. It means that the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

The card earns Membership Rewards points that you can redeem via Amex Travel, as a statement credit, to purchase gift cards or to pay with points at checkout with various retailers. You can also transfer your points to Amex’s travel loyalty partners , which includes nearly two dozen hotel and airline partners for award bookings. Valuable partners include British Airways, Air Canada, Delta, Avianca, and JetBlue or Hilton, Marriott and Choice Privileges properties, among others.

When making purchases on your card, you’ll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases. These earning rates at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets are stellar. The earning rates on flights are also solid if you don’t have another card earning higher rewards in this category.

Let’s take a look at the Amex Gold Card’s benefits to see just how valuable it can be year after year.

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American Express® Gold Card

Welcome Bonus

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Up to $240 in combined credits for Uber Cash and on select dining.
• High rewards rate on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and travel.
• Generous welcome bonus.
• $250 annual fee.
• Minimal travel perks.
• Complex rewards structure.

Card Details

• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Terms Apply.

Major Amex Gold Card benefits

If fully utilized, the benefits on the Amex Gold Card can justify the annual fee. Let’s take a look.

Up to $120 in annual dining statement credits

The Amex Gold Card offers up to $120 in dining statement credits with Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations each calendar year. This benefit is paid out up to $10 per month via statement credits when you use your card at these merchants (enrollment is required). Considering the popularity of Grubhub these days, using this perk should be easy for many people. This benefit is worth just under half the card’s annual fee each year.

Up to $120 in Uber Cash each year

Once you add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in your Uber account, you’ll receive up to $10 in Uber Cash automatically each month to offset UberEats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. This is another benefit worth just shy of half the card’s annual fee each year.

Generous earnings on food expenses

As mentioned above, the Amex Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

This earning rate makes the Amex Gold Card one of the best cards for dining and also one of the best cards for grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets. Other cards competing in these categories don’t offer the same elevated earning rates in both categories, so it’s worth highlighting just how powerful the earnings are if you dine out regularly or spend a lot on groceries at U.S. supermarkets for your family.

Earn valuable Amex Membership Rewards points

The points earned from the Amex Gold Card are Amex Membership Rewards points. There are numerous options for using Amex points , including using them as statement credits, for booking travel within the Amex Travel portal, for gift cards or to pay with points at various retailers or by transferring points to hotel and airline partners. This last option tends to provide the best value for your points, allowing you to move your points from Amex, typically at a 1:1 ratio, to the participating airline or hotel program of your choice and then redeeming an award flight. The great news is that award bookings can help you avoid inflated costs for flights around holidays or help you book tickets you wouldn’t buy if you had to pay cash, such as flying business class to Europe.

Multiple built-in insurance protections

With the Amex Gold Card, you’ll enjoy several benefits to protect you during your travels when paying with this card. The baggage insurance plan¹ can protect against lost or damaged luggage and the car rental loss and damage insurance² can provide additional, secondary rental car insurance for rentals paid for with your card, assuming you decline the rental company’s insurance offer. The Amex Gold Card also offers trip delay insurance³.

You’ll also enjoy extended warranty⁴ benefits — adding an extra year to a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less — and purchase protection, protecting items for up to 90 days after purchase in case they’re damaged, stolen or lost.

No foreign transaction fees

You won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees when using the Amex Gold Card outside the U.S. These fees can add 3% or more to each transaction on cards that charge them, but you won’t pay these fees with your Amex Gold.

Additional benefits worth noting

Access to amex offers.

Amex Offers provide targeted offers to cardholders, offering bonus points or extra cash back (as a statement credit) if you enroll and use an offer. Amex Offers run the gamut, from bonus points on Amazon purchases to a flat amount of cash back if you spend at least a certain amount of money at a local store. 

As these are targeted offers, not everyone sees the same deals — or you may even see different offers on one of your Amex cards than what you find on others. But these can provide extra savings and bonus points throughout the year, and they often do so on purchases you’re making anyway.

American Express® Preferred Access and Experiences

Your Amex Gold Card can help you get hard-to-come-by tickets or access to cardmember-only events. American Express Preferred Access lets you book premium seats at cultural and sports events, while American Express Experiences can provide access to exclusive ticket presales or exclusive events like Broadway shows or pop-up lounges at film festivals, to name a few.

No preset spending limit

Unlike traditional cards, which have a preset spending limit that you can’t exceed (often referred to as “maxing out” a card), the Amex Gold Card has no preset spending limit. Instead of a pre-established spending threshold, your spending power on this card evolves as Amex learns your purchase, payment, and credit history. It doesn’t mean you have unlimited spending ability, but it does mean you don’t have to worry about that preset limit that can be an issue when you need to make a large purchase on other cards.

The flip side of this is that you need to pay your bill in full each month with the Amex Gold Card. While traditional cards allow you to make a minimum payment and then carry a balance — accruing interest in the process — the Gold Card is designed to be paid in full each month. Eligible purchases that meet the minimum transaction requirements may receive an option to use the issuer’s Pay Over Time feature, which would let you carry a balance from eligible purchases (with interest), but this isn’t guaranteed.

There is an interesting element to this that’s worth noting. Since there’s no preset spending limit on the Amex Gold Card, there’s no utilization ratio to calculate on your credit report. That’s nice to know if you need to make a large purchase on your card, as you can’t divide by zero. Thus, while the balance will show up on your credit report, you won’t be close to “maxing out” this card.

Pay with Points option

On top of transferring your points to select travel partners or using them as a statement credit, you also have the option to use your points like cash when making purchases. You can use Pay with Points at merchants such as Amazon, Best Buy, Grubhub, PayPal and more. This won’t always present the best value for your points, but it’s nice to have the option if you’ve got a balance of points you want to use in order to save your money for something else.

Access to The Hotel Collection

Through The Hotel Collection, you can get added benefits on your next two-night minimum stay if you book an eligible property through Amex Travel. These benefits include a room upgrade on arrival (when available) and a $100 experience credit to use during your stay. The experience credit varies by property, but it can cover things like dining expenses at the hotel restaurant, spa treatments or resort activities.

Potential drawbacks

There’s a lot to like about the Amex Gold Card, but it’s not perfect. First, the $250 annual fee is higher than other cards in the mid-tier card market. Additionally, not everyone will be approved for this card, as it tends to require a good or excellent credit score for approval. Additionally, not having a preset spending limit can be problematic for those who might overspend on the card. This feature can make it easy to run up a large bill and needing to pay off your balance in full each month can be difficult for those who haven’t budgeted for it. If you tend to overspend on cards, this might be a poor option.

Not feeling confident you’ll qualify for the Amex Gold? Here’s how to check for preapproval with American Express

Should you get the Amex Gold Card?

In exchange for the Amex Gold Card’s $250 annual fee, you get top-notch earnings at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, as well as two benefits that come very close to offsetting the card’s annual fee. But that’s assuming you’re able to maximize them. If you live in an area where Uber isn’t prevalent, often cook at home or buy most of your groceries at Walmart or Costco (both excluded from Amex’s U.S. supermarkets category), you likely won’t benefit much from holding this card.

For those who regularly dine at restaurants, shop at traditional U.S. supermarkets and can use the Uber Cash credits plus dining statement credits upon enrollment, you’ll easily find value in this card year after year. It can put money back in your pocket and a ton of rewards into your account balance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

American Express doesn’t list a specific income level requirement for the Amex Gold Card. Instead, the income you declare on your application is part of a broader picture the issuer considers that includes your credit score, credit history and any previous track record you might have with Amex.

The Amex Gold Card doesn’t offer a lounge access benefit — neither for the Amex Global Lounge Collection nor Priority Pass . If you’re looking for lounge benefits, you’ll be better served with the American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) or The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply).

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

American Express doesn’t specifically list a minimum credit score for applicants, but you generally need a good or excellent credit score to qualify for the Amex Gold Card. That means applicants with FICO Scores of 700 and higher are more likely to be approved, with the highest scores having the best odds.

No, the Amex Gold doesn’t offer a TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit. If you’re looking for a card that offers a statement credit to offset your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee, many cards offer this benefit , but the Amex Gold Card isn’t one of them.

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page .

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

³Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

⁴When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

*The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Ryan grew up in Ohio but has lived in half a dozen states and multiple continents before recently returning to the U.S. and settling in southern California. After someone at his hostel in China said, “I flew here for free using points,” Ryan was hooked. In December of 2023, he completed his goal of visiting every country in the world. Ryan has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet, The Points Guy and Forbes Advisor. He also holds Brazilian citizenship and speaks fluent Portuguese. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, scuba diving, seeing animals in the wild and hunting for vegan tiramisu. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points and miles stuff is illegal.

Julie Stephen Sherrier is a personal finance writer and editor based in Austin, TX. She is the former senior managing editor for LendingTree, responsible for all credit card and credit health content. Before joining LendingTree, Julie spent more than a decade as the managing editor and then editorial director at Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She also served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights

A s you look ahead to summer and fall trips, it's important to consider what card you will use to book your flights. Every time you purchase an airline ticket with your credit card, you could earn valuable bonus points or miles toward your next award trip.

And don't forget about the perks that make your flights go smoother and protect you when things go wrong, such as airport lounge access and trip delay reimbursement .

Surprisingly, cobranded airline cards won't always get you the highest value from your flight tickets. So, before you miss the opportunity to earn additional rewards on this spending, consider opening and using one of these top cards for airfare purchases.

The top cards for airfare purchases

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees )

The information for the American Express Green 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.

Comparison of the best cards for booking flights

Now, let's look at each option to help decide which makes the most sense for your wallet.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees )

Welcome offer: The current welcome offer for the Amex Platinum is 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Check the CardMatch tool to see if you're targeted for an even higher bonus (offer is subject to change at any time).

Earning rates: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines and through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Plus, you'll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings through amextravel.com and Fine Hotels + Resorts and 1 point on everything else.

Analysis: In addition to earning 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines and through Amex Travel, cardmembers can unlock significant discounts on airfare through the International Airline Program and will get a suite of travel protections when booking round-trip flights. Plus, your airport experience will be more comfortable because you'll get access to airport lounges in Amex's Global Lounge Collection .

You'll get value far beyond booking flights with the Amex Platinum since it offers more than $1,500 in annual statement credits for select prepaid hotels, Equinox gym memberships , Clear Plus membership, select digital entertainment subscriptions , incidental fees on airlines and Uber purchases in the U.S., effectively reducing the annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Plus, you can transfer your points to Amex's 18 airline and three hotel partners .

Finally, you'll receive Gold status with Hilton and Marriott and elite status with Avis, Hertz and National. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)

For more details, check out our full review of the American Express Platinum Card .

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: The current welcome offer for the Amex Business Platinum is 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.

Earning rates: Earn 5 points per dollar on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel , 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year), and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Analysis: Unlike the personal Amex Platinum, the Amex Business Platinum doesn't earn 5 points per dollar on tickets purchased directly from the airline — only on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. Still, if you can find what you need through the Amex travel portal, paying with the business card will get you the same impressive 10% return (based on TPG's valuations ).

And with the Amex Business Platinum, if you pay with points for first- or business-class airfare on any airline or any class of airfare on your airline of choice, you get a 35% rebate (up to 1 million points per calendar year), which effectively yields 1.54 cents per point in value. Like the personal version, the Amex Business Platinum includes access to the International Airline Program , which can give you significant savings on flights.

Cardholders get access to airport lounges in Amex's Global Lounge Collection and other travel benefits, such as an up-to-$200 annual airline fee credit, a credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application (up to $100), and automatic Gold status in both the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs. Non-travel benefits include up to $400 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Dell purchases (valid until 12/31/24). Enrollment is required for select benefits.

For more details, check out our full review of the American Express Business Platinum Card .

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

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual fee: $550

Sign-up bonus: The Chase Sapphire Reserve currently comes with 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Earning rates: Earn 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel (including airfare, hotels, car rentals, parking and tolls) and dining and 1 point per dollar on everything else. You'll also earn 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2025).

Analysis: The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, worth 2.05 cents each according to TPG valuations , thanks to the option to transfer them to Chase's 11 airline and three hotel transfer partners . You can also redeem these points for travel and activities through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal . Your points are worth 1.5 cents a piece when you go this route.

With this card, you'll get additional benefits like an annual $300 travel statement credit , a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and access to Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges and restaurants . If anything goes wrong with your flight, this is the card you want to carry since it comes with industry-leading trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuation and transportation.

For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Related: What credit score do you need for the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Annual fee: $95

Sign-up bonus: The Ink Business Preferred Card currently has a sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Earning rates: Earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined travel ; shipping; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases made on social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Analysis: Note that the enhanced earning rate on the above categories applies to the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases across those categories. This card also earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to any of Chase's travel partners or redeem through the Ultimate Rewards portal at a rate of 1.25 cents each.

Although coverage isn't as comprehensive as with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Ink Business Preferred still offers a good array of travel protections.

For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Ink Preferred Card .

Related: Is the Ink Business Preferred worth the annual fee?

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Card

American Express Gold Card

Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees )

Welcome offer: The Amex Gold 's current welcome offer is 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Check the CardMatch tool to see if you're targeted for an even higher offer (subject to change at any time).

Earning rates: Earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 spent each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Analysis: This card offers 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through Amex Travel . According to TPG valuations , American Express Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, so you'll earn a 6% return. You also get a whopping 4 points per dollar at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year.

The card also offers up to $120 in statement credits for dining at participating restaurants each calendar year and up to $120 annually in monthly Uber Cash . It provides solid shopping protections , though its travel protections aren't as comprehensive as those other American Express cards offer. Enrollment is required.

For more details, check out our full review of the American Express Gold Card .

Related: Want to switch to the Rose Gold Amex? It's easier than you might think

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

American Express Green Card

Annual fee: $150

Welcome offer: New applicants can earn 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Earning rates: Earn 3 points per dollar on travel (including flights, hotels, vacation rentals and more), transit (including trains, buses, ferries, subway and more) and dining at restaurants, as well as 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Analysis: The Amex Green Card is a great way to earn Membership Rewards points on all your travel purchases for a lower annual fee than its Gold and Platinum siblings. The ability to earn 3 points on broadly defined travel and transit categories means you're likely to earn an effective 6% return (according to TPG valuations ) on all the major elements of your travels, and you'll be able to earn bonus points when you dine out whether you're traveling or at home.

In addition to these solid bonus categories, the Amex Green offers up to $189 in credits for a Clear Plus membership and up to $100 in Lounge Buddy credits . These aren't nearly as valuable as the Amex Platinum Card's statement credits or as easy to use as the Amex Gold's, but they can help make your travels more comfortable. You'll also get travel and shopping protections with this card.

For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Green Card .

Related: Why the Amex Green Card is great for beginner travelers

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Sign-up bonus: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card 's current sign-up bonus is 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Earning rates: Earn 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal; 2 points per dollar on all other travel (including airfare) not purchased through the Chase travel portal; 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Analysis: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is ideal for those who want to earn valuable rewards without paying a high annual fee . Five points per dollar on travel through Chase's travel portal is extremely generous for a card with this low of an annual fee. It also earns 2 points per dollar on all other travel expenses booked outside the Chase travel portal, including hotels, Airbnbs, public transit and more.

The rewards you earn with this card are fully transferable, so you can transfer your points to any of Chase's travel partners. Similar to the other Chase cards listed above, you'll get several travel protections when booking your flights with this card, including trip delay reimbursement , trip cancellation insurance and baggage delay insurance . You'll also get primary car rental coverage if you rent a car during your trip.

For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card .

Related: How to maximize your earnings with the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Citi Premier Card

Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees )

Sign-up bonus: The Citi Premier Card 's current sign-up bonus is 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.

Earning rates: For a limited time, earn 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked on the Citi Travel Portal through June 30, 2024. Earn 3 points per dollar on air travel, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets and 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

Analysis: The main selling point of the Citi Premier card is the number of airline partners you can transfer your points to through the ThankYou Rewards program .

The card's relatively low annual fee can be easily offset by the $100 annual hotel credit you get when you book a hotel stay of $500 or more through thankyou.com (excluding taxes and fees). There's no fee to add authorized users to your card, and there are no foreign transaction fees .

For more details, check out our full review of the Citi Premier .

Apply here: Citi Premier Card

Bottom line

Airfare is a popular bonus category among the top rewards cards . However, the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum stand out. Besides offering what's effectively a 10% return on your spending, they can score you exclusive discounts on your flights and offer an array of travel protections. On top of that, they provide access to more airport lounges than any other card.

That said, if you don't want to pay a high annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card are solid options and offer solid sign-up bonuses. Regardless of your priorities, reach for a card on this list the next time you book airfare to ensure you get a good return.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here .

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here .

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here .

For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, click here .

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

• Nationwide Travel Insurance
• AXA Assistance USA
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• World Nomads Travel Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance Tips

• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cruise Insurance Companies of April 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

A cruise vacation can take much of the stress out of planning a vacation. With a pre-set itinerary on the high seas, you don't have to worry about how you're getting to your destination and what you're going to do there. However, an unexpected emergency can take the wind out of your sails and money out of your travel budget. So you'll want to ensure you have the best travel insurance coverage that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Best Cruise Insurance Companies

• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
• AXA Assistance USA : Best for Affordability
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Best for Seniors
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance : Best for Expensive Trips
• World Nomads Travel Insurance : Best for Exotic Locations

Compare the Top Cruise Insurance Offers

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
• Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
• Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
• Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

Cruise Insurance Reviews

Best cruise insurance overall: nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a long-standing and reputable brand within the insurance marketplace that offers cruise insurance plans with solid coverage and reasonable rates.

It has three cruise insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage.

The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Affordability: AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA  offers three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.

In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.

The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Seven Corners Travel Insurance lets cruisers enjoy traveling in their golden years with the knowledge they're covered in the event of an accident or emergency. While other providers do offer coverage to those 80+ years old, Seven Corners is known for its affordable premiums while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.

Seven Corners also offers the option of a preexisting conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.

You can choose between the Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice plans, with the higher-tier Choice plan costing more but providing more coverage.

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here. 

Best Cruise Insurance for Expensive Trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance  offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays & cancellations, and medical expenses. But their premiums remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.

Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but you'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost. You also have the option to add CFAR coverage for an additional cost.

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Exotic Locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

World Nomads Travel Insurance  has been a top choice for comprehensive travel insurance for many years now. And it's a great option when it comes to cruise coverage, too.

Even the most basic Standard Plan comes with $100,000 in medical emergency coverage and $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. And you'll get higher coverage limits with their Premium Plan. Plus, unlike many other providers, World Nomads trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage include COVID-19-related issues.

What sets World Nomads apart from many other insurance companies is that its policies cover 200+ adventure sports. This can be important for adventurous cruisers who plan to take part in activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, or parasailing during their cruise.

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Insurance

At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.

Why Cruise Insurance is Important

Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.

Types of Cruise Insurance Coverage

Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts.

Medical Coverage

Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage

In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses.

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience.

Buying Cruise Insurance

Securing the best cruise insurance isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs.

When to Purchase Cruise Insurance

Timing is everything. Purchasing your insurance soon after booking your cruise can often provide additional benefits and ensure you're covered for any early surprises. As you get closer to your trip your coverage options may get more expensive, and certain providers may not be able to offer you coverage.

How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Insurance

Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat. A travel insurance comparison site like SquareMouth is a good place to compare multiple quotes from all of the major carriers at once.

How to Pick The Best Cruise Insurance for You

When buying travel insurance for a cruise, consider the additional risks that are specific to cruising. These include hurricanes and other weather-related concerns, strict cancellation terms, high pre-paid costs of a cruise, and the distance to emergency medical assistance.

To find the policy that's right for you, it's best to compare several different cruise insurance policies based on the pricing and coverage they provide. Remember too that all reputable insurance providers will offer a "free-look period." This allows you to return the policy you've purchased for any reason, within a specific time period, for a full refund.

The most important coverages to look for in cruise insurance are:

• Medical coverage — This coverage will pay for medical bills outside the US. But because treatment can be more expensive while onboard, make sure your policy offers sufficient coverage ($100,000+).
• Medical evacuation coverage — This coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if you become sick or injured during your journey. But an evacuation from sea will be more expensive than one from land. So you'll want to make sure your coverage has sufficiently high limits ($250,000+).
• Missed connection (missed port of call) coverage — This type of coverage will help you catch up to your itinerary if you miss your port of call for a covered reason, like a delayed flight on the way to the airport.
• Coverage for hurricane warnings — With this type of coverage, you don't actually need to be affected by the hurricane. You can cancel and be reimbursed for your trip if the NOAA issues a hurricane warning. If you're cruising anywhere during (or on the tail ends) of hurricane season, this can come in handy. Just note: You can't buy travel insurance to cover a weather event once a storm or hurricane has been named.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) — This is the most comprehensive coverage you can get, as it allows cancellations and reimbursement for pre-paid expenses for any reason. This can be a wise add-on for cruise coverage given the often higher prepaid expenses associated with cruising. See our guide to the best CFAR travel insurance options to learn more.
• Preexisting conditions — This coverage ensures that no known health conditions are excluded from coverage. Obtaining a preexisting condition waiver usually requires purchasing your travel insurance soon after booking your trip.
• Personal possessions insurance — Because of the events and fancy dinners cruise ships hold, you might take more valuable clothing or jewelry with you on a cruise. This type of coverage will insure your belongings against loss or theft while cruising.
• Baggage loss and delay — This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount for essentials if your bags are delayed or if your bags get lost en route.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for cruise insurance coverage. The price will vary depending on factors like your age, your travel destination, and whether you require additional coverage.

If you're booking a cruise, we recommend purchasing travel insurance when you make your first trip payment. That could be for the cruise itself or an expense like airfare to get you to your cruising destination. This way, if you have to cancel your trip, you'll have the most extended coverage period possible.

You can buy your own cruise insurance that isn't offered directly through the cruise line operator. In fact, this could be a better option if you want coverage for your travel to the cruise's departure point, not just for the cruise itself.

The difference between traditional travel insurance and cruise insurance is that cruise insurance offers more specialized coverage, for situations such as missing a departure port and more coverage for medical evacuations, since it's more expensive to evacuate someone at sea than on land. 

Most cruise insurance includes coverage for missing a departure port, so you should be able to claim for a missed port. Just make sure you check the details of your policy before you file a claim, and before you travel so you know what compensation you're entitled to.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cruise Travel Insurance

When comparing cruise travel insurance providers, we evaluated them based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:

Customer Satisfaction

We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot and SquareMouth.

Policy Types

We look at policy types and offerings, from standard travel protections to adventure sports coverage. We look at the amount of insurance offered

Average Premiums

We compare average premiums per trip. Some companies also offer annual plans, and we compare policies accordingly.

Claims Paid

How frequently do companies pay claims easily and quickly? We check customer reviews and other resources to see which companies honor policies most effectively.

We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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