A variety of American Express cards offer travel protection to take the hassle out of your vacation. However, the coverage you get (and the limits of said coverage) vary from card to card. Instead of trying to remember it all on your own, we’ll guide you through the travel protections offered by American Express cards.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the travel protection available across the American Express card portfolio. Each section outlines the type of coverage and the cards that offer that type of coverage. We’ve also included coverage limits and any other considerations to be aware of.
Here’s what you need to know about American Express travel insurance.
trip delay insurance
Travel delay insurance will protect you when you experience travel delays. This could be a flight delay due to mechanical issues, or an unexpected overnight stay due to weather cancellations.
Other causes are covered, but what is and is not covered varies from policy to policy. If the reason for your delay is not specifically mentioned in your policy, it is assumed that the reason is not covered.
Trip Delay Protection comes in two different “levels” of coverage, depending on which card you carry.
Level 1: High-end cards
Some of American Express’s top products offer trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per covered trip delayed by more than six hours, with a limit of two claims per eligible card in 12 consecutive months. *
This protection will be in effect when you purchase a ticket using any of the following cards:
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*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. The policy is underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AIG.
**Information for these cards is collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Level 2: Intermediate card
Other American Express cards offer trip delay reimbursement up to $300 per covered trip delayed for more than 12 hours, with a limit of two claims per 12 consecutive months. *
Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase tickets:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. The policy is underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AIG.
**Information for these cards is collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
This type of cover applies if your trip is canceled or interrupted (meaning you start your trip but must end it before you can get home). Therefore, you will be forced to abandon your prepaid, non-refundable reservation. Again, make sure your policy mentions the specific reason for coverage. *
All American Express cards with this offer offer the same level of protection. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, you can receive up to $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card within a 12-month period.
Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase travel:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. The policy is underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AIG.
**Information for these cards is collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Global Assistance Hotline
Eligible cardholders can rely on the Global Assistance Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other specific emergency services coordination and assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home. *
Global Assistance Line coordinates services but is not the service provider. Any third party service charges may be borne by you.
Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for tickets:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardholders are responsible for fees charged by third-party service providers.
**Information for these cards Independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Premium Global Assistance Line
As with the benefits above, eligible cardholders of certain premium Amex cards can rely on the Global Assistance Hotline 24/7 for medical, legal, financial or other specific emergency services coordination and assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home. Emergency medical transportation assistance and related services are provided at no cost through premium benefits. *
Emergency medical transportation assistance can be provided to you at no cost if approved and coordinated by the Advanced Global Assistance Line. Otherwise, third-party service costs may be borne by you.
Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for tickets:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no charge if approved and coordinated by the Advanced Global Assistance Hotline. In any other case, the cardholder is responsible for the fees charged by the third-party service provider.
**Information for these cards is collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Baggage Insurance Plan
Baggage insurance is available to cover the loss, damage or theft of eligible baggage that occurs while a person is traveling on public transportation (such as an airplane, train, ship or bus) with the full fare of the trip (one way or round trip) charged to the eligible card.
There are two different “levels” of coverage for this benefit, depending on which card you have.
Level 1: High-end cards
Some of American Express’s top products offer luggage insurance up to $2,000 for checked luggage and up to $3,000 for checked and carry-on luggage. This coverage is in addition to coverage offered by common carriers. The total coverage limit is $3,000 per covered trip. *
For New York State residents, the limit is $2,000 per bag/suitcase per covered person, and the total limit for all covered persons per covered trip is $10,000. *
This protection will be in effect when you purchase a ticket using any of the following cards:
**Information for these cards is collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Level 2: Intermediate card
Other American Express cards offer baggage insurance up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and up to $500 for checked bags. This coverage is in addition to coverage offered by common carriers. *
For New York State residents, the total maximum amount per covered trip for all covered persons is $10,000. *
Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase tickets:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policy underwritten by American Express Insurance Company.
**Information for these cards is collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Car rental loss and damage insurance
Car rental loss and damage coverage applies to most rental vehicle thefts or damages when you book and pay the full qualifying vehicle rental fee with an eligible card and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the rental car company. Please note that this product provides secondary insurance and does not include liability insurance. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply.
There are two different “levels” of coverage for this benefit, depending on which card you have.
Level 1: High-end cards
Some of American Express’s top products offer up to $75,000 in car rental loss and damage coverage against theft or damage to an eligible rental vehicle. *
The following cards include this protection when you use them to pay for eligible rent:
Level 2: Intermediate card
Other American Express cards offer up to $50,000 of car rental loss and damage coverage against theft or damage to an eligible rental vehicle. *
The following cards include this protection when you use them to pay for eligible rent:
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policy underwritten by American Express Insurance Company. Coverage provided by American Express Travel Related Services.
**Information for these cards is collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
bottom line
Understanding how your credit card protects you when something goes wrong while traveling can help reduce hassles. To that end, American Express offers multiple levels of travel protection on many of its card products.
Coverage limits for the same benefit may vary depending on which card you have, so see the American Express Benefits Guide for complete details on what your card offers.
Related: Best American Express Cards
