10 best credit cards with travel insurance of November 2024
Many things can go wrong on a trip, so having one of the best credit cards with travel insurance in your wallet can provide peace of mind. Protection against unforeseen trip delays and mishandled baggage can save you money when your travels don’t go as expected.
Many credit cards include travel insurance coverage when you use them to purchase your trip. But our expert team has chosen the best credit cards with travel insurance to help ensure that your trips are as secure as they are captivating.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for a lower annual fee
- United Club℠ Infinite Card: Best for United loyalists
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for bonus earning
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for frequent business travelers
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury benefits
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for Delta loyalists
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for premium travel value
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for premium perks while traveling
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: Best for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Best for statement credits
Best for a lower annual fee
| 5x | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. |
| 2x | 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | 1x on all other purchases. |
Year after year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred wins at the TPG Awards for Best Travel Rewards Card. In exchange for a $95 annual fee, you’ll gain access to the incredible Ultimate Rewards program — unleashing tons of potential value for award travel. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Pros
- Earn multiple points per dollar on things like travel and dining
- The current welcome bonus on this card is quite generous
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
Best for United loyalists
| 4x | 4x miles on United® purchases |
| 2x | 2x miles on all other travel and dining |
| 1x | 1x mile on all other purchases |
The United Club Infinite Card comes with the most perks and highest earning rates of any of United’s personal credit cards. Read our full review of the United Club Infinite Card.
Pros
- Earn 4x miles on United purchases; 2x miles on travel and dining; 1x on everything else
- United Club℠ membership for you and your eligible travel companions at all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide
- Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck application every four years
- Free first and second checked bags for you and one travel companion on the same reservation
- 25% inflight statement credit on eligible purchases
Cons
- High $525 annual fee
- Limited-time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on all other travel and dining
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ membership - up to $650 value per year
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
- Member FDIC
Best for bonus earning
| 3X | Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year |
| 1X | Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn |
This card has a unique set of perks that make it attractive for business owners looking to maximize their earning potential and unlock valuable rewards through the Ultimate Rewards program. And it currently comes with a welcome offer of 90,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening. Read our review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
Pros
- Intro bonus: 90,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening
- Bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners for a reasonable $95 annual fee
- Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and primary car rental insurance when traveling on business
- Additional perks including extended warranty, cellphone protection and purchase protection
Cons
- High spending needed to get 90,000-point sign-up bonus
- Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Best for frequent business travelers
| 5X | 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com |
| 1.5X | Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. |
| 1X | 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. |
Business Platinum is a multifaceted Card that offers more than just business luxury travel perks. Unlock over $1,400 per year in value with the Business Platinum Card® for statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting, travel and more. Enrollment required. Terms apply. Read our full review on The Business Platinum Card from American Express.
Pros
- $120 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years (enrollment is required)
- Up to $400 annual credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
- Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection
- International Airline Program and Cruise Privileges Program
Cons
- Steep annual fee
- Difficulty meeting high spending requirement for the welcome offer for smaller businesses
- Limited high-bonus categories outside of travel
- Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Best for luxury benefits
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
The Amex Platinum card is not just a symbol of luxury. It comes with an immense number of travel, entertainment, wellness and retail benefits making it a versatile card option. Read our full review of The Platinum Card from American Express.
Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required), several hundred dollars in assorted annual statement credits and so much more
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.¤
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Best for Delta loyalists
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex is an excellent choice for flyers who want Sky Club access while traveling, or who can spend their way for a boost toward elite status. Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
Cons
- High annual fee
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
- Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
- Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Best for premium travel value
| 10x | Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. |
| 5x | Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. |
| 1x | Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a no-brainer card for those who are looking to up their reward earnings to the highest level. Chase Ultimate Rewards are one of the most valuable points currencies. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Travel hotel and airline travel partners
- Unlimited 3x points on the broad category of travel and dining
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Broad definitions for travel and dining bonus categories
Cons
- Steep annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- You must spend the $300 travel credit before earning 3x points for travel and dining
- No automatic hotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Best for premium perks while traveling
| 10 Miles | 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
The Venture X combines high-end benefits like travel credits, mileage bonuses and lounge access with a simple earning formula that’s easy to maximize. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months
- $300 in annual credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Best for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
| 2X | Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. |
| 1.5X | Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card allows cardmembers to earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining expenses, but Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members will earn at a higher rate of up to 3.5 points per dollar spent. Read our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card.
Pros
- This card is more valuable for Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members, who can get between a 25% and 75% bonus on points earned
- Comes with up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually and up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® statement credit and travel protections
- Can transfer points earned into a 529 college fund
Cons
- Other cards offer higher points for key bonus categories
- Must open a Bank of America account to get the best value for points
- Low $95 annual fee.
- Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
- Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
- Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Best for statement credits
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
| 5X | 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center |
| 3X | 3X points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ and Samsung Pay |
| 1X | 1X point on all other eligible purchases |
Pros
- Multiple bonus categories
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- High annual fee
- Non-transferable rewards
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* is a premium travel credit card. It earns 5 points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars when you book through the Altitude Rewards Center. This card also earns 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite also comes with up to $325 in annual statement credit that gets automatically applied towards travel and dining purchases — including takeout and restaurant delivery — essentially bringing its annual fee down to $75. This, combined with an up to $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years, a solid welcome bonus and no foreign transaction fees, makes the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa a winner.
Comparing the best travel insurance credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | a lower annual fee | 60,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 5X points | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | United loyalists | Earn 90,000 bonus miles Open Intro bonus Limited-time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 4X points | $525 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | bonus earning | Earn 90,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 3X points | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | frequent business travelers | Earn 150,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. | 1 - 5X points | $695 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | luxury benefits | Earn 80,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 5X points | $695 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | Delta loyalists | Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles Open Intro bonus Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 1 - 3X points | $650 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | premium travel value | 60,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 10X points | $550 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | premium perks while traveling | Earn 75,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel | 2 - 10X miles | $395 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Bank of America's secure site | Bank of America Preferred Rewards members | 60,000 points Open Intro bonus Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. | 1.5 - 2X points | $95 |
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card * *The information about the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Information updated as of 11/18/2024 | statement credits | 50,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 50,000 points if you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days. | 1 - 5X points | $400 |
More details on the best travel insurance credit cards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is my favorite consumer credit card with travel insurance because you’ll earn at least 2 points per dollar on travel purchases. You’ll get access to trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement when you use your card to pay for flights and some other types of scheduled transport that require a ticket. You’ll also get primary rental car insurance when you pay for a rental car with your card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a good choice for most travelers who don’t want to pay a massive annual fee. Between bonus earning on dining, travel, online grocery purchases and streaming, plus benefits like an Chase Travel hotel credit each account anniversary year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred can be useful for occasional and frequent travelers.
"The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for 5+ years and is the go-to mid-level rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt. The strong earn rate on dining and travel as well as streaming services makes it a good choice for a millennial like me." - Matt Moffitt, managing editor
Consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers more perks and slightly more comprehensive travel insurance in exchange for a higher annual fee.
The United Club Infinite Card offers perks with United, the ability to earn United miles on purchases and travel insurance comparable to the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This means you’ll get useful protections like trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and primary rental car insurance.
If you can benefit from travel perks with United, including a United Club membership and free first- and second-checked bags for you and a companion on United flights, the United Club Infinite Card is likely a good option. You’ll also get Avis President's Club status and IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status with your card, making it a good choice for travelers who use these programs.
If you’re considering buying a United Club membership, you’ll likely come out ahead with the United Club Infinite Card. You’ll get some nice perks with United, as the card offers perks for United loyalists as well as those who don’t travel with United frequently enough to earn elite status with the airline.
If the United Club Infinite’s annual fee is too high for you, consider the lower-annual-fee United℠ Explorer Card.
The Ink Business Preferred is a go-to travel credit card due to its bonus earnings on travel and its built-in travel insurance. It earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points and provides travel insurance that’s comparable to what is offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
You should get the Ink Business Preferred if you’re eligible for a small-business credit card and want to earn bonus points on shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable and phone services and travel each account anniversary year. Getting such a good earning rate with a card with a sub-$100 annual fee is amazing.
"I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I've found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance." - Katie Genter, senior writer
If you are looking for a consumer card offering similar travel insurance and a slightly lower earning rate on most travel purchases, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a good option.
The Amex Business Platinum Card offers many of the same travel insurance benefits as the consumer-focused Amex Platinum but with different perks for the business owner. For example, Business Platinum cardholders can get up to $200 in Dell Technologies statement credits semi-annually and up to $10 in statement credits per month for eligible purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. (enrollment required for select benefits).
If you have a small business and can use many of the benefits offered by the Amex Business Platinum card, it could be a good fit. You’ll earn bonus Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, so the Amex Business Platinum is a good option if you want to book most of your flights and hotels through Amex Travel.
“I find that the annual perks and credits vastly outweigh the large annual fee. And that's even without using some of them. By using the benefits with Priority Pass and Amex lounges, the airline incidental credits, plus the statement credits for Clear, our cellphone plan and restocking my home printer with ink and paper from Dell, I get more value out of the card than it costs to keep it. Plus, it earns my favorite points — American Express Membership Rewards — earning 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” - Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer
Enrollment required for select benefits
If you want to earn bonus points on a wider variety of travel purchases with a lower annual fee, consider adding the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to your wallet.
The Amex Platinum Card offers one of the highest bonus rates on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, making it a compelling card to use when booking flights. Plus, you’ll get trip delay insurance and a baggage insurance plan when you use your card to book eligible round-trip travel.
You should consider the Amex Platinum If you’ll use the many benefits it offers, from Centurion Lounge access to a monthly digital entertainment credit. However, be sure to calculate the value you’ll obtain from the Amex Platinum’s perks and read the fine print on its travel insurance before deciding whether it is right for you. Enrollment required for select benefits.
“Whilst this card has a high annual fee, it more than justifies itself for frequent travelers like me. The lounge access options that come with the Platinum are unrivaled by competitors. I put all of my flights — whether bought with cash or points — on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent and trip protection insurance. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear statement credits. And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy.” - Matt Moffitt, managing editor
Enrollment required for select benefits.
Consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you prefer a card that earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, offers access to Capital One lounges and still provides competitive travel insurance.
The Delta Reserve Amex offers many of the same travel insurance perks as other premium Amex cards, like the Amex Platinum. But we love the Delta Reserve for its Delta Sky Club access, 15% off Delta-operated award flights and 20% back on inflight purchases on Delta-operated flights.
Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
If you are a Delta loyalist who wants to earn Delta miles on your credit card purchases and will benefit from Delta-related benefits, the Delta Reserve Amex may be a good fit. However, bonus earning is limited to Delta purchases, so you may want to use a different card for many of your travel expenses.
"As a Delta Diamond Medallion, I spend a lot of time on Delta jets. The card's annual companion ticket is valid on first class itineraries and has helped me offset the card's annual fee multiple years in a row." - Andrew Kunesh, former senior points and miles editor
If you want to earn more on flights, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express to earn bonus points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. After all, you can transfer Amex points to Delta.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers at least 3 points per dollar on travel purchases, an annual $300 travel credit and what is likely the most comprehensive credit card travel insurance available. On top of what is offered by many other cards in this guide, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers travel accident insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation and an emergency medical and dental benefit.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve lets you redeem points for travel through the Chase Travel portal at a rate of 1.5 cents each, making it a good option if you prefer to redeem your Ultimate Rewards this way. It’s also a valuable option if you spend a lot of money on dining and general travel purchases, as both purchase categories earn 3 points per dollar spent.
"I've had the Sapphire Reserve for years, and it's going to stay in my wallet for the near future. I get $300 off travel every year along with great earning rates on travel and dining (3 points per dollar) and varied travel protections that can reimburse me when things go wrong. And by leveraging other cards in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, I'm able to maximize the earnings across all of my purchases." - Nick Ewen, senior editorial director
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee is too high, consider its sibling with a lower annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
The Capital One Venture X offers 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Plus, cardholders get access to car rental insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay reimbursement and more when using their Venture X card for eligible purchases.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
If you can benefit from earning at least 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, the Capital One Venture X is a good option. The card offers two perks — a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel bookings and 10,000 bonus miles each year (starting on your first anniversary) — that fully offset the annual fee before you even consider the card’s other benefits.
"With an annual fee that is $300 less than the Amex Platinum, the Capital One Venture X card is my favorite travel credit card. The card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel Portal credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the annual fee down to $95 per year. Cardholders enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership and Hertz President's Circle status. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar in spend categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile (e.g. auto maintenance, pharmacies, medical bills)." - Kyle Olsen, former points and miles reporter
Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
If you want to pay a lower annual fee in exchange for fewer benefits, you can still earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers travel insurance protections to its cardholders if they experience trip delays, baggage delays, lost luggage and more. Plus, cardholders can claim up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually for qualifying purchases, which is more than enough to offset the card’s $95 annual fee.
This card offers 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. But, if you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you’ll get 25% to 75% bonus rewards on every purchase. So, this card is a particularly good option for Preferred Rewards members.
If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you should seriously consider adding this card to your wallet. Other travelers should also consider this card, as it offers competitive travel insurance protections and earning rates given its sub-$100 annual fee that can be fully offset by the card’s annual airline incidental statement credits.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a good option since it carries a similar annual fee and offers 2 points per dollar spent on general travel purchases.
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* features multiple bonus categories, up to $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit every four years and no foreign transaction fee.
*The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® 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.
The U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* is a solid pick for travelers who would benefit from the card’s statement credits and no foreign transaction fee.
If you’re looking for a travel credit card that features solid rewards earning and simple statement credits, consider adding the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* to your wallet.
If you’re looking for a similar travel card that earns transferable rewards instead, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. This card comes with a flexible annual travel credit and exclusive airport lounge access.
Maximizing credit cards with travel insurance
Weigh the earning rate against the protections
When you look at the cards in your wallet, you may see a card that earns well on flights or car rentals. But, you may have another card that earns fewer rewards on these purchases but offers better travel insurance. So, you have to weigh the value of the travel insurance — which you likely won’t need — versus the incremental value of the rewards you could earn.
When paying the taxes and fees on award flights, I often use a lower-earning card with excellent trip and baggage delay protections. After all, taxes and fees are usually minimal, so missing out on a higher earning rate isn’t a concern. But if I’m booking an expensive flight, I’ll sometimes use a card with a higher earning rate and fewer protections to earn more rewards.
Know the coverage details
Before deciding that a specific travel insurance card is best for you, take some time to learn about the details of the card’s travel insurance benefits. For example, what travel companions, if any, are covered? Is round-trip travel required? What types of expenses can be reimbursed for a trip or baggage delay? What types of documents are needed for a claim?
Check out the application page and our review to learn about a card’s travel insurance protections. But you may also need to find a recent guide to benefits for the card online to get the full coverage details.
Consider the other benefits
Many cards discussed in this guide have benefits besides travel insurance. Multiple cards offer statement credits, airport lounge access and program-specific perks. So, especially if you aren’t interested in getting a card just for its travel insurance, you’ll want to consider what other perks you could use.
For example, United loyalists may benefit from the United Club℠ Infinite Card, while Delta flyers might enjoy the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. And Bank of America Preferred Rewards members might find the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card most rewarding.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
How we rate
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that may cover unexpected losses you might incur while traveling. You can purchase many types of travel insurance policies, but some travel rewards cards include travel insurance when you purchase eligible travel with your card
How to claim travel insurance from a credit card
Claiming travel insurance, whether from a credit card or a private plan, usually requires filling out some forms. But before you start, double-check your guide to benefits and call the number listed in the benefits guide. By doing so, you can ensure your claim is valid and determine what documents the insurance company will need to process your claim.
Related: Readers say this credit card insurance provider isn't reliable: Here's what you need to know
Types of credit card travel insurance
Here’s a look at some of the most common types of credit card travel insurance that might be available when you use your card to purchase travel. However, check your card’s guide to benefits to see what types of insurance are available and the specifics.
Trip cancellation protection may reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses charged to your card if you must cancel your trip before departure due to a covered reason. Covered reasons often include illness, injury or death of you, your travel companion, or select family members. In some cases, trip cancellation may also help if your destination is affected by a natural disaster or other serious incidents.
Trip interruption protection is similar to trip cancellation, except that it may cover you during your trip. Sometimes, trip interruption protection may reimburse costs to rejoin your trip or return a rental car if you must abandon it.
Trip delay coverage may reimburse you if you are delayed by a passenger carrier (such as an airline or train company) for at least a set amount of time due to a covered reason. Usually, the delay must be outside your control. And in most cases, coverage is only provided for expenses incurred while you wait out the delay.
Travel accident insurance may offer you (or your survivors) payment in the case of accidental loss of life, limbs, sight, speech or hearing during travel. You’ll often need to be traveling on a passenger carrier during the accident for this type of insurance to go into effect.
Credit card rental car insurance usually covers damage to or theft of your car and, in some cases, may cover loss-of-use fees charged by the rental card company.
Many cards discussed in this guide offer primary rental car insurance, meaning you don’t need to file with your personal auto insurance first. But some cards offer secondary rental car insurance, in which case you must file with your personal auto insurance first.
Emergency evacuation insurance may help get you to the nearest medical facility if you are in a remote location and need to be medically evacuated. This perk is only offered by a few credit cards, and you usually must contact the credit card’s benefits administrator if evacuation is needed and have them arrange it for you.
Lost luggage protection may reimburse you if your carry-on or checked luggage is lost, stolen or damaged while you are a passenger. Meanwhile, delayed luggage protection usually kicks in six to 12 hours after an airline mishandles your luggage. It may reimburse your purchase of essential items you need while waiting for your luggage to arrive. For both types of protection, you’ll usually need to claim with the airline first.
Finally, some credit cards offer roadside assistance as a cardholder perk. If you need roadside assistance, you can call the number on the back of some cards, and they’ll send out someone to help.
Services often include jump starts, tire changing, fuel delivery, towing and locksmith services. Some cards will cover roadside assistance charges up to a certain amount, while others offer services at a pre-negotiated set rate.
How to choose a credit card with travel insurance
- Select a credit card with travel insurance that has a solid sign-up bonus with an achievable spend threshold. You can use this reward for future travel plans or to pay down a balance if you're earning cash back. Seek to earn the currency that's most valuable to you, be it points, miles or cash back.1Sign-up bonus
- Credit cards with travel insurance come with varying annual fee prices. Some are higher for more premium benefits, while others are lower with less perks. We included a range of annual fee rates for every traveler to consider.2Annual fee
- Many travel insurance credit cards feature bonus categories. We selected cards with a range of bonus category earnings to fit each consumer. Select a card that matches with your regular spending habits to maximize your expenses.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What's your favorite travel insurance card — and why?
Pros + cons of travel insurance credit cards
Pros
- Travel insurance cards are good to have for protections while you're traveling
- Using a credit card with travel insurance responsibly can help you build your credit score
- Many cards with travel insurance come with other perks, such as elevated earning rates
Cons
- Credit cards can encourage overspending
- Carrying a balance on your card with travel insurance can damage your credit score
- The cost of borrowing on credit cards is higher than traditional loans
Frequently asked questions
Many travel rewards cards offer travel insurance. We’ve discussed some of our favorites that offer the most comprehensive travel insurance in this guide. But many other cards also offer travel insurance — these cards may have lower benefit maximums, fewer types of coverage, and more exclusions.
The best way to determine if your credit card has travel insurance is to study the guide to benefits that came in the mail when you received your card. You can also usually find the guide to benefits or detailed information about your benefits in your online credit card account. However, you can also call the number on the back of your card and inquire about what travel insurance, if any, your card offers.
Many travelers wonder if more than credit card travel insurance is required. In particular, you may wonder whether you should get travel insurance if you have credit card protection. There’s no right answer, and it often depends on your health, the type of trip you are taking and whether you have an emergency fund that can cover unexpected costs if needed. In short, if you fear your credit card insurance isn’t enough, it may be smart to purchase a travel insurance plan.