Trip Delay Insurance
If you’ve traveled with any frequency, you’ve most likely experienced a flight delay or even a flight cancellation. Flights can get delayed for a number of reasons from weather to mechanical issues or the crew being late. In many cases the travel provider will refuse to cover any additional expenses you have like meals or hotels if the delay or cancellation isn’t their fault or is due to an unforeseen circumstance. Additionally, if they do end up covering a meal or a hotel it will most likely be somewhere you don’t want to eat or sleep!
While it is no doubt extremely frustrating, there sometimes is a silver lining if you use the right credit card to book your trip.
What is Trip Delay Insurance?
Many premium credit cards offer trip delay insurance to help with covered out of pocket costs incurred during a trip delay. Depending on the card, the delay can range from 6 hours to 12 hours. Typically trip delay insurance will pay you up to $500 for the primary cardholder as well as a certain number of eligible companions up to a certain amount, usually a total of $2,000. Eligible delays are for things like weather delays, mechanical delays, labor strikes, or even a lost or stolen passport. One thing to note is that this is usually only covered for unforeseen delays. If you were informed of the delay before your trip started and you didn’t make other plans, the insurance likely won’t pay a benefit.
Additionally, you will need to put the full cost of travel on the credit card to be eligible. If you are using miles for an award trip, the taxes and fees need to go on the card for it to count. This can be as little as $5.60 with some airlines.
You’ll need to keep your receipts as when you file a claim they will want to see proof of your expenses and make sure they are covered. Covered expenses are typically things like food and drinks, medication, hotels, toiletries, and even clothing or personal items. Obviously, they’re only going to reimburse you for things essential during your delay and won’t reimburse you for things like electronics or spa treatments.
I’ve used my trip delay insurance a handful of times and have been reimbursed for meals, hotels, and even clothing as the only other clothes I had were checked to my final destination.
What Credit Cards Offer Trip Delay Insurance?
While this is not an exhaustive list, I will cover the only ones that you should be paying for travel with! When booking a flight you’ll always want to use a credit card that not only earns the most points per dollar but also covers you in case of an unexpected delay.
The American Express Platinum- Up to $500 if your trip is delayed by more than 6 hours. This can be used up to twice in a 12 month period. Full Terms 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.”
Chase Sapphire Reserve- Up to $500 if your trip is delayed by more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay. Full Terms
Capital One Venture X- Up to $500 if your trip is delayed by more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay. This covers the primary cardholder plus any immediate family on the same itinerary. Full Terms
Chase Sapphire Preferred- Up to $500 if your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. Full Terms
American Express Platinum Trip Delay Insurance
The clear winner on this list is the American Express Platinum as it offers the best trip delay insurance which kicks in after only 6 hours. Additionally, this is the best card to pay for airfare as it earns 5x points per dollar.
Wrapping Up
It is never fun when your trip gets delayed but having a credit card that reimburses out of pocket expenses takes the sting out of a long delay. This isn’t a benefit you ever hope to use but it is great to know you have it.
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