One of the big perks of having a premium travel credit card is the travel protection the card provides, like trip delay insurance. Travel delays or cancellations are a part of life, but knowing the costs that you incur will be reimbursed makes it one less thing to worry about. All you need to do is make alternate plans to get to/from where you were going and arrange to be comfortable until that happens.
Trip delay insurance is a type of coverage that people usually don’t think about until they actually need it. Imagine you arrive at the airport for your flight, but the plane is delayed for 30 minutes, then 60 minutes, and eventually for 2 hours, until you’re finally told that you won’t be able to reach your destination until the next day. In such a situation, you’ll need to find a hotel for the night, somewhere to eat, and personal use items. Most people will stand in a very long line to see if the airline might be willing to provide them with a free hotel night or a meal voucher. However, if you paid for your flight with a card that offers trip delay insurance, you’ll be reimbursed for the reasonable cost of a hotel, meals, taxi/Uber fares, and any travel essentials you might need while waiting for your flight. This way, you can make your own plans without having to wait in line for hours.
Trip delay coverage used to be included with only a few travel credit cards but now it’s included on most cards targeted at travelers.
Things to consider when looking at trip delay coverage
Just like all types of insurance, there are several things to think about when evaluating trip delay coverage between credit cards. They can include:
- How long does the delay need to be before I can file a claim?
- What types of delays are covered?
- Do I need to pay for the entire ticket to be covered (award tickets)?
- How much coverage does the card provide?
Let’s take a look at what type of trip delay coverage is included with cards from the major credit card issuing banks.
Chase
The Chase cards with the best trip delay coverage are the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ritz Carlton Card.
- Claims can be made for delays longer than six hours or overnight
- You need to purchase either a portion of or the entire cost of the fare using your account
- Coverage is up to $500 for each purchased ticket for reasonable expenses
- Coverage is for you, your spouse/domestic partner and dependent children under 26
- You are covered for reasonable additional expenses, including but not limited to meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items
Many other Chase cards, including these, offer trip delay coverage. Check your card benefits to see if you are eligible for trip delay coverage.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
- United℠ Explorer Card
- United℠ Business Card
- United Club℠ Infinite Card
- World of Hyatt Credit Card
The difference with the coverage from these cards is that the delay has to be at least 12 hours or overnight.
American Express
American Express has a webpage where you can find all of their cards that offer trip delay coverage. There are several rules on all AMEX cards to be eligible for Trip Delay coverage:
- You must charge the full amount of a Covered Trip to your Eligible Card or in combination with your Eligible Card and accumulated points on your Eligible Card or redeemable certificates, vouchers, coupons, or discounts awarded from a frequent flyer program or similar program.
- You must be traveling on a round trip with all travel segments of the trip charged to your card
- Coverage is for the cardholder, spouse/domestic partner, unmarried dependent child up to age 19 (or under age twenty-six (26) if a full time student at an accredited college or university) and traveling companions.
- Coverage includes reimbursement for reasonable additional expenses (including but not limited to meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal use items).
The high-end AMEX cards cover trip delays longer than 6 hours and provide $500 in coverage per covered trip. These cards are:
- Platinum Card
- Business Platinum Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve for Business
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
- Hilton Honors Aspire
Other AMEX cards with trip delay coverage cover delays longer than 12 hours and provide $300 in coverage per trip.
Capital One
The Capital One Venture X card includes trip delay coverage because it’s a Visa Infinite card. All of the coverages included with a Visa Infinite card can be found here. Your reasonable additional expenses, such as meals and lodging, may be reimbursed as long as:
- A portion of the fare was purchased with an eligible Account and/or rewards program associated with Your covered Account.
- Your Covered Trip was delayed for more than six (6) hours or required an overnight stay due to Covered Hazards.
- Coverage is for up to $500 of reasonable additional expenses, such as meals and lodging, per trip.
- Coverage includes the cardholder, spouse and dependent children under twenty-two (22) years of age.
Visa Infinite
Visa Infinite cards offer travel protections irrespective of the issuing bank. Therefore, you will receive the same coverage for trip delays as with the Capital One Venture X, unless the credit card provides extra coverage, such as the Sapphire Reserve.
Final Thoughts
I use my Sapphire Reserve for our airfare expenses. It provides coverage for delays over six hours and works even if you only pay for a portion of the ticket with the card (like paying the taxes of an award ticket). It also has the best travel protections available. However, many credit cards now offer some type of trip delay coverage. Now there is no reason for you to be dependent on the airline to provide a room or a meal voucher if your flight is cancelled.
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