Which Credit Cards Offer Trip Delay Insurance?

by joeheg

One of the big perks of having a premium travel credit card is the travel protection it provides, like trip delay insurance. Travel delays and cancellations are a part of life, but knowing you’ll be reimbursed for unexpected costs takes some of the stress away. All you need to do is make alternate plans to reach your destination and stay comfortable until then.

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 waiting in line for hours. Just keep all your receipts, as you’ll need them when filing a claim.

Trip delay coverage used to be included with only a few travel credit cards, but now it’s offered on most cards targeted at travelers. Check your card’s benefits guide or issuer’s website to confirm your eligibility.

What to Look for in Trip Delay Insurance

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 per purchased ticket for reasonable expenses.
  • Coverage extends to 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 offer trip delay coverage, but the delay must be at least 12 hours or overnight. These include:

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:

  • Charge the full amount of a Covered Trip to your Eligible Card (or use a combination of your card and accumulated points/certificates/vouchers from a frequent flyer program).
  • Be traveling on a round trip, with all travel segments charged to your card.
  • Coverage applies to the cardholder, spouse/domestic partner, unmarried dependent child up to age 19 (or under age 26 if a full-time student at an accredited college or university), and traveling companions.
  • Coverage includes reimbursement for reasonable additional expenses (meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and 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:

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 as part of its Visa Infinite benefits. 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 hours or required an overnight stay due to Covered Hazards.
  • Coverage is up to $500 of reasonable additional expenses per trip.
  • Coverage extends to the cardholder, spouse, and dependent children under 22.

Visa Infinite

Visa Infinite cards offer travel protection regardless of the issuing bank. Therefore, you will receive the same trip delay coverage as with the Capital One Venture X, unless the credit card provides additional coverage, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Final Thoughts

I’m now using my Ritz Carlton Card for airfare expenses. It provides coverage for delays over six hours and works even if you only pay a portion of the ticket with the card (such as paying the taxes on an award ticket). I previously used my Sapphire Reserve, but I switched since the Ritz Carlton Card offers the same excellent trip delay coverage.

With so many credit cards offering this coverage, you no longer have to rely on the airline for a room or meal voucher when your flight is canceled.

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