Credit cards that offer travel insurance offer a range of coverages, such as lost luggage reimbursement, flight delay/cancellation coverage, rental car collision damage waiver and emergency evacuation assistance – but these policies should not be seen as replacements for more comprehensive travel policies.
The best travel credit cards come equipped with comprehensive travel protections that include trip cancellation and delay coverage, travel accident protection and luggage coverage – some even include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage!
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
This premium travel card provides many attractive rewards, benefits and protections to help offset its high annual fee. Notable benefits include an annual $300 travel credit, airport lounge access and reimbursement of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. Furthermore, redemption options and signup bonuses provide more value.
Other card perks for frequent travelers and travel enthusiasts are no foreign transaction fees, an auto rental collision damage waiver without country restrictions and lost luggage reimbursement of up to $1,500 per trip. All are excellent advantages that will enhance any journey!
If you don’t plan to spend $550 annually, Chase offers a similar card with slightly fewer features: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It includes similar travel insurance coverages; however, trip cancellation/interruption and emergency evacuation benefits are absent from its features.
2. Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card provides an exceptional travel experience for customers who maintain substantial banking relationships with Bank of America, particularly those meeting minimum combined balance requirements. This card boosts rewards rates from 25%-75% and comes equipped with special perks such as annual TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credits, trip delay/cancellation insurance and secondary rental car damage waiver coverage.
This card also offers exceptional foreign transaction fees savings, at 1.55% on every international purchase made with it – one of only a handful that do so! Plus it provides generous sign-up bonus opportunities: after spending $4,000 within 90 days of opening an account you’ll earn 60,000 bonus points (worth $600.00), making this among the best welcome bonuses currently available.
3. Citi Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash Card is an ideal credit card choice if you’re in search of travel insurance without an annual fee. Earning 2% cash back with every purchase – no spending caps or rotating bonus categories required! Plus, rewards can be redeemed in many different ways: statement credits, direct deposits into savings/checking accounts or checks sent directly. Plus you’ll also gain access to Citi ThankYou points which can be redeemed for travel and other perks!
Only drawbacks of this card include its 3% foreign transaction fee and lack of travel-related perks like airport lounge access or dining discounts; but it should still be considered if you plan to use this card for significant non-bonus spending; pair it with one of Citi’s travel rewards cards that provides more benefits tailored to your individual spending habits for even greater returns.
4. American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card comes equipped with travel and protection benefits that may help offset its $695 annual fee, such as travel credits and merchandise credits (though enrollment may be required).
The card offers one year of extended warranty on purchases made with it and provides trip cancellation and interruption insurance, primary rental car collision damage waiver coverage and secondary flight delay coverage.
Although its high annual fee may not be justified for everyone, frequent travelers, shoppers and Uber riders may find its benefits particularly valuable. Furthermore, its luxury amenities such as access to airport lounges and elite status at Hilton and Marriott should also be carefully considered.
5. Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card offers an easy and straightforward way to gain travel rewards. Cardholders receive 1.5 points on all purchases – an outstanding rate among travel rewards cards; qualifying Preferred Rewards clients earn 25%-75% more, which could significantly boost the value of these rewards.
Travel benefits vary, but may include lost luggage reimbursement and car rental damage waiver coverage. Certain cards also provide trip cancellation and delay coverage.
The card may lack some of the luxurious perks found on premium travel rewards cards, but it offers an attractive 0% introductory APR for 18 billing cycles. Available to those with excellent credit who hold either a checking or investment account at Bank of America; cardholders can redeem rewards as statement credits toward travel purchases or cash back.