Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.
Next up in our collection of articles focusing on the valuable perks that come with the Amex Platinum card is the card’s travel insurance benefits. Insurance can be inherently confusing in general and the insurance coverages that come with credit cards can be equally so.
Fortunately, even a quick overview will give you some insight as to the insurance coverages you can expect on the Amex Platinum card. So, right here and now, we’re stepping up to deliver just that.
Let’s take a look at exactly which insurances come with the card, how these benefits can provide a level of peace of mind, and find out what situations might trigger the coverage to provide economic value.
Amex Platinum Card Overview
It’s important to have a little background on the card to put its coverage into context. Here are important card details, including the current welcome bonus and annual fee.
There are 2 levels of car rental insurance protection available with the Amex Platinum card. Image Credit: American Express
The Amex Platinum card comes with complimentary standard car rental insurance that provides secondary coverage when using your card to reserve and pay for your entire rental car contract. You also have the option to purchase premium primary car rental coverage.
For either coverage to be valid, you must decline the rental car agency’s LDW (loss damage waiver) or CDW (collision damage waiver) coverage when renting the vehicle.
Here’s an overview of how both of these coverages work:
Standard Car Rental Coverage
Secondary (standard) coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance you might have before the card coverage applies.
You can expect to receive excess secondary coverage for these losses:
Damage to and theft of the vehicle
Personal property up to $1,000 per person/$2,000 per accident
Accidental injury up to $5,000 per claimant
Accidental death/dismemberment up to $300,000
This is just a snapshot of the standard secondary car rental coverage; several terms and conditions apply. You should access the official guide to benefits or call your benefits administrator for specific information.
Premium Car Rental Protection Coverage
One of the real car rental insurance perks of holding the Amex Platinum card is having access to Premium Car Rental Protection coverage for just 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period, not a per-day charge like the rental agency charges.
Although there are some credit cards with primary rental car insurance, the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection coverage, in some circumstances, can provide equal or better coverage and elevated peace of mind. Terms and conditions apply.
No stated exclusions; contact benefit administrator for more information before traveling
Australia, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Jamaica, New Zealand
Bottom Line: Consider Amex Premium Car Rental Protection if you don’t have a credit card that provides primary car rental insurance. Additionally, if you are renting an expensive vehicle that exceeds your card’s limit of coverage or the maximum length of the rental period on your other card is limited to less than 42 days, the Amex Premium Car Rental Protection could also be a prudent choice.
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
If your travel is disrupted, trip cancellation and interruption coverage may help avoid an economic loss. Image Credit: Air Images via Shutterstock
Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance are designed to cover unexpected, unforeseen events that may cause you to have to cancel your trip or that cause a disruption in a trip you’re already started.
To be eligible for coverage, purchase your entire round-trip common carrier ticket with your Amex Platinum card.
American Express has a broad definition of who is covered under this benefit. Eligible travelers can include the cardholder, traveling companion, family member of the eligible traveler, or family member of the traveling companion.
Examples of events that could be covered include the following:
Bodily Injury or Illness — If you, a traveling companion, or a family member of either, experience an accidental injury or become ill, causing you to cancel your trip, you may have coverage
Bad Weather — If extreme weather causes your trip to be canceled or disrupted, there could be coverage
Change in Military Orders —Applies to cardmember and/or spouse (spouse definition includes domestic partner)
Terrorist action or hijacking
Jury duty or other qualifying legal obligation
Uninhabitable dwelling of either the cardmember or traveling companion
Quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons
You can expect coverage of up to $10,000 per trip, and a maximum limit of $20,000 per card per 12-month period.
Terms and conditions apply.
Bottom Line: While the trip cancellation/trip interruption benefit covers specifically-stated reasons for trip cancellation/interruption, there is no coverage for voluntary cancellations, disruptions due to known events, or for preexisting conditions. Additional terms and conditions can be found in your guide to benefits or call the benefits administrator prior to your trip.
Trip Delay Reimbursement
Experiencing a trip delay is inevitable so having coverage for added expenses as a result of that delay could be a welcome economic benefit. To qualify for trip delay coverage, just pay for the full amount of your common carrier round-trip transportation ticket with your Amex Platinum card.
The delay must be for more than 6 hours for you to be eligible for reimbursement for necessary incidentals, meals, and lodging.
Coverage limits are $500 per covered trip and a maximum of up to 2 covered trips in each consecutive 12-month period. Coverage is secondary to other coverage that applies and does not include expenses that are reimbursed by the airline or other entities. Additional terms and conditions also apply.
Baggage Insurance
Losing a checked bag used to be a very common occurrence. With new technology and tracking mechanisms, however, incidents have declined, but they still happen. If you do happen to experience lost bags, however, you can count on the baggage insurance found on the Amex Platinum card.
To activate the coverage, simply pay for your common-carrier fare with your card and/or Membership Rewards points.
Here’s the coverage you can expect for lost luggage:
Checked Bags — Up to $2,000 per covered person, per trip
Carry-on Bags — Up to $3,000 per covered person, per trip
Specialty High-value Items — Up to $1,000 per person, per covered trip ($2,000 for New York residents, maximum $10,000 per trip)
Combined Limit — The limit for all baggage, including high-risk items, is $3,000 per covered person, per single trip
Checked baggage is covered only while traveling on a common carrier. Carry-on baggage is additionally covered while traveling to, from, and when waiting at the carrier terminal.
Note that the coverage on the card is secondary to any other insurance or reimbursement you might receive from the airline. There is no coverage for delayed baggage, but several other credit cards do offer this coverage.
Premium Global Assist Hotline
The Amex Platinum comes with a complimentary emergency evacuation service should you become ill or injured while traveling. Image Credit: Pam Saunders via Unsplash
While technically not insurance coverage, having access to help when you’re traveling, 24/7, is sure to provide additional peace of mind. The Amex Platinum card offers a premium version of a dedicated helpline that serves as a welcome resource should things go wrong during your travels.
Here are the types of assistance you can expect from the service:
Emergency Medical Transport and Evacuation — Complimentary Coverages
One of the premium services offered on the card is complimentary emergency medical transport or evacuation. If you or a covered family member becomes injured or ill during your travels, you could receive emergency medical transportation or evacuation, if necessary.
You can expect to receive the following services without charge when arranged via the hotline:
Emergency Transport or Evacuation — Transport to the nearest medical facility or transport from an inadequate medical facility
Transport of Family Member — Transport may be covered for an adult member to be by the bedside of the cardmember or for the cardmember’s minor child (who had been traveling alone with the cardmember) to be transported back to the U.S.
Transport of Remains — Amex will pay for the transport of remains back to the U.S.
Post-Evacuation Assistance — If you’re evacuated and your return ticket back to the U.S. has become invalid, Amex will arrange and pay for transportation back to the U.S.
Please note that the Premium Global Assist Hotline does not cover any medical expenses or emergency transportation services arranged outside of the hotline. Several terms and conditions apply to these coverages.
Additional Medical Assistance
In addition to the complimentary coverages offered by the hotline, you’ll find these additional medical services:
Medical Referrals — Receive help finding an English-speaking doctor, a hospital, or other needed medical services
Prescription Replacement Assistance — Get help with replacing lost or forgotten medications
There is no charge for the referral service but cardmembers are responsible for actual services received from the provider.
Other Hotline Services
Passport/Visa Assistance — Whether you need help replacing a passport or have a need to contact the U.S. consulate, the hotline can assist
Emergency Translation Services — Receive over-the-phone services or written language translation assistance
Legal Referrals — Should you need legal services during your trip, the hotline can help you find local bail bond services that accept Amex or refer you to other legal personnel
Financial Assistance — The hotline can help you arrange cash wire services, help you check out of your hotel remotely, or assist with lost card situations
Emergency Message Relay — In the event of an emergency, the hotline can send a message to a family member, friend, or another recipient on your behalf
Lost Items — Should you lose an item, your baggage gets lost, or other missing possession, the hotline can help track it down
Trip Planning Services — Access information such as weather, currency exchange rates, passport/visa requirements, customs information, travel warnings, and more
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card comes with complimentary emergency transportation and evacuation services with no stated limit. Additional medical, legal, and travel service referrals are also complimentary, but other than the emergency medical transportation and evacuation, services rendered must be paid for by the cardholder.
Filing a Claim
As with any insurance claim, you’ll need to report any event as soon as possible, provide supporting documentation, and follow up after the claim has been filed.
You could be expected to submit any, or all, of the following:
Copies of your common carrier ticket
Copies of your credit card statement showing the expenses
Proof of the loss (i.e. a copy of physician’s quarantine order, military orders, etc.)
Copy of the travel supplier’s cancellation policy
Any other supporting documentation requested by the claims administrator
Claims must be reported within 60 days but it is best to do it as soon as possible. Once you report the claim, you’ll receive instructions for completing the next steps in the process.
Hot Tip: Be sure to take photos and videos, keep receipts, secure any applicable police report, and hold on to other documentation that might be needed to support your claim. Keep in mind that supporting information can be difficult to obtain after the fact but may be readily secured at the time of the claim.
Utilizing Premium Car Rental Protection, trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, and complimentary emergency medical transport or evacuation could save you more than you could imagine in certain circumstances.
Additionally, knowing the coverages you have in advance has tremendous value. You’ll be armed with information to make educated decisions that can protect each aspect of your trip and be better prepared for how you might handle a covered incident during your travels. If you’re looking for other card options, see our article on the best credit cards for travel insurance.
All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our Medical & Legal Disclaimers.
For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance coverage benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the trip delay insurance benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the Premium Global Assist Hotline benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
While the insurance that comes on your Amex Platinum card does not replace a comprehensive travel insurance policy, there is value in the coverages that come complimentary on the card.
Benefits such as trip interruption/cancellation/delay insurance and Amex Premium Car Rental Protection can provide economic value by saving you money should something go wrong during your travels.
Having access to the Premium Global Assist Hotline and complimentary emergency medical transport or evacuation could render peace of mind knowing you have the coverage should you need it.
The Amex Platinum card comes with trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay insurance that can cover flight cancellations for only the specific (limited) reasons listed in the terms and conditions.
As with most insurance, the coverage that comes on your card is not meant to cover voluntary flight cancellations.
For these types of cancellations, you would need to purchase Cancel for Any Reason Insurance, which can be added to some comprehensive travel insurance policies.
No. The Amex Platinum card comes with complimentary standard secondary car rental insurance, which means you must first file a claim with any other insurance that may apply before the card coverage is valid.
However, the card does offer a unique benefit that allows you to purchase premium primary car rental insurance for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period.
This coverage is valid for rental periods up to 42 days in length and costs $12.25 to $24.95 per period, depending on the state in which you reside and the coverage limit you select.
While the Amex Platinum card comes with lost, stolen, or damaged luggage coverage, it does not offer a delayed baggage benefit.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
Hi Michael. Illness is a covered reason under trip cancelation/trip interruption coverage. You would need to pay for the trip with the Amex Platinum card and all other conditions must be met but prepaid non-refundable expenses may be covered.
Von
March 24, 2023
I had a stroke while traveling. Will Amex cover my expenses for my longer stay in Chicago?
Hello Von and sorry for your unfortunate medical situation, I hope you are doing better. It is difficult to determine actual coverage from your description but illness is generally a covered event for trip cancelation and trip interruption. Coverage would be secondary for any additional expenses reimbursed (airline tickets, etc.) but other expenses could be covered. It is definitely worth a call to American Express to determine which expenses would be included and submit a claim, provided you paid using your Amex Platinum card.
john gilleo
August 30, 2021
How about cruise ship travel and air travel to the departure port when purchased with my AMEX Platinum Card?
Hi John. Yes, air and sea travel are included for trip interruption/cancelation/delay but the coverage on the card does have limits and exclusions. It does not take the place of a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
Scott
November 07, 2021
Does the insurance cover if you use a flight credit to pay for the new ticket? In this case I have a small (<$100) "trip credit" with American Airlines for a cancelled flight. I would pay the remaining fare with the AmEx card.
Terms state, "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." Not sure if this would qualify, because technically it is not a frequent flyer program.
Hi Scott. If you paid for the original flight (the one for which you received the airline credit) with your Amex Platinum card, you could make a case that the entire trip was paid for with the Amex card. It could still be a hassle if you had to file a claim. If you didn’t pay for the original flight with your Amex Platinum card, the trip may not qualify. If you want to be sure, you should call Amex using the number on the back of your card for clarification.
David
February 02, 2022
What about trip cancellation for weather, etc not associated with a flight, i.e. beach vacation rentals?
Hi David. American Express defines a covered trip as the following: “travel may consist of roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip and one-way tickets with Common Carrier(s)”. If you do travel by common carrier and the trip is a covered trip, the following may qualify for coverage: “The unused, non-refundable land, air, and sea arrangements paid to a Travel Supplier with your Eligible Card”. If a common carrier is not involved, however, it doesn’t appear you’d have coverage. You can access the terms and conditions for trip cancelation/interruption on the Amex Platinum card here: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/Trip_Cancellation_and_Interruption_Insurance.pdf
Jitenbhai Bhakta
February 10, 2022
My flight was canceled and it was paid for with my Platinum card one way, and then rebooked with AA the next day. If I travel the next day, does American Express cover and reimburse for the flight? Thanks.
Hi Jitenbhai. Normally, if an airline cancels your flight and rebooks you, the airline would pay for the new ticket.
American Express defines a covered trip as the following: “travel may consist of roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip and one-way tickets with Common Carrier(s)”, therefore the one-way ticket seems to qualify for coverage if you had an additional out-of-pocket expense. You can access the terms and conditions for trip cancelation/interruption on the Amex Platinum card here: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/Trip_Cancellation_and_Interruption_Insurance.pdf You can always call the number on the back of your card to receive further details regarding your specific situation, however.
Yan
July 01, 2022
Hi, Christine,
If I bought a round trip with United miles and paid for fees and extras with American Express Platinum, would we be covered for trip cancellation if the airport staff is on strike? Thank you.
Hi Yan. It does not appear that you would have coverage. Using frequent flyer miles plus the Amex Platinum card is not a combination that is listed as covered. Here is what the Guide to Benefits states: “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 should call the number on the back of your card to confirm this, however.
Sam
July 05, 2022
Let’s say I was flying Friday night RDU to LGA, and I had already booked a hotel in NYC for that night. It wasn’t a prepaid hotel room, but the cancellation policy was such that I would have had to cancel 3 days in advance in order to avoid being charged for that night. Now let’s say that my flight was unexpectedly cancelled Friday night and I was unable to get to New York (no alternative flight/travel options). If I’m still charged by the hotel in NYC, can that be a travel insurance claim?
Hi Sam. It’s possible. While the airline canceling a flight is not listed as a covered loss for trip cancelation or trip interruption insurance, inclement weather is. Here’s what the Amex Platinum card’s Guide to Benefits states: “Inclement weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a Covered Trip.”
Paul
August 08, 2022
Hi Christine. My wife and I have the AMEX Platinum card plus pay for one additional card so we have separate cards in each or our names. We are currently in the process of booking an $18K Viking Cruise for the two of us. I’m wondering if we split the payment 50/50 between both cards if we can in essence get up to $10K coverage on each card vs $10K maximum for the entire trip?
Hi Paul. The terms and conditions of the trip cancelation and trip interruption insurance on the Amex Platinum card state that 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”. So, splitting the cost between 2 different Amex Platinum cards may be a problem if you were to have a claim. Plus, the insurance on the card is really not meant to replace a travel insurance policy. For a trip that expensive, I would consider purchasing coverage either with the cruise line or a travel insurance company. Coverage on the card is also secondary (excess) coverage that kicks in after the travel provider provides any refund for prepaid expenses or denies coverage. Keep in mind that this is just my opinion. Be sure to read through the coverage on the card so that you understand it, and consider calling the number on the back of your card for coverage confirmation. A Viking Cruise sounds wonderful.
Susanne
September 15, 2022
If I paid for our flights to Europe full price on one American Express Platinum card and we had a death in the family and had to cancel our trip, would our flights be covered? What about hotels that we paid for with our American Express that we were not able to cancel before their specified date of cancelation?
Hi Susanne. The death of a family member is a covered reason for trip cancelation and prepaid, non-refundable expenses would likely be eligible. Terms and limits apply. You can access the Guide to Benefits and read through the list of eligible reasons and what expenses are covered. Links that we post here to the Guide to Benefits do expire so you may have to Google “Trip cancelation Amex Platinum” and the guide will come up for you to access.
Pat N.
September 21, 2022
Hi Christine, I booked an international round-trip thru American Express Travel website, and paid in full with the combination of using AMEX points and my Amex Platinum card. Would I be covered for trip cancellation, if I’m ill?
Yes, Pat, it is acceptable to pay with points plus your card and still have the coverage. The Guide to Benefits states, “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“.
Alison
October 16, 2022
Hi, I am traveling with three friends and I plan to buy all out airline tickets with my Amex Platinum card. Would they all be covered under as my traveling companions?
Yes, if all 3 tickets are booked under the same itinerary, then yes they should be covered as your traveling companions.
Daizo Yamaguma
October 24, 2022
Do the additional cardholders with my Platinum Card receive the same benefits as myself if they purchase airline tickets for themselves and/or their family and friend with their Gold Card? I have been charged $9.95 for Premium Baggage Insurance each time they use their Gold Cards.
Hi Daizo. Amex Platinum card benefits, including travel insurance, do not generally extend to any Gold card authorized users (an exception is the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement). I cannot tell you why your authorized users are charged for Premium Baggage Insurance when purchasing flights but the Amex Platinum card does not have such premium coverage so there would be no coverage extended, regardless. I tried to duplicate a booking via Amex Travel but did not see these baggage fees. You might want to contact Amex via the number on your card to inquire.
Dana
December 28, 2022
Hi there. I purchased a ticket for my mom (I fly non-rev so I didn’t purchase a ticket). She’s being delayed 5 days due to this SW Ticket fiasco. Will Amex cover our hotel stay & Rental Car for the delay even though I only purchased her ticket with my Plat Amex?
Does the primary cardholder have to be traveling for the trip to be covered, if it was purchased using the Platinum card? (i.e., would the spouse of a cardholder be covered if traveling alone)?
Hi Don. The Guide to Benefits for trip cancelation and trip interruption insurance on the Amex Platinum card defines an eligible traveler as ” you and your Family Members and Traveling Companions who purchase a Covered Trip to your Eligible Card”. There doesn’t appear to be a requirement stating that the primary cardholder must travel with the family member to be an eligible traveler (as long as other purchase requirements are met). This is just my opinion, however, you’ll want to call American Express to get a definitive answer.
Iris Liszt
January 20, 2023
I paid for a cruise on my American Express platinum card. The cruise is from Rio to Buenos Aires. It is not a roundtrip cruise. My house flooded and I had to cancel the cruise in 100% penalty. Will this qualify for cancellation?
Hi Iris. Sorry for the flooding and hope your home is restored quickly. The Guide to Benefits mentions that a qualifying trip is one where the cardholder “charges the full amount of the cost of transportation by Common Carrier(s) to your Eligible Card. The period of round-trip travel may consist of roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip and one-way tickets with Common Carrier(s)”. Additionally, a covered loss includes “The Eligible Traveler or Traveling Companion’s dwelling made uninhabitable”. So it appears there is potential for coverage. You’ll need to contact American Express to inquire further with the exact details of your situation to determine whether there is coverage.
Ann Stevens
January 31, 2023
I paid for my airline return tickets to Barbados and the Airbnb that my husband and I are staying in for 120 days using our Amex Platinum card. Are we covered for medical insurance?
.
Hi Ann. Sounds like a wonderful trip. The Amex Platinum card does come with emergency evacuation coverage but it does not have any coverage for medical expenses.
Jerilyn Cowen
February 08, 2023
My husband and I flew to Sydney, Australia, booking the one-way trip on AMEX Platinum. We boarded a ship in Sydney and shortly after boarding, the cruise company canceled all of the remaining ports due to biofouling. They dropped us off in New Zealand. The airfare was not reimbursed. Will AMEX insurance cover that?
Hi Jerilyn. I’m not sure of the total details surrounding your trip and how the cruise line handled it but you can try to file a claim with Amex. They’ll want documentation of the cruise line’s declination of reimbursing for airfare and other expenses you incurred as a result and of course, receipts. You should file the claim as soon as possible as you have just 60 days to report it.
Renea
February 22, 2023
My wedding ring was stolen from the dresser in the condo I was staying in in the Caribbean while I was on the balcony of the condo. I used united miles for my ticket from DC to the island along with $120 for economy plus on amex, and paid fully with amex for the return flight. Am I covered at all for the stolen ring? Thank you.
I’m sorry this happened to you! You might receive coverage, but you’ll need to contact American Express directly to start the claim process and they can go over your coverage with you.
Pamela
March 11, 2023
Hi, I just booked cruise tickets for three of us on my Platinum AMEX and the company I bought the cruise through told me we should have travel insurance added, and that I have 10 days to cancel it and be reimbursed. All three of us have medical insurance and two of us have DAN (divers alert network)insurance. If AMEX covers for delays, late or lost luggage, etc. should we really need their coverage? Two of us have Medicare part A, B, and G the other has Health Alliance Plan. Thank you.
Hi Pamela. It would depend on the total amount of non-refundable expenses you are dealing with. There are limits to the trip interruption, trip cancelation, and trip delay coverage that come with the card. You’ll want to compare your cost per covered person to the actual limits of coverage on the card. Also, there is no medical coverage on the card and Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside of the U.S. (although there are a few limited exceptions). There is evacuation insurance on the card but you must call the specific plan numbers for coverage so be sure to take those with you. While travel insurance coverage on the card may be sufficient for a simple trip, for an expensive trip that involves several travel providers, you may be better off purchasing travel insurance. You may want to check prices via a travel insurance comparison website such as Squaremouth, Insure my Trip, or Travel Insurance.com.
Henry Lorber
April 25, 2023
My wife and I are traveling to Croatia in September. We are Platinum Card holders. What insurance is already covered by the fact that we are cardholders and what other options do we need if we want/need travel insurance?
Hi Henry. I would read through the coverages mentioned in this article as all are included with your card. If your trip is an expensive one, includes non-refundable deposits, or involves several travel providers, you should consider travel insurance. You can also access your Guide to Benefits for the card to read further on each individual card coverage for terms/conditions.
Debbie
April 27, 2023
I am flying to Hawaii in September and cruising around the islands. I am about to pay my portion of the balance on my card. Will I be covered by my Amex Platinum card Travel Insurance?
Hi Debbie. While you would have some coverage for your trip with the Amex Platinum card, the coverage is not meant to replace a comprehensive travel insurance policy. There is no medical coverage, for example. Trip interruption and trip cancelation are only covered for the listed reasons and trip delay is limited to just $500. I would read through the terms/conditions for each coverage to determine if the coverage on the card is sufficient for what you’re looking for.
Janet
May 20, 2023
I am traveling in August with a friend to Canada for a theater vacation and will pay for my airfare with my Platinum Card. I have already paid for the theater and hotel package with the same card. My traveling companion used a different card for her ground package and will probably do so for her airfare. Will we both be covered under the plan should we need to cancel due to illness of self or a family member or any other covered reason, or just me?
Hi Janet. That sounds like a very fun trip. Normally travel companions are included for trip cancelation/trip interruption coverage but since the companion’s trip was not paid for with the Amex Platinum card, there would likely be no coverage as that is one of the requirements. If your travel companion should become ill, however, there is a chance that you may have coverage if you need to cancel your trip. The claims administrator would need to determine if her illness was cause for you to cancel your trip. This is just my opinion, you can always call American Express to get a more definitive answer.
Tamie Vu
July 10, 2023
Hi,
I will be traveling to Vietnam and deciding if I should get either Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum.
After looking through Chase Sapphire Reserve, Vietnam is NOT one of the country that will Cover under Traveler Insurance.
Does Amex Platinum have a list of Countries that will NOT cover under Travel Insurance?
Please forward a list if there’s any.
Thank you,
Tamie
![Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Amex Platinum Card [2023]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Amex-Platinum-Upgraded-Points-LLC-09-Large.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
50 comments
Hilary
August 17, 2021
Do the insurance benefits cover over 80s?
Jarrod West
August 17, 2021
Hi Hilary,
Yes, the insurance benefits should apply to all cardholders.
Michael
June 28, 2022
Does the Platinum Card cover hotels and/or tour groups expense if a trip suddenly has to be cancelled because of COVID?
Christine Krzyszton
June 29, 2022
Hi Michael. Illness is a covered reason under trip cancelation/trip interruption coverage. You would need to pay for the trip with the Amex Platinum card and all other conditions must be met but prepaid non-refundable expenses may be covered.
Von
March 24, 2023
I had a stroke while traveling. Will Amex cover my expenses for my longer stay in Chicago?
Christine Krzyszton
March 24, 2023
Hello Von and sorry for your unfortunate medical situation, I hope you are doing better. It is difficult to determine actual coverage from your description but illness is generally a covered event for trip cancelation and trip interruption. Coverage would be secondary for any additional expenses reimbursed (airline tickets, etc.) but other expenses could be covered. It is definitely worth a call to American Express to determine which expenses would be included and submit a claim, provided you paid using your Amex Platinum card.
john gilleo
August 30, 2021
How about cruise ship travel and air travel to the departure port when purchased with my AMEX Platinum Card?
Christine Krzyszton
August 30, 2021
Hi John. Yes, air and sea travel are included for trip interruption/cancelation/delay but the coverage on the card does have limits and exclusions. It does not take the place of a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
Scott
November 07, 2021
Does the insurance cover if you use a flight credit to pay for the new ticket? In this case I have a small (<$100) "trip credit" with American Airlines for a cancelled flight. I would pay the remaining fare with the AmEx card.
Terms state, "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." Not sure if this would qualify, because technically it is not a frequent flyer program.
Christine Krzyszton
November 08, 2021
Hi Scott. If you paid for the original flight (the one for which you received the airline credit) with your Amex Platinum card, you could make a case that the entire trip was paid for with the Amex card. It could still be a hassle if you had to file a claim. If you didn’t pay for the original flight with your Amex Platinum card, the trip may not qualify. If you want to be sure, you should call Amex using the number on the back of your card for clarification.
David
February 02, 2022
What about trip cancellation for weather, etc not associated with a flight, i.e. beach vacation rentals?
Christine Krzyszton
February 02, 2022
Hi David. American Express defines a covered trip as the following: “travel may consist of roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip and one-way tickets with Common Carrier(s)”. If you do travel by common carrier and the trip is a covered trip, the following may qualify for coverage: “The unused, non-refundable land, air, and sea arrangements paid to a Travel Supplier with your Eligible Card”. If a common carrier is not involved, however, it doesn’t appear you’d have coverage. You can access the terms and conditions for trip cancelation/interruption on the Amex Platinum card here: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/Trip_Cancellation_and_Interruption_Insurance.pdf
Jitenbhai Bhakta
February 10, 2022
My flight was canceled and it was paid for with my Platinum card one way, and then rebooked with AA the next day. If I travel the next day, does American Express cover and reimburse for the flight? Thanks.
Christine Krzyszton
February 14, 2022
Hi Jitenbhai. Normally, if an airline cancels your flight and rebooks you, the airline would pay for the new ticket.
American Express defines a covered trip as the following: “travel may consist of roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip and one-way tickets with Common Carrier(s)”, therefore the one-way ticket seems to qualify for coverage if you had an additional out-of-pocket expense. You can access the terms and conditions for trip cancelation/interruption on the Amex Platinum card here: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/Trip_Cancellation_and_Interruption_Insurance.pdf You can always call the number on the back of your card to receive further details regarding your specific situation, however.
Yan
July 01, 2022
Hi, Christine,
If I bought a round trip with United miles and paid for fees and extras with American Express Platinum, would we be covered for trip cancellation if the airport staff is on strike? Thank you.
Christine Krzyszton
July 04, 2022
Hi Yan. It does not appear that you would have coverage. Using frequent flyer miles plus the Amex Platinum card is not a combination that is listed as covered. Here is what the Guide to Benefits states: “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 should call the number on the back of your card to confirm this, however.
Sam
July 05, 2022
Let’s say I was flying Friday night RDU to LGA, and I had already booked a hotel in NYC for that night. It wasn’t a prepaid hotel room, but the cancellation policy was such that I would have had to cancel 3 days in advance in order to avoid being charged for that night. Now let’s say that my flight was unexpectedly cancelled Friday night and I was unable to get to New York (no alternative flight/travel options). If I’m still charged by the hotel in NYC, can that be a travel insurance claim?
Christine Krzyszton
July 06, 2022
Hi Sam. It’s possible. While the airline canceling a flight is not listed as a covered loss for trip cancelation or trip interruption insurance, inclement weather is. Here’s what the Amex Platinum card’s Guide to Benefits states: “Inclement weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a Covered Trip.”
Paul
August 08, 2022
Hi Christine. My wife and I have the AMEX Platinum card plus pay for one additional card so we have separate cards in each or our names. We are currently in the process of booking an $18K Viking Cruise for the two of us. I’m wondering if we split the payment 50/50 between both cards if we can in essence get up to $10K coverage on each card vs $10K maximum for the entire trip?
Christine Krzyszton
August 08, 2022
Hi Paul. The terms and conditions of the trip cancelation and trip interruption insurance on the Amex Platinum card state that 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”. So, splitting the cost between 2 different Amex Platinum cards may be a problem if you were to have a claim. Plus, the insurance on the card is really not meant to replace a travel insurance policy. For a trip that expensive, I would consider purchasing coverage either with the cruise line or a travel insurance company. Coverage on the card is also secondary (excess) coverage that kicks in after the travel provider provides any refund for prepaid expenses or denies coverage. Keep in mind that this is just my opinion. Be sure to read through the coverage on the card so that you understand it, and consider calling the number on the back of your card for coverage confirmation. A Viking Cruise sounds wonderful.
Susanne
September 15, 2022
If I paid for our flights to Europe full price on one American Express Platinum card and we had a death in the family and had to cancel our trip, would our flights be covered? What about hotels that we paid for with our American Express that we were not able to cancel before their specified date of cancelation?
Christine Krzyszton
September 15, 2022
Hi Susanne. The death of a family member is a covered reason for trip cancelation and prepaid, non-refundable expenses would likely be eligible. Terms and limits apply. You can access the Guide to Benefits and read through the list of eligible reasons and what expenses are covered. Links that we post here to the Guide to Benefits do expire so you may have to Google “Trip cancelation Amex Platinum” and the guide will come up for you to access.
Pat N.
September 21, 2022
Hi Christine, I booked an international round-trip thru American Express Travel website, and paid in full with the combination of using AMEX points and my Amex Platinum card. Would I be covered for trip cancellation, if I’m ill?
Christine Krzyszton
September 22, 2022
Yes, Pat, it is acceptable to pay with points plus your card and still have the coverage. The Guide to Benefits states, “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“.
Alison
October 16, 2022
Hi, I am traveling with three friends and I plan to buy all out airline tickets with my Amex Platinum card. Would they all be covered under as my traveling companions?
Jarrod West
October 17, 2022
Hi Alison,
Yes, if all 3 tickets are booked under the same itinerary, then yes they should be covered as your traveling companions.
Daizo Yamaguma
October 24, 2022
Do the additional cardholders with my Platinum Card receive the same benefits as myself if they purchase airline tickets for themselves and/or their family and friend with their Gold Card? I have been charged $9.95 for Premium Baggage Insurance each time they use their Gold Cards.
Christine Krzyszton
October 25, 2022
Hi Daizo. Amex Platinum card benefits, including travel insurance, do not generally extend to any Gold card authorized users (an exception is the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement). I cannot tell you why your authorized users are charged for Premium Baggage Insurance when purchasing flights but the Amex Platinum card does not have such premium coverage so there would be no coverage extended, regardless. I tried to duplicate a booking via Amex Travel but did not see these baggage fees. You might want to contact Amex via the number on your card to inquire.
Dana
December 28, 2022
Hi there. I purchased a ticket for my mom (I fly non-rev so I didn’t purchase a ticket). She’s being delayed 5 days due to this SW Ticket fiasco. Will Amex cover our hotel stay & Rental Car for the delay even though I only purchased her ticket with my Plat Amex?
Christine Krzyszton
December 28, 2022
Hi Dana. It’s possible. Weather is a covered event and lodging is a covered expense. I am not sure about the rental car. You will need to contact American Express to determine coverage. Here is the Guide to Benefits information on trip delay coverage for the Amex Platinum card: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/Trip_Delay-Insurance-500_6hours.pdf
Don
December 31, 2022
Does the primary cardholder have to be traveling for the trip to be covered, if it was purchased using the Platinum card? (i.e., would the spouse of a cardholder be covered if traveling alone)?
Christine Krzyszton
December 31, 2022
Hi Don. The Guide to Benefits for trip cancelation and trip interruption insurance on the Amex Platinum card defines an eligible traveler as ” you and your Family Members and Traveling Companions who purchase a Covered Trip to your Eligible Card”. There doesn’t appear to be a requirement stating that the primary cardholder must travel with the family member to be an eligible traveler (as long as other purchase requirements are met). This is just my opinion, however, you’ll want to call American Express to get a definitive answer.
Iris Liszt
January 20, 2023
I paid for a cruise on my American Express platinum card. The cruise is from Rio to Buenos Aires. It is not a roundtrip cruise. My house flooded and I had to cancel the cruise in 100% penalty. Will this qualify for cancellation?
Christine Krzyszton
January 21, 2023
Hi Iris. Sorry for the flooding and hope your home is restored quickly. The Guide to Benefits mentions that a qualifying trip is one where the cardholder “charges the full amount of the cost of transportation by Common Carrier(s) to your Eligible Card. The period of round-trip travel may consist of roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip and one-way tickets with Common Carrier(s)”. Additionally, a covered loss includes “The Eligible Traveler or Traveling Companion’s dwelling made uninhabitable”. So it appears there is potential for coverage. You’ll need to contact American Express to inquire further with the exact details of your situation to determine whether there is coverage.
Ann Stevens
January 31, 2023
I paid for my airline return tickets to Barbados and the Airbnb that my husband and I are staying in for 120 days using our Amex Platinum card. Are we covered for medical insurance?
.
Christine Krzyszton
February 01, 2023
Hi Ann. Sounds like a wonderful trip. The Amex Platinum card does come with emergency evacuation coverage but it does not have any coverage for medical expenses.
Jerilyn Cowen
February 08, 2023
My husband and I flew to Sydney, Australia, booking the one-way trip on AMEX Platinum. We boarded a ship in Sydney and shortly after boarding, the cruise company canceled all of the remaining ports due to biofouling. They dropped us off in New Zealand. The airfare was not reimbursed. Will AMEX insurance cover that?
Christine Krzyszton
February 08, 2023
Hi Jerilyn. I’m not sure of the total details surrounding your trip and how the cruise line handled it but you can try to file a claim with Amex. They’ll want documentation of the cruise line’s declination of reimbursing for airfare and other expenses you incurred as a result and of course, receipts. You should file the claim as soon as possible as you have just 60 days to report it.
Renea
February 22, 2023
My wedding ring was stolen from the dresser in the condo I was staying in in the Caribbean while I was on the balcony of the condo. I used united miles for my ticket from DC to the island along with $120 for economy plus on amex, and paid fully with amex for the return flight. Am I covered at all for the stolen ring? Thank you.
Jarrod West
February 23, 2023
Hi Renea,
I’m sorry this happened to you! You might receive coverage, but you’ll need to contact American Express directly to start the claim process and they can go over your coverage with you.
Pamela
March 11, 2023
Hi, I just booked cruise tickets for three of us on my Platinum AMEX and the company I bought the cruise through told me we should have travel insurance added, and that I have 10 days to cancel it and be reimbursed. All three of us have medical insurance and two of us have DAN (divers alert network)insurance. If AMEX covers for delays, late or lost luggage, etc. should we really need their coverage? Two of us have Medicare part A, B, and G the other has Health Alliance Plan. Thank you.
Christine Krzyszton
March 11, 2023
Hi Pamela. It would depend on the total amount of non-refundable expenses you are dealing with. There are limits to the trip interruption, trip cancelation, and trip delay coverage that come with the card. You’ll want to compare your cost per covered person to the actual limits of coverage on the card. Also, there is no medical coverage on the card and Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside of the U.S. (although there are a few limited exceptions). There is evacuation insurance on the card but you must call the specific plan numbers for coverage so be sure to take those with you. While travel insurance coverage on the card may be sufficient for a simple trip, for an expensive trip that involves several travel providers, you may be better off purchasing travel insurance. You may want to check prices via a travel insurance comparison website such as Squaremouth, Insure my Trip, or Travel Insurance.com.
Henry Lorber
April 25, 2023
My wife and I are traveling to Croatia in September. We are Platinum Card holders. What insurance is already covered by the fact that we are cardholders and what other options do we need if we want/need travel insurance?
Christine Krzyszton
April 25, 2023
Hi Henry. I would read through the coverages mentioned in this article as all are included with your card. If your trip is an expensive one, includes non-refundable deposits, or involves several travel providers, you should consider travel insurance. You can also access your Guide to Benefits for the card to read further on each individual card coverage for terms/conditions.
Debbie
April 27, 2023
I am flying to Hawaii in September and cruising around the islands. I am about to pay my portion of the balance on my card. Will I be covered by my Amex Platinum card Travel Insurance?
Christine Krzyszton
April 27, 2023
Hi Debbie. While you would have some coverage for your trip with the Amex Platinum card, the coverage is not meant to replace a comprehensive travel insurance policy. There is no medical coverage, for example. Trip interruption and trip cancelation are only covered for the listed reasons and trip delay is limited to just $500. I would read through the terms/conditions for each coverage to determine if the coverage on the card is sufficient for what you’re looking for.
Janet
May 20, 2023
I am traveling in August with a friend to Canada for a theater vacation and will pay for my airfare with my Platinum Card. I have already paid for the theater and hotel package with the same card. My traveling companion used a different card for her ground package and will probably do so for her airfare. Will we both be covered under the plan should we need to cancel due to illness of self or a family member or any other covered reason, or just me?
Christine Krzyszton
May 21, 2023
Hi Janet. That sounds like a very fun trip. Normally travel companions are included for trip cancelation/trip interruption coverage but since the companion’s trip was not paid for with the Amex Platinum card, there would likely be no coverage as that is one of the requirements. If your travel companion should become ill, however, there is a chance that you may have coverage if you need to cancel your trip. The claims administrator would need to determine if her illness was cause for you to cancel your trip. This is just my opinion, you can always call American Express to get a more definitive answer.
Tamie Vu
July 10, 2023
Hi,
I will be traveling to Vietnam and deciding if I should get either Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum.
After looking through Chase Sapphire Reserve, Vietnam is NOT one of the country that will Cover under Traveler Insurance.
Does Amex Platinum have a list of Countries that will NOT cover under Travel Insurance?
Please forward a list if there’s any.
Thank you,
Tamie
Jarrod West
July 10, 2023
Hi Tamie,
You can view the Amex Platinum Travel Insurance terms and conditions here.
Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!
Email needed if you'd like comment updates. It will NOT be published.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.