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Offer details
All information about the American Express® Green Card has been gathered independently by Motley Fool Money and is not provided by the issuer. Some details may be out of date. See issuer's site for more information.
If something goes wrong on a trip, American Express travel insurance could protect you financially. Most American Express cards come with complimentary travel protections. The exact protections depend on the card, but they can include coverage for trip cancellations, lost luggage, and rental car loss or damage.
This guide will go over each travel insurance benefit you can get with your Amex card. You'll learn how these protections work, what they do and don't cover, and the types of coverage provided by all the American Express consumer cards.
Baggage insurance plan
American Express offers a baggage insurance plan on many of its cards. Coverage is comparable to what the best credit cards offer. You can make a claim if anything happens to your checked or carry-on luggage*.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Welcome Offer:
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
60,000 Membership Rewards® points
Welcome Offer:
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Rewards Program:
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases), and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
1X-4X Membership Rewards® Points
Rewards Program:
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points
Intro APR:
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Intro APR:
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
APR:
See Pay Over Time APR
APR:
See Pay Over Time APR
Annual Fee:
$325
Annual Fee:
$695
Highlights:
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
Highlights:
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
• Trip delay insurance underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Extended warranty, baggage insurance plan, car rental loss & damage insurance, and purchase protection warranty underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
What is covered
American Express baggage insurance covers luggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling on a common carrier. According to American Express, a common carrier is an air, land, or water vehicle licensed to carry passengers for hire and available to the public. It doesn't include personal or rental vehicles.
For the baggage insurance plan to apply, you must pay the full fare with your American Express card or American Express rewards points. It covers the cardmember, their spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children under 23 years of age.
What's not covered
Several items are excluded. These include cash, travel documents, living plants, perishable items, eyeglasses, and property shipped as freight. There are also certain circumstances that aren't included in baggage insurance. For example, normal wear and tear to baggage and confiscation by a government authority aren't covered.
Review your card's guide to benefits for a full list of everything that's not covered under its baggage insurance plan. Terms apply for all the cards in the below table.
Source: 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.
Choosing a credit card
Don't you wish you could take a peek inside a credit card expert's wallet sometimes? Just to see the cards they carry? Well, you can't look in anybody's wallet, but you can check out our experts' favorite credit cards. Get started here:
Most American Express cards offer a secondary insurance policy for rental cars. Secondary insurance pays for loss and damage not covered by any other insurance policy you have**.
What is covered
When you rent a car and pay for the entire rental with your card, you'll be insured against damage or theft. Car rental loss and damage insurance covers rental vehicles for up to 30 consecutive days. Coverage includes the cardholder, their spouse/domestic partner, and authorized drivers on the rental agreement.
You'll need to pay the full cost of the rental with your American Express card or American Express rewards points. You must also decline the rental company's collision damage waiver.
What's not covered
American Express car rental loss and damage insurance doesn't cover all vehicles. Several types of vehicles, such as cargo vans and off-road vehicles, are not included.
The policy won't cover certain events, including:
Use of the rental vehicle that violates the terms of the rental agreement
Illegal activity on the part of the renter
Off-road operation of the rental vehicle
Use of the rental vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
Use of the rental vehicle while under the influence of drugs (except those taken as prescribed or administered by a physician or dentist)
Theft or damage to rental vehicles that were unlocked at the time of the incident
For a full list of what's not covered, review your card's guide to benefits. Terms apply for all the cards in the below table.
Source: American Express.This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
Trip delay insurance
Delayed trips can get expensive, especially if you have to pay for food and accommodations. If the delay was due to a covered hazard, you can claim back some of the costs with trip delay insurance***.
What is covered
Your trip insurance will pay back reasonable expenses from the delay. These can include, but are not limited to, meals, lodging, toiletries, medications, and other personal use items.
Trip delay insurance covers delays of longer than six hours caused by any of the following:
Inclement weather that would prevent a reasonable person from traveling or continuing on a trip
Terrorist action or hijacking
A common carrier's equipment failure, as documented by the common carrier
Lost or stolen passports or travel documents
To be eligible, you must pay the full amount of the trip with your American Express card or American Express rewards points. You must also be traveling on a common carrier.
What's not covered
American Express trip delay insurance doesn't cover expenses incurred prior to the trip. It also doesn't cover losses due to intentional acts by the traveler. One example of this would be if an airline has an overbooked flight and offers vouchers for passengers who give up their seats and take a later flight. If you volunteered, you wouldn't be able to file a claim with your trip delay insurance. The delay, in that case, is because of your decision to be bumped from the original flight in exchange for a voucher.
Check your card's guide to benefits for more information on what trip delay insurance does and doesn't cover. Terms apply for all cards in the below table.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance*** can help you get your money back if your travel plans get thrown off course. Fewer American Express cards offer this protection as it's typically a perk with premium travel cards.
What is covered
If you have to cancel your trip because of illness or severe weather, trip cancellation insurance may help. Let's say you've paid a non-refundable deposit. You can get reimbursed up to your card's coverage limit.
Similarly, your trip may get interrupted or postponed due to a covered loss. Trip interruption insurance will reimburse certain costs.
Covered losses include trip cancellations and interruptions caused by any of the following:
Accidental bodily injury, loss of life, or sickness of either the traveler, a traveling companion, or a family member of the traveler or a traveling companion
Inclement weather that would prevent a reasonable person from traveling or continuing on a trip
A change in military orders for the traveler or their spouse
Terrorist action or hijacking
Call to jury duty or subpoena by the courts that can't be postponed or waived
The eligible traveler's or a traveling companion's dwelling being made uninhabitable
Quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons
You must pay the full amount of the trip with your American Express card or American Express rewards points. You'll also need to be traveling on a common carrier.
What's not covered
Several circumstances aren't covered by trip cancellation and interruption insurance. These include:
Pre-existing conditions
Traveler's suicide, attempted suicide, or self-inflicted injury
Mental or emotional disorders, unless hospitalized
An accident suffered by the traveler while being intoxicated
Any non-emergency treatment or surgery
You'll find a full list of what's not covered in your card's guide to benefits.
Eligible cards
Trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance are technically two separate types of insurance. Coverage limits apply to each of them separately. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express has a coverage limit of $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per 12-month period. That means you could receive up to $20,000 for canceled trips and up to $20,000 in trip interruption coverage during a 12-month period. Terms apply for all cards in the below table.
Global Assist**** is a travel assistance hotline you can call for any help you need while you're on a trip or planning one. American Express offers its Global Assist Hotline to all U.S. cardmembers. High-end American Express cards feature a Premium Global Assist Hotline, with additional benefits. Global Assist and Premium Global Assist are available free of charge. However, the cardmember may be responsible for any costs charged by third-party service providers.
Services offered
Global Assist offers several services, including an emergency cash wire service and medical assistance. If you're traveling more than 100 miles from your U.S. billing address, you can call the hotline 24/7 for medical, legal, financial, or other select services. To get assistance while you're traveling, the trip also must have started within the last 90 days.
Here are some of the things Global Assist can help with:
General travel assistance: Emergency translation/interpretation, lost item search, missing luggage assistance, passport assistance, embassy and consulate referral, card cancellation, urgent message relay.
Financial assistance: Emergency cash wire service, emergency hotel check in/out.
Legal referrals: Bail bond referrals, lawyer referrals.
Medical assistance: Emergency medical transportation assistance, repatriation of mortal remains, medical monitoring, medical prescription replacement assistance, medical referrals.
Premium Global Assist has a few additional perks. It may provide certain benefits at no cost, such as emergency medical transportation assistance and repatriation of mortal remains. It also offers the following:
Medical financial coordination
Travel assistance post-evacuation
Unaccompanied minor/visitor to bedside assistance
Eligible cards
All U.S. American Express cards are eligible for Global Assist. The following consumer cards offer Premium Global Assist:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Centurion Card® from American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
As you can see, American Express cards have all kinds of complimentary travel insurance protections. American Express also tends to be easy to deal with on claims. It generally provides these insurance policies itself instead of using third-party providers like most card issuers do.
If you're looking for a new card, and especially if you travel often, don't forget to check out travel insurance perks as you compare credit cards. And if you already have an American Express card, it's important to know what types of travel insurance are available to you.
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
1% - 5% Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro:
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular:18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
2% cash rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Intro:
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
1.5 points per dollar
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
American Express cards generally offer travel insurance, but the type of insurance varies by card. At a minimum, every American Express card has car rental loss and damage insurance. Some cards offer much more, including baggage insurance, trip delay insurance, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Each American Express card lists all its travel insurance protections in its guide to benefits.
To qualify for travel coverage, pay for the full cost of your trip with your American Express card or Membership Rewards points. As long as you pay with your American Express card or points, you can claim any applicable travel protections.
Submit a claim to American Express through the online claims center. After logging in, click "File a Claim" to start the process. Alternatively, you can file your claim over the phone by calling the number listed in your guide to benefits.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
*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.
**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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
***Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
****Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Marriott International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees for the American Express® Green Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here
For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.
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