If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.
Like any other type of insurance, travel insurance is something you don't need -- until you need it. And when you need it, it can be invaluable.
Many great credit cards offer that extra peace of mind at no extra cost. Lost luggage? No problem. Flight delay? You're covered. Travel insurance is a no-brainer when you use the right card.
See our top picks for the best credit card for travel insurance to start your search.
Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Great for: Bonus rewards on travel and dining
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.74% Variable
Rewards Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠.
Annual Fee
$550
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
All the perks we've come to expect from a top travel card, including a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and big bonuses on travel and dining. Points are transferable to airline and hotel partners or worth 50% more if you book through Chase Travel. The annual fee is hefty, but if you can use all its features, this card could be well worth the cost.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Luxury travel benefits
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards 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
Annual Fee
$695
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
This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required), and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome bonus worth $800 in points. Terms apply.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Flat-rate rewards points
On Capital One's Secure Website.
On Capital One's Secure Website.
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
2X-10X miles
Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer 75000 Miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
75000 Miles
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a favorite among our experts thanks to benefits that easily offset the $395 annual fee — an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit, 10,000-mile bonus every anniversary (worth $100), huge welcome bonus (worth $750), unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, and up to 10X miles on eligible travel. Pile on access to a global airport lounge network, Global Entry/TSA Pre✓® reimbursement, and experience credits to get you where you want to go in comfort.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Premium travel rewards with low annual fee
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 bonus points
This card easily justifies the (very reasonable) annual fee with benefits that deliver real value. For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, which we estimate is worth $1,250 in Chase Travel℠ value. Plus, enjoy bonus travel and dining rewards, a $50 annual hotel credit, and 25% more value when booking through Chase Travel. With added travel protections like rental car insurance and trip reimbursement, we think this card is a game-changer for any traveler.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Bonus rewards on business travel
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 26.24% Variable
Rewards Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories
Annual Fee N/A
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 90,000 bonus points
This card offers excellent earning potential for businesses looking to earn valuable rewards on everyday expenses. You’ll earn 3X points on travel, shipping, and advertising purchases (up to $150,000 per year), making it a great fit for businesses that invest in growth. With an impressive 90,000-point welcome bonus and access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® ecosystem, this card helps you maximize rewards. Plus, we like that points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, further boosting the card’s value.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Marriott rewards and property credits
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
20.24%-29.24% Variable
Rewards Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
2X-6X points
Annual Fee
$650
Welcome Offer Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points
It's one of the most expensive hotel cards we've seen, but the benefits could be worth thousands for the right type of cardholder.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: IHG rewards and elite status
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.49% Variable
Rewards Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
N/A
Annual Fee
$99
Welcome Offer Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
This card has a very lucrative bonus you can earn after opening an account, and allows you to rack up tons of point on hotel stays.
Great for: United miles and lounge access
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.49% - 28.99% Variable
Rewards 4x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining and all other travel and 1x mile on all other purchases.
N/A
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer Debut Offer: Earn 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 95,000 bonus miles
Even with the hefty annual fee, this card packs considerable value for people who can take advantage of the United Club membership and other perks.
The types of things covered by credit card travel insurance will vary a lot between cards. Some type of luggage insurance is usually included. The best cards also cover trip delays or cancellations. Some may even provide rental car insurance.
The entire purchase needs to be on your eligible credit card for the expense to be covered by that card's travel insurance. For example, the entire cost of an airline ticket needs to be paid by the eligible card to get reimbursed for that ticket. On the positive, most cards with travel insurance are travel rewards cards, so this isn't a hardship.
Get reimbursed for eligible non-refundable travel expenses when a trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason.
The types of covered events vary by insurance provider, but typically include:
If your trip is severely delayed, you could be reimbursed for reasonable purchases. This could include:
Most policies require your trip to be delayed a minimum of six hours. The delay also needs to be because of your carrier -- not you. For example, a delay caused by a technical malfunction on a commercial airplane is covered. A flat tire on your way to the airport probably isn't. This coverage typically maxes out around $500.
This is similar to the insurance they offer you at the rental car agency, though it may be a bit more limited. It reimburses for damages or theft of an eligible rental car caused in a covered event. There are two forms of this coverage:
You need to turn down the coverage from the rental agency to be eligible. Certain kinds of cars, like luxury or sports cars, may be excluded.
If you arrived but your baggage didn't, you could get reimbursed for certain essential items, such as:
Expensive items, like hearing aids, jewelry, and electronics, usually don't qualify for reimbursement. This benefit tends to max out around $100 a day.
Your luggage usually needs to be delayed for a minimum of six hours. Your coverage can reset each day, up to a maximum number of days.
You could be redeemed when your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen while in the possession of a common carrier. Keep in mind this doesn't apply to things you simply forget or leave behind.
This coverage applies to your bags as well as the stuff inside them. Both your carry-on and checked baggage can qualify. Coverage typically caps out around $1,000 to $3,000 per bag. Certain electronics and jewelry may have specific maximum payments.
This coverage pays out in the case of accidental loss of life, dismemberment, and/or loss of sight. It typically covers you and any immediate family members traveling with you. You won't be covered if you're injured or killed doing something illegal or as the result of a war. Coverage limits depend on the specific incident.
You could be reimbursed if you need to be evacuated from your destination in an emergency. This most often applies to emergency medical transportation as recommended by a physician.
If you want a card with travel insurance, you'll likely wind up with a Chase or American Express card. These issuers have the most cards with some type of travel insurance, even if it's just baggage coverage. These two issuers are also home to many of the top travel rewards cards, including some of the most popular hotel and airline credit cards.
That's not to say you can't find a card with travel insurance outside these two issuers -- you can. They're just few and far between. In most cases, the card will likely sport a Visa Infinite logo, or at least Visa Signature. You can check out your card's benefits documents to see if it offers any kind of travel insurance.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
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.
|
Great For: Bonus rewards on travel and dining |
|
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.
|
Great For: Luxury travel benefits |
|
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.
|
Great For: Flat-rate rewards points |
|
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
|
Great For: Premium travel rewards with low annual fee |
|
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.
|
Great For: Bonus rewards on business travel |
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.
|
Great For: Marriott rewards and property credits |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
|
Great For: IHG rewards and elite status |
|
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.
|
Great For: United miles and lounge access |
At Motley Fool Money, we rate travel credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria Includes rewards systems and bonus categories, rewards redemption flexibility, and sign-up bonuses.
Our highest-rated travel credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best travel card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring travel credit cards from reputable brands.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
Credit cards with travel insurance are usually travel rewards cards that require at least good credit. It's recommended to have a credit score of at least 670 for these cards. The best coverage is usually offered by premium travel cards that require excellent credit. That means you'll want a credit score of 750 or higher.
Travel insurance can be worth it when you need it -- and seem frivolous when you don't. Unless you travel frequently, you should probably ensure your card is worth its annual fee with or without travel insurance. Most cardholders can probably consider it a nice bonus or a tie-breaking feature.
Credit card travel insurance coverage varies widely, but typically includes:
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. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
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.