Your complete guide to travel protection on American Express cards - The Points Guy (2024)

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Numerous American Express cards offer travel protections that can take the headache out of your vacations. However, the coverage you get (and the limits of said coverage) differ by card. Rather than trying to remember all of this on your own, we will guide you through the travel protections offered by American Express cards.

This guide provides a comprehensive, detailed look at the variety of travel protections offered across the American Express card portfolio. Each section outlines a type of coverage and the cards offering this coverage. We also include coverage limits and any additional caveats to keep in mind.

Here's what you need to know about American Express travel insurance coverage.

Trip delay insurance

Trip delay insurance covers you when you encounter travel delays. This could be a delayed flight due to mechanical issues or an unexpected overnight due to a weather-related cancellation. Other reasons are covered, but individual policies vary in what they do and don't cover. If the reason for your delay is not specifically mentioned in your policy, assume that it's not covered.

With trip delay protection, there are two different "levels" of coverage, depending on the card you carry.

Level 1: Higher-end cards

Some of American Express' top products offer trip delay reimbursem*nt of up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than six hours, capped at two claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive months.*

This protection becomes effective when you purchase a ticket using any of the following cards:

• The Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Business Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley**
• The Platinum Corporate Card from American Express**
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®**

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*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Level 2: Mid-tier cards

Other American Express cards offer trip delay reimbursem*nt of up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours, capped at two claims per 12 consecutive months.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase your tickets:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card**
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

This type of coverage is for situations in which your trip is canceled or interrupted (meaning you started the trip but must end it to return home). As a result, you're forced to forfeit prepaid, nonrefundable reservations. Again, be sure that your policy mentions your specific reason for it to be covered.*

All Amex cards with this benefit provide the same level of protection. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, you can receive a maximum of $10,000 per covered trip and a maximum of $20,000 per eligible card in a 12-month period.

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase travel:

• The Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Business Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab**
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• The Corporate Platinum Card® from American Express**
• The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Global Assist Hotline

Eligible cardholders can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency services coordination and assistance while traveling more than 100 miles from home.*

The Global Assist Hotline coordinates services but is not the service provider. Any third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for your tickets:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card**
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• American Express® Cash Rebate Credit Card**
• Blue for Business® Credit Card**
• Blue Cash® from American Express**
• Blue Sky from American Express®**
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express**
• Clear from American Express®**
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
• The Plum Card® from American Express
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
• Amazon Business Card**
• Amazon Business Prime Card**
• Lowe's Business Rewards Card**
• American Express® Corporate Gold Card**
• Corporate Green Credit Card**
• American Express Cash Magnet® Card**
• The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express**
• The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express**
• Blue from American Express®**
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card**
• SimplyCash® Business Card**
• American Express® Platinum Credit Card**
• American Express® Credit Card**
• One from American Express®**
• Zync from American Express®**
• Schwab Investor Card® from American Express**
• Morgan Stanley Credit Card from American Express**
• Platinum Optima® Card**
• Optima® Card**
• Bluebird® American Express® Reloadable Prepaid Card**
• Serve® American Express® Reloadable Prepaid Card**
• The Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Business Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Corporate Platinum® Card from American Express**
• American Express® Corporate Gold Card**
• American Express® Corporate Green Card**
• Business Extra℠ Corporate Card**
• American Express® Corporate Accenture Gold**
• American Express® Corporate Meeting Card**
• American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Card**
• American Express® Corporate Purchasing Card**
• Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred® American Express Card**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Premium Global Assist Hotline

Like the benefit above, eligible cardholders for certain premium Amex cards can rely on the Global Assist Hotline 24/7 for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency services coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles from home. With the Premium benefit, emergency medical transportation assistance and related services may be provided at no cost.*

If approved and coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost to you. Otherwise, third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for your tickets:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab**
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circ*mstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Baggage insurance plan

Baggage insurance applies to covered persons for eligible lost, damaged or stolen baggage during travel on a common carrier vehicle (such as a plane, train, ship or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket on the trip (one-way or round trip) is charged to an eligible card.

This benefit has two different "levels" of coverage, depending on the card you carry.

Level 1: Higher-end cards

Some of American Express' top products offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage. This coverage is in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. Coverage is subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip.*

For New York state residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/per suitcase limit for each covered person, with a maximum of $10,000 aggregate for all covered persons per covered trip.*

This protection becomes effective when you purchase a ticket using any of the following cards:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley**
• The Corporate Platinum® Card from American Express**
• The Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Business Centurion® Card from American Express**
• The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express**

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Level 2: Mid-tier cards

Other American Express cards offer baggage insurance coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage. This coverage is in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier.*

For New York state residents, there is a maximum of $10,000 aggregate for all covered persons per covered trip.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to purchase your tickets:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
• Amazon Business Card**
• Amazon Business Prime Card**
• American Express® Corporate Gold Card**
• American Express® Corporate Green Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card**
• American Express® Gold Card for Ameriprise Financial**
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express**
• American Express® Corporate Accenture Gold Card**
• American Express® Corporate Meeting Card**
• American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Card**
• American Express® Corporate Purchasing Card**
• Business Extra℠ Corporate Card**
• American Express® Corporate Gold Card**
• American Express® Corporate Green Card**
• American Express® Executive Business Card**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Car rental loss and damage insurance

Car rental loss and damage insurance applies to the theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use an eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the rental car company. Note that this product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply.

This benefit has two different "levels" of coverage, depending on the card you carry.

Level 1: Higher-end cards

Some of American Express' top products offer car rental loss and damage insurance of up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to eligible rental vehicles.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for eligible rentals:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Schwab**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs**
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley**
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Centurion® Card from American Express**
• Business Centurion® Card from American Express**

Level 2: Mid-tier cards

Other American Express cards offer car rental loss and damage insurance of up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to eligible rental vehicles.*

Here are the cards that include this protection when you use them to pay for eligible rentals:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card**
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
• The Plum Card® from American Express
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
• Amazon Business Card**
• Amazon Business Prime Card**
• Lowe's Business Rewards Card**
• American Express Cash Magnet® Card**
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card**
• Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card**
• Blue from American Express®**
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card**
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express**
• American Express® Platinum Credit Card**
• American Express® Credit Card**
• Zync from American Express®**
• Blue for Business® Credit Card**
• Schwab Investor Card® from American Express**
• Morgan Stanley Credit Card from American Express**
• Blue Cash® from American Express**
• Blue from American Express®**
• Blue Sky from American Express®**
• Clear from American Express®**
• American Express® Cash Rebate Credit Card**
• Platinum Optima® Card**
• SimplyCash® Business Card**
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Card**
• One from American Express®**
• American Express® Business Purchase Account**
• American Express® Executive Business Card**
• Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred® American Express Card**

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Understanding what benefits your card has to protect you when things go wrong during a trip can help reduce headaches. To that end, American Express provides multiple travel protections across many of its card products.

Coverage limits within the same benefit can vary by the card you have, so consult your card's detailed benefits at americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for full details.