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If there is one thing we've learned over the last few years, it's to ensure that we are protected. Travel insurance has become a necessity, rather than a luxury, with so much uncertainty in the air. Carriers experiencing meltdowns, stranding travelers sometimes for days at a time, have heightened the value of having a solid backup plan in place.
Several reputable companies offer solid insurance products at a range of price points. And while the idea of paying for insurance might make anyone shudder, at least a little, it does provide a comforting safety net. However, you might already have travel insurance coverage through your credit card.
This isn't an irrelevant benefit to brush off but rather a perk that doesn't get much attention because it isn't sexy — until you read the fine print. With that said, we've looked at the best credit cards for travel purchases and have identified those we think are the best options available for travel protection and insurance that come at no additional cost. You get these benefits just by being a cardholder.
Page Contents
Top Cards For Travel Insurance and Protection
Below are our top picks, including highlights of why these cards stand out. Review the benefits guide and contact your benefits administrator for clarification on any of these benefits.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee$95
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Our #1 recommended beginners rewards card featuring a 60,000-point signup bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This card comes with great benefits and earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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.
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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.
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Here's why the Sapphire Preferred ranks at the top of our list:
- You don't pay to add authorized users who receive the same benefits/protection as the primary card account holder.
- Primary Rental Car Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) included globally.
- Trip interruption / cancellation insurance provides up to $10,000 per trip and covers personal illness of you, your traveling companion, or immediate family that may not be traveling with you. If you're worried about someone you care for getting ill, this covers you!
- Trip Delay Reimbursement provides up to $500 in reimbursement if you're delayed for 12+ hours or overnight. This has you covered if you're not otherwise compensated for a hotel, rental car, or meals.
- Baggage Delay provides up to $100/day for up to five days ($500 total) to cover clothes and toiletries if your bag is 6+ hours delayed.
- Lost Luggage provides up to $3,000 per person per trip.
- Travel Accident Insurance of up to $500,000/person.
- Coverage applies when you pay using the card or with Ultimate Rewards for all or part of your travel.
- Sapphire Preferred Benefits Guide
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Annual Fee$550
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Chase's flagship Ultimate Rewards card. You get a $300 travel credit, airport lounge access courtesy of a Priority Pass membership and industry-leading travel insurance benefits. New cardholders earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- 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
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 10X points on Chase Dining (including prepaid reservations and prepaid takeout purchased through Chase)
- 5X points on airfare purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on all other travel
- 3X points on dining at restaurants
- 1X points on all other purchases
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- 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
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 10X points on Chase Dining (including prepaid reservations and prepaid takeout purchased through Chase)
- 5X points on airfare purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on all other travel
- 3X points on dining at restaurants
- 1X points on all other purchases
Here's why the Sapphire Reserve made our list:
- Almost identical coverage to the Sapphire Preferred with some enhancements.
- Authorized users cost $75 per card.
- Trip Delay Reimbursement kicks in after 6+ hours of delay (instead of 12).
- Travel Accident Insurance caps out at $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000).
- Emergency Evacuation and Transportation provides up to $100,000 of coverage if you need to be transported for emergency medical reasons.
- Emergency Medical & Dental Benefit provides up to $2,500 if you need to head to a hospital, a clinic, or receive other medical/dental services while traveling (services that wouldn't be already covered by your insurance provider).
- Sapphire Reserve Guide to Benefits
This card would be ranked #1; however, it has a much higher annual fee, and authorized user cards cost $75 each.
We also covered a more in-depth comparison of the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve benefits.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee$395
Welcome Bonus Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel-focused card, stacked with benefits. Cardholders get complimentary access to Capital One Lounges, plus more than 1,300 other lounges worldwide, receive up to a $300 annual travel credit for bookings via Capital One Travel and up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. There's also an anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles, equivalent to $100 towards travel. High earning rates include 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, plus 2X on all other purchases.
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
These are the reasons why the Capital One Venture X makes our list of the best credit cards for travel insurance:
- Primary Rental Car Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).
- Trip Interruption/Cancellation provides up to $2,000 per covered traveler.
- Trip Delay Protection provides up to $500 for a 6+ hour delay or required overnight stay.
- Baggage Delay Protection provides up to $3,000 per trip ($2,000 for New York residents).
- Travel Accident Insurance provides up to $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000).
- Cell Phone Protection provides up to $800 for a lost or stolen phone.
- Capital One Venture X Guide to Benefits
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Annual Fee$95
Welcome Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The most valuable Ultimate Rewards signup bonus on offer and our top pick for small business rewards cards. Business owners earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to 450,000 points per year on a wide range of 3X bonus categories.
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3X 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
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3X 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
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
The Ink Preferred is the highest-ranked small business card on this list. Here's why:
- Similar coverage to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, with some exceptions.
- Benefits may extend to company employees even if they don't have a card
- Primary CDW with rental cars** when renting for business purposes but may be secondary when renting for personal reasons.
- Trip Interruption/Cancellation insurance of up to $5,000.
- Ink Preferred Benefits Guide
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Annual Fee$95
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
The Citi Strata Premier card offers some of the top earning rates of any rewards card with an annual fee under $100. This card offers excellent rewards on an unusually generous list of earning categories, including air travel, hotels, car rentals, groceries, and dining—and it tops our list of the best cards for gas & fuel purchases.
- 3X points per $1 on airfare and hotels and at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
- Annual Hotel Benefit: Save $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through CitiTravel.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 3X points per $1 on airfare and hotels and at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
- Annual Hotel Benefit: Save $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through CitiTravel.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The Citi Strata Premier had many of its travel and purchase protection benefits stripped in 2019. However, in its latest refresh, the Citi Strata Premier has had some of these benefits reintroduced. You can catch all the details in our dedicated post covering the changes to the Citi Strata Premier.
- Lost or Damaged Luggage protection
- MasterRental Coverage (Car Rental)
- Trip Delay reimbursement if your trip is delayed more than six (6) hours due to a covered loss
- Common Carrier Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption
- Hotel credit – $100 annual credit eligible on hotel reservations of $500 or more made through ThankYou.com.
- World Elite Mastercard benefits
- Free FICO score
American Express Cards
Years ago, Amex cards struggled against the competition when it came to insurance benefits. However, Amex refreshed the coverage on almost all of its cards in 2020, and that coverage is slowly gaining on Chase, Citi, and Barclaycard. The changes affect too many cards to list, but you can find them all on a dedicated page of the Amex website.
One of the most significant changes was the adjustments to the Rental Car Coverage. Amex provides secondary coverage across most credit cards but supplies primary coverage for a flat fee. In addition, Amex charges a one-off payment of $19.95–$24.95 per rental, which covers you for up to 42 days. The policy covers you for up to $100,000 in almost any car, including luxury vehicles, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
You can opt-in to the program on the Premium Car Rental Protection page. You'll be presented with options when signing up for the Amex coverage — no need to pay anything upfront. Instead, the payment comes off automatically after you rent a car and will continue to do so with each rental until you unregister your account.
Why Other Cards Didn't Make the List
You might wonder why other travel-focused credit cards didn't make the list. It's for one or more of these reasons:
- They don't offer primary CDW insurance on rental cars. Almost every travel-related credit card we've looked at offers some form of rental car protection, and most provide secondary coverage. This means the coverage kicks in after your own personal insurance. Ideally, you don't want to involve your insurance at all, which is why primary CDW coverage is such a big deal. If your card doesn't explicitly call out that the coverage is primary, which would be a selling point, it is reasonably safe to assume that it is secondary.
- They don't offer trip and baggage delay. This is a great perk. If your bags don't show up, you'll likely have an expensive shopping trip in your future. So, it's a sensible protection to keep in mind.
- They require you to put the total amount of your travel on the card and don't cover if you pay with points. If you've got a diverse set of points and miles, you're likely using points from one or more programs to pay. So, we listed cards that provide coverage when you pay for part of the trip using the card. For example, such as paying for the taxes and fees on an award booking.
- They're just not as good. These cards provide the best-in-class benefits. Others just don't measure up.
Bottom Line
These benefits are included at no additional charge. Sure, each of these cards has an annual fee. But when calculating the value of these cards, we'd venture a guess that you didn't look at many of these benefits and the value they add to your travel plans.
Knowing about these travel protections now, do they have you thinking about which card to use when you plan your travel? It isn't all about 2x, 3x, or 5x points — even though these cards are some of the best for earning as well.
Is there a card you think belongs on this list that we left out? Let us know in the comments.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
