Trip interruption and cancellation insurance covers you if your travel plans are interrupted during a trip or you have to cancel before your travel begins for any of the reasons covered under your card\u2019s policy. The difference between the two policies is simple:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Trip cancellation coverage\u00a0applies\u00a0until the day of departure.<\/strong> If your plans are canceled due to bad weather, illness, or another covered reason before you depart, trip cancellation insurance can help you recover the out-of-pocket, prepaid expenses you can\u2019t recoup from the travel provider. Think of non-refundable activity deposits, for example.<\/li>\n
- Trip interruption covers you during your travels.<\/strong> If your trip is interrupted for a covered event and you have to cut your travels short, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for the portion of the journey you are unable to complete. An example here would be leaving a hotel early, only to be charged for the full stay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"a](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Credit: AdobeStock<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n What does trip interruption and cancellation insurance cover?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Coverage differs between providers, but the most common covered events include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Accidental injury, death, or illness experienced by you or a family member.<\/li>\n
- Severe weather prevents you from beginning or continuing a trip.<\/li>\n
- Change in military orders for you, your spouse, or your partner.<\/li>\n
- A terrorist action or hijacking.<\/li>\n
- Jury duty or receiving a subpoena from the courts, which can't be postponed or waived.<\/li>\n
- Finding your hotel\/accommodation to be uninhabitable.<\/li>\n
- Quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons.<\/li>\n
- Financial insolvency of your travel agency, tour operator, or travel supplier whose services you booked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The expenses covered by your policy are typically limited to non-refundable prepaid air, land, or sea transportation, change fees if you need to change travel arrangements to a later date, and any prepaid tour or accommodation costs that cannot be refunded.<\/p>\n
Unlike trip delay coverage<\/a>, the entire trip must be paid for with the card or with points earned through that provider's rewards program to receive a full refund of your travel expenses.<\/p>\n
Out of all the cards on the market, two issuers offer the best trip interruption and cancellation coverage: Chase and American Express. If you want maximum coverage, you'll want a card from one of these issuers.<\/p>\n
Chase Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chase offers the most comprehensive trip interruption and cancellation insurance on the market on a wide variety of cards. Plus, Chase covers trips paid for with points from your qualifying card, so if you book award travel, you'll still be covered.<\/p>\n
As a cardholder, you're covered up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per covered trip, and $40,000 per year. The primary cardholder and immediate family are covered under the policy.<\/p>\n
Here are the cards that feature top-tier trip interruption and cancellation insurance:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Sapphire Reserve for Business\u2120<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- United Club\u2120 Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- United Club\u2120 Business Card<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This isn't to say that other Chase cards don't offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Several other cards do, but we're only including cards that provide maximum coverage. If you already have a card issued by Chase, it's worth taking a peek at your guide to benefits to see how much coverage you receive.<\/p>\n
You'll notice that one of the cards above doesn't quite fit in with the others. The Sapphire Preferred charges an annual fee of just $95, compared to the $795 and $695 annual fees charged on the Sapphire Reserve and United Club, respectively.<\/p>\n
That means you can get best-in-class coverage without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div>Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div>Apply Now<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$95Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027<\/li>\r\n
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel\u2120<\/li>\r\n
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide<\/li>\r\n
- 3X points on gas and EV charging<\/li>\r\n
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more<\/li>\r\n
- 3X points on eligible streaming services<\/li>\r\n
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)<\/li>\r\n
- 2X points on all other travel<\/li>\r\n
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div>Apply Now<\/a> <\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
$795Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel\u2120<\/li>\r\n
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly<\/li>\r\n
- 3x points on dining worldwide<\/li>\r\n
- 1x points on all other purchases<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>United Club\u2120 Card<\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong> Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div><\/div>Apply Now<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
$695Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- Earn at least 11X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*<\/em><\/li>\r\n
- 5X miles on hotel stays at Renowned Hotels and Resorts<\/li>\r\n
- 5X miles on eligible United purchases<\/li>\r\n
- 2X miles on dining and all other travel<\/li>\r\n
- 1X on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\nThe earning for spending on eligible United flights breaks down as follows:<\/em>\r\n\r\n
- \r\n
- 6X miles on the primary cardmember\u2019s fare from United as a MileagePlus member<\/em><\/li>\r\n
- 5X miles on entire United purchases with the United Club\u2120 Card<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
American Express Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n
American Express will reimburse non-refundable travel expenses up to $10,000 per trip (and up to $20,000 per consecutive 12 months) if your trip paid for with select cards is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason. <\/p>\n
American Express offers slightly lower coverage than Chase, but the benefit of choosing American Express is that the primary cardholder, immediate family, and<\/em> eligible travel companions are covered under the policy. If you're traveling with friends, this could be a better option than Chase, even if the overall coverage is lower.<\/p>\n
Here are the best American Express cards for trip interruption and cancellation insurance:<\/p>\n
- \n
- American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n
- The Business Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup> from American Express<\/a><\/li>\n
- Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Reserve American Express Card<\/a><\/li>\n
- Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Reserve Business American Express Card<\/a><\/li>\n
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card<\/a><\/li>\n
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant\u00ae<\/sup> American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can find full details of each policy on the American Express Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policies<\/a> page.<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div>American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$895Rates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/p><\/div>Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup> (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> and The Hotel Collection bookings.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Reserve American Express Card<\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.\r\n<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$650Rates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/p><\/div>Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta<\/li>\r\n \t
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card<\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
$550Rates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/p><\/div>Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- 14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio<\/li>\r\n \t
- 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com<\/a>, car rentals booked directly through select rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants<\/li>\r\n
- 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Wells Fargo Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n
While American Express and Chase both offer multiple cards with top-tier trip interruption and cancellation insurance, we'd be remiss not to mention the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey\u2120 Card<\/a>, which covers cardholders up to $15,000 per person and up to $20,000 per year. While the annual maximum is comparable to American Express, it's nice that the per-person coverage is higher. If you're traveling alone, you have more protection.<\/p>\n
Similar to American Express, eligible travelers include the primary cardholder, family members, and travel companions. This is another $95-annual-fee card, which is great for anyone who wants protection without adding a premium card to their wallet.<\/p>\n
\n\n\nWells Fargo Autograph Journey\u2120 Card<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\nRates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months \u2013 that\u2019s $600 toward your next trip.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Wells Fargo Autograph Journey\u2120 Card<\/strong>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months \u2013 that\u2019s $600 toward your next trip.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$95<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey\u2120 Card offers competitive rewards for travelers, including 5X points with hotels, 4X with airlines, and 3X on restaurants and other travel purchases. Cardholders can earn a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase, and get access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, and various insurance protections, including cell phone protection and lost baggage reimbursement. The card has a $95 annual fee.<\/div>- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.<\/li>
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's $600 toward your next trip.<\/li>
- Earn unlimited 5X points with hotels, 4X points with airlines, 3X points on restaurants and other travel, and 1X points on other purchases.<\/li>
- $95 annual fee.<\/li>
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver. <\/li>
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase. <\/li>
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.<\/li>
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24\/7 Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> Concierge.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
- 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- The Business Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup> from American Express<\/a><\/li>\n
- 5X miles on entire United purchases with the United Club\u2120 Card<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
- Earn at least 11X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*<\/em><\/li>\r\n
- Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Trip interruption covers you during your travels.<\/strong> If your trip is interrupted for a covered event and you have to cut your travels short, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for the portion of the journey you are unable to complete. An example here would be leaving a hotel early, only to be charged for the full stay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/AdobeStock_162107500-scaled-e1595202935326.jpeg\")
![\"Chase](\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/bd8fe581-1873-494c-b3ff-360dd7831c7e.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Chase](\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/565192b2-c5cc-4edc-89ae-b8bba7a63750.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"United](\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/450a0407-44c5-45f1-a335-068eefc6cb45.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"American](\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/e6901d88-1a35-4373-b3e1-9a2a445490a0.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Delta](\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/50f0bdf0-a419-480d-bda2-b5f31eefd9e4.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Hilton](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/CardArt-HiltonHonorsAmericanExpressAspireCard-1.png\")
<\/div><\/div>![\"Wells](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CardArt-WellsFargoAutographJourneyCard.png\")
<\/div>\n