chase sapphire reserve travel interruption insurance

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Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card [2023]

Christine Krzyszton

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Few credit cards can compete with the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® when you’re looking for a premium travel rewards credit card. There are also few, if any, travel rewards cards that offer a better selection of travel insurance benefits.

Travel insurance benefits and protections that come with your credit card can provide valuable assistance if your trip is disrupted, reimburse you for expenses if things go wrong during your journey, and much more.

It’s become increasingly more important to have a level of travel insurance for peace of mind and to make you whole after an unexpected event. While the travel insurance that comes on your credit card is not meant to take the place of a comprehensive travel insurance policy , it can provide sufficient coverage for most trips you make.

Today, we’ll dive deep into the assortment of travel insurance benefits that come with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

We’ll also look at how the coverages work, glance at the process for filing a claim if something does go wrong, and in the end, give you all the other reasons we like the card for frequent travelers.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — Travel Insurance Benefits and Protections

There are so many reasons we like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card overall and we’ll cover those later in our article. For now, we’re going to jump right into the focus of our review, the travel insurance benefits and protections offered on the card.

Some benefits or protections can save you money , others provide assistance during your travels, and yet others offer peace of mind .

Here is our breakdown of the travel insurance coverages that can be found on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

The auto rental insurance coverage on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card could save you hundreds of dollars on your car rental bill. Simply reserve and pay for your car rental with the card, decline the car rental agency’s collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) coverage, and receive primary car rental coverage for theft or damage to the rental car.

Primary coverage means that you do not have to file a claim with another insurance company first.

Additional coverage includes loss of use charges and reasonable and customary towing charges.

You and authorized drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered.

Coverage limitations and conditions apply, including:

• $75,000 coverage limit
• Rental period cannot exceed 31 days
• Liability coverage and the loss of personal items are not covered
• Expenses reimbursed by other insurance are not covered
• Antique vehicles, vans that carry more than 9 people, motorcycle/bikes, limos, and recreational vehicles are not covered

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with primary car rental insurance. If a car rental agency charges $20 per day for this coverage, you could save $140 on a 7-day rental by declining the rental car agency’s collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver coverage.

When you pay for your trip partially or in full with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, with Ultimate Rewards points earned on your card, or a combination of both, you could receive a benefit if your trip has to be canceled or is disrupted for a covered reason.

Examples of covered events could include:

• Severe weather that prevents you from beginning a trip or keeps you from continuing your travels
• Illness or death of an immediate family member or travel companion
• Certain legal obligations

Examples of expenses reimbursed include:

• Prepaid non-refundable expenses charged by a travel supplier, such as a tour operator, airline, or other common carriers
• Non-refundable prepaid expenses charged by rental car or travel agencies
• Under trip interruption, $250 for emergency ground transport

The trip cancellation/interruption coverage that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card pays up to $10,000 per person, per trip , up to $20,000 per occurrence, and up to a maximum of $40,000 in a 12-month period.

Examples of losses that would not be covered could include:

• Cancellation by the travel provider (unless due to severe weather)
• You change your plans
• Preexisting conditions
• Financial insolvency of the travel provider
• Losses that occur on trips exceeding 60 days

Hot Tip: The trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance that comes with a credit card, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, does not cover voluntary trip cancellations. If you think you might have to cancel a trip, you should purchase Cancel for Any Reason Insurance which provides coverage regardless of the reason for cancellation. 

Trip delays of more than 6 hours or an overnight stay trigger the trip delay reimbursement coverage on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. You and your eligible family members could receive up to $500 for each purchased ticket , per trip, for unreimbursed expenses for incidentals, lodging, and meals.

If your checked or carry-on luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, you could receive up to $3,000 per person , per trip. There is a sub-limit of $500 included in the $3,000 maximum for valuable items such as jewelry watches, and specific electronics.

When your bags are delayed for more than 6 hours , you could receive up to $100 per day for 5 days for reimbursement of essentials such as clothing, toiletries, and a cell phone charger.

Make just a call if you have a roadside emergency and receive assistance with services such as flat tire replacement, emergency fuel, jump-start service, towing, lock-outs, and more.

The number of covered service calls each 12-month period is limited to 4 and the maximum coverage is $50 per service call. Any charges over that amount will be charged to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Pay for at least a portion of your common carrier trip with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Then, if you or an immediate family member become injured or sick during your travels and need emergency evacuation, the card could provide up to $100,000 in coverage .

Trips must be at least 5 days in length , not more than 60 days, and the traveler must be more than 100 miles from home.

This is not reimbursement coverage — you must call the benefits administrator at the time of the incident to initiate emergency transport.

It’s rare to find any medical or dental coverage provided on a credit card, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers this benefit for its cardholders and qualifying family members.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Provides up to $2,500 ($50 deducible) for emergency medical or dental services during a covered trip
• Up to $75 per day for 5 days for a hotel if ordered by the attending physician
• Emergency medical/dental services, hospital room, ambulance, medicines, and supplies are examples of covered items
• The trip must be more than 100 miles from your residence

Travel Accident Insurance is a benefit seldom ever used but it can provide peace of mind knowing that if a covered death or dismemberment occurred during you or your family’s common carrier trip, there could be a benefit provided.

The card comes with up to $1,000,000 in coverage.

Whether you need assistance planning your trip or need help during your travels, you’ll have access to a dedicated phone line 24/7 . Receive assistance such as help securing emergency transportation, translation, medical, and legal referrals, help with lost passports, or emergency ticket replacement.

The cost of the actual services received is the responsibility of the cardholder.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with one of the best collections of travel insurance benefits and protections available. To learn about additional credit cards also offering travel insurance, check out our list of the best credit cards for travel insurance . 

How To File a Claim

The best time to think about filing a travel insurance claim is before an event happens . Before setting off on your trip, it’s wise to take a few minutes to learn how you or your travel companions could receive assistance, should your trip be disrupted.

Reviewing the process of how to contact the claims administrator en route, should it become necessary, could save you money and frustration after the fact for not following the correct procedure for coverage to be valid.

Reviewing the claims process in advance also makes it easier to gather needed information at the time of disruption, such as photos or a statement from the travel provider, versus trying to secure the needed documentation once you’ve arrived home from a disrupted trip.

Here’s what you’ll need to know about filing a claim for Chase credit card travel insurance benefits and/or protections.

Each specific travel insurance coverage has stated time limits to report a claim, submit the completed and signed claim form, and for supplying all of the required documentation. Failing to do so could jeopardize the processing of your claim.

The best rule of thumb is to contact the claims administrator as soon as an event occurs . This action can also help you receive proper instructions on how to proceed to make sure your expenses will be covered.

You will be asked to submit documentation for your claim to be processed properly. Keep in mind that Chase is not processing your claim as the card issuer utilizes a third-party claims administrator .

You could be asked to provide any of the following information:

• A completed and signed claim form
• Your credit card statement that includes the last 4 digits of the card and receipts showing you paid for the trip/car rental with the eligible card and/or associated points
• A copy of your common carrier ticket and itinerary
• Any related medical documents and/or death certificate
• Documentation from the travel provider as to why the trip was interrupted, canceled, or delayed
• Receipts for purchases and food expense receipts over $50
• Copy of the travel provider’s cancellation or refund policy
• Any additional documentation requested by the benefit administrator

Hot Tip: The claims process will be easier if you have saved receipts, kept travel provider cancellation/refund policy documentation, and have copies of your ticket information and itineraries. 

Our list of Chase Sapphire Reserve card travel insurance benefits is an overview only. We have also abbreviated the coverage descriptions. You will need to access the official Guide to Benefits for the card for terms, conditions, current coverage limits, and claim procedures.

Also, note that most travel insurance benefits that come with credit cards are normally secondary to other insurance you might have that would otherwise cover the loss. If you are compensated by an airline for lost luggage, for example, you would only have coverage via your credit card for any excess loss you incurred above the airline’s payment (up to the limits of coverage).

Why We Like the Chase Sapphire Reserve Overall

In addition to having one of the best travel insurance offerings among credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with strong earnings, redemption options, statement credits, and additional benefits.

Here are some of the reasons we like this premium travel rewards card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $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 $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns valuable, flexible Ultimate Rewards points on every purchase you make.

Here’s how you’ll earn points on the card:

• 10x earnings on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via Chase Travel
• 5x earnings on air travel
• 3x earnings on all other travel and dining
• 10x earnings on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
• 1x earnings on all other purchases

When it comes time to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points , you’ll have several options offering various values:

• Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Chase airline and hotel partners to redeem for award tickets or free hotel nights
• Redeem via the  Chase travel portal  for 1.5 cents each
• Redeem for a statement credit or cash-back at 1 cent each
• Pay Yourself Back to redeem your points for a statement credit at 1.25 to 1.5 each from a list of eligible purchases that rotates
• Redeem for gift cards, experiences, merchandise, or at Amazon and Apple

Other redemption values vary, but always strive to receive no less than 1 cent per point redeemed as you can cash out points for that amount. Transferring Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners can potentially result in the most value for your points. You may also find good value via the Chase travel portal utilizing points at 1.5 cents each for inexpensive flights.

Receiving statement credits for purchases you’ll be making anyway is an effective way to offset the card’s annual fee. Here are the statement credits you can expect from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:

• $300 Travel Statement Credit — Each card anniversary year, you’ll receive reimbursement for your travel purchases in the form of a statement credit of up to $300.
• Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck Fee Reimbursement — Once every 4 years, you can receive up to $100 reimbursement for Global Entry fees, $50 for NEXUS enrollment, or $78 for TSA PreCheck.

• Complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership — Enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounge and lounge-alternative properties worldwide with your membership. You’ll also be able to bring in 2 additional guests at no extra charge.
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass Subscription — You’ll have free delivery on all orders $12 or more and discounted fees (over $100 value). Activate by December 31, 2024.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees — A typical foreign transaction fee can be 3% of your transaction. You won’t have any such fees on your foreign purchases when you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• Purchase Protection — Use your card to purchase an eligible item and if that item is damaged, stolen, or experiences “involuntary and accidental parting” you could receive up to $10,000 per claim, for a maximum of $50,000 per year . The coverage is valid for 120 days from the purchase date. Gifts purchased for others are also covered.
• Return Protection — If the merchant will not take back any eligible item within 90 days after the purchase date, you could receive up to $500 per item, $1,000 maximum per year.
• Extended Warranty — The manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less will be extended for 1 additional year for eligible items. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account.

Bottom Line: With powerful earning and redemption options, statement credits for specific purchases, worldwide lounge access, and a long list of travel and shopping benefits/protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card can be worth the annual fee. 

Alternative Travel Rewards Cards

While we think the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is an excellent choice for a travel rewards card, here are a couple of equally appropriate alternatives for the frequent traveler.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• 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 with American Express Travel when you pay with 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.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $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: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 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.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. 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.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

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• Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Lounge Access
• Amex Platinum Benefits for Authorized Users
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• Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve

Also packed with a generous collection of travel insurance benefits , the Amex Platinum card shines as a companion for the frequent traveler.

Its lounge access benefits are second to none, plus it offers hotel program elite status, rental car perks , and statement credits for specific purchases. It also earns valuable, and flexible, Membership Rewards points via a generous bonus earnings on eligible travel.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• 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.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
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• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
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If you’re looking for a travel rewards credit card but are reluctant to pay a high annual fee, or you won’t use all of the benefits offered on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you might want to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred card .

The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with many of the travel insurance benefits and protections offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and it’s one of our favorite travel rewards cards.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Add authorized users for no additional annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

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The newest premium travel rewards card on the block is the Capital One Venture X card . We like that the card comes with an annual $300 credit for travel purchased via Capital One Travel .

The card’s annual fee is also lower than most premium travel rewards cards but you’ll still find travel insurance , worldwide lounge access , Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement, stellar earnings on travel, cell phone protection , and a respectable 2x earnings on all other purchases.

While the high annual fee may be off-putting, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is packed with plenty of benefits to justify the expense — if you’ll utilize the majority of those benefits.

Our focus today was on travel insurance benefits that alone could save you money, provide compensation, and/or reimbursement if your trip is disrupted. But there is additional value in all the other benefits offered on the card .

A Priority Pass Select membership, for example, will set you back as much as $469 each year, plus $35 for each guest, per visit. The Priority Pass membership that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers unlimited access for the cardholder and allows 2 additional guests at no charge.

The card also comes with a $300 travel credit , and up to $100 for Global Entry, NEXUS. or TSA PreCheck fees.

If you can utilize the benefits, the card can be worth it.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024.  Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier.  Additional terms apply.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the chase sapphire reserve card have travel insurance.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has one of the best travel insurance packages available.

You’ll find a collection of travel insurance coverages that include primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, lost and delayed baggage coverage, emergency evacuation and medical, roadside assistance, and more.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card worth the annual fee?

If you will utilize the benefits offered on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the card is definitely worth it.

In fact, we’ve estimated that the card offers benefits that could be valued at nearly $3,500.

Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card have primary car rental insurance?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card does offer primary car rental insurance.

Primary car rental insurance does not require that you file a claim with your own car insurance company insurance first. If a covered event occurs, you will have coverage on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

You must pay for the entire rental with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card and decline the rental car agency’s collision damage waiver coverage for coverage to be valid.

Can I have more than 1 Chase Sapphire credit card?

While you can have more than 1 Chase credit card, you can only be the primary cardholder on 1 Chase Sapphire credit card, either the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You could, however, be an authorized user on another Sapphire card.

Which card is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card offer benefits for the frequent traveler.

The better card for you will depend on your spending mix, your preferred redemption options, your tolerance for paying an annual fee, and the level of travel benefits/protections you will use on the card.

To assist you further, we’ve put together a detailed article comparing the 2 cards. Access our article on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card vs. the Chase Sapphire Preferred card .

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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What To Know About Chase Sapphire Reserve ® Travel and Purchase Insurance Benefits

Reviewed by Ryan Smith

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve ® comes with an abundance of high-value benefits and features. Cardholders get a fantastic return on Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance and dining, plus receive an industry-leading $300 travel credit — which covers any travel expense — and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership . Furthermore, that’s before factoring in the 60,000-point sign-up bonus.

Some of the Sapphire Reserve’s best features, however, are the least visible. Tucked away deep in the Sapphire Reserve Guide to Benefits is a suite of Chase Sapphire travel insurance and purchase protections that can add thousands of dollars to the value proposition of holding the card long-term.

After reviewing the coverage options, you may learn that you've been spending money on coverage you didn't need — or that you've got coverage you never knew about!

Page Contents

Chase Sapphire Reserve phone number

Chase sapphire reserve trip cancellation and trip interruption, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, chase sapphire reserve auto rental collision damage waiver (cdw), lost luggage benefits, travel accident insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation, emergency medical and dental, travel and emergency assistance services, roadside assistance, chase sapphire reserve purchase protection, extended warranty protection, return protection, price protection, final thoughts, chase sapphire reserve travel insurance benefits.

First things first: For questions about the following benefits or to file or follow up on a claim, call the Chase claims phone number at 888-675-1461 .

As one of the best credit cards for travel insurance , the Sapphire Reserve‘s trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance covers the cardholder, cardholder’s spouse or partner, and immediate family members for trips of less than 60 days. The two policies are similar, but trip cancellation covers you before the trip while trip interruption covers you from the moment you start traveling.

Coverage kicks in when a covered loss either interrupts travel or prevents you from traveling. The coverage will reimburse you up to $10,000 for each person or $20,000 per trip.

Claims are limited to:

• Per occurrence: $20,000
• Per 12 months: $40,000

Tip: Immediate family members are covered if travel is charged to the Sapphire Reserve , even if the primary account holder is not present.

You can catch the extensive list of definitions and exclusions in the Sapphire Reserve Guide to Benefits , or head over to our post on Chase Sapphire cards' trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance .

One of the most valuable benefits on the Sapphire Reserve , trip delay reimbursement covers what Chase deems “reasonable” expenses:

“The Trip Delay Reimbursement benefit will reimburse Your reasonable additional expenses incurred during a Covered Trip delay, including meals, lodging, toiletries and medication. This benefit applies to reasonable expenses incurred during Your delay not otherwise covered by Your Common Carrier, another party, or Your primary personal insurance policy. You will be refunded the excess amount (up to the maximum) once all other reimbursement has been exhausted up to the limit of liability.”

Coverage kicks in after a delay of six hours (or a forced overnight stay) , and you can claim up to $500 for each ticket purchased with your Sapphire Reserve. To qualify for reimbursement, the delay must not have been made public or have been communicated to you before departure.

If you made it to your destination but your bags didn’t, you might be eligible to claim for baggage delay. Covering the cardholder and immediate family members up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days when your bags are delayed for six or more hours , you can claim emergency purchases of essential items including clothing, toiletries, and one phone charger per device. The list of purchases not included is extensive (including items like false teeth and event tickets), so be sure to read page six of the guide to benefits for more details.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve full review

We rate the primary rental insurance offered on the Sapphire Reserve as one of the best available to U.S. cardholders. The terms and conditions feature no specific country exclusions, and cardholders receive primary coverage at home in the U.S. in addition to most foreign countries.

To ensure coverage when renting a car, you need to pay for the entire rental using your Sapphire Reserve and decline the rental company’s collision insurance. If you accept the rental company’s additional auto insurance, you won't be covered by the Sapphire Reserve. You can read all the details in our review of Chase’s auto rental CDW . Note: If you use Ultimate Rewards to pay for your rental, you'll also receive coverage under the auto rental CDW benefit .

Be aware that the auto rental CDW isn’t liability insurance. You are only covered for damage and theft of the rental vehicle, not damage to other people's property or if someone is injured.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance

The Sapphire Reserve ’s lost luggage benefit covers the cardholder and immediate family members for up to $3,000 per person for a covered trip, including up to $500 for valuable items like jewelry, watches, cameras, and other electronics.

The benefit reimburses the cost of repairing or replacing checked and carry-on baggage, as well as the personal property contained within due to loss or damage. Note that liability is limited to the cash value of the items (replacement value less depreciation) at the time of loss, and you must report the loss or damage to the carrier as soon as you exit the aircraft.

This is one of the more morbid, but very practical, insurances included on the Sapphire Reserve . Travel accident insurance covers you for accidental death, dismemberment, and loss of speech, sight, and hearing benefits, on a 24-hour basis, while traveling on any motorized land, water, or air transport, operated by an organization licensed to carry passengers, as long as you charge the cost of the trip, minus any points and miles, to the Sapphire Reserve.

Coverage is for 30 days from the date of departure and ends at the beginning of the 31st day if your trip extends past 30 days. The coverage provides a 24-hour loss of life benefit of $100,000 and a common carrier loss of life benefit of up to $1,000,000. This is a complex and hard-to-understand policy and requires a thorough reading of the benefits guide to grasp the details. We recommend reviewing the policy with a licensed insurance professional if you have any doubts as to the validity of your coverage.

Another complex benefit, it covers the cardholder and immediate family for up to $100,000 towards emergency evacuation or transportation. You’re covered for emergency evacuation and transportation if you are injured or become ill during your trip and require emergency evacuation on trips of between five and 60 days at least 100 miles from home.

The benefits administrator must make all the medical travel arrangements, and the evacuation must be pre-approved by the benefits administrator in consultation with a legally licensed physician who certifies that emergency evacuation is warranted due to the severity of the injury or sickness.

You’re covered for up to $2,500 in emergency medical and dental expenses that would not otherwise be covered by your travel or health insurance. Claims are subject to a $50 deductible, and treatment must be received in the course of a trip a minimum of 100 miles from home when paid for with your Sapphire Reserve or points earned with the card. If the treatment requires hospitalization, you may also be eligible for a daily benefit of $75 per day for up to five days.

If you need help and you’re not sure who to turn to, Chase travel and emergency assistance provides a wide range of emergency services available 24/7, 365 days a year. It's essentially a hotline allowing you to call ( 888-675-1461 ) to get advice, assistance, or referrals when you are in an unfamiliar place. This could provide help with translating terms and conditions, medical referrals, emergency assistance, or help to replace a lost airline ticket — almost anything that can be accomplished over the phone.

Services include:

• Emergency message service
• Medical referral assistance
• Legal referral assistance
• Emergency transportation assistance
• Emergency ticket replacement
• Lost luggage locator service
• Emergency translation service
• Prescription assistance and valuable document delivery arrangements
• Pre-trip assistance

Sapphire Reserve cardholders are covered for up to $50 per service callout, up to four times per year. Roadside emergencies can include such issues as towing, jump start, tire-changing, lockout, fuel delivery, or standard winching. To use this service, call 866-860-7978  (Cross Country Motor Club).

Chase Sapphire Reserve Purchase Insurance Benefits

Purchase protection covers eligible items purchased using your Sapphire Reserve or Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card in the event of theft, damage, or involuntary and accidental parting with the item within 120 days. You will be reimbursed up to the dollar amount required to repair or replace the item, up to $10,0000 per item.

The Sapphire Reserve has a high claim value of up to $10,000 per item and a cap of $50,000 per year. Purchases made outside the U.S. are covered as long as you purchased them with your Sapphire Reserve card and the purchase meets the terms and conditions. There is a long list of items not covered, so refer to pages 25–26 of the guide to benefits.

You need to contact the benefits administrator within 90 days of the loss, damage, or theft, and you have 120 days to complete the claim.

Yes, a cracked screen is covered. Or, if you accidentally lose your phone in a taxi, that'd be covered as well!

Extended warranty protection extends the manufacturer’s U.S. repair warranty for an additional year on items purchased with your card. The benefit applies to eligible warranties of three years or less, up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim, and a $50,000 maximum per account. You need to charge a portion of the purchase price to the Sapphire Reserve for the protection to kick in or have purchased the item using Ultimate Rewards earned on the card. Again, there's an extensive list of exclusions that can be found in the benefits guide.

In many cases, this benefit can save you $20–$100 for an extended warranty on a single piece of electronics!

If you’re unhappy with an item purchased entirely using your Sapphire Reserve or points earned on the card, and the merchant won’t accept the return, return protection will reimburse you for the cost of the item within 90 days of the purchase date. Claims are limited to $500 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year per account. Coverage is secondary to any store guarantees, and the benefits administrator must receive the purchase in like-new or good working condition.

As of August 26, 2018, price protection is no longer a benefit of this card.

Big-ticket benefits like travel credits and lounge access are what marketing teams use to advertise cards like the Sapphire Reserve , but there are plenty of benefits hiding under the hood that can provide thousands of dollars per year in additional value. Take time to familiarize yourself with the guide to benefits for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, as these benefits can help reduce headaches with an unfortunate delay or health problem while traveling. The benefits also can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses when things go awry.

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.

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Does the travel insurance cover a non refundable ticket to Italy for a 2 week trip? Literature is ambiguous?

Hi Mary, whether the ticket is refundable or not doesn’t impact your credit card’s coverage details for things like cancelation, lost luggage, etc.

When I travel alone I keep a hard copy of the Guide to Benefits with my passport, usually locked in the safe in my accomodations. I also carry a statement in my wallet or backpack giving instructions on how to contact the benefits coordinator along with my credit card number and other identity details.

Does anyone have any experience on how the pre-approval for medical evacuation works for people who are traveling alone? I often travel alone and it seems that if I am in need of am emergency medical evacuation there could be a pretty high chance that I will not be able to contact the credit card benefit coordinator to get pre-approval and make arrangements for the evacuation. Thanks for any info you can share.

True. I had to file all kind of paperwork to get reimbursement, took about few months. Good thing I charged everything on my Reserve card for Europe trip together with my parents, when my dad passed away suddenly shortly before the trip.

Will the Sapphire reserve cover you for jewelry or watches that have been lost ?

I would double check the benefits guide. Jewelry is almost always an exclusion.

I booked for my parents visiting from India to USA for 6 months. At last minute, my father had an accident and he could not travel. The ticket was a non-refundable ticket. so i cancelling with no refund. i tried to file a claim with Chase. they said the trip duration must be less than 60 days. they said my case will not be covered. My annual fee payment of 450$ is of no use when they do not cover our emergency needs.

I have used both the CSP and CSR travel insurance and while you have to get your documents together they do indeed pay for the loss. One thing to note though is they do not pay for medical pre-existing conditions. If you have a lot of ongoing issues you might want to call their policy provider to get more clarity if that might be an issue. Also, it only covers prepaid items. I once had to purchase a ticket back home for a family medical emergency and it was not reimbursed since it was not prepaid. They said if it was a changed ticket it would have been reimbursed. I have not tested that theory but it is something to be aware of.

In addition I used CSP for price protection and was successful. It was pretty painless.

If you have pre-existing conditions you have a couple of options. Trip interruption insurance will offer coverage for pre-existing conditions has long as you take out the coverage within a certain time frame (usually the same time you make the final payment on your travel), or you can go the travel medical insurance route. The latter is actually the most cost effective. They cover what’s called “Acute Onset of a Pre-existing Condition” and offer higher benefit amounts than what you get with the credit cards. A 40 year old can get a $100,000 policy for a 3 week trip for under $50.

Sometimes Chase not not often

So many gimmicks like requiring submit claim to personal insurance then giving only cash value.

My experience is Chase benefits is a bunch incompetent idiots to deny the claim.

thanks for the article. have you compared the Sapphire insurance benefits to the Amex Platinum cards benefits?

We haven’t, but mostly because the Amex Platinum card insurance benefits are horrible. They’re not even in the same league.

Nice benefit. I am seriously considering going the sapphire route. Although I enjoy using pts within a certain program. Feel that I pull more value out of it.

I had a positive experience with the trip cancellation benefit when my flight was cancelled last March. Amsterdam to ATL. They reimbursed me and my Domestic partner for expenses occurred (hotel, food, transportation). It was a lot of paperwork but sucessful!

Great info, and book marked, thanks for all your hard work!

Another reason I’ll have to look into this card, at least for the first, bonus year.

Thanks! Been looking for a go to card for travel/insurance benefits and appreciate the article.

Super helpful — I listed CSR as my insurance for an upcoming rental this weekend. Thank you for this guide!

Great benefits review!! Thanks!!

Great write up!

Thanks for the detailed info!

Good reference for CSR card holders.

Good to know the added benefits for using the card

These are really useful! Might be worth that astronomical annual fee.

great benefits with this card

I wish I was below 5/24 to get this card.

After reading this posting, I may have to apply for this card.

This is a really concise summary, thanks for putting it together.

Some great benefits in there which I didn’t about, thanks!

Yes, we know we know, it’s great. 🙂

Wow great benefits. May have to go for it. Nice work on the write up.

Thanks for this info. You have explained this convoluted area quite well.

Thanks for the info. I recently used this card on a rental in Germany and am in the process of submitting a claim. I will report back with the results.

Thanks for providing these details. I tend to overlook these benefits when comparing cards.

As do many of us, but sometimes there’s true value to be had in these features.

Howie, happy New Year to you and all your readers. Sorry if this topic was covered in a previous post, but what can you use the Ultimate Rewards points for?

Steve, thank you! What can you use Ultimate Rewards points for? Oh man, lots of stuff — start here: https://awardwallet.com/blog/different-ways-to-redeem-ultimate-rewards/

Good piece. Definitely bookmarking this article. Thanks.

This card is such a good deal that I might choose to upgrade my Sapphire Preferred despite the much-greater annual fee. I think Chase’snew rules make it almost impossible for me to get another bonus anyway unless I cancel the Sapphire Preferred and go without that card for a period of time. (Which I don’t wish to do). Have you covered this in a blog post?

Yes, indeed. https://awardwallet.com/blog/updated-terms-approvals-signup-bonuses-sapphire-credit-cards/

An impressive array of protection benefits!

This is such a great card, lots of benefits, exactly what I like to see.

This card actually seems like the high annual fee is worth it, especially if you use the $300 travel credit. $150 a year for PP membership, 3x points, and all these benefits on top is not bad.

Exactly why I love it.

If you time it right you can get the $300 travel credit twice before you get charged the first annual fee.

That only works the first year into the second, if you’re cancelling the card. If you keep the card open, you end up with $300 each year. And the year you cancel an opportunity for for an extra $300. The $150 net cost of the card, though, is well worth it if you use the benefits. If you don’t do any traveling, the $300 travel credit and the access to the PP Lounge are not of value to you. But if you use the travel benefits, then the extras that are listed in the article, are well worth the $150.

The benefits guide was a little intimidating and I haven’t read it completely since I got the card almost a year ago! Thanks for breaking it down in smaller chunks for us! Love this card so far!

I’ve found that reading these guides with your favorite adult beverage works out well 🙂

Always good to have all of this info in one place. Many thx!

Thanks These insurance benefits are a major reason NOT to use miles for a ticket. Use miles for an upgrade, but don’t lose the insurance due to the fact that you went cheap for a miles ticket!

NO!!!!! Using miles for upgrades can *sometimes* work out: https://awardwallet.com/blog/upgrade-airline-tickets-miles/ — but it is more of an exception than the rule.

Keep using your miles, just pay the taxes/fees with this card and you’ll receive coverage!

That’s a great tip. I didn’t know that just paying the fees got you covered as well.

This benefits could easily be worth a lot more than lounge access.

EXACTLY! I agree 100%

Wow, these benefits are amazing. Almost hard to believe. I wonder how problematic actually filing a claim and exercising the coverage is.

It actually isn’t that hard. You need to simply have your documentation in order, which for any of us that collect points and miles shouldn’t be too hard to do!

Comparing travel protections with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card® from American Express are two of the most popular travel rewards cards . After all, both cards offer valuable transferable rewards , lounge access and the ability to receive elite-like perks when booking hotels through Amex's Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Chase's Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection .

Like many of the top rewards cards , the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum Card also provide travel insurance when you use your card to book travel. In particular, these two premium travel rewards cards offer an excellent combination of trip insurance and bonus earnings on select travel purchases. So, in this guide, let's compare the travel insurance provided by these two cards.

Overview of the travel insurance provided by these cards

* 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. ^ 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. # 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 circumstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. † 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.

As you can see in the table above, the Amex Platinum doesn't provide baggage delay insurance , emergency medical and dental benefits , roadside assistance or travel accident insurance . For brevity, I won't discuss the types of insurance the Amex Platinum doesn't provide any further in this guide.

Instead, I'll compare the protections head-to-head for the types of insurance provided by both cards. You can find the guide to benefits for both cards as follows:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits guide
• Amex Platinum benefits guide

And to learn more about both cards, check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review and Amex Platinum card review .

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which card is right for you?

Trip delay insurance

Trip delay insurance may provide reimbursement for reasonable expenses during a delay when traveling on a common carrier. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's trip delay insurance.

*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.

As you may gather from the above table, the primary differences in trip delay coverage are:

• The Amex Platinum requires round-trip travel, which you must buy with your card (in whole or combination with other eligible methods).
• The Amex Platinum doesn't cover overnight delays that are less than six hours.
• The Amex Platinum caps your claims to two per 12-month period.
• The Amex Platinum covers traveling companions as long as you pay for their round-trip common carrier fares with your card.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve explicitly covers delays due to strikes, while the Amex Platinum explicitly covers delays due to lost or stolen passports or travel documents.

Related: Chase paid for my $1,100-per-night hotel room thanks to built-in trip delay coverage

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance may provide reimbursement for nonrefundable, prepaid trip expenses when you must cancel or alter a trip due to a covered situation. In some cases, you may be covered for additional expenses. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's trip cancellation and interruption insurance:

* 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.

As you can see in the above table and the related benefits guides, the primary differences in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage are:

• The Amex Platinum requires round-trip travel , paid with your card (in whole or in combination with other eligible methods). Only travel expenses put on the card used for round-trip common carrier travel will be covered.
• The Amex Platinum may cover the cost to return home or rejoin the trip if your trip is interrupted.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve may reimburse redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program if your trip is canceled or interrupted, as well as change fees and car positioning fees if your trip is interrupted.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve covers more types of losses, including if your accommodation at your destination is made uninhabitable or your host at your destination dies or is hospitalized.
• The Amex Platinum excludes losses related to mental or emotional disorders unless hospitalized. The Amex Platinum also excludes losses that occur when you're intoxicated. The Chase Sapphire Reserve excludes any loss for any trip booked while on a waiting list for specified medical treatment.

Check out American Express' trip cancellation and interruption insurance coronavirus frequently asked questions if you're wondering whether the Amex Platinum's insurance will cover coronavirus -related cancellations or interruptions.

Related: Be careful: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance

Auto rental collision damage waiver

The collision damage waiver offered by both cards can cover your rental car if you're in an accident or if it's stolen or damaged. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's rental car insurance.

^ 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.

As you can see in the above table and the related guide to benefits, the primary differences in car rental collision damage protection are:

• The Chase Sapphire Reserve covers more types of vehicles.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides primary coverage.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve doesn't have country exclusions.
• The Amex Platinum offers coverage to spouses when payment is made with an eligible card.
• While the Amex Platinum coverage specifically mentions peer-to-peer rentals, it's unlikely your Sapphire Reserve would cover Turo rentals .

If you'd prefer to get primary coverage for rental cars when using American Express cards , you can enroll in American Express' Premium Car Rental protection .

Related: 11 common rental car mistakes — and how to avoid them

Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance

The emergency evacuation and transportation insurance provided by these cards can arrange and pay for necessary emergency medical transport and evacuation under eligible circumstances. Here's a comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve 's and Amex Platinum Card 's emergency evacuation and transportation insurance.

# 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 circumstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

As you can see in the above table and the related guide to benefits, the primary differences in the emergency medical evaluation benefit are:

• You're covered by the Amex Platinum even if you use another card to purchase your common carrier fare, whereas you must at least partially pay with the Chase Sapphire Reserve or associated rewards to be covered.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve has stricter requirements for trip length.
• Both cards offer additional benefits that can bring a family member to your side or return now-unaccompanied minors home.

Related: A Medjet medical transport membership is different than travel insurance. Here's why you need both

Lost luggage reimbursement

The lost luggage benefit offered by both cards may reimburse you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen during a trip. Here's a comparison of the lost luggage reimbursement provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum 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.

As you can see in the above table and the related guide to benefits, the primary differences in lost luggage reimbursement are:

• The Amex Platinum explicitly notes that losses due to confiscation by TSA aren't excluded.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve covers a broader selection of family members when you pay for their ticket using your card.
• The cards exclude different types of items and types of loss.

Related: Everything you need to know about Amex's baggage insurance plan

When should I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. the Amex Platinum?

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) for an approximate 10% return based on TPG's valuations . The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 10 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on hotels and rental cars purchased through the Chase Travel portal , 5 points per dollar on flights booked through this portal, 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 2025 and 3 points per dollar on all other travel (bonus points earning comes into effect after exhausting the $300 annual travel credit ).

The Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee of $550 while the Amex Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Related: Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards: Which is the best?

Despite the earning gap (which can sway one way or the other, depending on how you book your flights), you may want to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve when booking some common carrier travel. I recommend checking out the guide to both cards' benefits and considering which card is best for your travel expenses. To help, here are some reasons to consider each card.

Reasons to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve

• Offers a baggage delay benefit , an emergency medical and dental benefit, and roadside assistance up to $50 up to four times a year.
• Only a portion of your travel expenses must be charged to your card to unlock most benefits (whereas the Amex Platinum generally only provides benefits when you charge the entire common carrier fare to your card).
• No requirement for round-trip travel.
• Provides trip delay benefits if you're delayed overnight for less than six hours.
• Provides primary car rental coverage.
• Offers travel accident insurance (although the Amex Platinum provides some travel accident insurance on car rentals).
• Includes strikes as an eligible reason for trip delay insurance.
• May reimburse redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program under trip cancellation/interruption insurance .

OFFICIAL APPLICATION LINK: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Reasons to use the Amex Platinum

• Provides an emergency medical evacuation benefit to cardmembers regardless of whether you charged any trip expenses to the card.
• Covers traveling companions for trip delay insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance when you purchase their round-trip fare with your card.
• May reimburse additional transportation expenses to rejoin the common carrier covered trip or return to the place of origin; also may cover the purchase of tickets for a new departure, under trip interruption insurance.
• Includes lost or stolen passports or travel documents as an eligible reason for trip delay insurance.
• Has a higher cap on high-value items for lost, damaged or stolen baggage.
• Some readers have found the claim process to be more straightforward and simple.

OFFICIAL APPLICATION LINK: The Platinum Card from American Express

Bottom line

Some travelers who have both cards put their flights on the Amex Platinum to earn 5 points per dollar and put other travel expenses on the Chase Sapphire Reserve to earn 3 points per dollar and activate their trip cancellation and interruption protections.

You might want to keep the Amex Platinum primarily for Centurion Lounge access , hotel elite status and access to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts , as well as nearly $1,500 in annual credits available to cardmembers.

However, you might want to avoid booking flights with the Amex Platinum because of the round-trip requirement and the lack of baggage delay protection . Instead, you'd prefer to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for common carrier fares and other travel expenses .

Additional reporting by Ryan Smith.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here .

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Chase Trip Cancellation Insurance: What to Know

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Chase offers consumers several travel rewards credit cards , most of which help you earn points for a trip and offer travel protections should your journey go differently than expected. These benefits can help give you peace of mind and reduce stress, especially if your trip gets canceled.

Many Chase cards offer travel coverage that includes trip cancellation insurance, among other protections. Let’s take a look at Chase trip cancellation insurance, which cards provide it and what this benefit covers.

What is trip cancellation insurance?

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses — such as flights, hotel reservations or a cruise — should your trip be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather, an accident or a death in the family.

Coverage begins on the date you make your initial trip deposit and ends when you depart for your trip.

» Learn more: Does my Chase credit card have travel insurance?

Chase cards that come with trip cancellation insurance

The following cards include Chase trip cancellation insurance:

» Learn more: How does credit card travel insurance work?

What does Chase trip cancellation insurance cover?

Chase travel insurance covers nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses such as flights, hotels, cruises, train tickets and tours — whether you book with a travel agency or directly with the travel provider.

The benefits kick in when one of the following reasons occurs:

Accidental bodily injury, sickness or loss of life experienced by you or an immediate family member.

Severe weather.

Named storm warning.

Change in military orders for you or your spouse.

A call to jury duty or a court subpoena.

Fire, flood or a burglary to your or your traveling companion’s residence.

The death or hospitalization of your or your travel companion’s host at the destination.

Doctor-imposed quarantine.

Organized strikes affecting public transportation.

Terrorist incidents or travel warnings related to terrorism.

» Learn more: Will credit card travel insurance cover you on your next trip?

What isn’t covered by Chase trip cancellation insurance?

Event tickets, amusement park tickets, museum entry fees and golf course expenses aren’t eligible for reimbursement unless they’re included in a prepaid travel package.

Trip cancellation benefits don’t apply to losses caused by:

A change in plans or financial circumstances.

A pre-existing medical condition.

Loss due to voluntary surrender of unused tickets, vouchers or credits.

Travel arrangements scheduled after the 26th week of pregnancy.

Being on a waitlist for a medical treatment.

Trips taken for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment.

Unwillingness to travel due to civil unrest.

Failure to obtain required visas, passports or other paperwork necessary for travel.

Commission of illegal acts.

Attempted suicide or self-inflicted injuries.

Being under the influence of drugs.

Disinclination to travel or border closures resulting from a pandemic.

Financial insolvency of the common carrier, travel agency or tour operator.

War, insurrection, rebellion or revolution (except terrorism).

» Learn more: The guide to Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance

Who is covered by Chase trip cancellation insurance?

As the primary cardholder, you’re covered. The trip cancellation insurance also extends to your immediate family members, including:

Parents, step-parents and/or legal guardians.

Spouses or domestic partners and their parents.

Children, including adopted children and step-children.

Grandparents and grandchildren.

Aunts and uncles.

Nieces and nephews.

Your immediate family members don’t have to be traveling with you for the benefits to apply to them as well. However, you must have used the Chase credit card that includes trip cancellation insurance to pay for their trip.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Which trips are eligible for Chase trip cancellation insurance?

Eligible trips can’t exceed 60 consecutive travel days. If your trip is longer, the coverage is still available, but the eligible prepaid nonrefundable expenses would be reimbursed as a pro-rated sum up to the first 60 days.

You must pay for all or a portion of the trip using an eligible Chase credit card or Chase Ultimate Rewards® for it to be eligible for the trip cancellation benefits. If your canceled trip results in a future credit or voucher, it won’t be covered.

How to file a trip cancellation insurance claim with Chase

To file a Chase trip cancellation insurance claim, you must contact the benefits administrator within 20 days of the cancellation. You can do this by calling the phone number listed in your credit card’s guide to benefits. If you wish to file a claim online, you can visit www.eclaimsline.com .

You’ll have to provide the following documentation within 90 days to support your claim:

Completed and signed claim form.

Travel itinerary.

Documentation confirming the reason for trip cancellation, such as medical records or a death certificate.

Credit card account statement listing the transaction related to the trip.

Copies of the cancellation and refund policies from the travel provider.

Any unused credits or vouchers.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. your credit card’s

Chase trip cancellation insurance recapped

Holding a credit card that provides travel insurance can help put your mind at ease when unexpected problems arise.

Chase’s insurance benefits cover you and your family members against expenses incurred due to trip cancellation, among other things.

However, it’s important to know what’s covered by the policy and what isn’t. Additionally, you’ll want to keep track of all documentation related to the cancellation and submit it before the deadline to receive reimbursement.

The information related to the Chase Freedom® credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

UponArriving

Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Comprehensive Guide [2020]

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has the best package of travel insurance benefits out of any credit card. I’ve used them on a few occasions and they have been a lifesaver, usually saving me several hundred dollars, not to mention the peace of mind that you can’t put a price on. 

But what exactly are the benefits of this insurance? 

This comprehensive article will walk you through all of the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation, trip delay, rental car insurance, and more. You’ll see what type of losses qualify for claims and what type of benefits don’t.

I will also offer some comparisons to what you might expect to find when purchasing a third-party travel insurance package, such as Allianz.

Table of Contents

What is Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance?

Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance offers several key benefits which include: 

• Primary rental car coverage

Baggage Delay Reimbursement

Emergency evacuation and transportation, emergency medical and dental benefit, lost luggage.

• Roadside Assistance
• Travel Accident Insurance

Travel and Emergency Assistance Services

Trip cancellation and trip interruption, trip delay reimbursement.

Each of these protections come with different requirements and restrictions and I’ll go into detail about each of these perks below.

Some of these benefits might not seem that valuable to you until you actually need to use them and at that point they become a godsend.

So when thinking about these perks, really try to imagine the convenience and relief they’d provide you with in order to get a sense of how much value to attach to them. And then multiply that number by 100 because that is how good you’ll feel about having those perks when you need them.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Do I have to pay extra for Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance?

No, travel insurance is built in to the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

This is a big difference from the competitor, the Platinum Card from American Express. The Platinum Card, and other Amex cards, don’t provide you with the full array of benefits by default. In fact, you’ll have to pay extra for those benefits.

So don’t take these benefits for granted.

Would buying travel insurance be better?

Before I jump into all of the details of the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance, I think it is worth addressing whether or not you should consider buying travel insurance through a third-party or just use the benefits included with this card.

Obviously, since these benefits are free and included with your card the only reason you would go out of your way to purchase other travel insurance protections is if they had much better protections.

I researched other travel insurance policies and I think the decision just comes down to the individual and their needs.

Since the cost of travel insurance depends on factors like the amount of your trip, the destination, and the length of your travels, it is hard to give universal advice for all people (there are also annual plans to consider).

So my advice would be to look at a travel insurance package and compare that package to the details below. In my experience I have found some of the key differences to be the following.

Emergency medical coverage

This is probably the biggest difference that I have seen. When it comes to needing medical treatment at your travel destination, typically the travel insurance packages from third parties offer much more comprehensive coverage and much higher limits (like up to 10X to 20X the limit of the Reserve). If emergency medical care is a top concern of yours, I would not rely on the Chase Sapphire Reserve to cover you here. 

Pre-existing conditions

Travel insurance packages with credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve tend to exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage but many third-party travel insurance packages will still provide coverage. Your limits might be a little bit lower but some coverage is better than no coverage.

Pre-paid expenses

When it comes to protections like trip delay, you can get coverage for prepaid expenses with insurance providers like Allianz whereas the Reserve won’t cover you there. 

The Reserve is superior to basic packages

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers some pretty solid travel insurance protections, and I tend to find the overall protections offered much better than a standard basic package you will get with a third-party. If you want enhanced benefits from the Reserve chances are you will need to buy a third-party mid-tier or top-tier package. And even then, the Reserve might offer better value for some benefits.

Those mid-tier or top-tier packages could end up costing you several hundred dollars so you would just have to decide whether or not it is worth it to take advantage of certain higher limits with respect to specific benefits and protections.

If you are curious about prices check out the quotes below which are for a one-week trip to Italy that is expected to cost $10,000.

Primary rental car insurance

Primary rental car coverage is one of the most valuable perks of the Sapphire Reserve. With primary rental car coverage, you can avoid paying extra for coverage from the rental car company and usually won’t have to file a claim with your rental car insurance provider if you get into some type of an accident.

This will save you a lot of headache and not to mention a lot of money on your monthly premiums in the future. Most credit cards offer secondary rental car coverage which only covers what your auto insurance provider or equivalent doesn’t cover.

The rental car coverage will cover you up to up to $75,000 and will last for a period not intended to exceed 31 consecutive days. For built-in coverage, these limits are great but if you needed higher coverage limits up to $100,000 or for a longer amount of time, it could be worth it to pay for coverage offered by other cards like the Platinum Card. 

Here are some of the rules for rental car coverage for the Sapphire Reserve.

Who is covered?

The cardholder is covered as the primary renter of the vehicle and any additional drivers permitted to operate it under the terms of the rental agreement (“Authorized Person”) are also covered.

What’s Covered?

• Physical damage and/or theft of covered rental vehicle
• Reasonable and customary towing charges related to a covered loss to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility
• Valid loss-of-use charges incurred by the rental car agency

What’s Not Covered?

This is not an exhaustive list. Examples include:

• Antique automobiles; vans designed to carry more than 8 people; vehicles that have an open cargo bed; trucks; motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes; limousines; and recreational vehicles
• Expenses reimbursed under your personal auto insurance policy, your employer or your employer’s insurance
• Any obligation you assume under any other agreement
• Injury of anyone or anything inside or outside of the vehicle
• Leases and mini leases
• Any violation of the auto rental agreement
• Loss or theft of personal belongings

One of the biggest exclusions to note is that coverage does not apply to injuries to anyone or anything outside of the vehicle. Coverage is not liability coverage (sometimes referred to as supplemental liability insurance) and is strictly limited to damage to the rental vehicle.

You also are not covered for any injuries that could happen to you (that would be personal accident insurance).

These exclusions mean that you should still take sufficient preparation to make sure that you have adequate coverage in the event of an accident. You can get broader coverage through your car/health insurance provider, a third-party, or perhaps through the rental car agency. 

Anytime I ever rent a car, I use the Sapphire Reserve to book it. You can read more about the  Sapphire Reserve rental car coverage here .

I’ve personally had to use this benefit before and it was a terrific convenience to be able to hit up a mall in Auckland, New Zealand and buy some new clothes while on a trip — it really helped take the stress out of waiting so long for my bags to be delivered.

With this protection, If you are delayed more than 6 hours, you are covered for essential expenses, such as toiletries and clothes for up to $100.00 per day for a maximum of five days. The minimum threshold of six hours is very competitive and it is nice that you can get coverage for up to five days since many cards will limit you to coverage of only three days. 

The primary insured person and immediate family members are covered.

You’ll get reimbursement for the emergency purchase of essential items like toiletries and clothing, and in my personal experience they are pretty liberal when it comes to defining toiletries and clothing. For example, I once purchased a blazer and I got that reimbursed so you don’t have to stick to clothing such as underwear and socks. 

Chase does specifically exclude certain items and some of those include:

• contact lenses, eyeglasses or hearing aids
• artificial teeth, dental bridges or prosthetic devices
• tickets, documents, money, securities, checks, travelers checks and valuable papers
• business samples
• jewelry and watches
• cameras, video recorders, cellular telephones and other electronic equipment and their accessories other than charging cables for cellular telephones

So when it comes to electronics, pretty much the only thing you can get is a charging cable.

If you get injured or become ill during your trip you can get emergency evacuation and transportation from your destination. In order for coverage to apply, the duration of the trip cannot be less than five days and cannot exceed 60 days. It also must be in excess of 100 miles from the cardholders residence. The coverage limit for this benefit is $100,000. 

There are basically two conditions that must be met in order to get coverage:

• Your medical condition warrants immediate transportation to the nearest hospital where you can get appropriate medical treatment.
• Or after being treated at a local hospital your medical condition warrants transportation to the primary cardholder’s residence to obtain further medical treatment or to recover.

The cardholder and immediate family members are covered when a portion of the entire cost of the trip is purchased with the Sapphire Reserve.

What’s covered?

You can get expenses covered like transportation, medical services, and medical supplies. Depending on where you are, those transportation costs can be extremely expensive so this benefit has the potential to be very valuable. 

If you are hospitalized for more than eight days you might be able to get coverage for a friend or relative to come to your bedside. Chase will cover the cost of an economy class round-trip ticket. 

What’s not covered?

Some things that are not covered include travel for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment, non-emergency services, care rendered outside of hospitals and not by physicians, experimental care, and some other conditions. Read more here.

The Reserve will cover you for up to $2,500 in emergency medical or dental work per trip, with a $50 deductible.

This $2,500 limit is a big difference from traditional travel insurance where you can get coverage for medical expenses from $10,000 up to $50,000. 

So if you really want to sleep peacefully at night then you might want to look into other ways to ensure that you have adequate emergency medical care coverage when traveling. 

I’ve been involved with a medical emergency while traveling (in Singapore) and let me tell you having the assurance that you’re not going to have to come out of your wallet with several thousand bucks is a huge relief and can really relieve you of some stress when unexpected things happen abroad.

You’ll need to make sure that you’re receiving the services of a legally qualified position, surgeon, dentist, or qualifying medical professional. You can also get coverage for hospital visits and charges for certain types of procedures like x-ray examinations and laboratory tests. If you require ambulance services or the administration of medication those can also be covered. 

You can even get a $75 allowance if the doctor states that you need to hang around in a hotel after you leave the hospital.

Things that are not covered are medical tourism, non-emergency services, care that is not prescribed by the direction of a qualified position or dentist, etc.

The Sapphire Reserve has some solid travel insurance perks for lost luggage.

You’ll be covered for checked or carry-on bags  that are damaged or lost by the carrier  up to $3,000.00 and up to $500.00 for jewelry, watches, cameras, video recorders, and other electronic equipment.

You’ll be able to get reimbursement for costs you incur to repair or replace checked and/or carry-on baggage damaged or lost (including theft) that happens during a covered trip on a common carrier such as airline, bus, cruise ship or train.

The Platinum Card limits you to up to $2,000 for checked bags so the Reserve offers higher overall coverage limits.

This benefit covers physical loss or damage of your checked baggage and or carry-on baggage and of course the personal property within the baggage. 

Exclusions to look out for are loss of documents, paper, tickets, etc. There are also exclusions when the loss results from you or a family member committing any type of illegal or intentional act. So if your drunk uncle throws your luggage out of the overhead bin and breaks belongings within it, that is probably not going to be covered. 

Roadside assistance

The Sapphire Reserves offers roadside assistance for free for up to $50 and up to 4 times per year. The roadside assistance includes services that help with things like flat tires, dead batteries, or mechanical breakdowns. 

The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling this number:   1-866-860-7978.

Cardholder driving your owned or leased vehicle or a vehicle furnished by the owner, while traveling away from home.

What’s covered?

This benefit provides coverage for on the road breakdowns such as battery boost, flat tire service, fuel delivery, towing, and lockout assistance.

Not all of these benefits are completely free, however. For example, i f you run out of gas the cost of fuel will be covered for up to 2 gallons. If you need towing assistance, you will only be covered for up to $50. Also if you need locksmith services you will only be covered for up to $50. 

Also, here is what Chase states about qualifying vehicles:

All self-propelled, four-wheel vehicles designed, licensed, and used for private on-road transportation, with trucks limited to a carrying capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, are covered

I keep the number saved in my phone just so I have it for quick and easy reference in case I ever need to give it a call.

• You can  read more about the Sapphire Reserve road side assistance here .

Travel accident insurance

Travel accident insurance consists of two benefit types, Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance and 24-Hour Travel Accident Insurance, which provide coverage for accidental death or dismemberment, or a combined loss of speech, sight or hearing, experienced on a covered trip.

Hopefully you’ll never have to use it but here’s who is covered:

• Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance provides benefit for a covered loss when entering, exiting, or riding as a passenger on a common carrier, such as airline, bus, train or cruise ship.
• 24 Hour Travel Accident Insurance  provides benefit for a covered loss beginning on the departure date printed on a scheduled airline ticket and ends on the return date printed on the ticket  (if your trip is longer than 30 days in length, see additional terms in your Guide to Benefits).

Here are the coverage amounts:

• Benefit amount for loss of life is $1,000,000
• Benefit amount for dismemberment and/or a combined loss of speech, sight and hearing are expressed as a percentage of the loss of life benefit and are available in your Guide to Benefits maximum payout is $1,000,000.
• Benefit amount for loss of life is $100,000
• Benefit amount for dismemberment and/or a combined loss of speech, sight and hearing are expressed as a percentage of the loss of life benefit and are available in your Guide to Benefits; maximum payout is $100,000.

Travel and emergency assistance services provide assistance to you by finding you a good referral for your emergency. This benefit can help you in a variety of ways but it is important to remember that you will have to pay for any costs associated with the services.

For example, the administrator can help you find a local English-speaking doctor or other physician or even find you a doctor that can give you an over the phone consultation but you would be responsible for the costs assuming that another benefit does not cover that cost.

You can also get a referral for an attorney if you run into legal trouble, such as getting into a car accident or some other type of dispute.

One cool feature of this benefit is that they can assist you with lost luggage. Sometimes trying to coordinate the recovery efforts for your lost luggage can be a huge headache especially if there are multiple airlines involved and they are not necessarily admitting fault. In that type of situation, you could call this number and get them to help sort out the mess.

Some of the other benefits like getting information on currency exchange rates and weather reports are easily accessible with smart phones now so they are not as much needed.

To use the services, call the 24-hour Benefit Administrator line at 1-800-992-6029. If you are outside the United States, call 1-804-673-1675.

This is one of the most important travel insurance benefits that you need. If your trip is canceled or cut short by covered situations, you can be  reimbursed up to $10,000  per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses.

This is a solid perk with a high coverage limit but you really need to consider how much money you’ve spent on pre-paid expenses.

If you’re taking a 6 person family vacation for 7 days in Hawaii for example there’s a good chance you might need coverage for more than $10,000 and that’s when other plans could be helpful.

Here are the differences between trip cancellation and trip interruption. 

• Trip  Cancellation provides reimbursement if a covered loss prevents you from traveling on or before the departure date and results in cancellation of the travel arrangements.
• Trip  Interruption  provides reimbursement if a covered loss on the way to the point of departure or after departure causes interruption of your covered trip. It can also provide reimbursement if a trip is postponed due to a covered loss and certain fees are incurred if a new departure date is set.

The limits for this protection are up to $10,000 per covered trip and a maximum limit of $20,000 per occurrence and a maximum benefit amount per 12-month period of $40,000.

The cardholder and immediate family members are covered.

• Accidental bodily injury, loss of life, or sickness experienced by the cardholder, a traveling companion or an immediate family member of the cardholder or a traveling companion
• Severe weather that prevents the start or continuation a covered trip
• Terrorist action or hijacking
• Jury duty or a court subpoena that cannot be postponed or waived
• Financial insolvency of the cardholder’s travel agency, tour operator, or travel supplier.

Getting coverage for sickness is super important because that is such a common reason for why you may not able to take a trip . If you try to cancel a nonrefundable airline ticket or tour due to feeling sick, there is a good chance you may not be able to get reimbursed. So this benefit is so very important in those cases.

• Travel arrangements canceled or changed by a common carrier, tour operator, or any travel agency unless the cancellation is the result of severe weather or an organized strike affecting public transportation
• Change in plans or financial circumstances
• A pre-existing condition
• Traveling against the advice of a physician
• A declared or undeclared war
• Trips that exceed 60 days in duration are not covered

One of the main exclusions is when the travel arrangement is canceled or changed by a common carrier. It is possible that if you booked two separate itineraries that one itinerary could be changed and that could force you to miss a flight. If that happened you would not be covered so you need to always take precaution when scheduling your flights. 

Another exclusion to be noted is that your cancellation will not be covered if it is due to a pre-existing medical condition or if you simply have had a financial issue forcing you to cancel a trip. Some travel insurances will still allow you to get travel cancellation protection when you are dealing with a pre-existing condition so that is something to think about.

This perk will have you covered if you are delayed more than  6 hours for expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket. This is an upgrade from the Sapphire Preferred which required 12 hours ( read more on the Preferred here ). 

Many times you will not be guaranteed any type of compensation or anything when your flight has been delayed by six hours. And if you are offered some type of compensation it might be limited to something like an airline credit or to a specific hotel for a night.

So this benefit allows you to make your own decisions on how to handle a delay and gives you a pretty generous allowance when choosing to do so. Since the delay only has to last for six hours, this benefit is also much easier to use than what many other credit cards offer. 

Although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, I’ve heard of others using this benefit to stay at a 5-star hotel for one night when their trip is delayed and then getting comped for the $500 stay. I would probably not push it to that extreme but I would still book a nice hotel for my stay if I wanted. 

While I think $500 is a decent amount of money to handle a trip delay, there are some travel insurance packages that will offer you $1,500 or more for a six hour delay.

The cardholder and their spouse, and dependent children under 22 years of age are automatically covered when a portion or the entire cost of the Common Carrier fare is purchased with your Chase Sapphire Reserve.

What is covered?

You will be covered for reasonable expenses that include things like meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items. 

What is not covered?

You will not get coverage for any delay that was made public or known to you prior to the departure of the covered trip. You also will not get coverage for prepaid expenses. That is a departure from some travel insurance policies that will cover you for a prepaid expense.

The Reserve’s travel insurance is among the best for any credit card. But if you’ve spent a substantial amount on pre-paid trip expenses, you might want to consider getting another policy. Also, if you need to rent a car for longer than 31 days, you might want to seek rental car coverage elsewhere.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

Hey Daniel – my wife has a CSR. To take advantage of primary auto coverage can the rental be in my name? Or for flight insurance can flights be in my name? I was an AU on her CSP card for years but when she upgraded to CSR I had her drop me as an AU because of the fees. Now I’m questioning that decision. I’m the travel booker in the family.

Great article!

Flights can be in your name and you’ll be covered. The language is a little less clear for car rentals. The terms state “You [the cardholder] are then covered as the primary renter of the vehicle and any additional drivers permitted to operate it under the terms of the rental agreement (“Authorized Person”) are also covered.” So it almost seems like they want the cardholder to be the primary renter of the vehicle but that you are also covered if you are permitted to operate it under the terms of the rental agreement. I’d need to contact them to get a for sure answer but my guess is that you would be covered.

Hi Bonnie, All you have to do is put a portion of your trip on the Chase Sapphire Reserve and your entire trip (cruise you are paying for) will covered. So you’ll be covered.

I have done my research and this looks like a great card with the benefits I would use since we do travel several times a year. Is the list of reasons for the trip insurance comparably to say Allianz? I thought there was an amount for medical evacuation say if you were overseas and have to be brought back home, or did I miss that? For me, just the savings on individual trip policies on cruises would offset the annual fee. Great column by the way.

Hey Gary, I just updated the article to address some of your questions. It is now much more comprehensive and should cover some of your concerns.

I believe the Ritz card also has the same level of insurance as the Reserve unless that has changed.

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How does travel insurance work on a credit card.

Credit card travel insurance protects you from some unforeseen circumstances that may disrupt your travel plans. If your credit card includes travel insurance, you may be reimbursed if your travel is affected by weather, health issues or certain kinds of emergencies outside your control.

Typically, credit card travel insurance only covers the expenses that you charge to that specific card. And because different cards have different travel insurance policies, it's important to read the fine print in your card's terms and conditions to understand your coverage levels.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance provides protection for expenses associated with travel, both domestic and international. Travel insurance may reimburse you if your trip gets cancelled, delayed or interrupted--or if you have to pay medical costs that your primary health insurance can't cover.

Travel insurance benefits can be broken down into a few different categories:

• Trip cancellation insurance may reimburse you if your pre-booked, non-refundable flight (that was booked with the same credit card) is cancelled under unforeseen circumstances, such as injury or if your flight is cancelled due to weather conditions or other.
• Your credit card's trip cancellation insurance may reimburse you for prepaid flights and hotel stays booked with your credit card. 
• Trip interruption insurance (for trips that end earlier than planned) may cover expenses like the cost of a last-minute flight home. In most cases, only the part of your trip that was interrupted will be eligible for reimbursement.
• Travel delay insurance may reimburse expenses, such as a hotel stay, that arise from severe delays.
• Medical insurance works like a supplement to your existing health insurance, which may not cover medical costs that you incur abroad. Evacuation insurance covers the costs associated with an evacuation following a weather event or other disruption.
• Baggage insurance is supplemental to coverage provided by your airline or via your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Baggage coverage may reimburse you for the actual or replacement cost of your possessions, should they go missing as you travel.

What are the benefits of credit card travel insurance?

Many airlines and tour operators offer travel insurance as an add-on at point of purchase. Credit card travel insurance, on the other hand, is a feature offered on certain credit cards.

Credit card travel insurance provides the following benefits:

• Financial protection : Comprehensive credit card travel insurance can provide full coverage should a covered event--such as severe weather, a medical emergency affecting you or a loved one, or loss of employment--occur. In many cases, travel insurance may require you to pay any expenses out of pocket, then file a claim later for reimbursement.
• Evacuation assistance : If your credit card travel insurance includes evacuation coverage, you can get help securing transport when a covered event (like weather or a political incident) disrupts your travels. Depending on the coverage provided by your credit card travel insurance plan, even emergency medical evacuations such as those on a private jet-may be covered.
• Supplemental medical coverage : Many health insurance plans don't cover medical costs incurred outside the country. Even those that do are likely to charge a deductible. Credit card travel insurance that includes medical coverage may pay for some medical costs, including your primary plan's deductible.
• Peace of mind : Having credit card travel insurance can give you the confidence to make bold travel plans--or jet somewhere sunny in the dead of winter. A major storm might snarl your vacation plans, but with travel insurance you may get fully reimbursed.

What questions should I ask about credit card travel insurance?

Credit card travel insurance provides many benefits, but be sure to understand what coverage your card provides before you book a trip. Do your research and ask questions to maximize the value of your credit card's travel insurance program:

• What coverage levels does my card offer? Get a copy of your card's full terms and conditions to learn exactly what kinds of travel coverage are included.
• Are my family members covered by my credit card travel insurance? Travel insurance typically covers events that affect your immediate family: for example, if your child gets sick before you embark on a flight. Your more distant relatives--and pets--may not be covered, however.
• What specific events are covered? Understanding the events that can trigger a claim is crucial to getting the most out of travel insurance. For instance, involuntary unemployment may qualify you for cancellation protection--but leaving your job voluntarily may not.

Relying on credit card travel insurance

Credit card travel insurance can offer financial protection and peace of mind when you travel. Take the time to understand how your card's travel insurance works-and be aware that only expenses charged to your card are likely to be covered.

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Insure your adventures: The ultimate guide to credit cards offering travel insurance

T ravel brings excitement, adventure and occasional unpredictability. Whether you’re exploring new destinations or returning to old haunts, travel insurance can provide peace of mind and security. Many travelers find buying a travel insurance policy to protect their trips (and themselves) against unforeseen circumstances worthwhile. While this is smart, you may not have to pay for a policy. Many travel credit cards offer extensive travel insurance. 

However, not all credit card travel insurance is equal. Coverage varies from sparse to comprehensive, rivaling many of the best policies you can purchase. In this guide, we’ll dive into the world of credit card travel insurance and help you decide how to get the best card for your specific needs.

What is credit card travel insurance?

Credit card travel insurance consists of various travel-related protections. It typically includes benefits like trip cancellation or interruption insurance. Some cards cover baggage loss, theft or delay, and emergency medical expenses. Many premium credit cards even provide rental car collision damage waivers or emergency evacuation and assistance services. 

These protections are available for cardholders who use their credit cards to pay for travel expenses (including flights, hotels and rental cars). The extent of coverage can vary depending on the card, so it’s important to understand coverage limitations before relying on it exclusively.

What does credit card travel insurance cover?

• Trip cancellation or interruption insurance: Non-refundable travel expenses due to trip cancellations, delays or interruptions caused by severe weather or medical emergencies.
• Baggage insurance: Lost or delayed baggage caused by your common carrier (plane, train or cruise ship).
• Travel accident insurance: Accidental death or dismemberment while traveling on a common carrier.
• Auto collision damage waiver: Damage caused to a rental vehicle, up to the full cost (or $75,000), depending on the policy.

What credit card travel insurance will cover depends on the issuer and your card type. Generally, it covers a range of travel-related purchases due to illness, weather, or unexpected emergencies.

Coverage amounts will vary by credit card, so it's important to review your card’s policy beforehand to ensure it’s sufficient. Your credit card guide to benefits is a great place to find comprehensive information about your insurance. Always check policy details, including coverage limits and exclusions, which vary widely. 

What does credit card travel insurance not cover?

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Travel to high-risk countries or engaging in risky activities
• Acts of war or terrorism
• Trip cancellation due to personal preferences

Typical exclusions to credit card travel insurance coverage include high-risk activities like extreme sports or travel to countries under specific government advisories or in conflict zones. The same goes for acts of war or terrorism—if you require evacuation or trip cancellation due to these reasons, your credit card travel insurance may not reimburse your expenses.

Most credit card travel insurance will also not cover pre-existing medical conditions. If you require medical care during your travels due to these previously diagnosed conditions, your card’s policy likely won’t protect you. 

Sometimes, coverage is secondary, which means it only applies after other insurance options have been exhausted. For example, if your card’s rental collision damage waiver is secondary, you can’t file a claim until after your personal insurance has rejected your claim. 

Most credit card travel protections are also limited in the amount of damage they’ll cover. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card ’s trip cancellation and interruption insurance covers up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses. The card’s baggage delay insurance kicks in during delays over six hours and covers up to $100 per day for five days. 

However, the card’s emergency evacuation coverage is insufficient for her family. “These coverages are important if you're traveling where your own health coverage won't apply or if you may be in situations where you need to be evacuated from a remote area.” As a result, Johnson pays for an annual travel insurance plan with medical coverage included to supplement her card’s insurance. 

Additionally, most credit card travel insurance doesn’t cover expenses resulting from non-emergency medical treatments. Any insurance claim requires supporting documentation; in the case of a medical emergency, this includes supporting documentation from a physician or health care professional. 

To protect against these scenarios, consider purchasing a comprehensive policy. Some travel insurance policies even include “cancel for any reason” coverage, which will reimburse most of your nonrefundable expenses if you decide not to go on your trip.

Holly Johnson, a credit card rewards expert and founder of Club Thrifty, travels frequently abroad with her family. While she relies on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ’s auto rental collision damage waiver, she finds its emergency medical benefit insufficient. “The $75 per day hospital benefit (for up to 5 days) is not enough for many things that could go wrong. We still use Chase Sapphire Reserve® coverage for domestic trips and even as our rental car coverage for car rentals in the United States.” 

9 credit cards with travel insurance 

Outside of a few restrictions, credit cards offer pretty robust travel protections. Depending on the cost and scope of your travels, you may not need to buy a separate policy. With the right credit card, you can fully cover most of your travel expenses. A wide range of coverage options are available through a diverse array of credit cards. At the very least, your credit card should offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance, along with primary collision damage waiver. You might also opt for a card that provides some level of baggage insurance. 

For the most comprehensive coverage, you should opt for a card with emergency evacuation and transportation coverage. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers the most comprehensive suite of travel protections, making it the benchmark to compare other cards against. However, you may not need all nine types of protections, in which case you can opt for a lower annual fee card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. 

We’ve created a comparison table for you to evaluate the different credit cards that offer travel insurance and choose the best fit for your needs:

When do you need additional travel insurance coverage? 

Supplementing credit card travel insurance with an additional policy might be necessary in some cases. Julie Menez, a points strategy coach and host of the Geobreeze Travel podcast , recommends purchasing a comprehensive policy if you require peace of mind or want flexibility: “Travel insurance will not cover non-refundable travel expenses in the event that you simply change your mind and decide not to go on a trip anymore. This is where supplementary travel insurance can come into play.” Julia recommends Faye travel insurance, which offers quick claims processing and "cancel for any reason" coverage, which covers up to 75% of non-refundable trip costs.  

Your credit card coverage might also be invalid if your trip involves extreme sports, mountain climbing or other high-risk activities. The last thing you want is to go on this kind of trip unprotected. Buying a policy instead of relying on your credit card coverage might be the best move.

If you’re traveling to regions with higher security risks or under travel advisories, purchasing a travel insurance policy tailored to these requirements is crucial. Your credit card likely won’t provide coverage and you don’t want to be left out cold in an emergency. Longer trips exceeding the duration covered by your credit card might also necessitate additional insurance. 

If your trip costs more than the amount your credit card’s trip cancellation and interruption policy covers, then it’s definitely worth purchasing additional travel insurance. You don’t want to spend thousands on airfare and hotels only to have a portion of it reimbursed in case of an emergency. When in doubt, buy additional coverage.  

Assessing your individual travel needs and comparing them against the coverage provided by your credit card can help you determine when additional travel insurance is necessary. It’s important to carefully review your credit card’s insurance policy for limitations and determine whether the coverage is adequate for your travel needs.

How to choose a credit card that offers travel insurance 

When selecting a credit card that offers robust travel insurance, it’s essential to evaluate several key factors. First, examine the coverage provided. Look for cards that offer comprehensive coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical emergencies, and lost, delayed or damaged baggage. A card with broader coverage and higher limits will be more beneficial, especially if you’re a frequent traveler or planning longer trips.

You’ll also want to consider coverage amounts. Most credit card travel insurance policies have limitations in terms of coverage amount and number of people covered. Understanding eligibility criteria and length of coverage can help you determine the best card for your needs.

In addition, assess your card’s other benefits and perks . Besides travel insurance, look for cards that offer travel perks that might suit your needs, such as airport lounge access, annual travel statement credits, and waived foreign transaction fees. Additionally, you’ll want a card that rewards your daily purchases . If you’re big on travel and dining, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3 points per dollar in these categories and valuable travel protections. You want a card that checks numerous boxes, helping you accrue points in your everyday life rather than just during your travels. 

Lastly, consider the card’s annual fee to ensure the benefits and rewards justify the cost. Comparing multiple credit cards and their respective travel insurance offerings can help you find the one that best suits your travel goals and needs.

The takeaway 

While credit card travel insurance can provide excellent baseline coverage, it’s not the most comprehensive option. If you’re traveling with family, for an extended period of time or want more extensive coverage with higher limits, you might want to consider buying a supplemental policy. Travel can get expensive and the last thing you want is to incur additional costs due to unforeseen circumstances. By researching your options and being aware of your card’s limitations, you’ll be prepared to make the best choice for your travel needs.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance (2024 Guide)

This page includes information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and its benefits. The information featured in this guide was collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Alex is a MarketWatch Guides team writer that covers automotive and personal finance topics. She’s worked as a content writer for over a dozen car dealerships across the U.S. and as a contributor to several major auto news websites.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, you can access a wide variety of travel insurance benefits when you book a trip using the card. Chase travel insurance can reimburse certain expenses in less-than-ideal travel scenarios involving trip cancellations, trip interruptions, lost baggage and more.

Learn more about the coverage offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card so you can decide whether its benefits can cover your travel needs — or if you need a separate travel insurance policy for your vacation.

Our Thoughts on Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Chase offers travel insurance through the Sapphire Preferred credit card if you use the card to purchase trip expenses such as cruise bookings, airline tickets, hotel accommodations and more. The company’s travel insurance offering includes coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions and delays, accidents and more.

But while Chase has competitive luggage loss limits when compared with the top travel insurance providers, the Sapphire Preferred Preferred card doesn’t offer emergency medical and evacuation coverage like some other travel cards. And although Chase provides free travel insurance benefits with the Sapphire Preferred card, there is a $95 annual fee.

If you’re a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card holder, we encourage you to compare its coverage with plans offered by competitors. This can help ensure you have travel protection that fits your vacation and your unique needs as a traveler.

How To Qualify to Use Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Qualifying for Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance is a relatively simple process based on our experience. If you do not have a credit card already, you will need to visit Chase’s website to fill out an application. You’ll need to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, home address, contact information, Social Security number, individual tax ID number, employment status and annual income. Chase states that if you have a high credit score, you can likely apply for any card of your choice — so prepare for the company to consider your credit score when applying for this card.

Available travel insurance when you book using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card includes protection for rental car damage, cruise line reservations and airfare, to name a few. Benefits also apply to the cardholder and their immediate family during their travels. Note that if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can also qualify for travel protection benefits. However, the benefits differ between the two cards, which we will address further in this article.

How Does Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance Work?

Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance coverage offers several protections at no extra cost to cardholders who book trips using their credit card. Benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement. Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders also receive travel and emergency assistance services if they need legal and medical referrals.

Chase notes that unaffiliated insurance companies underwrite the travel benefits, and these companies are solely responsible for the administration and claims of cardholders. Those so-called benefit administrators may enforce specific time limits and documentation requirements that apply to the claims process. Chase should provide cardholders with this information when they first open their account.

Coverage Benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Chase provides extensive travel insurance benefits through its Sapphire Preferred credit card, including protections you’d find with a traditional travel insurance policy . See the table below for a detailed breakdown of the Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance benefits and associated coverage limits.

* Information about benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card was collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Trip Cancellation

If you must cancel your trip for a reason covered under your policy, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. This often covers expenses such as lost airline tickets, cruise bookings, prepaid tours and hotel reservations.

Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance covers trip cancellations due to traveler sickness, severe weather and other situations, with reimbursement up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

Trip Interruption

If you must cut your vacation short and return home, trip interruption insurance can provide a refund for unused, prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses.Much like trip cancellation insurance, coverage also applies to situations such as the injury, illness, or death of a family member or traveler.

Chase covers Chase Sapphire Preferred travelers up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

Trip Delay Insurance

Trip delay coverage applies to travel delays caused by planes, buses, trains and other types of transport to your destination. Benefits for a covered trip will vary depending on the travel insurance plan but can extend to hotel rooms, meals and other necessities incurred if you must wait to resume your trip. Delay coverage does not extend to missing a flight due to poor planning or time management on behalf of the traveler. 

Chase will reimburse up to $500 per common carrier travel ticket purchased using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card if you experience a delay of more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay.  

Baggage Delay or Loss

Baggage coverage can pay for your travel bags if they become lost, stolen, delayed or damaged during your trip. Coverage is usually capped at a certain amount per bag, with some travel insurance plans offering higher limits than others. If you intend on bringing expensive or valuable items in your baggage, you might consider a policy with a high maximum coverage amount for lost luggage reimbursement or delays.

Chase provides Sapphire Preferred cardholders $100 per day for up to five days if they experience baggage delays with a common carrier such as an airline. If your carry-on or checked bags get lost, stolen or damaged, you could receive a reimbursement of up to $3,000 per person to cover your personal effects.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Car rental collision damage coverage is not a standard offering from travel insurance companies. This waiver provides Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders with reimbursement up to the actual cash value of a rental car, minus certain high-value and exotic car models. 

To qualify for this waiver, you will need to decline the rental car insurance provided by the rental company and charge the entire cost of your rental to your Sapphire Preferred card. This waiver covers both theft and collision damage.

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance through Chase provides accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage when you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation using your card. Coverage includes up to $500,000 in accident protection.

Emergency Travel Medical Coverage

Travel medical coverage helps cover medical bills if you fall ill or get injured during your vacation. It does not cover routine medical services — only sudden illnesses or injuries considered emergencies or that require treatment by a healthcare provider. Some emergency medical benefits also include emergency dental coverage.

While many travel insurance providers offer this type of coverage, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders do not have access to these protections with the card’s benefits. You can, however, find this coverage with the Sapphire Reserve card.

If you’re looking for comprehensive travel medical insurance, we recommend International Medical Group (IMG), as the company offers coverage up to $8,000,000. IMG plans average $217 per trip.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance can provide peace of mind if you need transportation to a hospital or medical facility while traveling. For example, if you fall ill or become injured in a remote location and require transportation or evacuation to a medical facility equipped to care for your needs. Chase doesn’t provide this coverage for Sapphire Preferred cardholders and their immediate family members.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is not the only credit card Chase offers with travel insurance benefits. Chase’s Sapphire Reserve card also provides benefits for cardholders who book their trips with their credit card. See the table below for a comprehensive breakdown of what each Chase credit card offers in travel insurance benefits.

* Information about benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards were collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and have not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

How To File a Travel Insurance Claim with Chase

Filing a travel insurance claim with Chase will vary based on your credit card and the type of coverage you’re filing a claim for. But the typical process follows these steps:

Generally, the first step is to contact the appropriate number listed in your credit card’s benefits guide. You can also file a claim online through eclaimsline.com if you prefer a fully digital experience.

Chase will likely ask you to prepare documentation that proves your losses to support your claim. These documents may include receipts for prepaid expenses, proof of lost, damaged or stolen items, or proof of travel delays from your airline or other transportation carriers.

Once you’ve submitted your claim, you then wait for approval and reimbursement, which may vary in time. Note that Chase enforces specific time limits in addition to documentation requirements for claims filing, so submitting your claim as soon as possible is recommended.

Should You Get a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card For Travel Insurance?

Signing up for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card strictly for its travel insurance benefits is a personal decision. However, getting a credit card for travel insurance is not your only option — you may also opt for a policy with a standard carrier such as Travelex . Chase’s coverage limits are not as high as limits from some other providers offering comprehensive travel insurance policies. Taking on an additional expense in the form of the Sapphire Preferred card’s $95 annual fee may also not be worth it if you don’t plan on using the card for anything other than infrequent travel.

If you’re looking for coverage for emergency medical expenses, evacuations and more, you may consider a plan from some of the other dedicated travel insurance companies. Chase does not specialize in travel insurance and lacks unique protections such as cancel for any reason (CFAR) and extreme sports coverage that other travel insurance companies may provide. 

If you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and feel satisfied with its travel insurance coverage limits, you can take advantage of these benefits by booking your trip using the card. Regardless, we recommend considering your travel needs and budget before choosing travel insurance coverage.

Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Does chase travel insurance cover family members.

Yes, Chase travel insurance through its Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards covers the cardholder and immediate family members traveling with them.

What reasons for trip cancellation does Chase cover?

Covered cancellations related to trip cancellation insurance vary by travel insurance provider. Chase states that covered cancellations for trips purchased with Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards include sickness, severe weather and other situations. Check your card benefits guide for more information on specific scenarios.

Do I need travel insurance if I have a credit card?

If you have a credit card with a company such as Chase, Citi or Capital One, your card may come with travel insurance benefits if you use the card to purchase your trip components. If you’re unsure whether your credit card comes with these perks, check with your card issuer.

What other benefits come with the Chase Sapphire card?

The Chase Sapphire card comes with more than just travel rewards. It also includes benefits such as the ChaseUltimate Rewards program, which adds points for qualifying purchases that cardholders can redeem toward future travel expenses. In addition, new card members can receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card ownership.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

Our team researched and reviewed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the Internet, to better understand the customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers offering a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades. Providers that offer six or more plans will earn top marks in this category.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the standard coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage will earn full points, with a focus on baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons such as accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that will reimburse customers after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

AM Best Disclaimer

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Both cards charge the same annual fee

Chase sapphire preferred has a more lucrative welcome bonus, autograph journey offers more flexibility for earning rewards, chase sapphire preferred has more options for redeeming rewards -- for now, chase sapphire preferred wins the travel insurance faceoff, both cards offer valuable general perks, the bottom line.

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Does Wells Fargo’s New Travel Card Beat Chase Sapphire Preferred at Its Own Game?

The Autograph Journey matches Sapphire Preferred in many categories, but comes up short on redemption options. That could change soon.

Holly Johnson

Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card * is the first card from Wells Fargo to offer points that transfer to airlines and hotels . It features a welcome bonus and impressive rewards rates for travel and dining purchases, which makes it a solid option for if you regularly spend in these categories. It was available to applicants starting this week.

The Autograph Journey shares some features with one of the top rewards credit cards on the market, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . The cards have similar welcome bonuses and annual fees, and they both have built-in travel insurance protections . They also have similar redemption options for their rewards, but they do differ in some respects.

We’ve set up a category-by-category matchup of these credit cards to see which one comes out on top as the better travel card.

Both the Autograph Journey and the Chase Sapphire Preferred have an annual fee of $95. Many other travel credit cards with points that transfer to airlines and hotels have annual fees of $395 or higher. This one ends in a tie.

These travel rewards credit cards have the same welcome bonus and the same minimum spending requirement. You can earn 60,000 points with either card after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.

However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s bonus could be worth more than the Wells Fargo card’s. That’s because the Sapphire Preferred has a better redemption program. If you redeem the card’s bonus for travel through Chase Travel℠, you’ll get a 25% redemption bonus, which would push the value of the bonus to $750 – more than the $600 you’d see from the Wells Fargo card.

Here’s where things get interesting. While both credit cards offer the same rewards rate for airfare, you’ll need to book travel through Chase’s portal to get the best rate with the Sapphire Preferred.

On the other hand, Autograph Journey’s high rates still apply when you book travel directly with providers. So you can earn the two highest rewards rates on hotels and airfare, no matter which brand you’re booking with.

If you book other travel with this card, including hotels and airlines booked through online travel agents like Expedia or Priceline, you earn 3x points. You also earn 3x points on restaurants, which is a major plus.

While the rewards rates on both of these cards are exceptional, the Autograph Journey has a slight edge in this category since consumers have more options for booking travel while still earning bonus reward points.

Both of these rewards credit cards have similar redemption options, including gift cards, cash back to an eligible bank account or statement credits. They also let you transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners for added value and flexibility, and you can use points from either card to book travel through each issuer’s respective portal.

Interestingly, both cards also let you pool points with rewards cards that earn other rewards currencies. For example, you can pool rewards earned with Chase cash-back credit cards into your Chase Sapphire Preferred account for premium travel redemptions. You can also pool points earned with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card account in your Autograph Journey account.

Still, the Chase Sapphire Preferred easily beats the competition in this category. Cardholders get 25% more value from their points when they use them to book travel -- airfare, hotels, rental cars or other travel expenses -- through Chase Travel℠. Outside of that, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program has what is arguably the best selection of transfer partners across all credit card rewards programs. There are also more transfer partners to choose from compared to Wells Fargo.

You can transfer points to the following Chase transfer partners at a 1:1 ratio:

Airline partners

• Aer Lingus, AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France (Flying Blue)
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards®
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
• United MileagePlus®
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Hotel partners

• IHG® Rewards Club
• Marriott Bonvoy®
• World of Hyatt®

In contrast, Wells Fargo cardholders will only be able to transfer to the following partners starting on April 4, 2024:

You can transfer points to the following airline partners at a 1:1 transfer ratio:

• Avianca LifeMiles
• Aer Lingus AerClub

Choice Privileges: You can transfer points to Wells Fargo’s hotel partner at 1:2 transfer ratio.

Wells Fargo says it is just now building out its selection of airline and hotel transfer partners, and that more partners will join the program soon.

Both of these travel credit cards have a surprising number of travel insurance benefits that are automatically available. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred wins in this category because it offers primary auto rental coverage that you can use in place of your own auto insurance when you rent a car.

Auto rental coverage offered through Autograph Journey works secondary to your own insurance in the US. This means you would have to exhaust limits on your own auto insurance policy before you can use it.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred also offers a few more types of coverage than the Autograph Journey. 

Each of these rewards credit cards also offers a few other perks that make them more valuable overall. Since their other benefits are difficult to compare, this category ends in a tie as well.

With the Autograph Journey, cardholders get cell phone damage or theft protection coverage worth up to $1,000 per claim (subject to a $25 deductible) when they pay their phone bill with their credit card. This benefit can apply up to two times per 12-month period for a maximum value of $2,000 each year. Cardholders also get a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers purchase protection against damage or theft and extended warranty coverage on eligible items that come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Cardholders also get some additional perks from DoorDash and Instacart, as well as the chance to earn bonus points on Lyft purchases through March 2025 and eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases.

Finally, cardholders with the Sapphire Preferred qualify for up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel.

While it appears the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the better option, that may not be the case for long. Wells Fargo said in its press release that it is actively working on adding new transfer partners to its portfolio so that cardholders have more options in the coming year. 

Any new partners it gets could shake up the comparison of these two cards pretty quickly, especially since the Autograph Journey has great earning rates for both dining and travel.

* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

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Credit Cards

Chase Freedom Flex benefits guide 2024

Julie Sherrier

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Published 5:26 a.m. UTC April 3, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

Shavel Ludmila, Getty Images

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is often listed as one of the top cash-back credit cards, offering an easy-to-earn welcome bonus, a generous introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers and the ability to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Learn how to make the most of this card in our Chase Freedom Flex benefits guide.

Chase Freedom Flex overview

The Chase Freedom Flex is consistently ranked as one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. In addition to its great rewards rates, this card comes with a generous intro APR for purchases and balance transfers as well as an easy-to-earn welcome bonus all for no annual fee. This card is best for those who don’t mind having to opt into bonus categories that change every quarter.

The Chase Freedom Flex is one of three available Freedom cards, including the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Rise℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Rise℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . The Freedom Flex card is the upgraded version of the old Chase Freedom card, which is no longer available to new applicants. All three cards earn cash-back rewards that are tracked as points and can be redeemed for statement credits, cash, travel or gift cards or transferred to eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards® -earning cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , which both boost the value of points when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠.

The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Previous quarterly categories have included grocery stores, Target, gym memberships, Lowe’s, Amazon.com, gas, wholesale clubs, charities and PayPal, among others. The new categories are announced a few weeks prior to the new quarter and cardholders must opt in each time to earn that elevated rate.

Major Chase Freedom Flex benefits

The Chase Freedom Flex has many notable features. Let’s take a look.

Attainable welcome offer

With the Chase Freedom Flex, new cardholders can earn $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. This is a very attainable spending requirement compared to other top credit cards that may require a minimum spend in the thousands of dollars before you can earn their welcome bonuses.

Decent intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers

If you’re planning a big purchase that you’d like to finance for more than a year or if you need to transfer a high-APR balance , know that the Chase Freedom Flex offers 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. Then the fee is the greater of $5 or 5% of each transfer.

Rewards varied spending categories

Cardholders have the ability to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Each $1 in cash-back rewards is equal to 100 points. Points can be redeemed as cash, gift cards, travel or by paying with points at select merchants.

Several insurance and travel benefits

When you use your Chase Freedom Flex card for travel reservations, you’ll have access to travel insurance for trips canceled or cut short for illness, severe weather or other eligible situations. You can be reimbursed for up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable fares.

Cardholders also can get secondary rental car insurance against damage or theft when using their card to pay for the reservation. Finally, you’ll be able to access Chase’s travel and emergency assistance services for referrals while traveling, though you’ll have to pay for any services or medical treatment you need. 

Pay over time

If you’d like to break up the cost of a purchase costing $100 or more into monthly payments, you can opt to enroll that purchase in My Chase Plan® for a fixed monthly fee of 1.72% of the amount of each eligible purchase transaction (or an amount you choose) instead of being charged interest. Your purchase amount will then be divided into equal monthly payments ranging from three months to two years based on the purchase amount.

Additional benefits worth noting

Cellphone protection.

When you use your Chase Freedom Flex to pay your monthly cellphone bill, you can qualify for up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year in cellphone protection, which covers against theft or damage. Just know there is a maximum of two claims per 12-month period and a $50 deductible applies for each claim.

5% cash back on Lyft rides

Cardholders who pay for Lyft rides through the Lyft app with their Chase Freedom Flex will receive a total of 5% cash back on qualifying rides through March 31, 2025. 

Discounts on DashPass, DoorDash and Caviar

You can get a complimentary three months of DashPass if you activate a membership for the first time by December 31, 2024 with your card as the payment method. Once that time is up, you’ll get 50% off your membership for the next nine months. 

Complimentary Instacart+ membership

To receive a complimentary Instacart+ membership for three months, you’ll need to visit instacart.com/chase to sign up with your Chase Freedom Flex by July 31, 2024. Once the complimentary membership expires, you’ll be billed the regular Instacart+ membership fee of $99 a year or $9.99 a month unless you cancel. When enrolled, you’ll also earn up to $10 in statement credits each quarter through July 31, 2024 on eligible Instacart purchases with the card.

Additional protection and warranty on purchases

When using your Chase Freedom Flex, you’ll automatically get purchase protection on new purchases for 120 days against damage and theft. You can apply for up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

If a purchase comes with a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less, you’ll also get an additional year on eligible warranties, providing extra peace of mind for larger purchases.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Welcome bonus.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Up to $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass Select lounge access.
• Redeem points for 50% more value to book travel through Chase Travel ℠ .
• Transfer points 1:1 to partners such as United Airlines and World of Hyatt.
• High annual fee.
• Not ideal if you aren’t interested in transferring points.
• May not qualify if you’ve applied for 5 or more credit cards in the last 24 months.

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $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 $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Member FDIC

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes, the Chase Freedom Flex offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for non-refundable prepaid fares in case your trip is canceled or cut short by severe weather, sickness or other covered situations.

No, the Chase Freedom Flex does not have hidden fees. However, the card agreement plainly states that there is a $40 late or returned payment fee, a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars, an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days (then $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater) and a monthly fee of 1.72% instead of interest for eligible purchases enrolled in the My Chase Plan. It’s always wise to check the pricing and terms page before applying for a new credit card.

No, you cannot use the Chase Freedom Flex at Costco as it is a Mastercard. Costco only accepts Visa cards as well as most debit/ATM cards.

Yes, the Chase Freedom Flex offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance where you can get reimbursed for up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for a non-refundable prepaid fare in certain situations.

The Chase Freedom card was replaced by the Chase Freedom Flex and is no longer available to new applicants. That said, the original Chase Freedom card offered a similar 5% cash back in rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter), but only 1% cash back on all other purchases. There are two other Chase Freedom cards: the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Freedom Rise (for students and those new to credit). Check out our list of the best Chase cards to see which may be best fit for your budget and lifestyle.

*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Rise℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Julie Stephen Sherrier is a personal finance writer and editor based in Austin, TX. She is the former senior managing editor for LendingTree, responsible for all credit card and credit health content. Before joining LendingTree, Julie spent more than a decade as the managing editor and then editorial director at Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She also served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

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