Travel Insurance for Seniors: What Your Credit Card Already Covers
Before you spend $200 on a travel insurance policy, check your wallet. You might already be covered — and not even know it.
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Let's talk about something that's quietly costing you money — and unnecessary worry.
Every year, millions of Americans over 55 buy standalone travel insurance before a trip. The premium feels like a responsible thing to do, especially as we get older and the "what if" scenarios start to feel less hypothetical.
And look, travel insurance can absolutely be worth it. We're not here to talk you out of protecting yourself.
But here's what almost nobody tells you: if you booked your trip with a premium travel credit card, you may already have substantial travel insurance built right in — coverage you're paying for through your annual fee but never using, because nobody explained what you have.
That's about to change.
The Coverage You Probably Don't Know You Have
Most premium travel credit cards come with a bundle of travel protections that kick in automatically when you book and pay for travel with that card. No enrollment. No phone calls. No extra fees. You use the card, and the protections activate.
Here's what the major travel cards typically include:
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
What it covers: If you have to cancel your trip or come home early due to a covered reason — illness, injury, severe weather, jury duty, certain family emergencies — this benefit reimburses you for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.
Typical coverage amounts:
| Card | Trip Cancellation Coverage (per person) |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Up to $10,000 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Up to $10,000 |
| Amex Platinum | Up to $10,000 |
| Capital One Venture X | Up to $2,000 |
| Amex Gold | Up to $10,000 |
Why this matters for you: This is the big one. A week-long trip to Europe for two people can easily involve $3,000–$6,000 in non-refundable flights and hotel bookings. If your spouse gets sick three days before departure, trip cancellation coverage through your credit card can reimburse those costs — no standalone policy needed.
The fine print you should know: "Covered reasons" vary by card but usually include sickness or injury to you or an immediate family member, severe weather that prevents travel, terrorism at your destination, and a few others. "I changed my mind" is not a covered reason. For a full list, check the benefits guide that came with your card (or search "[your card name] benefits guide PDF" — they're all available online).
Trip Delay Reimbursement
What it covers: If your flight is delayed beyond a certain threshold (usually 6–12 hours), the card reimburses you for meals, hotel stays, and essential purchases while you wait.
Typical coverage:
| Card | Delay Threshold | Coverage Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 12 hours | Up to $500 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 6 hours | Up to $500 |
| Amex Platinum | 6 hours | Up to $500 |
| Capital One Venture X | 6 hours | Up to $300 |
Why this matters for you: A long delay at the airport is unpleasant for anyone, but it's especially taxing when you're 65 and sleeping in an airport chair isn't the adventure it was at 25. This benefit means you can book a hotel room, have a proper meal, and file a claim later. The card has your back.
Baggage Delay Insurance
What it covers: If your checked luggage doesn't arrive with you and is delayed beyond a threshold (usually 6 hours), the card reimburses you for essential clothing and toiletries.
Most premium cards cover $100–$500 per person. Not life-changing money, but enough to buy what you need without the frustration of feeling like you're spending your own money because the airline lost your bag.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
What it covers: If the airline loses your bags entirely, your credit card may reimburse you for the contents — typically up to $3,000 per passenger on premium cards like the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum.
This is on top of whatever the airline pays, which is capped at roughly $3,800 for domestic flights under Department of Transportation rules.
Rental Car Insurance (CDW/Collision Damage Waiver)
What it covers: If you rent a car and decline the rental company's insurance, your credit card provides primary or secondary coverage for damage to or theft of the rental vehicle.
This is a genuinely big deal. Rental car insurance at the counter costs $15–$35 per day. On a two-week trip, that's $210–$490 you don't have to spend.
| Card | Rental Car Coverage Type |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Primary (pays first, before your own car insurance) |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Secondary (pays after your car insurance) |
| Amex Platinum | Secondary (primary in some countries) |
| Capital One Venture X | Primary |
Primary vs. secondary: Primary coverage means the credit card handles the claim directly — your personal auto insurance company never gets involved. Secondary means your own car insurance pays first, and the card covers the rest. Primary is significantly better and is one of the strongest reasons to consider the Sapphire Reserve.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
What it covers: If you have a medical emergency while traveling internationally and need to be transported to the nearest adequate medical facility (or home), your card covers the cost.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. The Amex Platinum includes similar coverage.
Why this matters enormously for travelers over 55: Medical evacuation from a foreign country can cost $50,000–$250,000 depending on location and circumstances. This single benefit can justify an annual fee many times over.
What Credit Card Insurance Does NOT Cover
Let's be clear about the gaps — because this is where standalone travel insurance might still make sense for you.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Most credit card travel insurance does not cover trip cancellations or medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions. If you have a known health issue that might cause you to cancel a trip, a standalone policy with a pre-existing condition waiver is worth considering.
Medical Expenses Abroad
Here's an important distinction: most credit cards cover emergency evacuation but do not cover the actual medical treatment costs. If you break your hip in Barcelona, your card might pay to fly you home, but the hospital bill in Spain is on you (and your regular health insurance, if it covers overseas care — Medicare generally does not).
For international trips, a standalone travel medical policy is worth considering, especially if you're traveling to a country where medical care is expensive. These policies typically run $50–$150 for a two-week trip and cover $50,000–$250,000 in overseas medical expenses.
"Cancel for Any Reason" Coverage
Credit card trip cancellation only covers specific reasons (illness, weather, etc.). If you want the ability to cancel for any reason — including just not feeling like going — you'll need a standalone policy that includes "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) coverage. These cost more but provide maximum flexibility. They typically reimburse 50–75% of your prepaid costs.
How to Actually Use Your Credit Card Travel Insurance
This is where most people get tripped up. Having the coverage is one thing. Knowing how to claim it is another.
Step 1: Always Book Travel on Your Benefits Card
This is non-negotiable. The travel protections only apply to travel purchased with the card. If you pay for your flights with your Chase Sapphire but book the hotel on your debit card, only the flights are covered.
Our rule of thumb: Put all travel purchases — flights, hotels, rental cars, tours — on your best travel credit card. Not just for the points, but for the protections.
Step 2: Know Your Card's Benefits Number
Every premium card has a dedicated benefits phone line. Save this number in your phone before you travel:
- Chase Sapphire: 1-888-320-9961 (Benefit Administrator)
- Amex: Call the number on the back of your card, then ask for "Travel Insurance Claims"
- Capital One: 1-800-capitalone, then select travel benefits
Step 3: File Claims Promptly
If something goes wrong — flight delay, lost luggage, trip cancellation — keep your receipts and documentation. Most cards require claims to be filed within 60–90 days. The process is usually:
- Call the benefits number
- They'll send you a claim form (often online now)
- Submit the form with receipts and any supporting documentation (doctor's note, flight delay confirmation, police report for theft)
- Reimbursement arrives in 2–4 weeks
It's not as fast as calling your own insurance, but it works. And many WanderWise members report that Chase's claims process in particular is smoother than they expected.
The WanderWise Recommendation: Layer Your Protection
Here's our practical advice, based on conversations with hundreds of travelers in our community:
For domestic trips under $3,000: Your credit card coverage is probably sufficient. Trip cancellation, delay reimbursement, and rental car insurance handle the most common issues.
For international trips: Add a standalone travel medical policy ($50–$150 for 2 weeks) on top of your credit card benefits. This fills the biggest gap — overseas medical expenses — without duplicating coverage you already have.
For expensive, non-refundable trips over $10,000: Consider a comprehensive standalone policy that includes higher trip cancellation limits and CFAR coverage. Your credit card caps at $10,000 per person for cancellation — if your river cruise costs $12,000, you'll want extra protection.
For travelers with pre-existing conditions: Buy standalone insurance within 14–21 days of your initial trip payment to qualify for the pre-existing condition waiver that most policies offer.
For help figuring out which credit card gives you the best travel protections for your situation, our 5 Best Travel Credit Cards for Adults 55+ compares the benefits side by side. And our Travel Score Quiz can help you identify the right card for your travel style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my credit card cover travel insurance for my spouse?
In most cases, yes — as long as the trip was booked on the card. Chase Sapphire cards cover the cardholder, their spouse, and dependent children. Amex Platinum covers the cardholder and their travel companion booked on the same itinerary.
Am I too old for credit card travel insurance? Is there an age limit?
Most credit card travel protections have no age limit. There's no health questionnaire, no exclusion for being over 65 or 75. You're covered simply by being a cardholder. This is a significant advantage over standalone policies, which often increase premiums dramatically for travelers over 70.
Does my credit card travel insurance cover COVID-related cancellations?
Policies have evolved since the pandemic. Many cards now cover trip cancellation if you or a family member contracts COVID and a doctor advises against travel. However, "I'm worried about COVID" or general pandemic-related anxiety is typically not a covered reason. Check your specific card's benefits guide for current language.
What if I have Medicare? Does that change anything?
Medicare generally does not cover medical care outside the United States. This makes your credit card's emergency evacuation benefit even more important — and it's a strong argument for adding a standalone travel medical policy for international trips. Some Medigap plans (specifically Plan C, D, F, G, M, and N) include limited foreign travel emergency coverage, but the limits are usually low ($50,000 lifetime maximum).
How do I find out exactly what my card covers?
Search for "[your card name] guide to benefits" — every major issuer publishes a detailed PDF. Chase also has a Benefits Center at cardbenefitservices.com where you can look up your specific coverage. Or call the number on the back of your card and ask to be transferred to the benefits department. They'll walk you through everything.
Stop Worrying, Start Traveling
Here's the thing about travel insurance anxiety: it's often based on not knowing what you already have. Once you understand the protections built into your credit card, the unknown becomes manageable. The "what ifs" get specific, addressable answers.
You're not flying without a net. You've been paying for that net — through your annual fee — every single year. It's time to know exactly what it covers and travel with the confidence you deserve.
And if you're still in the process of choosing the right travel card, remember: the protections we've described here are one of the most valuable reasons to pay an annual fee. The right card isn't just a points-earning machine. It's a safety net with a sign-up bonus.
Travel more. Spend less. Know better.