The Guide to AmEx Platinum Travel Insurance

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with travel insurance, but it only applies if you meet certain requirements.

The benefits on the $695-annual-fee card include coverage for trip interruption, rental car damage and lost luggage (see rates and fees ; terms apply). Here's what to know.

» Learn more: What is travel insurance?

When does the AmEx Platinum travel insurance kick in?

To get coverage from the The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to use it to pay for your trip in its entirety. This is true whether you’re looking to use the trip insurance or the rental car insurance — you must pay in full with The Platinum Card® from American Express.

You may still be covered for trip interruption, delay, and cancellation insurance when using points or frequent flyer miles.

However, rental car and baggage insurance only apply when you’ve used your card to pay for the full cost of whatever you’re buying — no points allowed. The exception is if you redeem American Express Membership Rewards to pay for some or all of the booking.

» Learn more: How does travel insurance work?

AmEx Platinum travel insurance benefits and limits

Trip cancellation protection

The trip cancellation insurance you’ll receive will pay for any nonrefundable losses you incur due to a covered event.

One example of a covered event is illness, depending on the reason you need to cancel. Covered events include trips that are medically inadvisable by a physician or illness for you, your family members or a traveling companion.

Other eligible events include a change in military orders, inclement weather or jury duty.

If you need to cancel your trip, AmEx will provide up to $10,000 per trip and a maximum of $20,000 every 12 months. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The guide to American Express travel insurance

Trip interruption coverage

As with trip cancellation protection, trip interruption insurance will reimburse you for nonrefundable losses by a covered event.

If your trip is interrupted, American Express will cover you for prepaid land, air and sea travel bookings you’ve missed. It’ll also pay for the cost of an economy class ticket on the most direct route to rejoin your covered trip (or take you home).

The maximum benefit you’ll receive is $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 every 12 months. Terms apply.

Trip delay insurance

Trip delay insurance will reimburse you for expenses incurred when your trip doesn’t go as scheduled. With The Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage kicks in after you’ve been delayed by at least six hours for a covered reason.

Covered purchases may include food, toiletries, lodging, medication and other personal use items. You’ll be reimbursed for up to $500 on a covered trip and can make two claims within a 12-month period. Terms apply.

Rental car insurance

The Platinum Card® from American Express provides secondary rental car insurance. This means it’ll start after other claims — like those made to your personal insurance — have been processed. To activate coverage, you’ll need to decline the insurance offered by the rental car company.

AmEx will provide up to $75,000 due to damage or theft of the rental vehicle for up to 30 consecutive days, but be aware that the policy doesn’t provide liability insurance.

It’ll also give you up to $1,000 per person (max of $2,000) for personal property lost in the incident and up to $5,000 for accidental injury. Finally, you’ll receive up to $300,000 for accidental death or dismemberment, though the rates will vary depending on the severity of your injuries.

This rental car insurance is valid worldwide with a few notable exceptions, including Australia, Italy and New Zealand. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Credit cards that provide travel insurance

Baggage coverage

Cardholders and eligible family members qualify for baggage insurance provided they’ve paid for the fare using The Platinum Card® from American Express. This benefit is only for lost baggage; delayed luggage is not protected.

Coverage limits vary depending on whether you’ve checked your bag or carried it on:

• Checked bags: Up to $2,000 per person.

• Carry-on: Up to $3,000 per person.

Note also that checked baggage is only covered when you’re actually traveling with a common carrier. Meanwhile, carry-on luggage is also covered when traveling to and from or waiting at the terminal.

There are also specific limits for high-risk items such as jewelry and electronic equipment. For these items, you’ll receive a maximum of $1,000 per person per trip. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Premium Global Assist

In addition to travel insurance, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers another benefit that can help when you travel over 100 miles from home.

AmEx’s Premium Global Assist hotline is a 24/7 service that can assist you in various ways, such as helping you get a new passport, finding translation services and even arranging for emergency medical evacuation.

Although using Premium Global Assist is free, the services that you may end up using are not necessarily covered by AmEx.

There are exceptions to this — if you need repatriation of mortal remains, emergency medical evacuation or if a child under 16 is left without care, AmEx will provide aid at no additional cost. Terms apply.

How to make an AmEx travel insurance claim

To file a claim, you’ll need to contact your benefit administrator. The phone number and timeframe will vary according to the type of insurance you’re using:

• Trip cancellation, interruption or delay insurance: Within 60 days, call 844-933-0648.

• Baggage insurance: Within 30 days, call 800-228-6855 or online.

• Rental car insurance: Within 30 days, call 800-338-1670 or online.

» Learn more: The guide to AmEx Platinum rental car benefits

What if the card’s insurance benefits are insufficient?

If The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance doesn’t include features that you’d like to have, consider purchasing a separate travel insurance policy before you travel.

Several companies allow you to compare various policies for any vacation and modify inclusions as you shop.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

The Platinum Card® from American Express travel insurance, recapped

The travel insurance offered by The Platinum Card® from American Express includes some pretty generous benefits for travelers, especially since it’s complimentary (the $695 annual fee notwithstanding). Terms apply.

If you want to take advantage of this insurance, pay for your trip using your AmEx card and double-check any other stated requirements before heading out to ensure coverage.