How the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card’s Travel Insurance Works

Whether you are traveling internationally or within the U.S., it is advantageous to have travel insurance if plans go awry. Many credit cards include some form of travel insurance to cover travel booked using the card.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has some protections, but not all travel insurance policies are created equal. For example, who qualifies and under what circumstances? Here is what you need to know about Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance. Terms apply.

When does the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card provide coverage?

The insurance coverage that comes with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card applies to the cardholder and traveling companions as long as they permanently reside in the U.S. and use the card to pay for the travel purchase. Terms apply.

The insurance will cover car rental loss or protection and baggage delay or damage, and it includes a global hotline for assistance. You must pay for the entire trip with the card. Using SkyMiles to cover the cost of the trip is not eligible for travel insurance benefits. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Common myths about travel insurance and what it covers

AmEx Delta travel insurance benefits and limits

The card provides only limited forms of travel coverage, which does not include if your trip gets canceled or delayed. It does include car rental coverage, bag delay assistance and a global assistance hotline for emergency help when traveling. Terms apply.

Car rental coverage

This is one of the biggest travel benefits that comes with the card, but it is secondary to other insurance you have. The cardholder must use the card to pay for the entire rental, although the use of certain coupons or discounts is allowed. You must be the cardmember or an authorized user on the card and have signed the rental agreement. Terms apply.

Your permanent residence must also be within the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Do Delta credit cards have rental car insurance?

To activate the coverage, you must decline the full collision damage waiver or pay for a partial collision damage waiver at the rental desk. The policy covers damage or theft to a rental vehicle up to $50,000, but several vehicle types are excluded from coverage including off-road vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, vans with more than eight seats or cars rented in Italy, Australia or New Zealand, among others. Terms apply.

Global baggage protection

This type of insurance covers lost, delayed or stolen baggage, whether mishandled via an airline as a carry-on or checked item. The protection will provide a reimbursement of up to $1,250 per covered person or up to $250 per high-risk item like jewelry, sports equipment or computers. The card must have been used to pay for the eligible travel. Terms apply.

Checked bags are protected only when on the aircraft, while carry-on bags are protected on board the aircraft, at the airport and in transit to the airport. There are numerous exclusions to protection benefits, too, including sunglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and prescription medication, among other items. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The guide to baggage insurance

Global Assist hotline

When traveling more than 100 miles away from home, you can take advantage of the Global Assist hotline for emergency coordination or assistance at any hour, as long as you’ve used your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to pay for the trip. This can come in handy when you’re in a pinch. Terms apply.

The service can help with lost passports, wiring cash, providing medical or legal referrals or offering advice with a bag delay. While there is a fee for some of these services, it is good to have a resource to know where to start. Terms apply.

How to claim AmEx travel insurance

Filing an insurance claim with AmEx can be done online at americanexpress.com/onlineclaim or by calling 800-228-6855. Claim information is available in the documentation and benefits guide mailed to you when you receive the card.

Keep all supporting documentation because it will be required when filing a claim.

The documentation can include details from the airline or other transportation carrier about missing bags, receipts for purchases or other proof of covered items that were lost, damaged or stolen.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

What if the card benefits aren’t enough?

Depending on the type of trip you take or the items you travel with, you may determine that Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance is not enough, especially because it doesn’t include trip interruption or delay insurance. That’s why you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage.

To search for a policy, contact your insurance provider or check out an insurance comparison site such as SquareMouth. There are numerous kinds of policies, including travel medical insurance, long-term travel insurance or “Cancel For Any Reason” insurance. The latter is often an upgrade to existing coverage but can refund a large chunk of your expenses — no matter what the reason for cancellation.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance, recapped

Whether you use travel insurance that comes with your credit card or buy another policy, it is helpful to know you have coverage in the event of a trip mishap or emergency. Be familiar with the intricacies of each plan because they can vary.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card travel insurance offers basic protections that can help when hiccups occur along the way, but it does not provide the most comprehensive protections that other cards may have. Terms apply.