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Smart Money

The benefits of free travel insurance with credit cards

Last updated

Pauline Hatch      

Who doesn’t love free stuff? When it comes to credit cards, ‘free’ stuff will always be appealing. From free insurances, to bonus rewards points, to cashback, to gift cards, credit card providers are always coming up with new incentives to attract new customers.

One popular incentive many credit card providers now offer is free travel insurance. But will credit card travel insurance cover you if you need it?

To help you make the right decision, we’re going to look at the pros and cons of credit card travel insurance, and what it does and doesn’t cover. We’re also going to look at which credit cards offer free travel insurance – from American Express, all the way to Westpac.

Which credit cards offer free travel insurance?

In the past, only premium credit cards offered incentives such as free travel insurance. Nowadays however, standard credit cards, rewards cards and frequent flyer credit cards often offer complimentary insurances as well.

Scroll down for our list of credit cards currently offering free travel insurance.

What to be aware of when choosing a credit card with free travel insurance

When credit card providers offer ‘free’ features such as insurance, it can often mean the card is more costly in fees and interest. Just as you would do when comparing rewards credit cards, think about what you are getting from the card, and how much you are paying for those features. (Find out more about making the most of your rewards card here.)

The key to choosing the right credit card – in any circumstance – is making sure it offers value for money. Think about what you are getting from the travel insurance, what cover it offers, what exceptions there are, and how often you are going to use it.

What are the benefits of credit card travel insurance?

The main benefit of credit card travel insurance is the cover it provides. Your credit card provides you with travel cover, so you don’t have to buy standalone travel insurance, which should save you money – and the hassle of looking for cover.

Depending on your insurer, you could be covered for medical costs, travel delays and cancellations, lost baggage and personal belongings, and lost money and travel documents. You may also be covered for flight ‘inconvenience’, transit accidents, and car rental excess.

Here are the main types of insurance available on credit card travel insurance (bear in mind that most of the travel insurance is for overseas trips only).

  • International/Overseas Travel Insurance: Travel cancellation, overseas medical expenses, lost luggage or travel documents, accidental death and disability, missed connections, personal liability and more.
  • Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance: You’re usually covered if, during an interstate flight, your luggage is lost or delayed or if you have to cancel or amend an interstate flight due to serious illness.
  • Transit accident insurance: Covers you if you or members of your family die or are seriously injured in an accident while travelling.
  • Rental Excess Cover: Reduces your excess payment if you made the car hire on the credit card, but usually only if you took the comprehensive insurance option.

In order to make the most out of your credit card travel insurance, be sure to read the terms and conditions of the cover, and find out about any possible exclusions.

And remember…

  • Always remember the free insurance will only be activated if you purchase the item on the card, for example the full price of the air fare or the holiday. (Find out more about booking travel and accommodation on your credit card here.)
  • Always read and understand the terms and conditions closely before relying on the insurance cover, all of the banks use reliable insurers but there are still subtle differences to be found.
  • Supplementary card members are often NOT covered unless they’re an immediate family member. So a friend or colleague who has an additional card on the account may not be covered.

Find out more about credit card travel insurance and what it covers here.

American Express Credit Cards

American Express cards provide extensive free travel insurance options. The most important difference is the domestic cover – most other providers don’t offer this. American Express free travel insurance is provided by ACE Insurance. The Platinum card has 18 different insurance benefits including roadside assistance and hijack cover.

American Express credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Velocity Platinum

Up to 2.5 million on medical expenses, trip cancellation and amendment cover up to $10,000, personal liability up to $1 million, baggage, money and document cover varies

Flight delays, missed connections or luggage delays – pay outs vary according to the card range

Up to $400,000

N/A

Velocity Business

Qantas Premium

Qantas Ultimate

Platinum Edge

Platinum Card

Platinum

Yes

Platinum Business

ANZ Credit Cards

ANZ’s four platinum cards all feature free travel insurance. The travel and medical insurance covers a trip of up to 6 months. Interstate flight inconvenience covers you for return flights purchased for up to a 14 day period, and transport accident insurance covers plane, bus, ferry or train journeys when you’ve bought the full fare on your ANZ Platinum card.

ANZ credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Frequent Flyer Platinum

Up to 6 months for a minimum trip purchase of $250

Return flights up to 14 days – trip cancellation,

Up to $350,000 for injuries on plane, train, ferry or tourist bus

Reduced excess for hiring on the card

Platinum

Low Rate Platinum

Rewards Platinum

Bank of Melbourne, Bank SA and St George Credit Cards

Bank of Melbourne, BankSA and St George all provide the same products under different branding, and therefore the same insurance cover. All cover is for the main cardholder, their spouse and dependent children.

Bank Of Melbourne, Bank SA, St George cards Overseas Travel Insurance Domestic Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Platinum card

Up to 6 months

Up to 14 day return trips flight & luggage delay,

Plane, train, ferry or tourist bus

Included

Citi Credit Cards

All Citi credit cards shown on this site are regarded as premium and include international travel insurance. The Signature and Prestige cards are more comprehensive than the Platinum cards in terms of domestic cover – there is no domestic flight inconvenience insurance included on those.

Citi credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Clear

Up to 6 months

n/a

The cardholder and immediate family are covered if entire trip paid for on the card

Included in travel insurance if you have taken comprehensive insurance on the rental

Emirates Platinum

Rewards

Prestige

Up to 14 day return trips

Premier

Commonwealth Bank Credit Cards

Commonwealth Bank credit cards’ free travel insurance is only really extensive on the Awards Platinum card option.  The other credit cards provide overseas travel insurance but not interstate flight inconvenience or transit accident insurance. The cardholder’s spouse and dependent children are automatically covered.

CommBank credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Low Fee

Trips up to 3 months

n/a

n/a

Limit of $2250

Low Fee Gold

Awards Gold

Awards Platinum

Trips up to 6 months

Yes

Yes

Diners Club Credit Cards

Diners Club (yes it still exists) offers extensive free travel insurance as it’s a premium credit card offering. It offers cover for the card holder, spouse and dependent children for all items, the cover of which is provided by Zurich Insurance.

Diners Club credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Qantas Card

Unlimited medical cover (with some small conditions) Up to 3 month trips

Up to 14 day trips, loss of items, cancellations, delays of 4 hours or more

Up to $250,000

Up to $2,250

HSBC Credit Cards

HSBC updated the free travel insurance for its HSBC credit cards in 2022 to include a spouse and dependants aged under 16, making it a better all-round option for travelling overseas with family. It also includes rental vehicle excess insurance up to $3000, funeral expenses if you’re travelling for an overseas funeral or return of remains, and domestic pet travel cover if your journey is delayed.

HSBC credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Qantas Platinum

Unlimited medical cover + up to $20,000 for belongings

n/a

n/a

Limit of $3000

Platinum

NAB Credit Cards

NAB credit cards’ free travel insurance covers the cardholder and their immediate family, it is limited however, if you or another family member is 75 years old or older. NAB does include some interesting additional extras such as domestic hotel burglary insurance, kidnappings and hijacks.

NAB credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Premium Card

All actual incurred medical costs, up to 6 months trips

Up to 14 day trips – lost baggage cover and food allowances up to $200 per person

Up to $500,000 per person, though may be some limits on non-card holders

Up to $5,000, no excess payment required

FlyBuys Rewards Card

Qantas Rewards Premium

Velocity Rewards Premium

Virgin Credit Cards

Virgin credit cards only provide free overseas travel insurance on their premium High Flyer card, but do provide transit accident insurance on the Flyer Card. Insurance is applicable to spouse and dependant children too.

Virgin Money credit cards International Travel Insurance Interstate Flight Inconvenience Transit Accident Insurance Rental Excess cover

Flyer Card

n/a

n/a

up to $500,000

n/a

High Flyer Card

Unlimited medical cover, up to 16K personal/business effects

Up to 14 day trips, up to $3,000 for cancellations

Up to $2,250

All in all, there is a huge range of options to consider. If you are travelling with family and book the whole trip on the card, there are good options to save yourself a lot of money on separate travel insurance – if you’re sure your credit card has you covered. Always check the terms and conditions thoroughly.

Photo source: Shutterstock
Pauline

Pauline Hatch

Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 8 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Pauline is passionate about seeing Aussies win by making their money – and their credit cards – work smarter, harder and bigger.

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20 comments (showing the latest 10 Q&As)

Janina Bochniak

Janina Bochniak

14 March 2023
I've just purchased my international airfare using my BOQ platinum credit card. When does the insurance begin? Is it straight away or when I commence my journey?
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    15 March 2023
    Hi Janina, provided you meet all the eligibility criteria set out on BOQ’s Insurance T&Cs, your insurance cover begins when you leave your home to start your journey or the departure date shown on your overseas travel ticket, whichever occurs later. You may call Allianz Global Assistance (BOQ’s underwriter) at 1800 072 791 if you need further assistance. Enjoy your trip!
britt

britt

28 February 2023
Can you help recc me and my partner a travel credit card that has no international transaction fee's, low fee's and qantas rewards program? Thank you!
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    1 March 2023
    Hi Britt, what you’ve described here is almost 3 different types of credit cards. Typically cards with low fees don’t offer Qantas points as they come with other perks, and those with no international fees won’t earn rewards points as providers are copping the interchange fees as part of the deal. To see a range of Qantas Points earning credit cards, you can use our comparison tool and then sort the cards via annual fee. You can then read our reviews to see which features work best for you and narrow down your card choice. Hope that sets you on the right path!
Ian Scott

Ian Scott

8 February 2023
What do Westpac offer as far as travel insurance on their credit cards?
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    9 February 2023
    Hello Ian, Westpac offers various travel insurance options for individuals who hold their credit cards. The extent of coverage and benefits may differ based on the type of Westpac credit card you have. Some credit cards, such as the Westpac Altitude Black and Westpac Altitude Platinum, offer free travel insurance, while others don’t. Typically, travel insurance includes protection for trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other similar incidents. You can refer to their official insurance booklet PDF to determine the type of travel insurance provided with a particular Westpac card. Additionally, you can explore other cards with free travel insurance to see what other options are available.
Phil

Phil

22 December 2022
You note that HSBC Complimentary Travel Insurance is only offered to the cardholder. This is incorrect according to their PDS issued 14th October 2022
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    23 December 2022
    Hi Phil, thanks so much for bringing this to our attention. We’ll update our page accordingly. Thanks again
shannon

shannon

22 July 2022
Hey, i would like to get a credit card... to build up my credit i am currently over seas visiting family so am not working at this time. Thank you
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    28 July 2022
    Hi Shannon! You’ll need to be able to show lenders some proof of steady income, even if it’s not from employment. Have a look at our blog on low income credit cards for more detailed info. You’ll also need to be an Australian citizen to apply (some cards allow permanent residents too). Good luck and enjoy your family visit!
Sylvia

Sylvia

27 April 2022
Can we use credit card insurance for around Australia cruise in November this year have used card for deposit thanks
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    27 April 2022
    Hi Sylvia, this will depend on your credit card and who underwrites their policies. You’ll need to reach out to your current provider to find out more. Have a great cruise!
ANNETTE KEARNS

ANNETTE KEARNS

29 October 2021
We have a NAB Qantas Visa Signature which has a age limit of 75 for travel insurance We also have a Virgin Visa Platinum which also has travel insurance I have searched the Virgin policy document for trips after July 2019 and cannot find any age limit . Can you please confirm. Thanks
    Pauline - CreditCard.com.au

    Pauline

    1 November 2021
    Hi Annette, we also had a dig through the Virgin documents and couldn’t find an age limit. I suggest calling Virgin directly at 1300 771 634 to get more detailed information.
Allan

Allan

11 October 2021
Roland, can you suggest a credit card(s) that offers travel insurance for people over 75, plus low foreign transaction fee?
    Roland B Bleyer - CreditCard.com.au Founder

    Roland

    12 October 2021
    Hi Allan, thanks for your message. We can’t suggest one card over the other as that will come down to your personal requirements and situation. There are a number of credit cards that offer complimentary travel insurance and have no foreign transaction fees. Two that could potentially meet your criteria are the ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card and the Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard. It’s important to read the exclusions of each policy included with the cards before applying and ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria. Our guide to paying no foreign transaction fees has a selection of cards you can compare to find out more. Hope this helps!
Donna

Donna

15 September 2021
Whats your thoughts o n the BOQ Platinum Credit Card. We currently have a mortgage with BOQ and looking for a card that has QF rewards, will payout each month and remain in the 55 days interest free period and want travel insurance? Thank you
Paul & Maureen Wood

Paul & Maureen Wood

3 August 2021
We have booked air tickets to South Australia and a cruise in that state using our Platinum Awards card. Are we covered for both items in case of being locked down in Sydney or South Australia?
    Roland B Bleyer - CreditCard.com.au Founder

    Roland

    4 August 2021
    Hi Paul and Maureen, sounds like a great trip you had planned! Any travel advice is continually changing, so it would be best to check with your bank for the credit card terms or directly with the underwriter for the travel insurance included. Hopefully you’ll both get to South Australia soon!

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