December 2023 Update: Credit cards with included COVID-19 cover

These banks have released updates to include limited cover for pandemics and epidemics. Click to see the details of cover for each brand:

• American Express
• ANZ
• NAB
• Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard (limited time offer)
• Bendigo Bank
• St. George
• Westpac
• Bank of Melbourne
• BankSA
• Bankwest
• HSBC
• CommBank
• BOQ
• Qantas Money

Until early this year, no credit card travel insurance covered events caused by COVID-19, meaning you had to cross your fingers and hope borders stayed open and you stayed well.

Now, most major credit card providers have jumped on the COVID-19 bandwagon, which is great to see since it gives a little more peace of mind around travelling. We’ve put together a rundown of each credit card and its coronavirus policy, but always check the card’s PDS since it can change quickly.

Interestingly, some providers like ANZ and St. George have changed their terms to include all pandemic/epidemic disruptions from now on. Let’s hope we don’t need that anytime soon.

Remember, terms, conditions and exclusions apply to travel insurance. Check the PDS for more information.

American Express 

Amex has included a clause in its credit card travel insurance PDS that provides limited cover related to COVID-19:

Domestic return trips:

• you can change, curtail or cancel your return trip if you, your travel buddy or the person you were visiting test positive for coronavirus.
• You aren’t covered if you need to cancel or reschedule because borders closed or travel advisory warnings are put in place.
• If you become unwell with coronavirus while travelling, you can claim under Medical Emergency Expenses cover (not valid while a ‘do not travel’ warning is in place)

International return trips:

• you can change, curtail or cancel your return trip if you, your travel buddy or the person you were visiting test positive for coronavirus.
• You can be covered if borders close or a travel advisory warning is issued for the country you’re visiting.
• You won’t be covered if Australia issues a ‘do not travel’ warning.
• You won’t be covered if the borders at your destination are already closed.
• If you become unwell with coronavirus while travelling, you can claim under Medical Emergency Expenses cover (not valid while a ‘do not travel’ warning is in place)

Amex credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Charge Card
• American Express Explorer
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

ANZ

ANZ credit cards with complimentary travel insurance now include coverage for pandemic and epidemic disruptions and illnesses, including COVID-19.

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• if you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive to COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Cancellation, Additional Expenses, Evacuation & Repatriation, and Overseas Emergency Assistance cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Medical Emergency cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover is available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• There is no mention of coverage if you’re prevented from travelling by border closures or travel warnings.
• You aren’t covered if you travel to a destination with a travel advice warning by the Australian government.

ANZ credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum
• ANZ Frequent Flyer Black
• ANZ Rewards Platinum
• ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card
• ANZ Rewards Black
• ANZ Platinum Credit Card

NAB 

NAB has updated its complimentary travel insurance to include some coverage for COVID-19, effective as of June 30, 2022.

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive to COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Medical Emergency cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover is available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t follow advice or warnings when travelling to a destination; for example, a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert from the Australian government, or published by a reliable media source.
• NAB’s travel insurance policy specifically states there are no other pandemic or epidemic-related circumstances covered, which likely includes border closures or other travel restrictions.

NAB credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• NAB Low Fee Platinum
• NAB Qantas Rewards Signature
• NAB Rewards Signature
• NAB Qantas Rewards Premium
• NAB Rewards Platinum

Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard 

Latitude 28° had a limited-time travel insurance offer that included COVID-19 cover for its Global Platinum card. The offer ended 31 July 2022, and we’ve kept the information here for customers.

Claims related to COVID-19:

• Cover applies to you and your ‘family’, which includes you, your spouse and up to 3 eligible children
• You can claim up to $700,000 per person in medical costs if you need treatment for COVID-19 during an overseas covered trip
• You may be covered for travel and accommodation deposits if you contract COVID-19 on a covered trip and a doctor certifies you’re unfit to travel
• If you have to quarantine just before departure because you’ve tested positive to COVID-19, you may be covered for administrative costs (but not any other additional costs related to your quarantine)
• You’re not covered for any additional costs such as accommodation or flights because of borders closures or travel disruptions

Bendigo Bank

Bendigo Bank credit cards with complimentary travel insurance now include coverage for pandemic and epidemic disruptions and illnesses in its PDS, including COVID-19.

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive to COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Cancellation, Additional Expenses, Evacuation & Repatriation, and Overseas Emergency Assistance cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Emergency Medical cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover is available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• There is no mention of coverage if you’re prevented from travelling by border closures or travel warnings.
• You aren’t covered if you travel to a destination with a travel advice warning by the Australian government, even if you have an exemption or permission from the Australian government to travel

Bendigo Bank credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic cover:

• Bendigo Platinum Rewards
• Bendigo Bank Qantas Platinum

St. George 

St. George has updated its complimentary travel insurance to include some coverage for COVID-19, effective as of June 30, 2022.

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive for COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Medical Emergency cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover is available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• If you or your companion become so sick with COVID-19 that can’t continue travelling, you may be reimbursed for additional accommodation and travel expenses.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t follow advice or warnings when travelling to a destination; for example, a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert from the Australian government, or published by a reliable media source.

St. George credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:

• St. George Amplify Platinum
• St. George Amplify Platinum – Qantas
• St. George Amplify Signature
• St. George Amplify Signature – Qantas

Westpac 

Westpac has updated its complimentary travel insurance to include some coverage for current and future pandemics and epidemics, including COVID-19, effective as of June 30, 2022.

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive for COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Medical Emergency cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover is available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• If you or your companion become so sick with COVID-19 that can’t continue travelling, you may be reimbursed for additional accommodation and travel expenses.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t follow advice or warnings when travelling to a destination; for example, a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert from the Australian government, or published by a reliable media source.

Westpac credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:

• Westpac Altitude Black
• Westpac Altitude Black – Qantas
• Westpac Altitude Platinum Black
• Westpac Altitude Platinum – Qantas
• Westpac Business Choice Rewards Platinum Mastercard
• Westpac Altitude Business Platinum
• Westpac Altitude Business Gold Mastercard

Bank of Melbourne

Bank of Melbourne has updated its complimentary travel insurance to include some coverage for current and future pandemics and epidemics, including COVID-19, effective as of June 30, 2022.

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive for COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Medical Emergency cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover may be available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• If you or your companion become so sick with COVID-19 that you can’t continue travelling, you may be reimbursed for additional accommodation and travel expenses.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t follow advice or warnings when travelling to a destination; for example, a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert from the Australian government, or published by a reliable media source.

Bank of Melbourne credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:

• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum – Qantas
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature – Qantas
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business

BankSA

BankSA has updated its complimentary travel insurance to include some coverage for current and future pandemics and epidemics, including COVID-19, effective as of June 30, 2022.

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive for COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Medical Emergency cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover may be available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• If you or your companion become so sick with COVID-19 that you can’t continue travelling, you may be reimbursed for additional accommodation and travel expenses.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t follow advice or warnings when travelling to a destination; for example, a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert from the Australian government, or published by a reliable media source.

BankSA credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:

• BankSA Amplify Platinum
• BankSA Amplify Platinum – Qantas
• BankSA Amplify Signature
• BankSA Amplify Signature – Qantas

Bankwest

Bankwest has now updated its credit card travel insurance PDS to provide limited cover related to COVID-19. Take note, this cover only includes limited medical cover:

Claims related to pandemic/epidemic cover:

• If you test positive for Covid-19 you may be able to access Overseas Medical Emergency and Hospital Expenses cover.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t take appropriate action to avoid countries with a ‘do not travel’ warning advised by the Australian government or mass media.
• You will not be covered for flight cancellations, accommodation or any other travel expenses.
• You will not be covered for anything Covid-related on a cruise.

Bankwest credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card
• Bankwest Zero Platinum Credit Card
• Bankwest More World Mastercard
• Bankwest Qantas Gold Credit Card
• Bankwest Qantas Platinum Credit Card
• Bankwest More Platinum Credit Card

HSBC

HSBC has included a clause in its credit card travel insurance PDS that provides limited cover related to COVID-19:

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you test positive for COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover is available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t follow advice or warnings when travelling to a destination; for example, a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert from the Australian government, or published by a reliable media source.
• You aren’t covered if borders close during your trip.

HSBC credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• HSBC Platinum Card – 0% Balance Transfer Offer
• HSBC Premier Credit Card
• HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card
• HSBC Credit Card

CommBank

CommBank has included a clause in its credit card travel insurance PDS that provides limited cover related to COVID-19:

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• If you test positive for Covid-19 you may be able to access Overseas Medical Emergency and Hospital Expenses cover.
• You aren’t covered if you don’t take appropriate action to avoid countries with a ‘do not travel’ warning advised by the Smart Traveller website (excluding Australia and New Zealand).
• You will not be covered for flight cancellations, accommodation or any other travel expenses.
• You will not be covered for anything Covid-related on a cruise.

BOQ

BOQ has updated its credit card travel insurance PDS to cover COVID-19 in a limited capacity:

Claims related to COVID-19:

• You may be covered for costs incurred from having to cancel, curtail or change your trip because you or your travel buddy contract COVID-19.
• You may be covered for overseas medical emergency expenses on your overseas return trip and transportation of remains if you die from COVID-19 while travelling (it must be confirmed and diagnosed on your trip).
• Besides Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover and Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses cover, you won’t be covered for anything else caused by COVID-19 or any of its variants.

Qantas Money

Qantas was one of the last to come to the Covid party. Its updated travel insurance policy now has limited COVID-19 coverage:

Claims related to COVID-19:

• You may be covered for costs incurred from having to cancel, curtail or change your trip because you or your travel buddy contract COVID-19.
• You may be covered for overseas medical emergency expenses on your overseas return trip and transportation of remains if you die from COVID-19 while travelling (it must be confirmed or diagnosed on your trip).
• Besides Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover and Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses cover, you won’t be covered for anything else caused by COVID-19 or any of its variants.

Other credit cards with complimentary travel insurance

Almost all banks and insurance companies have updated their insurance terms to include COVID-19 since 2020. You can find and compare credit cards with free travel insurance here, but always check the terms and conditions to see what you’re covered for.

Tips for using complimentary travel insurance

First, always read the PDS carefully. I know, it’s like a broken record, but insurances come with a lot of ‘but’s and ‘only if’s that could leave you high and dry – and out of pocket – if things go awry. Clauses regarding COVID-19 are still new, so make sure you understand what you’re covered for.