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Complimentary or ‘free’ credit card travel insurance is a popular feature which many travellers rely on for cover during their travels. Checking the fine print of your credit card travel insurance policy terms is essential - otherwise, you might find common exclusions leave you out of pocket.

What is credit card travel insurance?

Credit card travel insurance is an insurance policy that is usually included with premium credit cards. While marketed as ‘free’ or ‘complimentary’, these policies are typically paid for through your annual card fees. The biggest misconception is that all credit cards come with travel insurance. This simply isn’t the case and is usually a bonus reserved for premium cards such as Gold or Platinum.

If you already have a premium credit card, utilising the complimentary travel insurance offered by your bank can be great way to save money. You will need to check the benefits to ensure that the policy meets your needs and is suitable for your circumstances. If you’re considering applying for a credit card for the benefit of travel insurance, you should consider the cost of the annual fee against a standalone travel insurance policy.

It is important to know that some policies only activate if you purchased your flights on your credit card, while others need you to call a hotline, and most don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Understanding the fine print is essential for keeping eyewatering bills at bay but here we provide a few key pros and cons to look out for.

Pros and Cons of Credit Card Travel Insurance

Most credit card policies are underwritten by the same companies as standalone policies, so you know legitimate claims will be paid.

Most credit card travel insurance policies specifically exclude pre-existing conditions from cover.

While standard travel insurance gets more expensive as you get older, there’s no extra cost on credit card travel insurance policies.

Many cards have an age limit or restrictions once you hit 75 years of age. Trip duration is often limited of 1 to 6 months, so you might not be covered at all even though you’ve paid your annual fee.

You don’t have to pay extra to be covered for places like Japan and the USA, which typically cost more with standalone policies due to

If you’re going skiing, riding a motorcycle, or partaking in adventure activities be sure to check the policy detail as they may be excluded.

You’ve already paid for your policy using your annual fees, so there’s no additional cost to you.

Annual card fees can be hefty. Depending upon your trip details, a standalone policy may be cheaper than your credit card annual fee.

Activating credit card travel insurance

You might think you’re automatically covered by your credit card travel insurance, but most policies have some rules around eligibility and activation criteria so it’s important to check the fine print. Common activation rules include:

** 1. Activation on purchase** your credit card trip insurance is automatically activated once you make a travel-related purchase on your card, such as flights or accommodation
** 2. Activation on value or percentage of trip purchases** some credit card travel insurance only applies if you’ve spent a certain value, like $250-$500, or a percentage amount (e.g. 50%, 100%) of travel expenses on your credit card.
** 3. Activation on flight purchase** Your trip is covered provided you’ve purchased a return flight on your credit card.
** 4. Activation on notification** You need to call your card provider or log in to their internet banking or app and notify them of your trip to activate the policy. Check the table below for activation rules for popular credit cards, and check your policy documents to confirm.

Credit Card Company	Insurance Activation Rules	Eligible Cards	Underwriter
1	"1. Ensure eligible Amex cards.<br /> 2. Buy return flight from Australia with Amex card. Cover activated by flight purchase only.<br />Spouse and dependants covered if their flights also paid with Amex card."	"American Express Credit Cards: Amex Explorer	Amex Platinum Edge	Amex Velocity Platinum	David Jones Amex Platinum	Qantas Amex Premium	Qantas Amex Ultimate"	Chubb<br> <br> View<a href="https://www.americanexpress.com/au/insurance/insurance-with-your-card/" target="_blank"> policy wording</a> for various cards.
2	"1. Ensure eligible ANZ cards.<br />2. Spend $250 on prepaid travel expenses with card.<br />3. Return flight booked.<br />Spouse and dependants covered if they have $250 prepaid travel costs on card."	"ANZ Credit Cards: ANZ Frequent Flyers Black	ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum	ANZ Low Rate Platinum	ANZ Platinum	ANZ Rewards Black	ANZ Rewards Platinum	ANZ Rewards Travel Adventure"	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited<br> <br> View the <a href="https://www.anz.com.au/content/dam/anzcomau/documents/pdf/premium-cards-insurances.pdf" target="_blank">Premium Cards Insurances booklet</a> (to be read with the <a adhocenable="false" href="https://www.anz.com.au/content/dam/anzcomau/documents/pdf/premium-cards-insurances-notification.pdf" target="_blank">Premium Cards Insurances Notification</a>).
3	"1. Ensure eligible Bankwest cards.<br />2. Spend $500 on prepaid travel expenses or redeem points.<br />3. Return flight booked.<br />Spouse and dependants covered if they meet same $500 criteria."	"Bankwest Credit Cards: Bankwest Breeze Platinum	Bankwest More Platinum	Bankwest More World	Bankwest Qantas World	Bankwest Zero Platinum."	Zurich Insurance Group
4	"1. Ensure eligible Citibank cards.<br />2. Buy return flight with Citibank card.<br />3. Return flight booked.<br />Spouse and dependants covered if their flights paid on card."	"Citibank Cards: Citi Prestige	Citibank Rewards Credit Card	Signature and Platinum	Emirates Citibank World	Emirates Citibank Platinum	Citibusiness Gold"	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited<br> <br> View <a href="https://www1.citibank.com.au/help-and-support/complimentary-insurance" target="_blank">Complimentary Insurance Terms and Conditions</a>.
5	"1. Ensure eligible Commonwealth cards.<br />2. Medical and liability cover automatic upon booking.<br />Comprehensive cover requires Netbank login and activation each trip.<br />3. Return flight booked.<br />Cover for spouse and dependants if traveling with cardholder."	"CommBank Credit Cards: Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards	Commonwealth Bank Gold Awards	Commonwealth Bank Low Fee Gold	Commonwealth Bank Low Rate Gold	Commonwealth Bank Platinum Awards."	QBE<br> <br> View <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank-assets/important-docs/credit-card-insurances-pds-info-booklet.pdf?ei=Terms_Cover-More-PDS" target="_blank">Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet</a>.
6	"1. Ensure eligible NAB cards.<br />2. Spend $500 related to trip on card.<br />3. Return flight booked.<br />Spouse and dependants covered if they meet $500 prepaid travel cost criterion."	"NAB Credit Cards: NAB Signature	Platinum or Premium cards	NAB Flybuys Rewards	NAB Qantas Rewards Premium	NAB Velocity Rewards Premium."	QBE<br> <br> View<a href="https://www.nab.com.au/content/dam/nabrwd/documents/policy/insurance/nab-card-insurance-policy-information.pdf"> </a><a href="https://www.nab.com.au/content/dam/nabrwd/documents/policy/insurance/nab-card-insurance-policy-information.pdf" target="_blank">NAB Card Insurance policy wording</a>.
7	"1. Ensure eligible Westpac cards.<br />2. Spend $500 related to trip on card.<br />3. Return flight booked.<br />Spouse and dependants covered if they meet $500 criterion."	"Westpac Credit Cards: Westpac Black Cards (Altitude Black	Earth Black)	Westpac Platinum Plus Cards (Earth Platinum Plus	Altitude Platinum Plus	Altitude Qantas Platinum Plus)	Platinum A Cards (Singapore Airlines Westpac Platinum	55 Day Platinum	Low Fee Platinum)	Platinum B Cards (Earth Platinum	Altitude Platinum - including Altitude Qantas Platinum)	Westpac Gold Cards (Singapore Airlines Westpac Gold	Private Bank Gold Mastercard)."	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited<br> <br> View <a href="https://www.westpac.com.au/content/dam/public/wbc/documents/pdf/pb/credit-cards/WBC_Consumer_Credit_Card_Comp_Insurance_Allianz.pdf" target="_blank">Westpac Credit Card Insurance policy wording</a>.

The information provided is factual at the time of writing and general in nature. We have not considered your personal circumstances. Eligibility requirements and terms and conditions for cover are subject to change from time to time. Please refer to your credit card provider and the latest policy wording prior to your travels.

Will credit card insurance cover you?

Spouse or family members: Some credit card travel insurance policies only cover the primary cardholder, while others will cover secondary cardholders, spouses and dependents, provided that they meet similar activation criteria.
Age limits: Many credit card travel insurance policies have an age limit of 75-80, so if you’re a senior traveller, make sure that you know what your policies age limit is before you travel.
Trip length: While some credit card travel insurance policies will cover you for travel upto twelve months at a time, most have a limit of one to six months. If you’re relying on credit card travel insurance and realise that it will run out before you get home, consider looking into a standalone comprehensive travel insurance policy for the whole trip, or for an already overseas policy for the remaining time.

What credit card travel insurance may not cover

As most credit card travel insurance policies are one-size-fits-all, they may not account for your specific travel needs.

Pre-existing conditions: Most credit card holiday cover has general exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, like diabetes, asthma, or cancer, make sure your credit card travel insurance policy will cover you. If not, you may face hefty medical bills if something goes wrong overseas, or big losses if you have to cancel your holiday for health reasons.
Holiday activities: If you’re looking to go skiing, cruising, riding scooters or motorbikes, or try adventure activities like scuba diving or hiking at high altitudes, check that these are covered by your credit card cover, as many brands exclude cover for these activities. Many credit card travel insurance policies are better for being beachside in Bali than basking in the view at Basecamp.
High-Value Items: Unless your policy has new-for-old replacement terms, high-value electronics like mobile phones, laptops, cameras and hearing aids may not be covered for their full value, as they will be subject to depreciation.

What credit card travel insurance covers

Generally speaking, most credit card travel insurance policies mimic many of the features of standalone comprehensive travel insurance products. However, as per the table above, some credit card travel policies only cover for medical coverage and public liability unless you activate comprehensive benefits prior to your trip.

Overseas emergency medical treatment: Cover for hospitalisation, general practitioner fees, surgery, and other medical treatment you experience a medical emergency overseas which is not due to a pre-existing condition.
Cancellation fees and lost deposits: Cover if you have to cancel your trip due to illness or injury, family emergencies, natural disasters or striking and rioting. Visit our cancellation cover page for more information.
Luggage and personal effects: Cover for items you take with you on your journey, and typically any items you buy overseas. Visit our luggage cover page for more information.
Public liability: Cover if you become liable for injury to another person or for damage to their property. Cover is generally excluded if you are operating a motor vehicle.

CREDIT CARD travel FAQs

We get a lot of questions on credit card travel insurance. Here’s some answers to our most common ones.

Is credit card travel insurance any good?

Whether credit card travel insurance is as good as or better than standalone travel insurance depends entirely on you and your circumstances. If you’re going for a short trip, you’ve paid for your flight on your card, and you have no pre-existing medical conditions, taking advantage of ‘free’ credit card travel insurance might be a winner. But if you’re going for a while, doing any adventurous activities, or you’re got existing health issues, a standalone product may offer you the coverage you’re looking for.

Which Australian credit cards come with travel insurance?

Not every credit card comes with travel insurance. Complimentary travel insurance is typically offered on premium credit or rewards cards that have higher annual fees. Check your policy documents for details or contact your bank. You can also check the table above for some of the more popular credit cards.

What is the best credit card for travel insurance?

The benefits you get with credit cards varies based on the type of card you have, the policy provider and your individual circumstances, so there isn’t actually a “best” credit card for travel insurance. Our table lists Australia’s premium cards that provide travel insurance and outlines any activation criteria.

Can I cover my medical conditions with my credit card cover?

In most cases, pre-existing medical conditions will not be covered by travel insurance that comes with your credit card, but you may be able to get cover for this by contacting the insurer and paying an additional premium. You will need to check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), also known as policy wording to find out whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered. The alternative is a standalone travel insurance, learn more about covering your medical conditions.

Am I covered if I go skiing?

Like all insurances, some limitations apply to the travel insurance that comes with your credit card or rewards card and skiing is often one of them. Winter sports activities such as skiing and snowboarding are often excluded from credit card travel insurance, so if you’re planning on hitting the slopes you should contact your provider to ensure that you have adequate cover for your planned activities. If not, opt for a standalone ski insurance policy.