4 Things to Know About AmEx Trip Cancellation Insurance

As a card issuer, American Express is well-known for its generous benefits. So whether you’re looking for statement credits, elevated earnings on dining or hotel elite status, AmEx probably has a card that’ll fit.

Among these perks is travel insurance, which can cover you when things go awry. But how does AmEx trip cancellation insurance work, and what does it cover? Let’s take a look.

1. What does American Express trip cancellation insurance cover?

AmEx has different levels of trip insurance depending on the card you hold. Its high-end cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, provide the best benefits, including trip cancellation travel insurance (see rates and fees). Terms apply.

Generally speaking, trip cancellation insurance from AmEx will cover your trip's prepaid, nonrefundable costs under eligible circumstances. The coverage maximum for reimbursement is $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per 12-month period. To be covered for trip cancellation, you’ll need to have paid the full amount of the trip with your eligible AmEx card or a combination of your card and other certificates, vouchers or miles.

Covered circumstances in which AmEx will reimburse you for trip cancellation include:

1. Accidental injury, sickness or loss of life concerning you, a traveling companion or a family member.

2. Inclement weather prevents you from traveling.

3. A change in military orders for either you or your spouse.

4. Hijacking or terrorist acts.

5. Jury duty or a subpoena if they cannot be postponed or waived.

6. If your dwelling becomes uninhabitable (e.g., your home catches fire).

7. Quarantine as imposed by a doctor.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Finally, the trip must be round-trip, though the travel can consist of round-trip, one-way and open-jaw tickets. AmEx will reimburse more than your flight costs if you have a covered loss. Other types of purchases that AmEx will cover include:

• Cruises.

• Hotels.

• Resorts.

• Railroads.

• Tours.

• Any other common carriers.

Common carriers are companies licensed to transport passengers across land, sea or air and require passengers to obtain a ticket before travel. This means rental cars, taxis, ride-share, and commuter travel services don’t qualify. However, tickets for regular bus lines, commercial airlines and standard rail lines do.

Be aware that AmEx’s trip cancellation insurance is secondary; it’ll pay out after other insurance and providers have made their payments.

» Learn more: How does credit card travel insurance work?

2. Which AmEx cards include trip cancellation insurance?

We’ve already mentioned The Platinum Card® from American Express as one that provides trip cancellation insurance, but there are plenty of others that do so as well.

These include both consumer and small business cards, such as the:

• Business Centurion Card from American Express.

• Centurion Card From American Express.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.(see rates and fees).

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (see rates and fees).

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (see rates and fees).

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (see rates and fees).

• The American Express Platinum Card for Schwab.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees).

• The Corporate Platinum Card.

• The Platinum Card from American Express for Ameriprise Financial.

• The Platinum Card from American Express for Goldman Sachs.

• The Platinum Card from American Express for Morgan Stanley.

• The Corporate Centurion Card from American Express.

Terms apply.

Other AmEx cards have different types of travel insurance, including trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance and lost luggage compensation.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

3. Who is covered?

When using your eligible AmEx card to pay for your travel, you’re not the only person covered by trip cancellation insurance. These benefits likewise cover you, your family members and any traveling companions.

American Express defines family members as your domestic partner, spouse or unmarried child up to the age of 19 (or under the age of 26 if your child is a full-time college student). Traveling companions are those who have made advanced arrangements with you or your family to travel together.

» Learn more: Credit cards that provide travel insurance

4. How to file a claim

To file a claim for reimbursement through AmEx’s trip cancellation insurance coverage, you’ll need to notify your benefits administrator. This must be done within 60 days of the covered loss or you’ll run the risk of your claim not being honored.

To contact your benefits administrator and open a claim, call 844-933-0648.

You’ll also need to complete the cancellation procedures for your travel provider. For example, if you’ve booked a flight with, say, Delta Air Lines, you’ll want to navigate Delta’s website to be sure that your ticket has been appropriately canceled.

You’ll then need to furnish written proof of your loss within 180 days of its occurrence. Gather various paperwork, such as:

• Copies of your common carrier and travel supplier receipts.

• Your card statement showing that you used your AmEx card to pay for the trip.

• A copy of the travel supplier’s cancellation policy.

• Proof of your covered loss; this may include military orders, a note from your physician or jury duty.

AmEx may require other paperwork depending on your situation, but you'll want to coordinate with your benefits administrator to see if this is necessary.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance versus your credit card's

Trip cancellation insurance from AmEx recapped

AmEx's high-end credit cards provide many benefits, including the protection of trip cancellation insurance. To be eligible for coverage, you'll need to use your card to pay for a covered trip. You'll also need to have a qualifying reason for cancellation.

AmEx will pay you up to $10,000 in losses for approved claims.

All information about the Business Centurion Card from American Express, Centurion Card From American Express, The American Express Platinum Card for Schwab, The Corporate Platinum Card, The Platinum Card from American Express for Ameriprise Financial, The Platinum Card from American Express for Goldman Sachs, The Platinum Card from American Express for Morgan Stanley and The Corporate Centurion Card from American Express has been collected independently by NerdWallet. These cards are no longer available through NerdWallet.