The Guide to AmEx Green Card Travel Insurance

Travelers with the iconic American Express® Green Card can enjoy more than the satisfaction of carrying around a well-known symbol of worldliness. They can rest easy — in luxurious hotel beds in wonderful vacation destinations — knowing that their American Express® Green Card offers added layers of security for their travels.

Read on to learn about the suite of travel protections American Express® Green Card cardholders can count on.

Trip delay

Your American Express® Green Card’s trip delay insurance kicks in to reimburse unexpected expenses of up to $300 per trip when you’re delayed over 12 hours for covered reasons and purchased your round-trip airfare with the card after January 1, 2020. Terms apply.

Covered reasons include:

• Inclement weather.

• Terrorist action.

• A common carrier’s equipment failure.

• Lost or stolen passports/travel documents.

Note that you can only make two trip delay insurance claims every 12-month period. Terms apply.

Baggage insurance

Obviously, no one wishes for delayed or lost bags, but with the American Express® Green Card, you can travel more confidently. For common carrier ticket fares purchased fully with your card, the baggage insurance plan can provide up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage to cover eligible lost, damaged or stolen baggage. Terms apply.

» Learn more: NerdWallet’s full review of the AmEx Green card

Car rental

Use your American Express® Green Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental, decline the collision damage waiver at the rental car counter and you’ll automatically unlock secondary coverage if your rental car is damaged or stolen. Terms apply.

Note that coverage isn't eligible in Australia, Italy and New Zealand. Like most credit card car rental insurance, this benefit doesn't include liability coverage.

Trip cancellation

While many have grown accustomed to trip cancellation insurance from popular credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, no trip cancellation insurance is provided with the American Express® Green Card. This can be a huge downer for individuals who want to protect their up-front travel investments against the worst.

If you’re keen to stick with AmEx and find a card that offers this as a benefit, check out these other premium credit card options:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

• American Express Corporate Platinum Card.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.

» Learn more: Chase Sapphire Reserve: A first-class premium travel card

How to file claims

To open a claim, you must call 844-933-0648 within 60 days of the covered loss. Once AmEx receives your claim, they will give you specific instructions for filing your proof of loss, which you must return to AmEx within 180 days after the date of your loss.

While the exact requirements may vary, you should do your best to be prepared with the following documentation:

• A statement from the common carrier that the covered trip was delayed.

• A receipt for your charge.

• Copies of your common carrier tickets.

• Receipts for travel expenses.

There’s also a clause that AmEx can request “any other information that may be reasonably requested ... to support your claim,” so our best advice is to arm yourself with as much proof as possible — just in case.

What if you need more coverage?

If the limits and protections included in the American Express® Green Card doesn't work for you, consider buying a separate policy that better meets your needs.

Policies range in price but typically cost between 4-8% of your overall trip costs. If you think you may need to cancel for a reason that isn't covered by the card's policy, you can supplement coverage from a third-party with Cancel For Any Reason inclusions.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

The bottom line

The American Express® Green Card provides some nice travel coverage to help you relax while on vacation, especially for those who have opened an account since the start of 2020. Terms apply. If something does go awry, be sure to collect and organize your receipts, proof of loss and proof of purchase swiftly so you can file for the benefits.