Last Updated on August 13, 2024 by Kristin
Oh, that sinking feeling of arriving at the airport only to find out that our flight is delayed or — worse yet — canceled, which can in turn lead to unexpected expenses. Some credit cards offer reimbursements for certain expenses you may incur when your trip is delayed. This perk typically does not always cover rental car costs, but it can save money on other unexpected charges. Here’s everything you need to know about trip delay reimbursement and how to take advantage of it on your next trip.
What is Trip Delay Reimbursement?
Trip delay insurance is a feature that certain credit cards and travel insurance policies offer to reimburse travelers for expenses they incur during travel delays.
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The first thing to know is that there are limits. Typically, this type of coverage maxes out at a few hundred dollars, and there are restrictions on how often you can make a claim. For example, American Express cards typically limit trip delay insurance to $500 per trip and only allow two claims per year.
Cards also typically have rules about defining delays and what types of incidents count. For example, American Express only reimburses expenses for delays of more than six hours.
What Does Trip Delay Reimbursement Cover?
Every credit card or insurance policy has different requirements for which types of expenses they will cover during delays, how long delays must be to be eligible as well as limits on how much they will cover.
The Best Credit Cards with Trip Delay Reimbursement
Be sure to keep all receipts in case you need to submit them while making a claim. And choose your payment method wisely. Typically, you must pay for the reimbursable expenses with the card offering the coverage.
Trip delay insurance covers expenses like:
- Meals
- Hotels and accommodation
- Toiletries and medications
- Other personal items you may need to purchase during a delay
Unfortunately, trip delay reimbursement does not usually cover rental car charges.
How to Get Reimbursed for Travel Delays
The easiest way to get reimbursed for travel delays is to or buy a travel insurance plan or pay for the trip with a credit card offering trip delay reimbursement. Many credit cards tend to offer other travel-related perks, too, such as the ability to earn miles, lounge access and primary insurance for rental cars.
American Express credit cards and Chase Bank-issued Visa cards are some of the most popular options travelers use for travel delay insurance, but insurance companies including Allianz Travel also provide coverage for delays.
Once you have chosen an insurance policy or credit card that provides travel delay reimbursements, take a look at the fine print to understand which types of expenses are covered, what counts as a delay and how much money you can claim.
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To file a claim, contact the number on your credit card or the one provided in the travel delay reimbursement section of your guide to benefits. Be sure to have the following information handy:
- A completed claim form provided by your credit card or insurance company
- Airline tickets and proof from the carrier showing why your flight was delayed
- Receipts for eligible items purchased during the delay that you plan to claim
- A printout of the recent credit card charges that you plan to reimburse and the airfare
Signing up for a credit card is a personal decision, and trip delay insurance is just one factor to consider when understanding whether a specific card is right for you.
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