How does trip delay insurance work?

Triggers after 6-12 hour delay (varies by card) Covers meals, hotels, toiletries—typically up to $500 Trip must be paid with covered card (or taxes/fees for award travel) New flight tickets are NOT covered—only incidentals File within 20-60 days with itemized receipts

How do I file a trip delay insurance claim?

To file a trip delay insurance claim: 1) Gather documentation including receipts and proof of the covered event. 2) Contact your card issuer's benefits administrator. 3) Submit your claim within the filing deadline (typically 20-60 days). 4) Keep copies of everything you submit.

Which credit cards have trip delay insurance?

Many premium credit cards include trip delay insurance as a benefit. Coverage limits and terms vary by card. Check the coverage comparison table on this page to see which cards offer this benefit and compare their coverage levels.

kardfolio

Explore

Guides

Pricing

Trip Delay Insurance

Understand your trip delay coverage and how to file claims for unexpected expenses.

Quick Facts

•Triggers after 6-12 hour delay (varies by card)
•Covers meals, hotels, toiletries—typically up to $500
•Trip must be paid with covered card (or taxes/fees for award travel)
•New flight tickets are NOT covered—only incidentals
•File within 20-60 days with itemized receipts

Benefit terms and coverage may vary. Always verify details with your card issuer before filing a claim. Information shown may not reflect recent changes to your card's benefits.

How Trip Delay Insurance Works

Trip delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses when your common carrier travel (flight, train, cruise) is delayed beyond a trigger threshold—typically 6-12 hours depending on your card. Coverage applies when you've paid for travel with your covered card or redeemed points with taxes/fees on the card.

What's Covered

•Hotel accommodations
•Meals and non-alcoholic beverages
•Toiletries and essential items
•Ground transportation to/from hotel
•Phone calls to arrange alternative travel

What's NOT Covered

•Alternate flight tickets (only incidentals covered)
•Delays under the trigger threshold
•Delays announced before you booked
•Delays you caused (arriving late)
•Alcohol and excessive gratuity
•Expenses already reimbursed by airline
•Personal vehicle or rental car travel

Primary vs Secondary Coverage

Trip delay insurance is typically secondary coverage—meaning the card benefit only pays what the airline or your other insurance doesn't cover. If the airline gives you meal vouchers or a hotel room, you can't claim those same expenses.

This matters because: you must exhaust airline compensation first, and you can't double-dip by claiming expenses already covered elsewhere. Check the Coverage Comparison table below to see your card's coordination type.

Why Claims Get Denied

•Delay was under the trigger threshold (know your card's minimum hours!)
•Trip wasn't paid with covered card (for award travel: taxes/fees must be on card)
•Missing itemized receipts (credit card statements alone won't work)
•Purchased alternate flight instead of just incidentals
•Expenses deemed unreasonable ($200+ meals will get questioned)
•Missed claim filing deadline
•No written proof of delay from airline

Claim Basics

•Save written proof of delay (airline email, app screenshot, gate agent letter)
•Keep ALL itemized receipts—even for small purchases
•File through your card's benefit portal within the deadline (typically 20-60 days)

Exact claim steps and portals vary by issuer. Check your card's benefits guide for specific instructions.

Documentation Checklist

•Boarding pass or travel itinerary
•Credit card statement showing trip purchase
•Written proof of delay (airline email, app screenshot, gate agent statement)
•Itemized receipts for ALL expenses
•Hotel receipt with check-in/out dates
•For award tickets: receipt showing taxes/fees paid with card

Coverage Comparison

Card	Annual Fee	Coverage Limit	Coverage Scope	Delay Trigger	Payment Requirement	Covered Parties	Coverage Type	Claims/Year
Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase	$795	$500	Per Ticket	6+ hours	—	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Primary	—
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card Chase	$450	$500	Per Ticket	6+ hours	—	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Primary	—
Business Platinum Card American Express	$895	$500	Per Trip	6+ hours	Full fare	—	Secondary	2
Citi Strata Elite Citi	$595	$500	Per Trip	6+ hours	—	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Secondary	2
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express	$650	$500	Per Trip	6+ hours	Full fare	—	Secondary	2
Hilton Honors Aspire American Express	$550	$500	Per Trip	6+ hours	Full fare	—	Secondary	2
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express	$650	$500	Per Trip	6+ hours	Full fare	—	Secondary	2
Platinum Card American Express	$895	$500	Per Trip	6+ hours	—	—	Secondary	2
Atmos Rewards Summit Bank of America	$395	$500	Per Person	6+ hours	Portion of fare	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Secondary	—
Capital One Venture X Capital One	$395	$500	Per Person	6+ hours	—	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Secondary	—
Capital One Venture X Business Capital One	$395	$500	Per Ticket	6+ hours	Portion of fare	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Secondary	—
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business Chase	$795	$500	Per Ticket	6+ hours	Portion of fare	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Secondary	—
Premium Rewards Elite Bank of America	$550	$500	Per Ticket	6+ hours	—	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Secondary	—
Atmos Rewards Ascent Bank of America	$95	$500	Per Ticket	12+ hours	Portion of fare	Cardholder	Secondary	—
Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase	$95	$500	Per Person	12+ hours	Portion of fare	Cardholder, Spouse, Dependents	Secondary	—
Business Gold Card American Express	$375	$300	Per Trip	12+ hours	—	—	Secondary	2
Green Card American Express	$150	$300	Per Trip	12+ hours	Full fare	Cardholder	Secondary	2
Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Bank of America	$95	$300	Per Person	12+ hours	Portion of fare	Cardholder	Secondary	—

Track Your Benefits

Use kardfolio to track all your card benefits in one place. Never miss a credit or forget a claim deadline.

Get Started Free