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• Chase Sapphire Reserve

Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card [2024]

Christine Krzyszton

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Table of Contents

Chase sapphire reserve card — travel insurance benefits and protections, how to file a claim, everything else you need to know, why we like the chase sapphire reserve overall, alternative travel rewards cards, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Few credit cards can compete with the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® when you’re looking for a premium travel rewards credit card. There are also few, if any, travel rewards cards that offer a better selection of travel insurance benefits.

Travel insurance benefits and protections that come with your credit card can provide valuable assistance if your trip is disrupted, reimburse you for expenses if things go wrong during your journey, and much more.

It’s become increasingly more important to have a level of travel insurance for peace of mind and to make you whole after an unexpected event. While the travel insurance that comes on your credit card is not meant to take the place of a comprehensive travel insurance policy , it can provide sufficient coverage for most trips you make.

Today, we’ll dive deep into the assortment of travel insurance benefits that come with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

We’ll also look at how the coverages work, glance at the process for filing a claim if something does go wrong, and in the end, give you all the other reasons we like the card for frequent travelers.

There are so many reasons we like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card overall and we’ll cover those later in our article. For now, we’re going to jump right into the focus of our review, the travel insurance benefits and protections offered on the card.

Some benefits or protections can save you money , others provide assistance during your travels, and yet others offer peace of mind .

Here is our breakdown of the travel insurance coverages that can be found on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

The auto rental insurance coverage on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card could save you hundreds of dollars on your car rental bill. Simply reserve and pay for your car rental with the card, decline the car rental agency’s collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) coverage, and receive primary car rental coverage for theft or damage to the rental car.

Primary coverage means that you do not have to file a claim with another insurance company first.

Additional coverage includes loss of use charges and reasonable and customary towing charges.

You and authorized drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered.

Coverage limitations and conditions apply, including:

• $75,000 coverage limit
• Rental period cannot exceed 31 days
• Liability coverage and the loss of personal items are not covered
• Expenses reimbursed by other insurance are not covered
• Antique vehicles, vans that carry more than 9 people, motorcycle/bikes, limos, and recreational vehicles are not covered

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with primary car rental insurance. If a car rental agency charges $20 per day for this coverage, you could save $140 on a 7-day rental by declining the rental car agency’s collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption

When you pay for your trip partially or in full with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, with Ultimate Rewards points earned on your card, or a combination of both, you could receive a benefit if your trip has to be canceled or is disrupted for a covered reason.

Examples of covered events could include:

• Severe weather that prevents you from beginning a trip or keeps you from continuing your travels
• Illness or death of an immediate family member or travel companion
• Certain legal obligations

Examples of expenses reimbursed include:

• Prepaid non-refundable expenses charged by a travel supplier, such as a tour operator, airline, or other common carriers
• Non-refundable prepaid expenses charged by rental car or travel agencies
• Under trip interruption, $250 for emergency ground transport

The trip cancellation/interruption coverage that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card pays up to $10,000 per person, per trip , up to $20,000 per occurrence, and up to a maximum of $40,000 in a 12-month period.

Examples of losses that would not be covered could include:

• Cancellation by the travel provider (unless due to severe weather)
• You change your plans
• Preexisting conditions
• Financial insolvency of the travel provider
• Losses that occur on trips exceeding 60 days

Hot Tip: The trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance that comes with a credit card, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, does not cover voluntary trip cancellations. If you think you might have to cancel a trip, you should purchase Cancel for Any Reason Insurance which provides coverage regardless of the reason for cancellation. 

Trip Delay Reimbursement

Trip delays of more than 6 hours or an overnight stay trigger the trip delay reimbursement coverage on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. You and your eligible family members could receive up to $500 for each purchased ticket , per trip, for unreimbursed expenses for incidentals, lodging, and meals.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

If your checked or carry-on luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, you could receive up to $3,000 per person , per trip. There is a sub-limit of $500 included in the $3,000 maximum for valuable items such as jewelry watches, and specific electronics.

Baggage Delay

When your bags are delayed for more than 6 hours , you could receive up to $100 per day for 5 days for reimbursement of essentials such as clothing, toiletries, and a cell phone charger.

Roadside Assistance

Make just a call if you have a roadside emergency and receive assistance with services such as flat tire replacement, emergency fuel, jump-start service, towing, lock-outs, and more.

The number of covered service calls each 12-month period is limited to 4 and the maximum coverage is $50 per service call. Any charges over that amount will be charged to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

Pay for at least a portion of your common carrier trip with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Then, if you or an immediate family member become injured or sick during your travels and need emergency evacuation, the card could provide up to $100,000 in coverage .

Trips must be at least 5 days in length , not more than 60 days, and the traveler must be more than 100 miles from home.

This is not reimbursement coverage — you must call the benefits administrator at the time of the incident to initiate emergency transport.

Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit

It’s rare to find any medical or dental coverage provided on a credit card, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers this benefit for its cardholders and qualifying family members.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Provides up to $2,500 ($50 deducible) for emergency medical or dental services during a covered trip
• Up to $75 per day for 5 days for a hotel if ordered by the attending physician
• Emergency medical/dental services, hospital room, ambulance, medicines, and supplies are examples of covered items
• The trip must be more than 100 miles from your residence

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel Accident Insurance is a benefit seldom ever used but it can provide peace of mind knowing that if a covered death or dismemberment occurred during you or your family’s common carrier trip, there could be a benefit provided.

The card comes with up to $1,000,000 in coverage.

Travel and Emergency Assistance

Whether you need assistance planning your trip or need help during your travels, you’ll have access to a dedicated phone line 24/7 . Receive assistance such as help securing emergency transportation, translation, medical, and legal referrals, help with lost passports, or emergency ticket replacement.

The cost of the actual services received is the responsibility of the cardholder.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with one of the best collections of travel insurance benefits and protections available. To learn about additional credit cards also offering travel insurance, check out our list of the best credit cards for travel insurance . 

The best time to think about filing a travel insurance claim is before an event happens . Before setting off on your trip, it’s wise to take a few minutes to learn how you or your travel companions could receive assistance, should your trip be disrupted.

Reviewing the process of how to contact the claims administrator en route, should it become necessary, could save you money and frustration after the fact for not following the correct procedure for coverage to be valid.

Reviewing the claims process in advance also makes it easier to gather needed information at the time of disruption, such as photos or a statement from the travel provider, versus trying to secure the needed documentation once you’ve arrived home from a disrupted trip.

Here’s what you’ll need to know about filing a claim for Chase credit card travel insurance benefits and/or protections.

Time Is of the Essence

Each specific travel insurance coverage has stated time limits to report a claim, submit the completed and signed claim form, and for supplying all of the required documentation. Failing to do so could jeopardize the processing of your claim.

The best rule of thumb is to contact the claims administrator as soon as an event occurs . This action can also help you receive proper instructions on how to proceed to make sure your expenses will be covered.

Documentation Is Important

You will be asked to submit documentation for your claim to be processed properly. Keep in mind that Chase is not processing your claim as the card issuer utilizes a third-party claims administrator .

You could be asked to provide any of the following information:

• A completed and signed claim form
• Your credit card statement that includes the last 4 digits of the card and receipts showing you paid for the trip/car rental with the eligible card and/or associated points
• A copy of your common carrier ticket and itinerary
• Any related medical documents and/or death certificate
• Documentation from the travel provider as to why the trip was interrupted, canceled, or delayed
• Receipts for purchases and food expense receipts over $50
• Copy of the travel provider’s cancellation or refund policy
• Any additional documentation requested by the benefit administrator

Hot Tip: The claims process will be easier if you have saved receipts, kept travel provider cancellation/refund policy documentation, and have copies of your ticket information and itineraries. 

Our list of Chase Sapphire Reserve card travel insurance benefits is an overview only. We have also abbreviated the coverage descriptions. You will need to access the official Guide to Benefits for the card for terms, conditions, current coverage limits, and claim procedures.

Also, note that most travel insurance benefits that come with credit cards are normally secondary to other insurance you might have that would otherwise cover the loss. If you are compensated by an airline for lost luggage, for example, you would only have coverage via your credit card for any excess loss you incurred above the airline’s payment (up to the limits of coverage).

In addition to having one of the best travel insurance offerings among credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with strong earnings, redemption options, statement credits, and additional benefits.

Here are some of the reasons we like this premium travel rewards card.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns valuable, flexible Ultimate Rewards points on every purchase you make.

Here’s how you’ll earn points on the card:

• 10x earnings on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via Chase Travel
• 5x earnings on air travel
• 3x earnings on all other travel and dining
• 10x earnings on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
• 1x earnings on all other purchases

When it comes time to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points , you’ll have several options offering various values:

• Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Chase airline and hotel partners to redeem for award tickets or free hotel nights
• Redeem via the  Chase travel portal  for 1.5 cents each
• Redeem for a statement credit or cash-back at 1 cent each
• Pay Yourself Back to redeem your points for a statement credit at 1.25 to 1.5 each from a list of eligible purchases that rotates
• Redeem for gift cards, experiences, merchandise, or at Amazon and Apple

Other redemption values vary, but always strive to receive no less than 1 cent per point redeemed as you can cash out points for that amount. Transferring Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners can potentially result in the most value for your points. You may also find good value via the Chase travel portal utilizing points at 1.5 cents each for inexpensive flights.

Statement Credits

Receiving statement credits for purchases you’ll be making anyway is an effective way to offset the card’s annual fee. Here are the statement credits you can expect from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:

• $300 Travel Statement Credit — Each card anniversary year, you’ll receive reimbursement for your travel purchases in the form of a statement credit of up to $300.
• Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck Fee Reimbursement — Once every 4 years, you can receive up to $100 reimbursement for Global Entry fees, $50 for NEXUS enrollment, or $78 for TSA PreCheck.

Additional Benefits

• Complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership — Enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide with your membership. You’ll also be able to bring in 2 additional guests at no extra charge.
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass Subscription — You’ll have free delivery on all orders $12 or more and discounted fees (over $100 value). Activate by December 31, 2024.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees — A typical foreign transaction fee can be 3% of your transaction. You won’t have any such fees on your foreign purchases when you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• Purchase Protection — Use your card to purchase an eligible item and if that item is damaged, stolen, or experiences “involuntary and accidental parting” you could receive up to $10,000 per claim, for a maximum of $50,000 per year . The coverage is valid for 120 days from the purchase date. Gifts purchased for others are also covered.
• Return Protection — If the merchant will not take back any eligible item within 90 days after the purchase date, you could receive up to $500 per item, $1,000 maximum per year.
• Extended Warranty — The manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less will be extended for 1 additional year for eligible items. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account.

Bottom Line: With powerful earning and redemption options, statement credits for specific purchases, worldwide lounge access, and a long list of travel and shopping benefits/protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card can be worth the annual fee. 

While we think the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is an excellent choice for a travel rewards card, here are a couple of equally appropriate alternatives for the frequent traveler.

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck ® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck ® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

Also packed with a generous collection of travel insurance benefits , the Amex Platinum card shines as a companion for the frequent traveler.

Its lounge access benefits are second to none, plus it offers hotel program elite status, rental car perks , and statement credits for specific purchases. It also earns valuable, and flexible, Membership Rewards points via a generous bonus earnings on eligible travel.

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

If you’re looking for a travel rewards credit card but are reluctant to pay a high annual fee, or you won’t use all of the benefits offered on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you might want to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred card .

The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with many of the travel insurance benefits and protections offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and it’s one of our favorite travel rewards cards.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Capital One Miles

The newest premium travel rewards card on the block is the Capital One Venture X card . We like that the card comes with an annual $300 credit for travel purchased via Capital One Travel .

The card’s annual fee is also lower than most premium travel rewards cards but you’ll still find travel insurance , worldwide lounge access , Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement, stellar earnings on travel, cell phone protection , and a respectable 2x earnings on all other purchases.

While the high annual fee may be off-putting, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is packed with plenty of benefits to justify the expense — if you’ll utilize the majority of those benefits.

Our focus today was on travel insurance benefits that alone could save you money, provide compensation, and/or reimbursement if your trip is disrupted. But there is additional value in all the other benefits offered on the card .

A Priority Pass Select membership, for example, will set you back as much as $469 each year, plus $35 for each guest, per visit. The Priority Pass membership that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers unlimited access for the cardholder and allows 2 additional guests at no charge.

The card also comes with a $300 travel credit , and up to $100 for Global Entry, NEXUS. or TSA PreCheck fees.

If you can utilize the benefits, the card can be worth it.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024.  Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier.  Additional terms apply.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the chase sapphire reserve card have travel insurance.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has one of the best travel insurance packages available.

You’ll find a collection of travel insurance coverages that include primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, lost and delayed baggage coverage, emergency evacuation and medical, roadside assistance, and more.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card worth the annual fee?

If you will utilize the benefits offered on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the card is definitely worth it.

In fact, we’ve estimated that the card offers benefits that could be valued at nearly $3,500.

Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card have primary car rental insurance?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card does offer primary car rental insurance.

Primary car rental insurance does not require that you file a claim with your own car insurance company insurance first. If a covered event occurs, you will have coverage on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

You must pay for the entire rental with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card and decline the rental car agency’s collision damage waiver coverage for coverage to be valid.

Can I have more than 1 Chase Sapphire credit card?

While you can have more than 1 Chase credit card, you can only be the primary cardholder on 1 Chase Sapphire credit card, either the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You could, however, be an authorized user on another Sapphire card.

Which card is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card offer benefits for the frequent traveler.

The better card for you will depend on your spending mix, your preferred redemption options, your tolerance for paying an annual fee, and the level of travel benefits/protections you will use on the card.

To assist you further, we’ve put together a detailed article comparing the 2 cards. Access our article on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card vs. the Chase Sapphire Preferred card .

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

Discover the exact steps we use to get into  1,400+ airport lounges worldwide, for free   (even if you’re flying economy!) .

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UNDERSTAND YOUR BENEFITS

Your Guide to Benefits has what you need to know about the travel and purchase protection benefits that come with your card* - what's covered, not covered, and how to file a claim.

* Certain restrictions, limitations, and exclusions apply.    Please see your Guide to Benefits for details.

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What is trip interruption insurance.

Booking a vacation often comes with a lot of “what ifs.” What if I get sick and test positive for COVID-19 before boarding my flight? What if a hurricane is forecast to make landfall in south Florida the day my cruise is departing Miami?

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance can be an effective way to mitigate those worries, knowing you would be covered if something extraordinary happens that either curtails or cancels your trip.

Read on to know more about the different types of trip coverage provided through credit card issuers and travel insurers.

How does trip interruption insurance work?

Trip interruption insurance can reimburse travelers for expenses associated with covered situations that can unexpectedly cut your trip short. It provides reimbursement for prepaid, unused and non-refundable travel expenses, such as plane tickets, hotel stays or cruise line reservations.

How do I get trip interruption insurance?

Many credit card issuers offer some form of trip interruption insurance as a benefit to their customers, as well as an incentive for cardmembers to book travel using their cards. If you are unsure if your credit card issuer offers this benefit, you can call the toll-free number on the back of your card or go online to find out.

Credit card travel insurance vs. insurance company policies

Travel policies for both trip cancellation and interruption are regulated insurance products sold online by travel insurance issuers. Credit card-based trip interruption coverage, which is often capped at a few thousand dollars of reimbursement, should not be viewed as a substitute for these insurance policies. Some credit card products also cap their trip interruption payouts at $1,500 per person and $6,000 or less for the whole family for each trip and/or limit their coverage to prepaid passenger fares, such as plane tickets or cruise line fares. For this reason, some travelers will purchase travel insurance policies for coverage in excess of the basic coverage their card issuer offers.

What’s covered by trip interruption insurance?

Here are several situations in which trip interruption insurance may be applicable:

• A severe weather event such as a hurricane or flood striking your booked vacation destination or cancelling flights to it—as well as mandatory evacuations prior to a hurricane making landfall
• Severe weather or wildfires destroying your primary residence while you are traveling
• Accidental death or bodily injury for a passenger on an airline or cruise line, as well as any serious illness for you, your direct family member, or your traveling companion during your trip
• Active duty or reservist members of the military receiving documented orders that cut short their vacation—where the spouse traveling with them is also covered
• An organized airline employee strike that leads to the cancellation of your flight

Please note that in order for coverage to apply, you must first notify the common carrier such as the airline or cruise line that interrupted your trip and request whatever refund, miles or other compensation they are prepared to offer. You will need to do this before submitting a claim to your insurer or credit card Benefit Administrator.

What isn’t covered by trip interruption insurance?

There are many situations that can arise including common occurrences that usually aren’t covered by trip interruption insurance.

• Any trip interruption due to a change in plans by you and your traveling companion or failure to obtain passports or the necessary visas in time before departure
• Trips interrupted due to a traveler or their traveling companion’s pre-existing medical conditions
• Financial insolvency with default of an airline or cruise line on its obligations
• Acts of war whether declared or undeclared or an armed rebellion in a destination country
• Any trip lasting over 60 days

For the full list of what is and isn’t covered by trip interruption insurance provided through booking travel using your credit card, check your cardmember benefit guide. For any active purchased travel insurance policy, read the terms and conditions carefully.

What’s the difference between trip interruption insurance and trip cancellation coverage?

Trip interruption is often confused with trip cancellation insurance, but there are key differences between the two, notably the scope of coverage based on the timing of events. Trip interruption coverage starts on the day of your scheduled departure and ends on the day of your scheduled return home. Trip cancellation coverage begins once you’ve booked a trip using a credit card that offers this type of benefit, or from the day you purchase a travel insurance policy to protect your upcoming itinerary.

Examples of the differences between trip cancellation and interruption coverage

With trip interruption coverage, you can file a claim for reimbursement if a covered event happens after you leave for your trip. With trip cancellation coverage, you can file a claim for reimbursement if forced to cancel a trip for a covered reason prior to departure.

Interruption coverage to reimburse the cost of a ticket change fee to get home could apply if a passenger makes their initial flight, but the same pilots’ strike cancels their connecting flight.

Although it is not a substitute for travel cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance can reimburse travelers for prepaid non-refundable land, air or cruise arrangements that are not used, as well as change fees and ground transportation. Terms and conditions apply to trip interruption provided as a credit card benefit, so read terms and conditions carefully.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance (2024 Guide)

This page includes information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and its benefits. The information featured in this guide was collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, you can access a wide variety of travel insurance benefits when you book a trip using the card. Chase travel insurance can reimburse certain expenses in less-than-ideal travel scenarios involving trip cancellations, trip interruptions, lost baggage and more.

Learn more about the coverage offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card so you can decide whether its benefits can cover your travel needs — or if you need a separate travel insurance policy for your vacation.

Our Thoughts on Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Chase offers travel insurance through the Sapphire Preferred credit card if you use the card to purchase trip expenses such as cruise bookings, airline tickets, hotel accommodations and more. The company’s travel insurance offering includes coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions and delays, accidents and more.

But while Chase has competitive luggage loss limits when compared with the top travel insurance providers, the Sapphire Preferred Preferred card doesn’t offer emergency medical and evacuation coverage like some other travel cards. And although Chase provides free travel insurance benefits with the Sapphire Preferred card, there is a $95 annual fee.

If you’re a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card holder, we encourage you to compare its coverage with plans offered by competitors. This can help ensure you have travel protection that fits your vacation and your unique needs as a traveler.

How To Qualify to Use Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Qualifying for Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance is a relatively simple process based on our experience. If you do not have a credit card already, you will need to visit Chase’s website to fill out an application. You’ll need to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, home address, contact information, Social Security number, individual tax ID number, employment status and annual income. Chase states that if you have a high credit score, you can likely apply for any card of your choice — so prepare for the company to consider your credit score when applying for this card.

Available travel insurance when you book using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card includes protection for rental car damage, cruise line reservations and airfare, to name a few. Benefits also apply to the cardholder and their immediate family during their travels. Note that if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can also qualify for travel protection benefits. However, the benefits differ between the two cards, which we will address further in this article.

How Does Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance Work?

Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance coverage offers several protections at no extra cost to cardholders who book trips using their credit card. Benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement. Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders also receive travel and emergency assistance services if they need legal and medical referrals.

Chase notes that unaffiliated insurance companies underwrite the travel benefits, and these companies are solely responsible for the administration and claims of cardholders. Those so-called benefit administrators may enforce specific time limits and documentation requirements that apply to the claims process. Chase should provide cardholders with this information when they first open their account.

Coverage Benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Chase provides extensive travel insurance benefits through its Sapphire Preferred credit card, including protections you’d find with a traditional travel insurance policy . See the table below for a detailed breakdown of the Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance benefits and associated coverage limits.

* Information about benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card was collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Trip Cancellation

If you must cancel your trip for a reason covered under your policy, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. This often covers expenses such as lost airline tickets, cruise bookings, prepaid tours and hotel reservations.

Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance covers trip cancellations due to traveler sickness, severe weather and other situations, with reimbursement up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

Trip Interruption

If you must cut your vacation short and return home, trip interruption insurance can provide a refund for unused, prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses.Much like trip cancellation insurance, coverage also applies to situations such as the injury, illness, or death of a family member or traveler.

Chase covers Chase Sapphire Preferred travelers up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

Trip Delay Insurance

Trip delay coverage applies to travel delays caused by planes, buses, trains and other types of transport to your destination. Benefits for a covered trip will vary depending on the travel insurance plan but can extend to hotel rooms, meals and other necessities incurred if you must wait to resume your trip. Delay coverage does not extend to missing a flight due to poor planning or time management on behalf of the traveler. 

Chase will reimburse up to $500 per common carrier travel ticket purchased using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card if you experience a delay of more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay.  

Baggage Delay or Loss

Baggage coverage can pay for your travel bags if they become lost, stolen, delayed or damaged during your trip. Coverage is usually capped at a certain amount per bag, with some travel insurance plans offering higher limits than others. If you intend on bringing expensive or valuable items in your baggage, you might consider a policy with a high maximum coverage amount for lost luggage reimbursement or delays.

Chase provides Sapphire Preferred cardholders $100 per day for up to five days if they experience baggage delays with a common carrier such as an airline. If your carry-on or checked bags get lost, stolen or damaged, you could receive a reimbursement of up to $3,000 per person to cover your personal effects.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Car rental collision damage coverage is not a standard offering from travel insurance companies. This waiver provides Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders with reimbursement up to the actual cash value of a rental car, minus certain high-value and exotic car models. 

To qualify for this waiver, you will need to decline the rental car insurance provided by the rental company and charge the entire cost of your rental to your Sapphire Preferred card. This waiver covers both theft and collision damage.

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance through Chase provides accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage when you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation using your card. Coverage includes up to $500,000 in accident protection.

Emergency Travel Medical Coverage

Travel medical coverage helps cover medical bills if you fall ill or get injured during your vacation. It does not cover routine medical services — only sudden illnesses or injuries considered emergencies or that require treatment by a healthcare provider. Some emergency medical benefits also include emergency dental coverage.

While many travel insurance providers offer this type of coverage, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders do not have access to these protections with the card’s benefits. You can, however, find this coverage with the Sapphire Reserve card.

If you’re looking for comprehensive travel medical insurance, we recommend International Medical Group (IMG), as the company offers coverage up to $8,000,000. IMG plans average $217 per trip.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance can provide peace of mind if you need transportation to a hospital or medical facility while traveling. For example, if you fall ill or become injured in a remote location and require transportation or evacuation to a medical facility equipped to care for your needs. Chase doesn’t provide this coverage for Sapphire Preferred cardholders and their immediate family members.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is not the only credit card Chase offers with travel insurance benefits. Chase’s Sapphire Reserve card also provides benefits for cardholders who book their trips with their credit card. See the table below for a comprehensive breakdown of what each Chase credit card offers in travel insurance benefits.

* Information about benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards were collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and have not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

How To File a Travel Insurance Claim with Chase

Filing a travel insurance claim with Chase will vary based on your credit card and the type of coverage you’re filing a claim for. But the typical process follows these steps:

Generally, the first step is to contact the appropriate number listed in your credit card’s benefits guide. You can also file a claim online through eclaimsline.com if you prefer a fully digital experience.

Chase will likely ask you to prepare documentation that proves your losses to support your claim. These documents may include receipts for prepaid expenses, proof of lost, damaged or stolen items, or proof of travel delays from your airline or other transportation carriers.

Once you’ve submitted your claim, you then wait for approval and reimbursement, which may vary in time. Note that Chase enforces specific time limits in addition to documentation requirements for claims filing, so submitting your claim as soon as possible is recommended.

Should You Get a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card For Travel Insurance?

Signing up for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card strictly for its travel insurance benefits is a personal decision. However, getting a credit card for travel insurance is not your only option — you may also opt for a policy with a standard carrier such as Travelex . Chase’s coverage limits are not as high as limits from some other providers offering comprehensive travel insurance policies. Taking on an additional expense in the form of the Sapphire Preferred card’s $95 annual fee may also not be worth it if you don’t plan on using the card for anything other than infrequent travel.

If you’re looking for coverage for emergency medical expenses, evacuations and more, you may consider a plan from some of the other dedicated travel insurance companies. Chase does not specialize in travel insurance and lacks unique protections such as cancel for any reason (CFAR) and extreme sports coverage that other travel insurance companies may provide. 

If you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and feel satisfied with its travel insurance coverage limits, you can take advantage of these benefits by booking your trip using the card. Regardless, we recommend considering your travel needs and budget before choosing travel insurance coverage.

Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Does chase travel insurance cover family members.

Yes, Chase travel insurance through its Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards covers the cardholder and immediate family members traveling with them.

What reasons for trip cancellation does Chase cover?

Covered cancellations related to trip cancellation insurance vary by travel insurance provider. Chase states that covered cancellations for trips purchased with Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards include sickness, severe weather and other situations. Check your card benefits guide for more information on specific scenarios.

Do I need travel insurance if I have a credit card?

If you have a credit card with a company such as Chase, Citi or Capital One, your card may come with travel insurance benefits if you use the card to purchase your trip components. If you’re unsure whether your credit card comes with these perks, check with your card issuer.

What other benefits come with the Chase Sapphire card?

The Chase Sapphire card comes with more than just travel rewards. It also includes benefits such as the ChaseUltimate Rewards program, which adds points for qualifying purchases that cardholders can redeem toward future travel expenses. In addition, new card members can receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card ownership.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

Our team researched and reviewed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the Internet, to better understand the customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers offering a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades. Providers that offer six or more plans will earn top marks in this category.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the standard coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage will earn full points, with a focus on baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons such as accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that will reimburse customers after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

AM Best Disclaimer

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If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

Are authorized users covered by Chase's credit card travel insurance?

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

I generally divide my credit card perks into two categories: those such as annual statement credits or lounge access that I actively try and use to enhance my travel experience and those, such as travel insurance and purchase protection, that I hope to never need, but appreciate being able to count on when I do.

But if you have a credit card as an authorized user, are you covered by an issuer's travel insurance policy?

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

There are plenty of good reasons to add someone as an authorized user to your card, including sharing benefits with them, earning points on their spending, and even helping your family members build credit , though remember that you'll ultimately be responsible for any purchases they make on the card.

Many cards will let you add authorized users for free, but premium cards often charge a fee. In the case of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, it's $75 per year to add an authorized user.

It's important to understand the terms of your insurance coverage before you need to use it, so you don't make any hasty and expensive mistakes based on incomplete information. As a reminder, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers the following travel insurance benefits:

• Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement

Related: The best credit cards with travel insurance

The exact coverage requirements differ slightly for each policy, but taking the trip cancellation and interruption insurance as an example, here are the covered parties according to Chase's website:

Now there's no differentiation here between primary cardholders and authorized users, so I called Chase and spoke to a benefits administrator to confirm. The good news is that not only are authorized users covered, but in this case, their immediate family members would be as well. "Cardholder" doesn't just mean the primary account holder -- it means any user who's name is embossed on the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card.

Here are the covered parties for the trip delay reimbursement:

If you add an authorized user outside of your own family, they would receive coverage for their spouse or domestic partner and dependent children under the age of 22, giving them access to some of the most valuable benefits on the Sapphire Reserve at a fraction of the cost.

Related: Credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users

Bottom line

Some people balk at paying the $75 a year fee to add authorized users on the Sapphire Reserve, but when you think about the fact that they earn full travel insurance coverage as if they were the primary cardholders, this becomes a much better value proposition. This benefit has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years, and Chase is known to offer some of the most comprehensive and generous coverage in the industry on its Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Reserve cards.

Here’s How To Save $900 on Travel With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Vault’s viewpoint.

• The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a travel credit card with plentiful perks and rewards that appeal to travelers.
• Eligible new cardholders who spend at least $4,000 within three months of account opening can earn a 60,000-point welcome offer.
• When redeeming rewards through the Chase Travel℠ portal, this offer is worth $900 toward eligible travel bookings.

This Popular Travel Rewards Card Has a Sizable Welcome Offer

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has long been a favorite among travelers who value travel rewards. It’s a feature-packed travel rewards credit card with premium travel perks like complimentary airport lounge access and primary rental car insurance coverage. You also earn rewards when you swipe your card for travel, dining and other everyday purchases.

But that’s not all. For eligible new cardholders, it also provides a generous welcome offer. A credit card welcome offer can be an excellent way to earn many points quickly for meeting the stated requirements. If you want to use your rewards for travel, a bonus can get you closer to your award travel redemption goals.

How To Earn the Welcome Offer and Who Qualifies for It

You must verify your eligibility before trying to earn a credit card welcome offer. Some credit card issuers have limitations for these bonuses, and Chase has strict welcome offer eligibility requirements for all cards in its Chase Sapphire credit card lineup. If you don’t meet these requirements, you may be ineligible to earn the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s welcome offer.

Welcome offer restrictions: You’re ineligible for this offer if you’re an existing Chase Sapphire credit card holder. This includes any of the Chase Sapphire credit cards. Additionally, previous Sapphire credit card holders must not have received a new cardmember bonus within the last 48 months.

How to earn the welcome offer: Spend at least $4,000 on eligible purchases within three months of account opening to earn the bonus of 60,000 points. Some purchases, like money orders, travelers’ checks, cash advances, balance transfers and lottery tickets, don’t count toward the minimum spend requirements. After meeting the offer conditions, you should allow six to eight weeks for the bonus points to be posted to your account.

Note: If you’re holding out on getting this card until you’re eligible for the welcome offer again, you might want to explore alternative travel credit cards. Another option is to apply for one of the best Capital One credit cards —several of which earn travel rewards.

Get $900 To Spend on Travel in the Chase Travel Portal

After earning the welcome offer, you’ll likely be eager to redeem your credit card rewards. One of the best features of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program is its flexibility.

Cardholders have various redemption options, such as receiving a statement credit, redeeming for travel purchases booked through Chase Travel or transferring rewards to eligible travel partners to book flights and hotel stays. But make sure you maximize the value of your rewards. Some redemption methods provide more value than others.

Here’s an example: When you redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for a statement credit to your credit card account, points are worth $0.01 apiece, so the welcome offer is only worth $600 when redeemed this way. It may be tempting to redeem your rewards in this manner because of the simplicity, but you won’t receive maximum value.

Consider this redemption option instead: If you use your points to book rental cars, hotels or flights through Chase Travel, you can get 50% more value from your points. The 60,000-point welcome offer is worth $900 for eligible travel bookings. That’s an impressive value for a credit card welcome offer. Chase Travel is a travel booking platform that functions similarly to other websites and apps. It’s easy to use, and you can filter the search results to meet your needs.

Tips To Get the Most out of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

If you’ve recently added the Chase Sapphire Reserve to your wallet or plan to soon, you’ll want to get the most out of your new travel credit card. Here are a few tips for the best success.

Start Working Toward Earning the Welcome Offer

You’ll need to make at least $4,000 in purchases with your card within three months of opening your credit card account. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to meet the spending threshold. If you delay on your spending, you may miss out entirely on earning the welcome offer.

Of course, you should only use your credit card for purchases you can afford. Paying your entire statement balance each month is the best way to avoid accumulating credit card debt.

Maximize the Rewards You Earn

When using your card to make purchases, don’t miss out on opportunities to boost your rewards. You’ll earn 3X points on general travel* (not purchased through Chase) and dining purchases with your card.

However, when using your card to pay for hotels (excluding The Edit℠ properties) and car rentals through the Chase Travel portal, you’ll earn 10X points*. You can also earn 5X points when booking flights through the Chase Travel portal*. Finally, Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards earn 10X points. You can earn rewards faster with these elevated rewards rates.* (You earn on travel after the first $300 in travel purchases each year, which goes toward the $300 annual travel credit.)

Activate Your Priority Pass Select Membership

A noteworthy premium travel benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is complimentary airport lounge access , thanks to the included Priority Pass Select membership. This is a valuable perk for frequent fliers.

With this membership, the primary cardholder and any authorized users can access participating Priority Pass airport lounges for free. Each eligible cardholder can bring up to two guests for free.

However, this credit card benefit must be activated. You should do that shortly after receiving your credit card in the mail so you don’t forget. Each authorized user must also activate their membership to use this perk.

Compare Redemption Options Before Using Your Points

Before redeeming your rewards, explore all your options. You can get more value by transferring them to one of Chase’s travel transfer partners or booking travel through the Chase Travel portal. While it can take more effort to maximize the value of your points, it can be worthwhile.

Earn a $100 Credit Once Every Four Years for Select Application Fees

Another card perk you don’t want to forget is the up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee. This benefit is available once every four years and can be used by you or an authorized user.

Charging your credit card for an eligible application fee will trigger a statement credit to your account. If you’ve been meaning to apply for one of these expedited screening or processing services, make sure you charge the application fee to this card to utilize the credit.

Don’t Ignore Included Travel Protections

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has plentiful travel protections. Before you book your next trip, take some time to review these benefits so you know what to expect. It’s wise to ensure you fully understand the coverage terms and any exclusions before traveling. This way, you will know how to navigate the claims process if you have to make a claim. You can check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits guide for our breakdown of the information.

Taking Advantage of This Welcome Offer

This welcome offer could help you reduce your upcoming vacation costs. If you’re considering applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you may want to do so soon to quickly boost your stash of Chase points.

You can maximize the value you receive from this in-demand Chase credit card by earning the welcome offer and redeeming your rewards for travel bookings through the Chase Travel portal to save $900 on travel.

If this isn’t your ideal credit card, there are many other top-rated cards to consider. Review our list of the best credit cards to learn more about the best features of each card on our list.

The post Here’s How To Save $900 on Travel With the Chase Sapphire Reserve® first appeared on Newsweek Vault .

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What You Need to Know About Chase’s Trip Delay Insurance

Rebecca is a freelance writer specializing in finance. She writes about credit cards, investing and small business for a number of financial websites, including U.S. News & World Report. In addition, she creates blog and website content for major brands in the banking and insurance space.

Mary Flory leads NerdWallet's growing team of assigning editors at large. Before joining NerdWallet's content team, she had spent more than 12 years developing content strategies, managing newsrooms and mentoring writers and editors. Her previous experience includes being an executive editor at the American Marketing Association and an editor at news and feature syndicate Content That Works.

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Table of Contents

1. What does Chase trip delay insurance cover?

2. which chase cards include trip delay insurance, 3. who is covered, 4. how to file a claim for trip delay reimbursement, 5. is this different than trip cancellation/interruption insurance, the bottom line.

A delayed trip can cause headaches, especially if it means missing a connecting flight to your next destination. When a delay happens, having the right credit card can make all the difference in keeping your trip moving along as smoothly as possible.

Chase offers trip delay reimbursement coverage with some of its top travel credit card options. Having this benefit means you could be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses if your trip gets held up. Here's what you need to know.

Chase trip delay insurance offers reimbursement for expenses you pay if your trip is delayed, including meals, lodging, toiletries and medication.

You can use this coverage if:

Your trip is delayed for more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay (with two exceptions; see below).

The trip is away from your city of residence and is less than 365 days in length.

You purchased the fare for your trip with an eligible Chase card or rewards earned with an eligible Chase card.

Chase trip delay insurance covers you up to $500 per ticket, per trip. You're covered for delayed flights, as well as other types of travel that are classified as a “common carrier.” For example, you could still be reimbursed for delays if you booked travel by bus, cruise ship or train (but not taxi or commuter rail/bus).

Note that these benefits kick in after you've exhausted any other trip delay reimbursement benefits you might have through your frequent flyer program or third-party travel insurance coverage.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

The good news is there are several Chase cards that come with built-in trip delay reimbursement.

on Chase's website

You're also covered if you have any of these cards:

United℠ Business Card .

United Club℠ Infinite Card .

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card .

Again, most of these cards specify that a delay last 12 hours or more or require you to stay overnight before your reimbursement coverage kicks in. The exception is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , which only requires a six-hour or more delay to use your coverage.

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

As the cardholder, you're covered — but your coverage can also extend to the people traveling with you. Chase will cover your spouse or partner and any dependent children under the age of 26. The same $500 reimbursement limit per ticket, per trip applies to everyone on your booking.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

Filing a claim means first making sure you have eligible expenses. If you're traveling under a known hazard alert, such as a hurricane warning, then Chase may deny your claim. And prepaid expenses are never covered by trip delay reimbursement.

As the cardholder, you must notify a Chase Benefit Administrator within 60 days following the date of the delay to file a claim. You'll be sent a claim form that you'll need to fill out detailing the circumstances of the delay and your expenses. You have up to within 100 days of the date of the delay to return this form, along with copies of receipts or other supporting documentation.

The good news is all of this can be done online through a third-party company called Card Benefit Services . Once you've filled out the form and uploaded your documents, a representative will review your claim. If asked for any additional documents or if you have questions, you can email them to [email protected] .

Required documents for submitting a trip delay claim include:

Copy of monthly billing statement.

Copy of both the original and updated travel itineraries showing the date and time of both flights and the total amount charged.

Copy of the statement from the common carrier to verify the reason the flight was delayed.

Here is how to verify your flight delay, broken down by airline.

Chase trip delay insurance is different than cancellation/interruption insurance.

Trip delay coverage applies to instances when your trip still happens, just on a different timeline than you were originally anticipating.

Trip cancellation or interruption insurance, conversely, provides reimbursement for covered travel expenses when you have to cancel a trip entirely or end it early.

Some Chase credit cards have both trip delay and trip cancellation/interruption coverage, while others only have one or the other. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers both, whereas the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card only offers delay coverage. The World of Hyatt Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card , meanwhile, only have trip cancellation/interruption coverage.

» Learn more: The guide to Chase trip cancellation insurance

Ideally, you always arrive on time when traveling, but when a delay happens, having a Chase credit card could save the day. If you're not a Chase cardmember yet, consider applying for a card to take advantage of trip delay reimbursement when you need it.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Do I need travel insurance for my summer vacation? It's complicated.

• Travel insurance can be complicated, but it's worth it if you have travel expenses that insurance would cover.
• You might not need travel insurance if you're taking a driving vacation and staying in a place where lodging is free.
• If you're leaving the country, you'll likely need travel insurance.

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If you're planning to travel somewhere this summer, you're probably thinking of buying travel insurance.

Kingsley Hopkins is. He's headed to Portugal and Iceland with his girlfriend, and he wants to make sure he's covered for things like medical emergencies or trip disruptions, "or if a volcano erupts," he said.

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But getting the right travel insurance can be complicated. There's no one-size-fits-all policy, and Hopkins, an assistant editor at a book publishing company in New York, has been spending a lot of time thinking about how to protect his summer vacation.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Chances are, so have you.

Why finding the right travel insurance is so hard

Most surveys suggest this will be a record summer for travel. How much of a record? Demand is so high that some airlines are afraid they will run out of planes. Now that's busy.

At the same time, danger and uncertainty are lurking everywhere – wars in Europe and the Middle East, the usual slate of natural disasters like hurricanes and maybe a volcano or two. It's no wonder people are giving some serious thought to insurance. 

Older travelers are particularly worried. And they should be, said PK Rao, CEO of INF Visitor Care . Claims by travelers over age 50 spike during the summer months.

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"According to our claim data, medical emergencies tend to uptick during the summer, especially for those going on trips that involve outdoor activities," he said.

But there are so many choices out there, including credit card coverage, medical evacuation membership programs and stand-alone travel insurance. What should you get?

You need peace of mind 

But don't just reflexively start shopping for a travel insurance policy this summer. Instead, look for peace of mind – knowing that if something goes wrong, you'll be taken care of.

"Knowing you're protected from unforeseen travel mishaps – like delays, lost baggage and even medical emergencies – can make the trip that much more enjoyable,” said Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Partners USA .

As it turns out, there are several ways to get the peace of mind you need. And there are times when you can safely skip travel insurance.

This is when you don't need insurance

Here's when you can skip travel insurance, according to experts:

◾ If you already have coverage. "You may already have travel coverage through your benefits at work, your credit card, or through group benefits with an organization," said Jiten Puri, CEO of PolicyAdvisor.com. If you do, there's no need to buy more coverage. You're all set.

◾ If you're not traveling far. If you're taking a driving vacation and staying in a place where lodging is free, like a relative's sofa, then there's not much to insure. "If you already have health insurance, it may cover you for a domestic trip, so you don't need to think about health insurance coverage," said Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

◾ If your trip isn't insurable. Traditional travel insurance covers conventional trips with prepaid, nonrefundable components like airline tickets and hotel stays. You might find that you either already have coverage through your medical insurance, or the trip is essentially uninsurable.

So think twice before saying "yes" to optional travel insurance that your online travel agency may offer you when you're booking a trip. You might not need it.

Here's when you need travel insurance

But most travelers should consider some kind of travel insurance coverage this summer. Here's when you need the extra coverage:

◾ If you have travel expenses that insurance would cover. "If you have many prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, it's best to take out travel insurance," said Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye Travel Insurance ."This includes things like flights, hotel rooms, tickets and activities." The more conventional your vacation, the likelier travel insurance is to cover almost every aspect of your summer vacation.

◾ If you're leaving the country. "Your regular medical insurance might not extend coverage beyond your home borders," said John Rose, chief risk and security officer at ALTOUR . Also, many countries require travel insurance for entrance. They include Bermuda, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and some European countries.

◾ If you can't afford to lose your trip. "When considering travel insurance for your summer trip, evaluate whether you can afford to lose your vacation investment due to unforeseen circumstances like illness, weather disruptions, or emergencies," explained Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA). "Can you afford the financial risk if you miss your cruise departure because of covered flight delays? What if you have to cut your trip short because of illness?"  

One of the most common mistakes travelers make is assuming their credit card will cover them. For example, I found that my credit card only covered my rental car as secondary insurance, which made it completely useless when I rented a car in Tampa recently. I had to buy a standalone policy from Allianz to cover the vehicle.

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How one traveler insured his summer vacation

So, how did Hopkins handle his travel insurance needs? Well, as I mentioned – it's complicated.

Hopkins said he always buys some travel insurance before he takes a trip, "but how much, and what I cover, varies," he explained.

He decided that his path to peace of mind in this case was to spend a few extra dollars: He made fully refundable flight and hotel reservations, just in case something went wrong. That would eliminate a lengthy claim with his travel insurance company or credit card.

But he still needed at least $50,000 in medical coverage with emergency evacuation because of his active schedule.

"We’re going to be doing a lot of hiking in Iceland," he said. "And you just never know." 

At the beginning of the year, he decided to buy an annual Medjet Horizon plan, a membership that would get him from a hospital in Portugal or Iceland to a hospital at home, in case something happened. 

For insurance, Hopkins checked TravelInsurance.com to find an affordable travel insurance policy. He found coverage through Trawick International that pays up to $50,000 in medical expenses and up to $200,000 for an evacuation.

"I’ve heard good things about them," he said. "Hopefully, we won’t need any of it."

How do I insure my trips?

I'm on the road about 360 days a year, so I'm always thinking about peace of mind. I currently use a Wells Fargo credit card with lots of travel benefits, and I have long-term policies through Faye and Cigna, which have worked fairly well. I also am a long-time Medjet Horizon member. If I rent a car, I turn to Allianz for my primary coverage.

I know – that's a lot of peace of mind. 

But I've also run into trouble and had to use many of those benefits. Medjet got me back home during the pandemic. Cigna covered me after a serious ski accident in Switzerland. My old Allianz policy took care of my medical expenses when I had to see a doctor in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a few years ago.

Like I always say, when it comes to having enough insurance, better safe than sorry.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .