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EXAMPLE OF HIGHER OPTION

PREMIUM CAR RENTAL PROTECTION DETAILS

What the Plan Covers The $100,000 coverage level with a premium of $24.95 ($15.25 for Florida Residents and $17.95 for California Residents) covers: • Up to $100,000 of primary damage and theft coverage for the rental car. • Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage ($250,000 for California Residents).

• Up to $10,000 of AD&D coverage per passenger ($40,000 for Florida Residents and $250,000 for California Residents). • Up to $15,000 per person of excess coverage for Medical Expenses. • Up to a maximum of $300,000 combined medical and AD&D coverage per car ($500,000 for California Residents).

• Up to $5,000 per person of excess coverage for personal property, maximum of $10,000 for all. (Up to $15,000 per person, maximum of $25,000 for Florida Residents). •This product does not include liability coverage.

The $75,000 coverage level with a premium of $19.95 ($15.95 for California Residents) covers: • Up to $75,000 of primary damage and theft coverage for the rental car. • Up to $75,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. ($150,000 for California Residents).

• Up to $7,500 of AD&D coverage per passenger ($150,000 for California Residents). • Up to $7,500 per person of excess coverage for Medical Expenses.

• Up to a maximum of $200,000 combined medical and AD&D coverage per car ($350,000 for California Residents). • Up to $2,500 per person of excess coverage for personal property, maximum of $5,000 for all. • This product does not include liability coverage.

Your guide to Amex's travel insurance coverage

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

American Express premium credit cards offer some of the best perks in the credit card space. While lounge access and travel credits are typically the highlights of these cards, some of the lesser-known benefits, such as trip delay reimbursement and trip cancellation and interruption insurance, are becoming hot topics as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the travel industry.

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As a result, many TPG readers have sent in questions about Amex's travel insurance protections. As travel restrictions change, policies and best practices will likely change as well. But this guide will walk you through which Amex credit cards have these benefits, what's currently covered and how you can file a successful claim.

Related: Best credit cards for trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Amex cards offering trip delay, cancellation or interruption insurance

Here is an overview of the Amex cards that offer trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance or both:

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card and American Express Corporate Platinum Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The best credit cards with travel insurance

What is covered by trip cancellation and interruption insurance?

You can find the full terms and conditions of what is generally covered on your respective card in your Guide to Benefits, which can be found through your online account. I'll use the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve as an example.

Here is a rundown of the "covered losses" provided by Amex's trip cancellation and interruption insurance:

• Accidental bodily injury or loss of life or sickness of either the eligible traveler, traveling companion or a family member of the eligible traveler or traveling companion
• Inclement weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a covered trip
• The eligible traveler or his or her spouse's change in military orders
• Terrorist action or hijacking
• Call to jury duty or subpoena by the courts, either of which cannot be postponed or waived
• The eligible traveler or traveling companion's dwelling made uninhabitable
• Quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons

Related: Book carefully if you have multiple Amex cards that offer travel protections

Amex also provides an extensive list of things that are not covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance:

• Pre-existing conditions
• The eligible traveler's suicide, attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury
• A declared or undeclared war
• Mental or emotional disorders, unless hospitalized
• The eligible traveler's participation in a sporting activity for which he or she receives a salary or prize money
• The eligible traveler's being intoxicated at the time of an accident. Intoxication is defined by the laws of the jurisdiction where such accident occurs
• The eligible traveler being under the influence of any narcotic or other controlled substance at the time of an accident, unless the narcotic or other controlled substance is taken and used as prescribed by a Physician
• The eligible traveler's commission or attempted commission of any illegal or criminal act, including but not limited to any felony
• The eligible traveler parachuting from an aircraft
• The eligible traveler engaging or participating in a motorized vehicular race or speed contest
• Dental treatment except as a result of accidental bodily injury to sound, natural teeth
• Any non-emergency treatment or surgery, routine physical examinations
• Hearing aids, eyeglasses or contact lenses
• One-way travel that does not have a return destination
• A counterfeit scheduled airline or train ticket; or a scheduled airline or train ticket which is charged to a fraudulently issued or fraudulently used eligible card.
• Any occurrence while the eligible traveler is incarcerated
• Loss due to intentional acts by the eligible traveler
• Financial insolvency of a travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier
• Any expenses that are not authorized and reimbursable by the eligible traveler's employer if the eligible traveler makes the purchases with a commercial card

If you do find yourself canceling or cutting a covered trip short, here are the basic guidelines provided by Amex on what types of expenses are covered for trip cancellation/interruption:

"If a Covered Loss causes an Eligible Traveler's Trip Interruption, we will reimburse you for the nonrefundable amount paid to a Travel Supplier with your Eligible Card for the following: 1. The forfeited, non-refundable, pre-paid land, air and sea transportation arrangements that were missed; and 2. Additional transportation expenses that the Eligible Traveler incurs less any available refunds, not to exceed the cost of an economy-class air ticket by the most direct route for the Eligible Traveler to rejoin his or her places of origin.

If a Covered Loss causes an Eligible Traveler to temporarily postpone transportation by Common Carrier for a Covered Trip and a new departure date is set, we will reimburse you for the following: 1. The additional expenses incurred to purchase tickets for the new departure (not to exceed the difference between the original fare and the economy fare for the rescheduled Covered Trip by the most direct route); and 2. The unused, non-refundable land, air, and sea arrangements paid to a Travel Supplier with your Eligible Card."

What is covered by trip delay insurance?

Trip delay coverage provides reimbursement for reasonable additional expenses incurred when your trip is delayed due to a covered hazard for more than six hours.

Coverage is limited to $500 per trip and cardmembers are only eligible for two claims each 12 consecutive month period.

Amex outlines what is not covered, which includes the following:

• Covered losses that are made public or known to the eligible traveler prior to the departure for the covered trip
• An eligible traveler's expenses paid prior to the covered trip

Filing a claim

When you have a delay or trip cancellation/interruption that you think qualifies for coverage, you can file a claim by calling Amex at 1-844-933-0648 within 60 days of the covered loss.

Trip delay reimbursement requires the following documentation:

• Proof of loss – You must furnish written proof of loss to Amex within 180 days after the date of your loss
• Receipts - Acceptable documentation includes the following:
• A statement from the common carrier that the covered trip was delayed
• Charge receipt
• Copies of common carrier ticket(s)
• Receipts for travel expenses

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance requires slightly different documentation.

• Proof of loss – You must furnish written proof of loss to Amex within 180 days after the date of your loss. Acceptable documentation includes:
• Court subpoenas, orders to report for active duty, physician orders, etc.
• Copies of your common carrier tickets and travel supplier receipt
• Your eligible card billing statement showing the charges for the covered trip
• Copy of travel supplier's cancelation policy

After Amex receives notice of your claim, instructions will be sent on how to send the proof. Typically, you have up to 180 days to file a claim after a delay or cancellation.

Proof of flight delay or cancellation

One of the documents required to file for trip delay reimbursement is a verification form that outlines the reason for the delay or cancellation by the carrier. You can typically get this at the airport when the delay or cancellation is announced, but keep in mind that it may require a supervisor. Each U.S. major airline also has a process for requesting this information after the fact.

Here is an overview of the process that major U.S. airlines require for you to receive a delay or cancellation verification form:

Amex cards that offer car rental insurance

Unfortunately, no American Express credit cards offer primary car rental coverage, although most offer secondary coverage. You can see the entire list of cards that offer secondary car rental protection on the American Express website . However, all American Express credit cards offer an optional "Premium Car Rental Protection policy" that can be added to rentals made using the card for a small fee.

Read our guide on when to use American Express' Premium Car Rental Protection for more details on this coverage option.

You can add Premium Car Rental Protection to any American Express card . TPG has a guide of the best American Express cards , but here are some of the best cards in terms of the return you could receive when renting a car. Note, the estimated return rate for these cards is based on TPG's latest valuations:

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: $450 annual fee (see rates and fees); 4.2% return on car rentals booked directly from car rental companies; no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: $0 annual fee (see rates and fees); 4% return on general spending on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year and 1x thereafter; 2.7% foreign transaction fee (see rates and fees)
• The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express: $95 annual fee; 3% return on general spending in billing cycles where you make 30+ purchases; 2.7% foreign transaction fee

The information for the Amex EveryDay Preferred card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Amex cards that offer baggage insurance

If you're a frequent traveler, you've likely run into this situation at some point (it's the worst). Over the years, airlines have been working on improving the baggage system by introducing live bag tracking. Regardless, it's still a smart idea to have some protections in place, like baggage insurance.

Related: Everything you need to know about Amex's baggage insurance plan

This is why you need to pay attention to the benefits each of your travel rewards cards offers. Nearly all of Amex's premium rewards cards offer baggage insurance. You can check out the full list of cards and details on American Express's website.

The types of losses it covers: You're covered for losses resulting from damaged, stolen or lost baggage, including both carry-on and checked bags.

When you're covered: To be eligible for coverage, you have to travel on a common carrier, which Amex defines as any air, land or water vehicle (other than a personal or rental vehicle) that is licensed to carry passengers for hire and available to the public. Your rental car, as well as taxis and ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft, would be excluded from this protection.

To receive coverage, you also need to pay for the entire fare with an eligible American Express card or by using Membership Rewards points to book tickets through Amex Travel . Trips booked with miles from other sources — even the cobranded Delta SkyMiles cards from Amex — are excluded. Your trip also isn't covered if you used a combination of miles and dollars unless the miles came from a Membership Rewards transfer. This is a welcome change. A few years ago, a TPG staffer found out the hard way that Amex's policy didn't cover frequent flyer mile awards.

Who's covered: This policy covers both primary and additional cardholders, as well as cardmembers' spouses or domestic partners and any dependent children under 23 years old. In addition, travelers must be permanent residents of one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How much it covers: Most American Express credit cards will cover replacement costs for checked bags and their contents up to $500 per person, although so-called "high-risk items" are only covered for a maximum of $250. These items include jewelry, sporting equipment, photographic or electronic equipment, computers and audio/visual equipment. Carry-on bags are covered for up to $1,250, which is good to know since your belongings could be stolen from the overhead bins.

You'll enjoy additional coverage if you use The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz and Morgan Stanley-branded Platinum Card (but not the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card).

The information for the Amex Platinum Mercedes-Benz and Morgan Stanley Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Amex cards that offer medical assistance

One of the lesser known benefits of some of Amex's most premium cards is its Premium Global Assistance. This benefit can quite literally be a lifesaver if you or an immediate family member run into any unexpected issues or accident on your trip. For example, this service can help you arrange emergency medical referrals.

All Amex cards have access to Amex's Global Assist Hotline, but the Premium Global Assist Hotline and higher level of coverage are reserved exclusively for the Amex's premium cards:

• The Platinum Card from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express
• American Express Corporate Platinum Card
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• American Express Centurion Card
• American Express Business Centurion Card

The information for the Amex Centurion and Amex Business Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Having a card with trip insurance can save you hundreds of dollars when unexpected hiccups happen in your travel plans. Still, it can be confusing to know what is covered and the right documentation you need to file a claim.

Nothing is worse than getting through an entire claims process only to be denied or have to start over because you don't have the required documentation for the insurance provider. Before you start filing a claim, make sure you have the documents listed above. Keep in mind that a provider may ask for additional documentation related to the incident, so you may have to collect receipts and other forms to help your case.

If you're starting to travel again, it's also a good idea to consider booking refundable travel . Some airlines and hotels even waive cancelation fees and/or change fees for certain fares, which can make last-minute adjustments in the case of emergencies.

Additional reporting by Stella Shon and Madison Blancaflor.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.

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Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

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• Amex Platinum Card

Amex Platinum Card: Maximizing Car Rental Insurance & Benefits

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

343 Published Articles 53 Edited Articles

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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Table of Contents

Benefits of the amex platinum card, amex platinum card car rental privileges, amex platinum card rental car loss and damage insurance, contact information, 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.

The Platinum Card ® from American Express is one of the premier credit cards on the market today. It’s known for its amazing perks, but it also carries a steep annual fee.

While the dollar figure may seem daunting, this card comes with a lot of benefits to offset the cost. In this post, we’ll focus on the perks related to renting a car.

The Amex Platinum card offers some very enticing benefits that you might want to take advantage of when renting a car, including car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National and rental car insurance.

This post will dig into these benefits to explore what they cover, what they don’t, and how you can benefit from them.

First, let’s take a quick look at the American Express Platinum credit card as a whole. This premium credit card comes with an equally premium price tag.

Make no mistake, it’s a pricey card — but if you can take advantage of all the perks the Amex Platinum card offers , it might earn a spot in your wallet.

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

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
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Other Key Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card

• Access to 1,400+ airport lounges , including Centurion Lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership
• Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite hotel elite status
• Access to The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts
• Car rental privileges
• Purchase protection and extended warranty
• Travel insurance and lost baggage insurance
• Entertainment and event perks
• A huge welcome bonus offer

As part of the benefits of holding the Amex Platinum card, you will receive complimentary elite-level memberships with Avis, Hertz, and National.

Once you enroll in any of these programs, you will enjoy special benefits and perks.

Avis offers discounts and upgrades to Amex Platinum cardmembers. These perks only apply to U.S. and Canadian residents who are renting at a participating Avis location in the U.S or Canada .

• Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status
• Make your reservations using Avis Worldwide Discount AWD# C076700 for up to 25% off base rates (discount does not apply to taxes, fees, and surcharges)
• Use Coupon #UUNA007 when making a reservation to receive a complimentary 1-car class upgrade when available.

These perks are subject to blackout dates and can change at any time. Specialty cars (group X) are not eligible for these discounts.

Enroll in Avis Preferred Plus online or call 800-331-1212 to enroll.

As an Amex Platinum cardmember, you will receive free enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards with complimentary President’s Circle status. You are also eligible to receive a 1-car class upgrade when you rent an intermediate through full-sized car (subject to availability) and pay with your Amex Platinum card.

Plus, you will receive a 4-hour grace period when returning your rental car, which often costs as much as an extra full day.

Use code  CDP#211762 when enrolling in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards to ensure you receive your benefits (you can also call 800-525-3355 to enroll).

Amex Platinum cardholders also receive complimentary Emerald Club Executive membership from National .

Benefits include:

• Choose your own car from the Executive Selection area
• Upgrades when renting a full size through luxury car
• Accelerated earnings toward free rental days
• Speedy returns with an e-receipt

Enroll in National’s Emerald Club online or call 800-525-3355 to enroll.

The first thing you should know about the car rental loss and damage insurance offered by the Amex Platinum card is how to remain eligible.

To be eligible for the coverage provided by American Express , you must:

• Pay for the entire rental cost with your Amex Platinum card
• Decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) offered by the rental company

Even then, there are exclusions. The coverage provided by the Amex Platinum card does not include any of the following:

• Antique cars
• Any residents of American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
• Any ridesharing companies that allow individuals to rent out their personal cars
• Any situation in which illegal drugs and/or alcohol are involved
• Any situation where the rental car was taken out of the authorized rental area or off-road
• Any vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand
• Commercial mini-vans
• Customized vehicles
• Full-sized or cargo vans
• Off-road vehicles, motorcycles, campers, trailers, recreational vehicles

This coverage only applies to the first 30 days of a rental.

Bottom Line: To be eligible for car rental loss and damage insurance from the Amex Platinum card, you need to pay for the entire rental cost with your card and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) offered by the rental company.

What Does the Plan Cover?

First, if the cardmember, authorized driver, or passenger is injured as a result of an accident that occurs in the rental car, the plan pays up to $5,000 for medically necessary treatment.

Additionally, if the cardmember, authorized driver, or passenger suffers accidental death or dismemberment as a direct result of an accident that occurs in the rental car, the plan pays up to $200,000 for the cardmember and $20,000 for an authorized driver or passenger with a per accident max of $300,000. The following exceptions apply:

• For residents of Utah and Vermont, this coverage is primary instead of secondary (see below for more on this)
• For residents of New Hampshire, there are reduced payouts and limits. Accidental death and dismemberment is limited to $20,000 for the cardmember and $2,000 for an authorized driver or passenger with a per accident cap at $50,000.

Any personal property that is damaged or stolen while secured in a rental vehicle is covered up to $1,000 per person and a total of $2,000 per accident.

For theft or damage to the rental vehicle, the Amex Platinum card covers up to $75,000.

If you have a question regarding your insurance policy or filing a claim, use the following contact information.

Customer Service and Claims Department Toll-free: 800-338-1670 International Collect: 216-617-2500

Email:  [email protected]

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance P.O. Box 94729 Cleveland, OH 44101-4729

Car rental loss and damage insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card will cover you if your rental car is damaged or stolen. It does NOT cover liability, damage to other vehicles, or injuries to people in other vehicles. 

Primary vs. Secondary Coverage

The Amex Platinum card offers secondary coverage. This means that you need to file a claim with any other applicable insurance first  before this coverage kicks in.

If you prefer primary coverage (meaning you don’t have to file a claim with your other insurance first), you could add Premium Car Rental Protection to your card for an additional $19.95 to $24.95 per rental period.

Alternatively, you could book your rental with the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card . It is one of the best credit cards for car rental insurance and only a $95 annual fee.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card offers secondary coverage, which means you need to submit a claim with your other insurance first before you can submit a claim through American Express unless you have added the Premium Car Rental Protection.

How To File a Claim

If you believe you have a valid claim, you will need to submit supporting documents online via the American Express Claims Center .

Before you submit your claim, you will need the following documents and information:

• Car rental agreement/contract
• Personal insurance information

Filing your claim should take about 15 to 20 minutes, but you can stop and come back to it by clicking the Save and Finish Later button. If you do this, you must finish your claim within 72 hours or all of your information will be deleted and you’ll have to start over.

It will take about 45 days to receive a final decision regarding your claim, however, it could be up to 90 days for international rentals.

If you have any questions about your claim, call 800-338-1670.

The Amex Platinum card offers many benefits, including car rental insurance and car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National.

Rental car loss and damage insurance that comes with the Amex Platinum card is secondary, meaning it only covers what your primary insurance won’t cover unless you add Premium Car Rental Protection.

These perks are all included with the Amex Platinum card annual fee. For a comprehensive guide to all of the value you can get out of this card, check out these benefits of the Amex Platinum card .

For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/ benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my amex platinum card have car rental insurance.

Yes, the Amex Platinum card comes with car rental loss and damage insurance. To be eligible you need to pay for the entire rental with your Amex Platinum card and decline the CDW offered by the car rental agency. This coverage is secondary, which means you will have to file a claim with any other applicable insurance first.

What is secondary car rental insurance?

Secondary car rental insurance means you need to file a claim with any other applicable insurance first. The secondary insurance can cover expenses that the primary insurance didn’t cover.

What is Premium Car Rental Protection from Amex?

Premium Car Rental Protection is a $25 per rental add-on that lets you file your claim 100% with American Express so you don’t need to have or use personal car insurance for a claim.

Do I get Hertz President's Circle with the Amex Platinum card?

Yes, as an Amex Platinum cardmember, you will receive free enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards with complimentary President’s Circle status.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Six Travel Mistakes to Avoid

No travel medical insurance? Unnecessary luggage and hotel fees? Here are the biggest travel mistakes people make and how you can avoid them.

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Even the most seasoned tourists can make travel mistakes when planning a vacation. Some blunders can be minor infractions, but others can cost travelers a lot of money and heartache. 

But there are steps you can take to avoid travel mistakes. Here are six slip ups that travelers may make this year, plus tips on how to avoid them.

1. Overlooking travel medical insurance

Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and founder of the nonprofit Elliott Advocacy , says many people don’t consider purchasing travel medical insurance . “People often think nothing bad will happen before or on their vacation, but then they get injured overseas and need to go to the hospital, and the next thing they’re looking at is a $10,000 hospital bill.” Indeed, nearly one in four Americans report they’ve experienced a medical issue while traveling abroad, according to a 2023 survey sponsored by GeoBlue, an international health insurance company. 

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Unfortunately, most U.S. healthcare plans — including employer group plans, Medicare and Affordable Care Act plans — offer limited or no medical coverage outside the U.S. 

How to avoid: One solution is to purchase a travel medical insurance policy, a type of insurance that provides coverage for a range of medical emergencies while traveling abroad, from minor injuries to major events like heart attacks and strokes, to medical evacuation and emergency transport in the case of severe emergencies. 

The average travel medical insurance plan costs $89, according to Squaremouth , a travel insurance comparison website. Squaremouth advises international travelers to obtain a policy that provides a minimum of $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

Note: Some travel insurance policies include emergency medical coverage and medical evacuation coverage up to certain limits.

2. Getting hit with unnecessary luggage fees

You may have heard that a number of airlines — including American Airlines , Delta , and JetBlue Airways — recently raised their prices for checked bags. But one thing a lot of travelers aren’t aware of, Elliott says, is that some are now charging customers more if they check a bag at the airport versus paying to check a bag in advance. For instance, JetBlue customers flying within the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada can save up to $20 on their first two checked bags ($10 savings per bag) when they add them to their flight reservation at least 24 hours before departure.

How to avoid: Make sure to pay ahead of time for any bags that you plan to check.

3. Incurring hidden hotel fees

Wi-Fi fees, early check-in fees, gym fees—hotels today charge guests no shortage of extra fees and surcharges . It’s a widespread problem: In an April 2023 survey by Consumer Reports , nearly four out of 10 (37%) U.S. adults said they had experienced a hidden or unexpected hotel fee in the previous two years.

How to avoid: Many hotels offer to reduce or, in some cases, waive certain fees to guests who join their loyalty program, which is free in most cases. Also, sometimes simply asking an employee at check-in to waive certain fees could do the trick.

4. Not utilizing a key search feature on Airbnb

Like hotels, Airbnb rental property owners often tack on extra fees, such as cleaning fees, fees for additional guests beyond a certain number, and service fees. These additional costs can add hundreds of dollars to your bill.

How to avoid: Elliott praised Airbnb for introducing a feature in December 2022 that allows guests to view a stay’s total costs, before taxes, when searching for rental properties. But he says there’s a caveat: “If you’re in the U.S., you need to change a setting in order to see the full rate when you search for rentals.”

To enable the feature, click the slider on the upper right of the search page that says, “Display total before taxes.”

5. Paying full price for a rental car

First, the good news: “The rental vehicle shortage has improved,” Elliott says. That’s resulted in a stabilization of rates, with rental car prices recently averaging $42 a day, up only 3% from last year, according to a report from the travel search company Hopper. The bad news? Renting a car is still more expensive than it was before the pandemic, especially for travelers who pay full freight.

How to avoid: There are several ways you can avoid paying full price. Big-box stores such as Costco , BJ’s and Sam’s Club provide their members discounts on certain rental cars. AARP and AAA also offer their members discounted rates. ( AARP members save up to 30% on base rates at Avis and Budget Rent A Car; AAA members save up to 20% on Hertz rentals). In addition, a number of credit card companies offer certain cardholders rental car discounts when they book a vehicle from specific rental car companies.

You may also be able to nab a lower rate by prepaying when you book a reservation. And, some rental car companies offer limited-mileage plans at a lower cost, which could be a good option if you’re planning to take just a short trip.

Tip: See if your credit card offers rental car insurance before you pay for insurance from a rental car company.

6. Encountering sky-high hotel rates because of Taylor Swift’s European tour

When Taylor Swift performs a concert, sometimes tens of thousands of out-of-town fans descend on the city, causing hotel prices to spike. Consider: the median rate for a standard hotel room during an Eras Tour date in Europe this year is projected to jump by 44%, with average hotel room prices in Warsaw surging a staggering 154% during her tour date there, according to a recent study by Lighthouse , a travel and hospitality research company.

How to avoid: The simplest approach for Europe-bound travelers in 2024, Elliott says, is to avoid traveling to a destination during a Taylor Swift tour date in that city. “When Taylor Swift comes to town all of the hotels sell out, and it becomes very difficult to find a reasonably priced hotel,” he says.

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Daniel Bortz is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Va. His work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, and Money magazine, among others.  

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The Guide to AmEx Green Card Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Covered reasons include:

Inclement weather.

Terrorist action.

A common carrier’s equipment failure.

Lost or stolen passports/travel documents.

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

Baggage insurance

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

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

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

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

Trip cancellation

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

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

The Platinum Card® from American Express .

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express .

American Express Corporate Platinum Card.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.

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

How to file claims

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

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

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

A receipt for your charge.

Copies of your common carrier tickets.

Receipts for travel expenses.

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

What if you need more coverage?

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

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

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

The bottom line

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

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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

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How to use the chase sapphire preferred hotel credit, the chase sapphire preferred's hotel credit goes a long way toward paying off the card's annual fee..

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently has an elevated intro offer of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on the card in the first three months from account opening. This card has a $95 annual fee , but, you can earn back over half of that cost every year by taking advantage of a single easy-to-overlook perk — the annual hotel credit.

Sapphire Preferred card members can receive a $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel credit every account anniversary year for hotels booked through the Chase Travel SM  portal . Here's what you need to know about how to use this credit and when it makes sense.

Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus and perks

What is the chase sapphire preferred $50 hotel credit, how to use the chase sapphire preferred's $50 hotel credit, when does it make sense to use the chase sapphire preferred's $50 hotel credit, alternative cards with hotel credits, bottom line, chase sapphire preferred® card.

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, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

The Sapphire Preferred's intro bonus offer is currently 15,000 points higher than the standard offer. This makes it a great time to apply because you're getting the same ongoing card benefits along with the additional upfront value.

This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which are some of the best travel rewards thanks to their versatility. You can redeem Chase points for cash back or similar redemptions for one cent each. And if you use your Chase points to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get a 25% boost in value as a Sapphire Preferred cardholder (1.25 cents per point).

You can really ratchet up your points' value by taking advantage of Chase's transfer partners . Chase points transfer to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio. Through these programs, you can book business-class award flights or luxury hotels and dramatically increase the value of your rewards. This includes plenty of one-way Star Alliance business-class flights from North America to Europe for only 60,000 to 70,000 Aeroplan miles, flights that normally costs thousands of dollars.

The Sapphire Preferred also comes with a long list of travel and purchase insurance benefits. You'll get trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car collision coverage , purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and more.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred annual hotel credit can earn you an automatic statement credit of up to $50 every card anniversary year. To qualify for the credit, you need to book a hotel through Chase Travel SM and pay for the booking with your Sapphire Preferred card.

The $50 in hotel purchases that earn you the credit will not earn Chase points. Once a qualifying transaction is posted to your account, the statement credit should get credited within one or two billing cycles.

To use the Sapphire Preferred annual hotel credit, you book a hotel stay through Chase Travel SM . This platform works like booking through another online travel agency like Expedia , Priceline or Kayak . Simply search for the dates and the location where you need a hotel and book from the available options.

To use the hotel credit, first log in to your Chase credit card account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards page. Next, select the "Travel" drop-down menu and click "Book travel."

Choose "Hotels" and enter the information for your trip. Once you start a search, you can filter the results by star rating, brand, cost and more.

After you've selected the hotel and specific room type, you'll be able to see the final cost in dollars and points.

To earn the full $50, you need to charge at least $50 on your card. If you want to pay with points, just be sure to redeem points for all but $50 of the cost. You can easily adjust how many points you're using for the booking in the "Points redeemed" box, just be sure to click the update button when you change the number of points you want to use.

From here follow the steps to enter the traveler information and payment card info before you finalize the reservation. Be sure to pay with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. If you don't book with your Sapphire Preferred, you won't earn the credit.

The Sapphire Preferred hotel credit is straightforward — just book a hotel through Chase Travel SM to qualify for the offer. However, you should compare prices for the same dates, hotel and room type to ensure you're getting the best price when booking with Chase. As long as you aren't paying more for the booking, taking advantage of this credit makes sense.

If elite status perks are worth more to you for a particular stay, you may want to consider trying to maximize this credit on a different booking. That's because when you book hotels through a third-party site such as Chase Travel SM you typically won't earn elite status credit. You also won't normally receive elite status benefits, such as free breakfast or room upgrades.

If you're looking for hotel credits and benefits, a co-branded hotel credit card will typically offer the most value, but the perks will be tied to a specific brand. For statement credit perks that are more universal, you'll likely need to consider a general travel credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see r ates and fees ) offers an annual travel credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel. This credit applies to hotels, but also flights, rental cars and more. When you combine this travel credit with the card's annual 10,000-mile bonus, it's not hard to justify keeping this premium credit card .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars, 5 Miles per dollar on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% variable APR

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

See rates and fees . Terms apply.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has an incredibly easy-to-use travel and dining credit worth up to $325 every year. To qualify for the credit you don't need to book through a specific site. Instead, you just pay for travel or dining with the card and you'll earn the credit on the first $325 in eligible spending.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center; 3X points on every $1 on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending

Earn 50,000 bonus points (worth about $750 in travel) after spending $4,500 within the first 90 days of account opening

22.24% to 29.24% (Variable)

3% of the amount of each transfer, with a $5 minimum

See  rates and fees , terms apply.

For a limited time, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has an excellent increase welcome offer. However, it also has an extensive array of ongoing benefits for cardholders. These benefits include an annual $50 hotel credit that applies to hotel bookings you make through Chase Travel SM .

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

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