Credit cards with travel insurance

Free travel insurance is a popular feature, but cover varies a lot between credit cards. Here’s how to find the best one for you.

Credit cards with complimentary travel insurance can save you hundreds of dollars on cover when you're travelling overseas. Some even offer cover for travel in Australia.

Compare credit cards with complimentary travel insurance

1 - 10 of 89
Name Purchase rate p.a. Bonus points Points per $ spent Interest-free period Balance transfer rate p.a. Annual fee
Qantas Premier Platinum
Qantas Premier Platinum image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Bonus points
80,000
Points per $ spent
1
Interest-free period
Up to 44 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%
Annual fee
$349 first year ($399 after)
Go to siteMore Info
Earn up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points. Plus, save with a reduced first-year annual fee and 0% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers, with a 2% BT fee.
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard image
Purchase rate p.a.
12.99%
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 12.99%
Annual fee
$59
Go to siteMore Info
Get 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for 24 months (with a 3% BT fee). Plus 0% foreign fees and complimentary overseas travel insurance.
ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card
ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card image
Finder Award
ANZ Rewards Program
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Bonus points
180,000
Points per $ spent
2
Interest-free period
Up to 44 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
21.99%
Annual fee
$375
Go to siteMore Info
Get 180,000 bonus ANZ Reward Points (worth $800+ in digital gift cards) and $150 back when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Interest-free period
Up to 44 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Annual fee
$450
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Get a yearly $450 Travel Credit and 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
Westpac Altitude Qantas Black
Westpac Altitude Qantas Black image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Bonus points
120,000
Points per $ spent
0.75
Interest-free period
Up to 45 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Annual fee
$370
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Up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points (90,000 points in year 1 when you spend $6,000 in the first 120 days & 30,000 points after the first spend in year 2).
Qantas Premier Everyday
Qantas Premier Everyday image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Bonus points
8,000
Points per $ spent
0.75
Interest-free period
Up to 44 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%
Annual fee
$99
Go to siteMore Info
Get 2 bonus Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases in the first 4 months (up to 8,000 points), plus complimentary insurance.
ANZ Qantas Business Rewards
ANZ Qantas Business Rewards image
Qantas Business Rewards
Purchase rate p.a.
20.24%
Bonus points
130,000
Points per $ spent
0.75
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Annual fee
$375
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75k revenue. Get 130,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, a fast-track to Qantas Business Rewards Level 2.
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card image
Qantas Business Rewards
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Bonus points
130,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Interest-free period
Up to 51 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Annual fee
$450
Go to siteMore Info
(ABN holders w/ $75k revenue). Earn 130,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 2 months.
American Express Explorer Credit Card
American Express Explorer Credit Card image
Membership Rewards
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
2
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Annual fee
$395
Go to siteMore Info
Get 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
Westpac Altitude Platinum Card
Westpac Altitude Platinum Card image
Westpac Altitude Rewards
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Bonus points
120,000
Points per $ spent
1
Interest-free period
Up to 45 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Annual fee
$99 first year ($175 after)
Go to siteMore Info
Up to 120,000 bonus Altitude Points (90,000 points in year 1 when you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days & 30,000 points after the first spend in year 2).
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Gary Ross Hunter's headshot

"I took out the Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard (which won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Travel Credit Card) when I went to Japan with my partner. It comes with the option to upgrade, which includes a higher cancellation cover benefit."

Editor, Insurance

What is complimentary credit card travel insurance?

Complimentary travel insurance is a credit card benefit that gives you access to cover for overseas trips, domestic trips or a mix of both. In most cases, you'll get cover for yourself, your partner and dependent children that are travelling with you.

You don't have to pay for this travel insurance, because it's included with your credit card. But you typically need to book your return travel using the credit card or activate the policy online before you get cover.

Types of credit card travel insurance

There are 4 main types of complimentary credit card travel insurance, with cover for different situations.

World icon
  • International travel insurance
    Typically gives you comprehensive cover for overseas trips, including for emergency medical and dental costs, travel delays and lost or stolen luggage.
Plane icon
  • Transit accident insurance
    A type of cover for injuries or accidents that happen on planes, trains, buses or other eligible vehicles. It usually only applies when you're overseas.
Car icon
  • Rental vehicle excess insurance
    Helps cover the cost of any excess you need to pay a car hire company if there's an accident. Depending on the card's insurance policy, you could get cover on rental vehicles overseas, in Australia or both.
Domestic travel insurance
  • Domestic interstate flight inconvenience insurance
    The most common type of credit card travel insurance for domestic trips. Offers cover for issues such as cancelled flights, flight delays of 4 hours or more, delayed or lost luggage and funeral expenses when you're flying to a different state or territory in Australia.

What does credit card international travel insurance cover?

If you get a credit card with comprehensive overseas travel insurance, it will typically include cover for:

  • Emergency medical issues
  • Cancellation (for specific situations)
  • Major flight delays
  • Lost and stolen baggage, travel documents and valuables
  • Hijacking, kidnap and ransom
  • Personal liability
  • Accidental death
  • Funeral expenses

Does credit card travel insurance cover COVID-19?

A lot of major banks and brands offer credit card travel insurance with some COVID-19 cover in 2023, including Amex, ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac.

In fact, Finder has analysed the complimentary credit card insurance policies for 14 providers and found at least 58 cards offered some cover for claims related to COVID-19. In most cases, this includes overseas emergency medical assistance and some cancellation cover.

Similar to buying travel insurance, there are specific situations when you can and can't claim. These details are included in the insurance policy documents (or PDS).

Pros and cons of credit card travel insurance

Pros

  • Save money on buying insurance. Credit card travel insurance can save you hundreds of dollars on paying for cover when you're going overseas.
  • Includes immediate family members. Your partner and children can also get cover through your credit card travel insurance when they're travelling with you and meet the eligibility requirements.
  • Cover is provided by major insurance brands. Most complimentary credit card travel insurance is underwritten by Allianz, Chubb or Cover-More, which are all large, global insurance brands.
  • Simple activation process. Usually, you just need to use your credit card to book a return travel ticket or activate the insurance through internet banking. Some policies also let you make claims online.

Cons

  • Only covers trips up to a certain length. Overseas credit card travel insurance policies typically cover trips of up to 3 or 6 months. Interstate or domestic cover could be for as little as 7–14 days. So it won't be suitable if you're planning a longer journey or a one-way trip.
  • Limited customisation. Only a few credit card travel insurance policies give you the option of adding or upgrading cover for things like extreme activities or sports.
  • Credit card costs. Most credit cards with comprehensive overseas travel insurance have higher annual fees than other cards. There could also be interest charges if you book your travel and don't pay it off straight away.

How to activate credit card travel insurance

Most credit card travel insurance is automatically "activated" when you meet the eligibility requirements, including for eligible ANZ, NAB and Westpac cards.

Each policy is different, but common requirements include:

  • Book a return ticket. Most credit card travel insurance policies require you to book and pay for your return ticket to Australia before your trip starts.
  • Use your credit card to book your travel. Usually, you need to pay for some or all of your overseas trip with your credit card. A really simple way to do this is to use it for flights, accommodation or other major costs. If you have a rewards credit card, you may be able to activate the policy by redeeming points for some or all of your travel booking.
  • Make sure the length of your trip meets the policy requirements. For example, if the insurance covers trips of up to 3 consecutive months, you wouldn't be covered for a trip that's 6 months long.
  • Activate the policy. Sometimes you'll need to activate your credit card travel insurance online to be eligible for full cover. For example, if you have a CommBank card with international travel insurance, you need to activate it through NetBank or by calling Cover-More to get comprehensive cover.

Remember to check the insurance policy booklet that came with your credit card for the exact requirements of your cover. You can also call the insurance provider if you have any questions (or need more proof of cover).

Who is covered by credit card travel insurance?

As well as cover for yourself, most policies offer cover for your spouse and dependent children when they meet the eligibility requirements. Some common conditions are:

  • They must be travelling with you for most or all of the trip
  • Some or all of their travel must be paid for using your credit card
  • They must have a return ticket to Australia before the start of the trip

Check out Finder's guide to credit card travel insurance for your spouse and dependent children for more details on how this cover works.

Age limits

Most credit card travel insurance policies cover people up to the age of 79. But different age limits may apply if you have a pre-existing condition.

For example, if you're over 50 years of age and have diabetes or glucose intolerance, you wouldn't get cover for those conditions with a Bankwest credit card. Finder's guide on credit card insurance and age limits has more details on different age requirements.

Pre-existing medical conditions

All travel insurance policies have specific requirements around when you will and won't be covered for a pre-existing condition.

In basic terms, a pre-existing condition is anything you have been professionally diagnosed with and/or are currently being treated for before the start of your trip. For example:

  • Pregnancy
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Asthma
  • Psychological and psychiatric conditions

Some pre-existing conditions can be automatically covered by an insurance policy and others may require you to apply for cover. Depending on the policy, some conditions may not be covered at all. So, you should always check the insurance policy document for full details.

🔥 Hot tip: The easiest way to find details in the insurance policy booklet is to open your digital copy and use the find tool (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to search for the terms. E.g. "Pre-existing medical conditions".

How to make a claim

This process depends on the insurance provider. But as a general guide, the steps you'll need to take are:

  1. Contact the insurance provider. As soon as you think you'll need to make a claim, call or email the insurance provider using the contact details in the insurance policy booklet.
  2. Fill in the claim form. This is usually an online form or one that you can download and send back to the insurer.
  3. Include supporting documents. It's important to provide supporting documents and evidence with your claim. These details help the insurer assess your eligibility for a payout. Some examples of what to include are:
    • Your credit card statement showing the relevant purchase/s required to activate the policy (e.g. a travel ticket)
    • A copy of a police report, if you're claiming for lost or stolen items
    • Medical certificates
    • Photo evidence
    • Proof of ownership for lost, stolen or damaged items
    • Flight itineraries and letters from carriers detailing delayed flights or unexpected events
  4. Submit your application. You should receive written confirmation from the insurer once you have submitted all the details online, over the phone or by mail.

How can I find the best credit card for travel insurance? 3 questions to ask

There's no single best credit card for travel insurance because everyone wants different features from a card. So here are the key questions you can ask to choose a card.

Number 1

How much cover can I get for my trips?

Credit card overseas travel insurance typically offers comprehensive cover for trips of up to 3–6 months.

But there are different claim limits for specific types of cover, which are in the insurance policy document. For example, a policy might offer unlimited cover for emergency medical claims and up to $2,000 for emergency dental.

Number 2

What are the costs?

Credit cards with overseas travel insurance typically have annual fees that range from $49 to over $450, although some cards do offer $0 annual fees in the first year or ongoing.

You should also check if you need to pay for some of your trip with the card to get cover and consider potential interest charges as rates can be high. And if you want to use the card overseas, check the foreign transaction fee (usually around 3%).

Number 3

What other features are on the card?

Most credit cards that offer overseas travel insurance are platinum or higher-level accounts. So you could get benefits like frequent flyer or reward points, airport lounge passes or travel credit.

Just keep in mind that these features are only worth it if you use them and can justify the card's annual fee.

Other credit card travel insurance costs to look for:

  • Excess payments. This is what you pay when you make an insurance claim. It's typically between $0 and $250 per claim with complimentary credit card travel insurance, which is similar to the excess for paid travel insurance. But it does vary and (can be higher).
  • Out-of-pocket costs. You need to cover any essential costs (e.g. medical bills) while a claim is being processed. And if your expenses are more than the claim limit, you'll be out of pocket.
  • Other policy fees. If you need to request cover for a pre-existing medical condition or if you're over the maximum age for standard cover, there may be an additional premium. Some credit cards also offer upgraded travel insurance with more coverage, which also attracts a fee.

What is interstate flight inconvenience insurance?

This type of complimentary insurance typically offers cover for trips of up to 14 days when you're flying to other states and territories in Australia. What you can claim depends on the card and the insurance policy, but some of the most common options include:

  • Flight delays. If your flight is delayed for a set amount of time (e.g. 4 hours or more) and no alternative transport is provided, you could claim compensation for food and refreshments.
  • Baggage delays. If your baggage is delayed (usually by more than 12 hours) you can claim compensation for essentials.
  • Lost or damaged items. If your items are accidentally lost, damaged or stolen during the trip, this insurance could help cover the cost of repairs or replacement items.
  • Funeral costs. In the event of accidental death during the trip, you could be able to submit a claim for costs related to the transportation of remains or cremation or burial.
  • Cancellations. Usually, you'll only get cover for very specific reasons if you need to cancel a trip. For example, if the travel is non-refundable and you or a close family member becomes seriously injured before the trip.

To get cover, you usually need to pay for the return flight with your credit card before the start of your trip. There are also exclusions, claim limits and sometimes excess costs. So check the credit card insurance policy booklet for full details of the cover.

Other types of credit card complimentary insurance

Some credit cards offer complimentary insurances that relate to purchases or specific items, including:

  • Purchase protection insurance. Cover for theft, accidental damage or loss of items purchased with an eligible card, typically for up to 90 days from the purchase date.
  • Extended warranty insurance. Offers an extension on the manufacturer's warranty for eligible items purchased in Australia, usually for up to 12 months.
  • Best-price guarantee. This cover offers a refund on the difference in price if you buy an item in-store and then find it at a lower price a few weeks later.
  • Mobile phone insurance. A few credit cards offer insurance for mobile phones, including some Citi and Amex cards. Depending on the policy, you could get cover for accidental damage to your smartphone screen, theft or other types of accidental damage.

Is credit card travel insurance worth it?

The government's SmartTraveller website says travel insurance is "as important as your passport". So if you're going overseas, getting travel insurance through a credit card means you'll save money on paying for a policy. But it's important to check what's covered – especially if there's something specific you want to cover.

Gary Ross Hunter's headshot

"Credit card travel insurance is convenient but there are some situations where it falls short. Many don't automatically cover pre-existing medical conditions and lots come with a $500 excess. This can make smaller claims pointless. For example, my luggage was delayed on a recent trip. ​​I could have claimed to buy essentials. Instead, I made do with what I had. There's no way my expenses would have exceeded $500. In these situations, standalone travel insurance may be better."

Editor, Insurance

Frequently asked questions

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Loewenthal as part of our fact-checking process.
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Editor

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

Amy's expertise
Amy has written 565 Finder guides across topics including:
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10 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    VickieNovember 1, 2023

    I would like to know if Suncorp complimentary travel insurance includes cruises.
    I only seem to see flight information.
    Do I need to purchase seperate insurance when going on a cruise.

      AvatarFinder
      AmyNovember 3, 2023Finder

      Hi Vicki,
      Some cover for cruises may be available if it is an overseas cruise or a foreign-registered cruise vessel in Australian territorial waters, based on the definitions of “overseas” and “return overseas travel ticket” in the insurance policy information booklet for the Suncorp Clear Options Platinum Credit Card. But as this is a very specific question about the cover, you may want to call Allianz (the insurance provider) on 1800 072 791 to get specific details relating to cruises. Alternatively, you can compare cruise travel insurance on Finder. I hope this helps.

    Default Gravatar
    CathyMay 5, 2023

    My parents are travelling to Greece in June for three months. They are 76 and 69 years old. They have various pre existing conditions including high blood pressure. They are pensioners. Are they able to get health insurance through a credit card?

      AvatarFinder
      AmyMay 8, 2023Finder

      Hi Cathy,
      Most credit card travel insurance will typically cover people up to the age of 79 or 81. This includes eligible cards from American Express, ANZ, Bankwest, Westpac, St.George. All of them have different details about pre-existing conditions and most include information for hypertension (high blood pressure) and other common existing conditions.

      If your parents already have a credit card, they can check the relevant policy document or call the insurance provider. If they don’t have a credit card already and their trip is already booked, it could be difficult to get cover as many cards require some of the travel to be paid for with the card. But you can compare options in this guide. Alternatively, Finder has a dedicated guide for seniors travel insurance where you can compare policies and prices. I hope that helps.

    Default Gravatar
    AlanMarch 28, 2023

    Can I get card travel insurance if I am a type 1 diabetic

      AvatarFinder
      AmyMarch 30, 2023Finder

      Hi Alan,
      Yes, it’s possible to get credit card travel insurance that covers diabetes. Because it’s considered a pre-existing medical condition, the cover and requirements vary between credit card insurance policies.

      For example, with both St.George credit card complimentary insurance and Suncorp credit card complimentary insurance offer cover for diabetes/glucose intolerance if you:

      • Were diagnosed more than 12 consecutive months ago
      • Have not had any complications in the last 12 consecutive months
      • Have a blood sugar level reading between between 4 and 12 or a HbA1C score of 9% or less
      • Are not currently undergoing treatment for kidney, eye or nerve complications

      But some other credit card insurance policies don’t offer cover for diabetes or other pre-existing conditions. If you’ve found a card you want, you can check whether diabetes is covered by looking at the credit card insurance policy booklet’s details on pre-existing conditions, or by calling the insurer listed in the booklet. I hope that helps.

    Default Gravatar
    JamesDecember 10, 2018

    Why isn’t BankWest’s Zero Platinum credit card on here? It offers a credit card with no fees, gives complimentary travel insurance, and no international transaction fees (none of the credit cards above offer that). It’s arguably the best credit card for travelling in overseas if you’re after a credit card with no fees. ING One Platinum also offers complimentary travel insurance, no international transaction fees, but costs $149 per year.

      AvatarFinder
      MayDecember 16, 2018Finder

      Hi James,

      Thanks for your comment.

      Yes, Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard doesn’t incur fees when you use it overseas plus no annual fee on the card. Although we feature a wide range of products, providers, and services, we don’t cover every product, provider, or service available in the market so there may be other options available to you. You can check out more about Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard and ING Orange One Platinum.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      May

    Default Gravatar
    ArthurMarch 20, 2018

    Am I covered for complimentere travel insurance with a Coles platinum credit card?

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