Travel protections — trip delay, baggage, rental car CDW
protection · 5 min read
Trip delay reimbursement
Most premium travel cards (CSR, Amex Plat, Venture X) reimburse up to $500/trip when your flight is delayed 6-12+ hours. Actual claims are usually paid for meals, hotels, and essentials.
Baggage delay insurance
Many cards pay $100-200/day for essentials if your checked bag is delayed 6+ hours. Used more than people realize.
Rental car CDW
Chase Sapphire Preferred, Reserve, Ink Preferred, and Amex Platinum (when pre-registered) offer primary collision damage waiver on rental cars. Saves the $25-40/day insurance upcharge from rental companies.
- Primary: covers damage without needing to file with your own insurance.
- Secondary: covers what your insurance doesn't (most cards default to secondary, which is nearly useless).
Always check your card's specific benefits guide. Amex sells an additional $19.95/rental premium car rental protection that IS primary and usually worth it for expensive rentals.