travel insurance with westpac credit card

Westpac Complimentary Credit Card Insurance and COVID-19 (Coronavirus) FAQ

Information for westpac eligible cardholders regarding covid-19.

Information on this page is correct as of  30 June 2022 .

Stay up to date on Travel Information for COVID-19 from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)  Smartraveller  website and  World Health Organisation  (WHO) and  Department of Home Affairs .

Always consult the smartraveller.gov.au website prior to any travel. In addition to visas, COVID-19 testing, and proof of vaccination requirements, many countries now have compulsory insurance and medical cover proof conditions. Check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you are entering. If you require additional documentation regarding the complimentary international travel insurance policy due to international entry requirements, please contact us on 1800 091 710.

From 30 June 2022, if during the period of your cover, you (and your spouse/dependents, if they’re eligible for cover) are positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic (such as COVID-19), cover may be available under the following sections:

• 1.1 Overseas Emergency Assistance
• 1.2 Overseas Emergency Medical
• 1.4 Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
• 2.1 Cancellation
• 3.1 Additional Expenses

If your travel companion is positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19, which impacts your journey, cover may be available to you under the following sections: 

Note, you won’t be covered while travelling against advice or warnings issued by the Australian government and you did not take reasonable care to avoid contracting the sickness, for example by delaying travel to the country listed in a warning.

The above is a summary only, please refer to  Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet   and  Westpac Business Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet  for eligibility criteria, full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.

A General Exclusion for epidemic/pandemic applies for all claims relating to any epidemic/pandemic outside of the select benefits in the applicable policy information booklet  Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet   and  Westpac Business Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet . Please note, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply.

To receive a formal outcome, Eligible Westpac Cardholders must submit a claim.

Eligible Westpac travellers who meet the eligibility criteria should be aware that other General Exclusions have the potential to apply.

What is a General Exclusion?

A General Exclusion is an exclusion which will be applied across all sections of an insurance policy, and applies regardless of when eligibility for cover was gained. Should a General Exclusion apply, this means that your complimentary credit card travel insurance excludes cover for the event, activities or circumstances (specified in the exclusion) that causes your claim.

To understand what is excluded from the Westpac Complimentary Insurance covers, please refer to Part D – Excesses & General Exclusions section and the section specific exclusions of the relevant Westpac Policy Information Booklet for which your eligible Westpac card is applicable under:  Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet    and  Westpac Business Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet .

Other exclusions may apply depending upon the circumstances of an individual claim. General Exclusions include but are not limited to:

• by the Australian government (when a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert is in place), which can be found on  www.smartraveller.gov.au ; or
• which was published in a reliable mass media source.
• any interference with your travel plans by any government, government regulation or prohibition or intervention or official authority. For example, if  Smartraveller  has a warning, ‘Do not travel’ or ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ due to the risk of COVID-19 infection for a destination, and a cardholder chooses to ignore the warning and is infected with COVID-19, cover may be excluded. Or if a government closes its borders to inbound travellers due to COVID-19 and you are unable to enter and follow your planned travel across the closed border, cover may be excluded.

What if a Westpac Eligible Cardholder has booked travel and needs to cancel due to contracting COVID-19?

If you are unable to travel as a result of contracting COVID-19, Cancellation cover may be provided to eligible travellers, if you or your travel companion are positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic such as COVID-19, and cover is expressly included under the Cancellation section of the relevant Westpac Policy Information Booklet for which your eligible Westpac card is applicable under:  Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet   and  Westpac Business Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet . If you are unable to travel as a result of an Epidemic or Pandemic related event which does not include you or your travel companion being positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, for example a border closure, there may be no provision to claim as a general exclusion for epidemic and pandemic applies. A General Exclusion for epidemic/pandemic applies for all claims relating to any epidemic/pandemic outside of the cancellation benefits in the applicable policy information booklet. Please note, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply.

You therefore need to consider your own personal circumstances. We are not able to provide you with a cover decision before submitting a claim. To receive a formal outcome, Westpac Eligible Cardholders must submit a claim.

You should also contact your travel agent or travel service provider (airline, cruise line or Tour Company, etc) as they may be able to support you in obtaining refunds, credits or travel re-scheduling.

Can Westpac Eligible Cardholders make a claim for consideration?

Every Westpac Eligible Cardholder can submit a claim and have their individual circumstances considered in accordance with the eligibility criteria which includes the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply as set out in the  Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet    and  Westpac Business Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet .

If you would like to claim, we encourage you to claim online via  insurance.agaassistance.com.au/westpac

Call the Allianz Global Assistance Claims team

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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

We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.

Learn how we maintain accuracy on our site.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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).

Credit card brands that offer complimentary travel insurance with some COVID-19 cover.

Finder's analysis found these providers all offer credit cards with travel insurance that includes some cover for COVID-related claims in 2023:

• American Express
• Bank of Melbourne
• BOQ Specialist
• Bendigo Bank
• P&N Bank
• Virgin Money

Remember: You'll need an eligible credit card and will have to make sure you meet its travel insurance requirements before you can make a claim.

Pros and cons of credit card travel insurance

• 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.
• 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.

Related: Credit card travel insurance saved me $200 – here's how

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.

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:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• 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:

• 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.
• Fill in the claim form. This is usually an online form or one that you can download and send back to the insurer.
• 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
• 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.

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.

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%).

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.

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.

Gary Ross Hunter Finder's insurance and innovations editor

Frequently asked questions

What should i do if i have a pre-existing medical condition.

Credit card travel insurance cover for pre-existing medical conditions varies depending on the policy. So here's what to do before you travel:

• Check the credit card insurance policy document to find out if your pre-existing condition is covered.
• Contact the insurance provider (not the credit card company) and ask if there is a way for you to get coverage for the pre-existing condition.
• Ask the insurer for confirmation that your pre-existing condition will be covered and/or that you'll be eligible for cover unrelated to the condition.
• Find out if there's an additional fee for getting the pre-existing condition covered (e.g. for a medical assessment). If there is a cost, you can compare it to buying insurance to help decide what will suit your trip.

Tip: Document any conversation you have with the insurance provider so you can refer to it later if you need to make a claim.

What domestic travel insurance can I get through my credit card?

A lot of credit cards offer interstate flight inconvenience insurance, which typically covers trips of up to 14 days when you book return flights to another state or territory in Australia. Some cards also offer rental vehicle excess in Australia insurance.

If your international travel includes a domestic leg as part of the booking, it may also be eligible for a limited amount of cover through a credit card's international travel insurance policy. But only a few credit cards offer comprehensive domestic travel insurance, including the American Express Explorer, Qantas American Express Ultimate and American Express Velocity Platinum.

What is transit accident insurance?

Credit card transit accident insurance offers cover for serious injuries or accidental death when you're travelling on a licensed plane, train, bus, ferry or other form of specified transportation. It also applies when you are boarding or leaving the transport. It's sometimes known as travel accident insurance and full details will be in each insurance policy booklet.

If I have high blood pressure, will I still be able to use my credit card's complimentary travel insurance policy?

High blood pressure is typically considered a pre-existing medical condition, so cover varies between credit cards and insurance policies.

For example, ANZ complimentary international travel insurance provides cover for high blood pressure (hypertension) as long as it is stable and you're not waiting for treatment , on a hospital waiting list or awaiting the results of medical tests or investigations. If any of those situations apply, you'll need to contact Allianz for confirmation of cover.

In comparison, Suncorp credit cards with complimentary international travel insurance offers cover for hypertension if you have no known heart conditions and your current blood pressure reading is lower than 165/95 .

You also need to meet the other eligibility requirements for the cover.

Do I need to travel with all my documents to get insurance?

Credit card travel insurance policies don't typically require you to travel with any extra documentation beyond what's needed for the trip (such as your passport, flight or other travel tickets and any required international visas).

But it is useful to take a copy of the credit card travel insurance policy and proof you have activated the cover (e.g. a receipt showing pre-payment for the trip). You'll need these details for any claims, so having them in a travel wallet or online folder could make it easier if something unexpected happens.

How do I get the policy number for my complimentary travel insurance?

You can check the credit card complimentary insurance policy booklet to see if there is a master or group policy number – this number is often used instead of an individual policy number. You could also call the insurance provider to get these details.

If you need the policy details for a travel company or cruise, you can also ask for a letter of eligibility.

Does credit card travel insurance cover travel agent issues?

There is typically some cancellation cover for bookings made through travel agents. For example, if you had to cancel a trip because you were seriously injured and the travel agent you booked with charged a cancellation fee.

But complimentary travel insurance won't cover travel agent errors and omissions. That's why you should always read the policy booklet for full details or call the insurance provider.

Can I get cover for trips that start overseas?

No, credit card travel insurance policies typically require your trip to start in Australia. Most policies also require you to have a return ticket to Australia before your trip.

Pictures: Shutterstock, Pexels, Flaticon

Amy Bradney-George

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.

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10 Responses

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Thank you for your comment.

Per checking, the platinum versions of the Coles Mastercard does not have a complimentary travel insurance. To check, kindly refer to the pages below: – https://www.finder.com.au/coles-low-rate-mastercard – https://www.finder.com.au/coles-rewards-credit-card – https://www.finder.com.au/coles-no-annual-fee-mastercard

Regards, Jhezelyn

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The 9 best credit cards with travel insurance

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

Travel insurance can save you a lot of money if something goes wrong on a trip. Luckily, some of the top travel rewards cards offer travel insurance when you pay for travel with your card. For example, some cards will reimburse select expenses if your baggage is damaged , you're stranded overnight due to a flight delay or cancellation or you have to return home to handle a family medical emergency .

I almost always rely on travel protections provided by premium credit cards instead of purchasing travel insurance. But when traveling during the coronavirus pandemic, you should consider when to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections .

We have a separate guide about the best travel insurance if you want to buy a policy. So, today I'll discuss some of the best rewards cards that provide travel insurance. In particular, I'll focus on cards that offer both travel insurance and bonus rewards when you use the card to purchase flights, trains, buses and other scheduled transportation.

Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG's free daily newsletter .

Best credit cards with travel insurance

• Chase Sapphire Reserve : Best overall card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card : Best sub-$100 annual fee card
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card : Best business card
• United Club Infinite Card : Best for United loyalists
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for business travel booked with Amex Travel
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card : Best for Delta loyalists
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Best for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card : Best for U.S. Bank customers

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve 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.

Types of travel insurance you can get from a credit card

Many of the best travel rewards cards offer travel insurance when you use your card to purchase travel. Although some cards will provide coverage even if you only pay taxes and fees on an award ticket, some cards require you to pay for your entire trip with the card. See the links below for more information on the types of travel insurance offered by select cards and the best cards for each kind of insurance:

• Baggage delay protection
• Lost/damaged baggage protection
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Medical evacuation benefit and travel accident insurance
• Emergency medical and dental benefit (offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Rental car coverage

As you'll notice in this guide, the types and levels of protection vary significantly across credit cards. And most protections have exclusions or limitations . So be sure to read the guide to benefits on your card before assuming something or someone will be covered .

Related: TPG's comprehensive guide to independent travel insurance — including coronavirus coverage

Comparing credit cards with travel insurance

Now let's take a closer look at each card to determine how you can use these perks when things go wrong on a trip.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Sign-up bonus : Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's valuations , this bonus is worth $1,200.

Rewards : 10x points on Lyft rides through March 2022 ; 3x points on dining and travel ; 1x points on everything else

Travel insurance :

• Baggage delay : Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage more than six hours
• Lost/damaged baggage : Up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment
• Trip delay reimbursement : Up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection : Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Medical evacuation benefit : Up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home (100-mile requirement waived for New York residents)
• Travel accident insurance : Accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel)
• Emergency medical and dental benefit : Up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home (100-mile requirement waived for New York residents)
• Rental car coverage : Primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or less

Annual fee : $550 ($75 for each authorized user )

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all travel purchases. Due to its 6% return and excellent travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is my go-to card for travel expenses. Plus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides protections on award tickets even when I only charge the award's taxes and fees to the card .

To learn more, check out the full Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review and guide to benefits . If you decide to apply, here's the official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Sapphire Reserve, Ink Preferred and Freedom Unlimited

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Sign-up bonus : Earn 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit on grocery purchases in the first year of account opening. Based on TPG's valuations , this bonus is worth $1,650.

Rewards : 5x points on Lyft rides through March 2022 ; 2x points on dining and travel ; 1x points on everything else

• Baggage delay : Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a common carrier delays your baggage more than six hours
• Trip delay reimbursement : Up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay
• Travel accident insurance : Accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $500,000 for common carrier travel)
• Rental car coverage : Primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to the actual cash value of most rented cars on rentals of 31 days or less

Annual fee : $95

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel rewards credit cards for the average traveler . Although a 4% return on travel purchases isn't fantastic, it's still respectable considering the card's modest $95 annual fee and travel protections. As with the Chase Sapphire Reserve , you'll get coverage on award tickets even when you only use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay the taxes and fees.

To learn more, check out our Chase Sapphire Preferred review and the complete guide to benefits . And here's the official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

Related: 5 reasons why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should be your first card

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Sign-up bonus : Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's valuations , this bonus is worth $2,000.

Rewards : 3x points on the first $150,000 spent each account year in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines; 1x points on everything else

• Trip cancellation and interruption protection : Up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Rental car coverage : Primary coverage (except when renting for personal reasons in your country of residence, in which case coverage is secondary) for damages caused by theft or collision up to the actual cash value of most rented cars on rentals of 31 days or less

The Ink Business Preferred is one of the best business travel rewards cards on the market. It earns a 6% return on the first $150,000 spent in select categories , which is excellent considering the card's $95 annual fee and travel protections. As with other Chase cards , you'll be protected on award tickets as long as you use your Ink Business Preferred to pay the taxes and fees.

To learn more, check out the full Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review . And here's the official application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card

United Club Infinite Card

Sign-up bonus : Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's valuations , this bonus is worth $975.

Rewards : 4x miles on purchases with United; 2x miles at restaurants and on other travel; 1x miles on everything else

• Baggage delay : Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to three days if a common carrier delays your baggage more than six hours

Annual fee : $525

The United Club Infinite Card provides decent travel protections, a 5.2% return on purchases with United and a United Club membership . But, its 2.6% return on other travel purchases and 1.3% return on all other purchases means you'll earn rewards slowly. As with other Chase-issued cards, you'll be protected on award tickets even when you only use your United Club Infinite Card to pay the taxes and fees.

To learn more, check out the full United Club Infinite Card review . And here's the official application link: United Club Infinite Card.

Related: Best ways to use the United Club Infinite Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer : Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on your new card at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases) during your first six months of card membership. Based on TPG's valuations , the 75,000-point bonus is worth $1,500. However, you may be able to snag a targeted 100,000-point offer through the CardMatch tool (offer subject to change at any time).

Rewards : 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year); 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel ; 1x points on other purchases

• Lost/damaged baggage : Up to $3,000 per traveler for carry-on baggage and up to $2,000 per traveler for checked baggage, but only $1,000 per traveler for high-risk items. Note that you must pay the entire fare with your card (including Pay with Points ).
• Trip delay reimbursement : Up to $500 per covered trip and up to two claims per 12-month period per card if a common carrier delays you by more than six hours. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection : Up to $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).
• Rental car coverage : Get secondary coverage of up to $75,000 for damages caused by theft or collision on rentals of 30 days or less when you pay for the entire rental with an eligible card (including Pay with Points). You can pay per rental to upgrade to primary coverage through the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program .
• Emergency medical transportation : At no cost if the Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department determines it is medically necessary and advisable due to inadequate local facilities. You must be traveling more than 100 miles from home on a trip of 90 days or less.

Annual fee : $550 ($175 for up to three additional Platinum cards , then $175 for each additional Platinum card after the first three; see rates and fees)

The Amex Platinum provides an impressive 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year). it also offers 5x points for prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. So, using TPG's latest valuations , you'll get a 10% return on these purchases. But even with a 10% return on select airfare purchases, I still don't use the Amex Platinum to book flights . Instead, I use the Amex Platinum primarily as a membership card since the Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel protections provide better coverage for my travel style.

To learn more, check out our Platinum Card from American Express card review and take a look at the terms and conditions of each benefit. Here's the official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express. But, you may also want to check the CardMatch Tool to see if Amex has targeted you for a different offer. However, CardMatch offers are subject to change at any time.

Related: Comparing built-in travel insurance with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer : Earn 125,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG's valuations , the 125,000-point bonus is worth $2,500.

Rewards : 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel ; 1.5x points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more (up to one million additional points per year); 1x points on other purchases

• Trip delay reimbursement : Up to $500 per covered trip and up to two claims per 12-month period per card if a common carrier delays you more than six hours. Coverage only provided on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card (paying taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay with Points tickets is covered).

Annual fee : $595 (see rates and fees)

The Amex Business Platinum provides an impressive 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel . Based on TPG's latest valuations , this means you'll get a 10% return on these purchases. But, if you don't want to book through Amex Travel and would prefer to earn bonus points on a wide variety of business expenses, you may be better off with the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

To learn more, check out our Business Platinum Card from American Express card review and take a look at the terms and conditions of each benefit. And here's the official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express.

Related: Why you should consider having both the personal and business Amex Platinum cards

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Welcome offer : Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first three months. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG's valuations , the 50,000-mile bonus (plus the statement credit) is worth $650.

Rewards : 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta; 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.

Annual fee : $550 (see rates and fees)

The Delta Reserve Amex provides a 3.3% return on purchases made directly with Delta as well as travel protections that can protect you on eligible round-trips. I'd personally use the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card instead of the Delta Reserve when buying flights. But the Delta Reserve offers decent travel protections if you don't have any of these Chase-issued cards or want to earn Delta miles .

To learn more, check out the full Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review and take a look at the terms and conditions of each benefit. And here's the official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.

Related: Choosing the best credit cards for Delta flyers

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Sign-up bonus : Earn 50,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. This bonus is worth $500.

Rewards : 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points on all other purchases. Plus, earn 2 points for every $1 spent on grocery store purchases- now through 12/31/21.

• Trip delay reimbursement : Up to $500 per ticket for unexpected trip delays of more than 12 hours
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection : Up to $2,500 per person, per trip for unused pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Baggage delay : Up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days for baggage delays of more than six hours
• Lost luggage reimbursement : Provides coverage for luggage and its contents if they are lost or stolen due to theft or misdirection by your common carrier
• Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage : Covers eligible medical services and transportation if you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip far from home that results in an emergency evacuation.
• Rental car coverage : Get secondary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers solid value in exchange for its $95 annual fee. For example, you'll get an up to $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck application fee credit every four years and an annual up to $100 airline incidental fee statement credit .

But, this card is ideal for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members. After all, these members can earn between 25%-75% more points on their purchases. That means the card's 2x earnings on travel and dining could increase up to 3.5 points per dollar. Meanwhile, the 1.5x earnings on all other purchases could rise as high as 2.625 points per dollar.

To learn more, check out our Bank of America Premium Rewards Visa Credit Card review .

Related: 5 reasons to get the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

Sign-up bonus : Earn 50,000 points after you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening. These points are worth $750 when redeemed to offset eligible travel purchases. However, this card is only available to U.S. Bank customers who have an eligible U.S. Bank account relationship open and active at least five business days before applying.

Rewards : 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 3x points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending; 3x points on takeout, food delivery and dining through June 30, 2021; 1x points on other purchases

• Trip delay reimbursement : Up to $500 per ticket purchased with your card if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection : Up to $2,000 per person, but only to cover non-refundable common carrier tickets
• Lost baggage reimbursement : Up to $3,000 per trip (up to $2,000 per bag for New York residents) if your checked or carry-on bag (or its contents) is lost due to theft or misdirection by a common carrier
• Travel accident insurance : Up to $500,000 of accidental death and dismemberment coverage when you use your card to purchase a ticket for eligible forms of transportation
• Rental car coverage : Coverage for physical damage and theft, reasonable and customary towing and valid loss-of-use charges

Annual fee : $400

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card can be an excellent choice for daily spending and travel purchases , especially if the merchants you shop with accept mobile wallet payments . But the card doesn't include baggage delay protection and the trip cancellation and interruption protection only covers common carrier tickets. However, the Altitude Reserve provides a solid alternative to those who can't get accepted for a Chase card .

For more information, check out our U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card review .

Related: What credit score is needed for a U.S. Bank Card?

Main benefits of having a credit card with travel insurance

There are multiple benefits to having a credit card that provides travel insurance when you pay for eligible travel expenses with your card. The main advantage is simplicity: I don't need to research independent travel insurance unless I'm going on a trip for which my credit card's travel insurance doesn't provide the level of coverage I want .

Having a credit card with travel insurance can also save you money. My sister-in-law paid more than $100 to buy theft and collision insurance from a car rental company . After that experience, she finally got the Chase Sapphire Preferred to obtain similar coverage as a card perk. Now, she can recoup her annual fee even if she just rents a car a couple of times each year.

Finally, having a credit card with travel insurance provides reassurance. I don't need to worry if bad weather causes a flight cancellation and strands me overnight since I know my card will provide trip delay protection . And, I'm almost happy when the airline temporarily misplaces my checked bag for a few days, as my card's baggage delay insurance means I can purchase some essential clothing items while I wait.

Related: Why you might want to get a premium credit card instead of purchasing travel insurance

How to submit a claim

If you're in a situation where you believe you may be eligible for your credit card's travel insurance, your first step should be to read your card's guide to benefits or call the number on the back of your card. Even if you believe you'll be covered after reading your card's guide to benefits, it is usually a good idea to call the number on the back of your card. By calling, you can ensure you're covered, learn about deadlines for making your claim and determine what documents you'll need to collect.

The benefits administrator will usually walk you through the necessary steps for making your claim. Luckily, many card issuers now allow you to file claims online, so you may not need to send in physical documents. Be sure to pay attention to any deadline for starting your claim and uploading documents, as well as any specific requirements for requested documentation.

Related: Your guide to Chase's trip insurance coverage

What card should I use for travel insurance?

The Amex Platinum's 5x points for airfare booked directly through airlines or Amex Travel is impressive. But the lack of baggage delay protection and the requirement of round-trip travel for some benefits usually discourages me from using Amex-issued cards for flights.

Instead, I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve when booking flights and other common carrier travel due to its solid mix of earnings and protections . But, if you can't quite justify the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $550 annual fee , the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card both provide reasonable travel protections for a sub-$100 annual fee .

Related: Why the Sapphire Preferred should still be the first rewards card in your wallet

Bottom line

Credit card travel protections are easy to under-value. However, I've gotten thousands of value from credit card travel insurance over the years. As such, I'll often forgo better earning rates to put airfare and award flight taxes and fees on a card I know provides solid protection. For me, this card is usually the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. However, I purchase independent travel insurance for select trips when I want additional benefits, such as cancel or any reason coverage or non-medical evacuation coverage.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, please click here.

Updated on 5/3/21.

• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

Cruising. Westpac and ANZ complimentary Travel Insurance

By sanne , July 19, 2023 in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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I’ve searched the T&C PDFs of both Westpac and ANZ Credit card Complimentary Travel Insurance and can’t find any mention of cover for cruises and medical evacuation from a cruise ship. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction.   

And from what I read, the cancellation of a trip is capped at $20,000 for ANZ and in unlimited for Westpac. Maybe someone is able to confirm that.

Thanks for your help. 

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I can only guide you re ANZ Complimentary Insurance.

The Booklet I refer to covers these cards

ELIGIBLE CARDS: The complimentary insurance outlined in this booklet is available to the eligible beneficiaries of the following credit cards: • ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum • ANZ Frequent Flyer Black • ANZ Rewards Platinum • ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures • ANZ Rewards Black • ANZ Platinum

Do you have one of these cards? If so, page 14 defines Overseas as

"outside of Australia and its territories, and includes when you are aboard a foreign registered cruise vessel in Australian territorial waters"

Therefore further down on whats covered, page 21

Overseas Emergency, medical and evacuation are unlimited.

And yes, cancellation is capped at $20,000 so you need to work out if that is good for your situation.

For us, our cruise holidays are never more than that.

31 minutes ago, sanne said: I’ve searched the T&C PDFs of both Westpac and ANZ Credit card Complimentary Travel Insurance and can’t find any mention of cover for cruises and medical evacuation from a cruise ship. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction.    And from what I read, the cancellation of a trip is capped at $20,000 for ANZ and in unlimited for Westpac. Maybe someone is able to confirm that.   Thanks for your help. 

Further to cheznandy The Westpac has a similar cluase under their Definitions see below

Definitions There are some words in this booklet that have a special meaning. These words and their meanings are set out in the table below and are highlighted in italics throughout the booklet. Headings have been included for ease of reference but do not form part of the terms and conditions of the cover available Word Meaning

Overseas     

outside of Australia and its territories, and includes when you are aboard a foreign registered cruise vessel in Australian territorial waters.

So you are covered as I see it for Unlimited Overseas Emergency, medical and evacuation 

as cheznandy said above.

BUT as always don't assume we are right, contact your bank and make sure your are covered.

And that there are not small riders or conditions we missed in our readings of the T&Cs and PDS

5 minutes ago, Ozwoody said: Hi Sanne   Further to cheznandy The Westpac has a similar cluase under their Definitions see below   Definitions There are some words in this booklet that have a special meaning. These words and their meanings are set out in the table below and are highlighted in italics throughout the booklet. Headings have been included for ease of reference but do not form part of the terms and conditions of the cover available Word Meaning   Overseas      outside of Australia and its territories, and includes when you are aboard a foreign registered cruise vessel in Australian territorial waters.   So you are covered as I see it for Unlimited Overseas Emergency, medical and evacuation  as cheznandy said above.   BUT as always don't assume we are right, contact your bank and make sure your are covered. And that there are not small riders or conditions we missed in our readings of the T&Cs and PDS      

Great advice John, I have called often over the years we have been using this insurance to clarify any changes in wording, they have always been great to talk to over the phone.

2022cruisey

The ANZ FF Black definitely covers cruising.  They will also email you with a certificate that you can show if you are going to New Caledonia.

Thank you very much  cheznandy, 2022cruisey, and Ozwoody for your excellent reply to my queries. Very kind of you all to post the relevant paragraphs. Much appreciated. 

We use the ANZ card cover for cruising. There is a handy webpage to 'check your cover ' (underwritten by Allianz) where you enter your type of card, destination (I always select worldwide) and dates of trip. They then send you a certificate via email which shows the cruise and covid cover on page 2.  This is what we show when boarding a cruise to New Caledonia where this cover is required.

Similar to answer above, we never require more than $20000 cancellation cover.

LittleFish1976

Prior to covid I used ANZ card insurance for a cruise. I was very concerned about making sure I would be covered for a cruise by them, and more importantly for any medical evacuation from the ship. I emailed them and asked them if they could confirm those things. The email they sent me was comforting as they clearly stated that yes, I was covered for those specific eventualities. I felt happy having it in writing from them and particular to my situation. They can also send you the master policy number for complimentary insurances in case you need to present it as proof of insurance anywhere.

• 2 weeks later...

Only last week I applied for and received free travel insurance through our Westpac mastercard, for next year's trip, which includes two cruises (Oceania and Cunard).  I completely missed reading the last section of the Letter of Eligibility we received, and being concerned about cover for the cruises, I rang the helpline.  A patient and efficient person confirmed we are automatically covered for cruises, and directed me to, "Eligibility for Cover while Cruising and for Epidemic/Pandemic (such as COVID-19) Cover".  

Hope this answers your question, as it did mine  🙂

11 hours ago, Mareblu said: Only last week I applied for and received free travel insurance through our Westpac mastercard, for next year's trip, which includes two cruises (Oceania and Cunard).  I completely missed reading the last section of the Letter of Eligibility we received, and being concerned about cover for the cruises, I rang the helpline.  A patient and efficient person confirmed we are automatically covered for cruises, and directed me to, "Eligibility for Cover while Cruising and for Epidemic/Pandemic (such as COVID-19) Cover".   Hope this answers your question, as it did mine  🙂

I wish the Westpac card (underwritten by Allianz) covered my pre existing medical condition.

7 hours ago, cruisine21 said: I wish the Westpac card (underwritten by Allianz) covered my pre existing medical condition.

Yep! Me too!

I agree that pre-existing conditions are a real problem, and probably why more people don't travel.

Really like that people are ringing there Credit Card Insurer to clarify cover, and reporting back here.

Gives us some confidence that we are covered, not just thinking we might be.

Thanks guys for your posts.

4 hours ago, Mareblu said: I agree that pre-existing conditions are a real problem, and probably why more people don't travel.

Agree with that comment, Linda.

Re the Westpac CC insurance. My son has this card and asked me if his fiancé who lives  with him at the same address is considered his ‘spouse’ in the T&C. I will give them a call but first of all I’d ask since there are some very knowledgeable and helpful people here. 

1 hour ago, sanne said: Re the Westpac CC insurance. My son has this card and asked me if his fiancé who lives  with him at the same address is considered his ‘spouse’ in the T&C. I will give them a call but first of all I’d ask since there are some very knowledgeable and helpful people here. 

If they live together and are in a relationship then the law views them as being in a de facto relationship which is as good as married in the eyes of the law so I should think the answer is 'yes'. Do the T&Cs mention 'de facto spouse'?

Thank you LittleFish1976. I have just received this from Westpac ( Allianz). I’ve posted it to be helpful to others.

Please be advised that according to Policy information booklet (on page 18), Definition of   Spouse:

“ the partner of the cardholder who is in a permanent relationship with the cardholder at the time the journey or trip starts.”

According to above information if you are in permanent relationship however not married, you will be considered as partners  under this definition

Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on the number below.

17 minutes ago, sanne said: Thank you LittleFish1976. I have just received this from Westpac ( Allianz). I’ve posted it to be helpful to others.     Please be advised that according to Policy information booklet (on page 18), Definition of   Spouse:   “ the partner of the cardholder who is in a permanent relationship with the cardholder at the time the journey or trip starts.”   According to above information if you are in permanent relationship however not married, you will be considered as partners  under this definition   Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on the number below.  

You're welcome sanne. Glad you had confirmation that works out well for your family.

• 4 months later...

On 7/28/2023 at 3:52 PM, Mareblu said: Only last week I applied for and received free travel insurance through our Westpac mastercard, for next year's trip, which includes two cruises (Oceania and Cunard).  I completely missed reading the last section of the Letter of Eligibility we received, and being concerned about cover for the cruises, I rang the helpline.  A patient and efficient person confirmed we are automatically covered for cruises, and directed me to, "Eligibility for Cover while Cruising and for Epidemic/Pandemic (such as COVID-19) Cover".   Hope this answers your question, as it did mine  🙂

Hi, I'm just sorting my insurance now for a January cruise and have Westpac Platinum card. Was this sentence "Eligibility for Cover while Cruising and for Epidemic/Pandemic (such as COVID-19) Cover"  specifically stated in the letter you received or in the policy document?

Many thanks

Hi phoenixx,

On Page 3 of Letter of Eligibility:

"Under this group policy, the eligible traveller/s listed  below have access to International Travel Insurance which includes epidemic/pandemic (such as COVID-19) coverage and cover while cruising including while aboard a foreign registered cruise vessel in Australian territorial waters.  Cover is outlined in the sections below, subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits outlined in the Policy Information Booklet."

The PI Booklet is viewable online as part of the complete information forwarded by Westpac, and a scan through reveals the normal travel insurance inclusions and exclusions.  Allianz is the underwriter.

Hope this helps.

2 hours ago, Mareblu said: Hi phoenixx, On Page 3 of Letter of Eligibility:   "Under this group policy, the eligible traveller/s listed  below have access to International Travel Insurance which includes epidemic/pandemic (such as COVID-19) coverage and cover while cruising including while aboard a foreign registered cruise vessel in Australian territorial waters.  Cover is outlined in the sections below, subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits outlined in the Policy Information Booklet."   The PI Booklet is viewable online as part of the complete information forwarded by Westpac, and a scan through reveals the normal travel insurance inclusions and exclusions.  Allianz is the underwriter. Hope this helps.  

I'm in NZ and policy is with AIG. I've just spoken to them and there is no Covid cover! How stupid is that, if Westpac Australia cover Covid but NZ does not, what's the difference? (Rhetorical question but really, that's seems unfair). It also does not cover when in NZ waters, which I see yours does.

MicCanberra

Be very wary of CC insurance as it can be very tricky, some have a minimal spend on each item of travel I.e. $250 on flights, another on hotel, another on the cruise  not just on the whole trip.

56 minutes ago, MicCanberra said: Be very wary of CC insurance as it can be very tricky, some have a minimal spend on each item of travel I.e. $250 on flights, another on hotel, another on the cruise  not just on the whole trip.

Thanks, Mic, but we checked that point, and we are clear.  W’s is cumulative.

1 hour ago, phoenixx said: I'm in NZ and policy is with AIG. I've just spoken to them and there is no Covid cover! How stupid is that, if Westpac Australia cover Covid but NZ does not, what's the difference? (Rhetorical question but really, that's seems unfair). It also does not cover when in NZ waters, which I see yours does.

Gosh, that’s very one-sided.

Newbie here….I have ANZ card with complimentary travel insurance.  I know that Covid is covered.   

Wondering if you get confined in your room on a cruise for say 5 days, anyone knows whether there is any compensation from ANZ Allianz travel insurance?  

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Credit cards with travel insurance

There is no shortage of credit cards that offer complimentary travel insurance in New Zealand. We help you make the right choice for you.

Home > Credit cards

The breakdown

• Some credit cards have complimentary travel insurance that covers both international and domestic trips.
• Pre-existing conditions are not covered as standard, but many providers let you add them to your existing cover for an additional premium.
• It’s important to review policy documents to ensure the travel insurance offered by a card provider meets your needs.

Author: Kevin McHugh, Head of Publishing at Banked.

In this guide, we look at what we think are some of the best credit cards for travel insurance, and how they compare with the rest of the competition. We look primarily at the travel insurance benefits of each card (what they cover, any excess involved, eligibility, and so on). But we will also cover other card features and fees that are important to factor in when deciding.

Bear in mind that everyone has different requirements for their travel insurance. For you, great coverage for personal baggage may be a priority, while domestic travel cover will be a must-have for someone else. We hope the information we provide here is useful, but it’s important that you consider your own needs and circumstances before deciding.

We cover the high-level benefits of each card’s travel cover, but if you’re looking for more specific detail, be sure to check the relevant policy document — we have included a link to each.

If you’re looking for a more general option, don’t forget to read our credit card comparison guide to find the best one for you.

The best credit cards with travel insurance

We look at some of the best credit cards that include complimentary travel insurance as standard.

1. American Express Airpoints Platinum

The AMEX Airpoints Platinum has a number of advantages over other credit cards when it comes to travel insurance.

Firstly, the cover it offers applies to both international and domestic travel , unlike many other cards that only cover international. This is a feature all AMEX cards with complimentary travel insurance share, while only one other card provider (TSB) offers the same. This is a welcome benefit in a country where many of us love to take regular trips in our own country.

Another advantage of AMEX Airpoints Platinum is the coverage period. Many other cards limit cover to a comparatively short period per trip, such as up to 35 days for the Westpac Airpoints Platinum Mastercard. But for AMEX credit cards, the coverage period is up to a much longer 180 days .

The AMEX Airpoints Platinum is also one of the most feature-packed credit cards, beyond its travel insurance offering. It includes free airport lounge access via Priority Pass, smartphone screen insurance , and the best Airpoints earn rate of any credit card in NZ (to name just a few benefits).

However, bear in mind that those extra benefits come at a price as the card has an annual fee of $195, which is among the higher annual fees for a credit card that offers complimentary travel insurance (see our table further down for a full comparison).

Important points

• Travel insurance eligibility: To be covered, you must pay for your full trip with the AMEX Airpoints Platinum credit card or with Air New Zealand Airpoints.
• Excess: An excess may apply for some claims. This varies with the type of claim, for example, a $100 excess applies for lost or damaged baggage and a $250 excess applies for cancelled travel. Provider: Chubb Insurance New Zealand.

Scope of cover

This is just a selection of what is covered. Check out the AMEX Airpoints Platinum travel insurance policy document for full details.

• Personal baggage: $30,000
• Medical emergency and repatriation: $2,500,000
• Cancellation of journey: $30,000
• Personal liability cover: $2,000,000
• Accidental loss of life: $10,000

Key card details

• Annual fee: $195
• Purchase interest rate: 22.95%
• Interest-free period: 55 days

Other card benefits and features

• Earn Airpoints:  The AMEX Airpoints Platinum has the best Airpoints earn rate of any credit card — earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $59 spent. The card also comes with 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you sign up and spend at least $1,500 on the card in the first three months. See how it compares with other Airpoints credit cards.
• Free Priority Pass airport lounge access: Get free access to two VIP airport lounges per year. Access is available to over 1,200 airport lounges around the world, including the Strata Lounge at Auckland Airport .
• Smartphone screen cover: Repairs to fix your phone’s screen will be covered automatically. As long as you bought the phone outright with your card, or you use it to pay for your phone plan, you’ll be covered up to $500.
• Earn Status Points: For every $250 spent on the card, you’ll earn 1 Status Point. Status points can be used for travel benefits including lounge access, priority service, seat upgrades, and more.

Learn more in our full American Express Airpoints Platinum review .

2. TSB Platinum Mastercard

The TSB Platinum Mastercard is another strong credit card for travel insurance.

Like the AMEX Airpoints Platinum, it also covers both international and domestic travel. The card’s travel insurance covers the user for up to 90 consecutive days travel, which is not as long as the AMEX card, but will be more than enough for most people.

The TSB Platinum Mastercard has the weakest cover for personal baggage of all cards we assessed (covering up to just $4,000), but it makes up for it in other ways. For example, it offers unlimited cover for medical emergency and repatriation , plus at $90, it has one of the lowest annual fees for an NZ credit card that comes with complimentary travel insurance.

• Travel insurance eligibility: You must purchase at least 50% of your pre-paid travel expenses on the TSB Platinum Mastercard.
• Excess: None.
• Provider: Allianz Partners.

This is just a selection of what is covered. Check out the TSB Platinum Mastercard travel insurance policy document for full details.

• Personal baggage: $4,000
• Medical emergency and repatriation: Unlimited
• Cancellation of journey: $10,000
• Personal liability cover: $675,000
• Accidental loss of life: $100,000
• Annual fee: $90
• Purchase interest rate: 20.95%
• Interest-free period: 55 day

Other features and benefits

• Earn cashback: The card currently has the best cashback earn rate of any card in NZ, with $1 earned for every $80 spent. See how it compares to other cashback credit cards in our guide.
• Mobile phone insurance: Cover against accidental damage or theft of your mobile phone if you pay your post-paid monthly bill or prepaid top-up using the TSB Platinum Mastercard.
• Purchase protection insurance: Benefit from 180 days of cover against theft or accidental damage for items bought on the card.
• Price protection insurance: Get reimbursed for the difference between the price of an item you purchased and the lower price for the same item within 30 days of the original purchase.

3. ASB Visa Platinum

Benefit from up to 90 days of travel insurance on the ASB Visa Platinum.

Unlike the AMEX and TSB cards described above, the ASB Visa Platinum does not cover domestic travel — it only covers international trips . However, the card has a low annual fee of $80 .

The ASB Visa Platinum also performs strongly in terms of coverage, with unlimited cover in some instances, such as for medical and evacuation expenses and cancellation of travel.

As with the AMEX Airpoints Platinum credit card, making a travel insurance claim involves an excess in some cases (in this case you must pay $200).

• Travel insurance eligibility: You must have paid for at least half of your travel on your ASB Visa Platinum in order to be eligible for its travel insurance.
• Excess: An excess of $200 applies for some types of claims.
• Provider: AIG Insurance New Zealand.

This is just a selection of what is covered. Check out the ASB Visa Platinum travel insurance policy document for full details.

• Personal baggage: $20,000
• Cancellation of journey: Unlimited
• Personal liability cover: $2,500,000
• Accidental loss of life: $50,000
• Annual fee: $80
• Purchase interest rate: 19.95%
• Earn rewards: Choose to earn either True Rewards or AA Smartfuel discounts on your spend using the card. See how the ASB Visa Platinum compares to other rewards cards .
• 0% balance transfer: Transfer the balance of another credit card or store card to your ASB Visa Platinum and pay 0% interest for the first six months.

Compare all credit cards with travel insurance

Find out how our picks compare against other credit cards that come with complimentary travel insurance. Most platinum credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance too, so you might what to check out that guide too.

Does credit card travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

No, there is no credit card travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions by default.

However, almost all providers allow you to add cover for your pre-existing medical condition by getting in contact with them before you travel. A medical assessment is required and additional cover is not guaranteed.

If you do add cover for your pre-existing condition, you will need to pay a premium.

The ability to add cover for pre-existing conditions (at a premium) is offered by ASB, TSB, ANZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac. The only exception is American Express.

Do I have to contact the card provider to activate the travel insurance?

No. We reviewed the terms and conditions of all currently available credit cards that offer travel insurance and none require you to call them to activate cover. You will be covered automatically as long as you meet the travel insurance eligibility guidelines (typically that you pay for either at least half or all of your trip using the card).

However, it can be helpful to check the terms and conditions of your cover before you rely on it. It may not cover what you want it for (a special sport such as skiing, for example) or you may find that that you do not meet the travel insurance eligibility criteria (you paid for less than half of your journey on the card, for example).

It’s always sensible to ensure your credit card travel insurance meets your needs and that it is available to you if you need it.

Does credit card travel insurance cover domestic travel?

Only some credit cards that come with complimentary travel insurance cover both international and domestic trips. Those are cards offered by American Express and the TSB Platinum Mastercard .

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that contents insurance policies also tend to cover your things when you’re away from home in New Zealand. Some contents insurance policies even cover you for personal liability in some instances. Learn more about what contents insurance can cover in our guide .

Contents insurance can’t replace domestic travel insurance in all respects, but if you do have a policy already, it’s certainly worth checking what cover you have when you are out travelling in New Zealand.

Kevin McHugh

Credit cards, share trading, money transfers, about banked.

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Overview of Travel Insurance Coverage

What does travel insurance cover, what does credit card travel insurance cover, what travel insurance coverage do you need to pay more for, choosing the right travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover frequently asked questions, understanding what travel insurance covers.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Chase Freedom Flex℠. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Travel insurance is intended to cover risks and financial losses associated with traveling.
• Coverage can include trip cancellation, baggage protection, medical care, and emergency evacuation.
• When filing a claim, be specific and comprehensive in your documentation to ease the process.

Whether it's a trip across the world or a trip across the state, having travel insurance provides major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries, and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. With a major disruption comes the potential for unanticipated expenses.

Travel insurance and the coverage it offers can help keep you protected and save you money in the long run.

Travel insurance policies protect travelers from financial losses should something go wrong during their trip. You can customize which coverages you want to include, and there are several to choose from.

"Common types of coverage include trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, coverage for medical care if you get sick or hurt during your trip, and emergency medical evacuation," says Angela Borden, a travel insurance expert and product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance plans offer nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance. It can provide peace of mind.

Your specific travel insurance plan (and its terms and conditions) will determine the minutia and specifics of what is covered. As with most other forms of insurance, a general rule of thumb is the more you spend, the better your coverage.

"Travel insurance can be confusing, so it's best to research a reputable company that specializes in travel insurance and has a long history of successfully helping travelers all over the world," says Borden.

Trip cancellation and interruptions

A travel insurance policy can reimburse you for a prepaid, nonrefundable trip if it is canceled for a covered event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you're already on your trip and you get sick, there's a natural disaster, or something else happens. Make sure to check with your travel insurance providers to discuss any inclusions, coverage, and more.

Travel delays and missed connections

Travel delay insurance coverage provides reimbursement for any expenses you incur when you experience a delay in transit over a minimum time. Reimbursements can include hotels, airfare, food, and other related expenses.

Medical emergencies and evacuations

Typically, US healthcare plans are not accepted in other countries. So travel insurance with medical coverage can be particularly beneficial when you are abroad. Medical coverage can also help with locating doctors and healthcare facilities.

Medical transportation coverage will also pay for emergency evacuation expenses such as airlifts and medically-equipped flights back to the US. Out of pocket, these expenses can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Certain plans may even transport you to a hospital of choice for care.

Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later.  

Baggage and personal belongings

Most airlines will reimburse travelers for lost or destroyed baggage, but be prepared for limitations. Travel insurance plans will typically cover stolen items, such as those stolen out of a hotel room. This may not include expensive jewelry, antiques, or heirloom items. Typically, airlines have a few days to recover your bag.

In the meantime, you can make a claim to pay for items like certain toiletries and other items you need to pick up. If your bag is truly lost or you don't get it for an extended period, you can file a true lost baggage claim.

A major perk on several travel credit cards is embedded credit card travel insurance . Typically, you will need to use the specific card for the transaction (at least with partial payment) for travel coverage to kick in.

Each card has specific rules on what exactly is covered. But one of the industry leaders is the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Here's a snapshot of what is covered with this specific card:

• Baggage delay: up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage by more than six hours.
• Lost and damaged baggage: up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment.
• Trip delay reimbursement: up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Medical evacuation benefit: up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Travel accident insurance: accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel).
• Emergency medical and dental benefits: up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Rental car coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or fewer

More protections are included with cards with an annual fee, but there are exceptions. The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex, for instance, includes up to $1,500 per person (and up to $6,000 per trip) in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

However, there are some differences between credit card travel coverage and obtaining coverage from a third party.

"Credit card coverage does not typically provide travel medical benefits," Borden says. "For protection if you get sick or hurt while traveling, you'll want a travel insurance plan with medical coverage."

Whether you get your travel insurance in a standalone policy or through a credit card, it's important to review your plan details carefully. In either case, there may be exclusions and other requirements such as deadlines when filing a claim, Borden notes.

Knowing what travel insurance doesn't cover is as important as knowing what it does cover.

"Travelers should understand that travel insurance benefits come into play only if a covered reason occurs," Borden says. Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following:

Cancel for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just a covered event. your standard benefits won't kick in unless it's a covered event. For instance, you'll be reimbursed simply for changing your mind about taking a trip.

That said, CFAR travel insurance is not without its downsides. For one, it's more expensive than traditional insurance, and most CFAR policies will only reimburse you for a percentage of your travel expenses. Additionally, CFAR policies aren't available for annual travel insurance . 

You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance here.

Foreseen weather events

Sudden storms or unforeseen weather events are typically covered by standard travel insurance plans. There are exceptions to be aware of. For example, an anticipated and named hurricane will not be covered.

Medical tourism

If you're going to travel internationally for a medical procedure or doctor's visit, your travel insurance plan will not cover the procedure itself. Most medical travel plans also won't cover you if something goes wrong with your procedure.

Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

Those with specific pre-existing conditions, such as someone with diabetes and needing more insulin, will not be covered by most plans. In addition, pregnancy-related expenses will likely not be covered under most plans.

That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver for stable conditions. In order to obtain a wavier, you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two to three weeks, depending on your policy.

Extreme sports and activities

Accidents occurring while participating in extreme sports like skydiving and paragliding will typically not be covered under most plans. However, many plans offer the ability to upgrade to a higher-priced version with extended coverage.

Navigating claims and assistance

When a trip goes awry, the first thing you should do is document everything and be as specific as possible with documentation. This will make the claims process easier, as you can substantiate and quantify your financial losses due to the delay.

For example, your flight home has been delayed long enough to be covered under your policy, you'll want to keep any receipts from purchases made while waiting. For instances where your luggage is lost, you will need to file a report with local authorities and document all the items you packed.

Cancellation protection also requires meticulous attention to detail. If you're too sick to fly, you may need to see a doctor to prove your eligibility. If an airline cancels a flight, you'll also need to document any refunds you received as travel insurance isn't going to reimburse you for money you've already gotten back. 

Part of the benefit of CFAR insurance is the reduced paperwork necessary to file a claim. You'll still need to document your nonrefundable losses, but you won't have to substantiate why you're canceling a trip.

Each plan should be personalized to meet the insured party's needs. Some travelers prefer to stick to the bare minimum (flight cancellation benefits through the airline). Others want a comprehensive plan with every coverage possible. Before you buy anything, set your destination. Are there any travel restrictions or changes pending? Does your destination country require emergency or other medical coverage?

If the destination airport is known for lost or delayed luggage, travelers should keep important items in carry-ons. Lost or delayed luggage coverage protects insured parties in the event of a significant delay or total loss.

Second, check current credit card travel benefits to avoid redundancies. Savvy travelers don't need to pay for the same coverage twice.

Finally, consider your individual needs. Do you have a chronic medical condition, or do you feel safe with emergency-only medical coverage? Keep in mind, this does not include coverage for cosmetic surgery or other medical tourism. Do you have a budget limit for travel insurance? Asking and answering these important questions will help every traveler find the right product.

Most travel insurance plans are simple, and Business Insider's guide to the best travel insurance companies outlines our top picks. Remember, read your policy and its specifics closely to ensure it includes the items you need coverage for.

No one likes to dwell on how a trip might not go as planned before even leaving. However, at its core, travel insurance provides peace of mind as you go about your trip. While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the potential expenses of a canceled flight, emergency evacuation, or a hefty medical bill, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Coverage for pandemics vary from policy to policy. Some travel insurance companies have specific provisions for pandemic-related cancellations, while others may exclude them entirely.

Sports injuries are often covered under travel insurance, but high-risk or adventure sports might require additional coverage or a special policy.

Travel advisories have different effects on your travel insurance depending on your policy. Traveling to a country already under travel advisory may invalidate your coverage, but if you're already traveling when a travel advisory is announced, you may be covered.

Travel insurance usually covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility, and sometimes back to your home country, if necessary.

Many travel insurance policies provide coverage for the cost of replacing lost or stolen passports during a trip.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Our Pick Of The Best Debit Cards For Australians

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Updated: Mar 12, 2024, 1:08pm

Many of us have a payment card in our wallets or linked to our phones, but the type we have can vary between a transactional debit card, a debit card linked to a high-interest account, a credit card, or even a rewards card.

A debit card is among the most popular type of payment card and it’s usually the first card that an Australian will own. It is linked to a specific transaction account, rather than a high-interest savings account . Unlike a high-interest savings account, a transaction account doesn’t always offer interest on your balance—or if it does it is often a very low rate—and there are usually no deposit conditions to keep track of. Instead, the money you have on your debit card is the money you use to spend on everyday items such as groceries, petrol, cafes and shopping.

Debit cards are often a good way to spend within your means, considering you aren’t borrowing money that you don’t have, which is often what happens when you use your credit card.

Forbes Advisor Australia has looked into the best debit cards on the market that are linked with everyday transaction accounts. Here’s what we found.

Note: the below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below.

Featured Partners

Our pick of the best debit cards, macquarie bank transaction account, hsbc everyday global account, up everyday account, nab classic banking.

Wise Personal Account

ANZ Plus Transaction Account

Myboq everyday transaction account, commonwealth bank everyday account smart access, westpac choice transaction account, ing orange everyday card, our methodology, why do debit cards charge account fees, can you earn interest with a debit card, debit cards vs credit cards explained, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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$0 Monthly Account Fees, No Sneaky Transaction Fees.

Take Out Up To 350 AUD in Cash a Month For Free.

Use Google or Apple Pay Straight Away

Monthly Account Fee

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The Macquarie Bank Transaction Account is a top-rating debit card, considering it not only charges a $0 monthly account fee–it also allows card holders to earn interest on their balances without any criteria. This is an interest rate of 4.75% for balances up to $250,000, which is quite high for a card without monthly criteria in order to earn the top rate.

The MasterCard also doesn’t charge for any online payments, ATM transactions, or international spending. In fact, Westpac says that if you are charged by an ATM in Australia, it will refund the cost. If using your card overseas, you may be charged a fee by international ATM operators, which Westpac will not refund.

It’s worth noting that the daily limit for domestic ATM or other cash withdrawals is $2000, which may be too low for some card users. However, since it is available for those aged 12 years old and over, this limit may give peace of mind to parents looking for a debit card for their kids.

• No account keeping or transaction fees
• Earn 4.75% interest
• Can be used abroad
• Daily ATM withdrawal limit
• Limited extra perks

The HSBC Everyday Global Account lives up to its name, with the debit card allowing cardholders to switch between 10 different currencies using the HSBC Mobile Banking App: AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, HKD, CAD, JPY, NZD, SGD, and CNY.

HSBC says that while at home in Australia, account holders will not be charged an account keeping fee, transaction fees or HSBC ATM fees. The same conditions apply while overseas, with HSBC also not charging international transaction or transfer fees. However, there may be fees charged by non-HSBC-owned ATMs, and international ATM fee charges.

Additionally, cardholders can also earn up to 2% cashback for tap and pay transactions under $100, with a limit of $50 cashback per month, but only if they deposit at least $2000 per month.

• 10 currencies available
• 2% cashback on purchases up to $100
• No refunds for ATM charges
• Cashback reward only valid with monthly deposits

Up is a neobank that was founded by Bendigo Bank in 2018, targeting young Australians wanting to be more conscious of their spending and saving habits. The transaction account, the Up Everyday Account, charges no monthly fees to its users.

There is also no charge for ATM withdrawals at most major bank ATMs both here in Australia and internationally, nor is there any overseas purchase fees whether online or in-store. However, there is a charge for an overdrawn account balance, which is levied at an interest rate of 11.23% per annum.

Up also offers features that help cardholders save money, such as a round-app add-on that rounds all transactions to the nearest dollar—putting the remainder into the savings account.

• No ATM withdrawal limit
• Savings tools
• High overdraft charge
• No in-branch assistance

The NAB Classic Banking debit card prides itself on its low fees, stating it offers no account fees, withdrawal fees, transaction fees or overdraw fees. However, if your account does not have an approved overdraft limit, you will face an overdraw charge of 15.41% per annum–highlighting why ‘no fee’ cards aren’t always as clear as they claim to be.

While the card can be used anywhere that Visa is accepted, including overseas, it does charge a flat fee of $5 AUD for international ATM withdrawals and a foreign transaction fee of 3%.

In terms of additional perks, cardholders of the NAB Classic Banking debit card also get shopping protection with NAB Defence and Visa Zero Liability and complimentary access to Visa Entertainment.

• Shopping insurance protection
• Highly-rated mobile app
• International fees
• Overdraft charge

While the Wise Personal Account is a good choice for Australian spenders, it is particularly handy for those who either travel frequently, make a lot of foreign transactions, or get paid in different currencies.

You can access and spend 40+ currencies, allowing you to make purchases in more than 200 countries worldwide. You can also open multiple sub-accounts within your account, including with local account details in different currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR and more.

When it comes to ATM withdrawals, Wise cardholders can withdraw up to $350 AUD, twice a month, for free. Any amount above this figure, you will be charged a fee of $1.50 for any additional withdrawals, along with 1.75% of the transaction. For customers in Australia needing cash on a regular basis, this could be a difficult fee to swallow.

• 40+ currencies
• Free ATM withdrawals worldwide
• ATM withdrawals limited per month
• $10 fee for physical card

The ANZ Plus Transaction Account offers a no monthly fee debit card, and it does not charge fees for ATMs in Australia or at international ANZ ATM withdrawals.

It does however charge $5 for international ATM withdrawals if the ATM isn’t owned by ANZ, and also charges a 3% transaction fee for international purchases. Therefore, it may not be ideal for those looking to go overseas.

ANZ does not charge an overdraft fee for its ANZ Plus Transaction Account, as you won’t be able to go into overdraft. If you try to use the debit card without sufficient funds, your card will be declined.

• Free international ANZ ATM withdrawals
• No overdraft
• International transaction fee

Bank Of Queensland’s myBOQ Everyday Transaction Account is its app-only offering, meaning you cannot access a branch or internet banking with the debit card–everything is done via the app or over the phone. (You still receive a physical debit card as well, though).

While BOQ says it does not charge a monthly account keeping fee, withdrawal fee, transaction fee or overdraft fee, it does actually charge 10% per annum on overdrawn balances. There is also a daily withdrawal limit of $1000, which can be increased to $2000 per day by the account holder.

Overseas, the card can be used but will be subject to a 3% foreign conversion fee on all transactions, a $5 ATM withdrawal fee, and a $2 international balance enquiry fee at foreign ATMs.

• Round-up feature
• Can be linked to a high-interest savings account

$0 if you are under 30 or you deposit $2000 per month; $4 if not

Commonwealth Bank is Australia’s biggest bank, and while its debit card doesn’t charge a monthly account keeping fee, it does come with a catch: you must either be under 30 years of age or, if over 30, you are required to deposit at least $2000 per month. If you fail to meet these conditions, you’ll be charged $4 per month.

There are also no withdrawal limits per month, however, there is a daily ATM withdrawal limit of $2000. For those looking to travel overseas, cardholders will be charged $5 for foreign ATM withdrawals as well as a 3% transaction fee.

Commonwealth Bank partners with many Australian businesses to provide its customers with cashback rewards. For frequent online shoppers, this perk could outweigh the possibility of a monthly account keeping charge.

• Monthly fee can be waived
• Cashback reward offerings
• Positive customer reviews

To avoid paying a monthly fee when having a Westpac Choice Transaction Account, you will need to either be under 30 years of age, a full-time student, or deposit a minimum of $2000 into your account each month. If you are unable to meet these conditions, you’ll be charged $5 a month to keep your account open.

This may be a convenient card for those wanting to travel, as Westpac is part of the Global ATM Alliance. This means you can withdraw at thousands of participating ATMs across the world without being charged a fee by Westpac. For ATMs not in the alliance, you’ll be charged $5–as well as a foreign transaction fee of 3%.

The Westpac Choice Transaction Account allows you to instantly have access to a digital debit card upon opening an account, which is compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Garmin Pay. This means you can spend instantly, as long as you have money deposited into your account.

• Global ATM network
• Instant access to digital card
• $5 fee if you don’t meet monthly criteria

The ING Orange Everyday Card became a household name after it was recommended in The Barefoot Investor, the investing bible which sold millions of copies. However, while still a good product, it’s not as strong as it used to be. ING still doesn’t charge monthly or transaction fees on its Orange Everyday Card, nor does it charge for ATM withdrawals. But many of the key features of the ING Orange Everyday Card (such as cashback for utilities and ATM fee refunds for overseas transactions) are dependent on meeting monthly criteria: depositing at least $1000, and making five eligible transactions.

Those who don’t meet the monthly criteria, could be in for a rude shock overseas: ING charges 3% of the international transaction on each purchase, and a flat fee of $5 AUD for every international ATM withdrawal.

• Cashback rewards for utilities
• Monthly criteria required for perks

In order to determine our pick of the best debit cards for Australians, Forbes Advisor Australia researched and analysed the current offerings on the market. We then considered key factors that Australians would consider when looking for a debit card, including (but not limited to) the following factors:

• Whether or not the bank charges a monthly account fee;
• If you will be refunded ATM fees for any ATMs within Australia;
• Whether or not you can use your card overseas;
• If you will be charged a foreign transaction fee when using your card overseas;
• If there is a possibility to add foreign currencies to your account and, if so, which currencies;
• Whether there is an overdraw fee, and what it is;
• If the card has a minimum deposit requirement each month, and what it is;
• Any savings perks that the card offers;
• If you can open multiple sub-accounts with the one card;
• If there are any cashback rewards for certain transactions;
• Whether or not you can earn interest on your balance, and if there is any criteria to do so; and
• If the card is compatible with Google and Apple Wallet pay.

After establishing whether or not each debit card offered these features, we then compared the cards against one another—looking at which cards had higher minimum monthly deposits than others, or how much interest you could earn on a balance.

By comparing these features Forbes Advisor Australia was then able to make an independent assessment of each card and provide it with a star ranking, as seen above.

A Note on Star Rankings

You will note that we have included a star rating next to each product or provider. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points above were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.

It’s commonplace these days for debit cards to not charge any monthly account keeping fees, which is why only two of those that made it into Forbes Advisor Australia’s Best Debit Card list above charged a fee, and it was a fee that is waived if you meet certain criteria.

However, some institutions still levy fees, and it’s worth finding out if your current debit card does—or if the debit card you’re interested in applying for—will.

Some banks and financial institutions will charge a monthly account fee simply to keep your account active, while others will charge you for transactions—such as internet banking or ATM withdrawals. You may even be charged overdraft fees if you spend more than your card balance, or fees for making deposits or withdrawals at an in-person branch.

Moneysmart suggests Australians “think about their spending habits” when choosing a debit card and the subsequent fees.

“For example, if you often use ATMs, choose an account that has low or no ATM fees,” Moneysmart recommends.

Yes, while it is possible to earn interest with a debit card, it’s not always common for regular transaction accounts to offer interest on a balance. In fact, from Forbes Advisor Australia’s best debit card list, only one offered the ability to earn interest.

What is more common is for transaction accounts to be linked to savings or high-interest savings accounts, which then requires cardholders to meet specific criteria each month to earn the high interest rate on offer.

For example, the ANZ Plus Transaction Account can be linked with an ANZ Plus Save Account. This way individuals can receive 4.90% interest per annum on their balance in the ANZ Plus Save Account . The ANZ Plus Transaction Account will not receive any interest.

You can learn more about savings accounts and how to earn interest on your bank balance in our guide here .

Related: Our Pick Of The Best High Interest Savings Accounts In Australia

While debit cards and credit cards are used in a very similar manner—both to pay for goods and services—there are key differences that Australians should understand.

The main difference is that credit cards are a loan of money from your bank or financial institution which must be repaid, while a debit card is your own money that is used up-front. This means when you pay with a debit card, you pay the transaction up front and are not left owing anything. When you pay with a credit card, you are taking on a debt and are required to pay this off before the end of your statement period. If you don’t, you’ll be charged an interest rate and/or fees.

Other differences between debit cards and credit cards include:

• An interest rate: You won’t be charged an interest rate on your transactions with your debit card, but you will be charged an interest rate on your credit card balance if you neglect to pay it off before the due date. The average Australian credit card holder is paying an interest rate of 17.92% p.a.
• Your ability to withdraw cash from an ATM: a debit card is your own money, so you can usually withdraw cash from your account freely. A credit card, however, needs to have a cash advance option—and you’ll face high interest charges for taking out money.
• Fees: While it’s common for debit cards to not charge a monthly or annual fee, it’s less common when it comes to credit cards. The fee for a credit card is usually an annual one and depends on the financial institution and the perks associated with your credit card.
• Credit score: Both a credit card and a debit card can affect your credit score , however, a credit card can affect it much more heavily as it shows a lender how capable you are of paying off a loan on time when you are applying to borrow money.
• Insurance: Credit cards often come with complimentary insurance, such as fraud protection, travel insurance, and more. While some debit cards may offer shopper protection insurance, it’s not very common.
• Rewards: Some credit cards are linked with rewards partnerships , allowing you to earn points that can be redeemed for goods and services such as frequent flyer miles . Again, while some debit cards may offer some cashback rewards to its customers, it’s not very common.
• Emergency expenses: If you need cash quickly for an emergency, such as an unexpected bill or damage to your car, a credit card can be a way to access funds quickly that you may not have in your debit card account right that minute. However, you still need to make sure you are able to afford paying off the credit by the due date to avoid interest charges.

Whether or not a debit card or a credit card is best for you will depend on your personal needs and financial circumstances. You can learn more about credit cards here .

Related: Our Pick Of The Best Credit Cards For Australians In 2024

Can you use debit cards abroad?

Yes, debit cards can be used internationally as long as the bank allows you to do so. Some banks won’t charge you for using your card abroad, including for ATM withdrawals and other foreign transactions. However, many do. It’s important to understand the fees and conditions of your debit card if you wish to travel internationally.

What is the CVV on a debit card?

A CVV is a three or four digit number on a debit card that helps prevent fraud, and is usually found on the back of a debit card. CVV stands for ‘card verification value’ and is used to authorise transactions made online or over the phone.

What is the best debit card in Australia?

According to Forbes Advisor Australia’s independent analysis, the leading debit card for Australians is the Macquarie Bank Transaction Account. This is due to its no monthly account keeping or transaction fees, its ability to be used abroad without incurring additional charges, and the 4.75% interest rate that account holders can earn on their balance.

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany site, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally. Sophie grew up on the Gold Coast and now lives in Melbourne.

This is your sign to check your credit card for travel insurance

When a trip goes haywire, travel insurance suddenly comes into focus. A recent spat between a Boston restaurant owner and a customer highlighted the intricacies — and far-reaching impacts — of what happens when a trip is canceled.

According to posts on X , the now-viral incident began in January when New York resident Trevor Chauvin-DeCaro became sick and was hospitalized. Because of his condition, Chauvin-DeCaro says he was no longer able to travel to Boston as originally planned. However, he said he used credit card travel insurance to be reimbursed for expenses including hotel, train and restaurant reservations.

Here’s where the story gets a bit murky. Chauvin-DeCaro and his husband were set to dine at Table, an upscale restaurant owned by Jen Royle in Boston’s North End. In screenshots posted to X from a social media exchange with what appears to be Royle, Chauvin-DeCaro is scolded for disputing the $250 reservation cancellation charge.

“I just wanted to thank you personally for screwing over my restaurant and my staff when you disputed your cancellation fee,” the message reads. “I really hope in the future you have more respect for restaurants, especially small businesses such as mine. Pathetic.”

In a heated exchange, the restaurant insists the $250 charge was a credit card dispute while Chauvin-DeCaro stresses his use of credit card travel insurance, even noting that “the decision to use [it] to cover the lofty cancellation fee was not made lightly.”

Filing an insurance claim with your credit card company is different from a dispute. For many travelers, your credit card may come with built-in travel protections and you may not even know it. Here’s how to use it properly.

How credit card travel insurance works

Whether it’s a trip across the world — or in Chauvin-DeCaro’s case, up to Boston — having travel insurance can provide major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans.

There are dozens of credit cards with embedded travel insurance coverage, which include policies like trip interruption and cancellation ; delayed and lost baggage; rental car coverage; emergency medical assistance and more. Your credit card agreement will detail this coverage.

Many popular credit cards, like the Platinum Card from American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, offer these benefits. “If you have a card that’s travel-focused, there’s a good chance you may have travel protection benefits and not even realize it,” says Stella Shon, a credit card expert for Upgraded Points . “Every cardholder has a benefits guide online from their issuer so a first step is to check there.”

To qualify for coverage, a traveler must use that specific card to make the travel purchases and provide proof, as with any insurance policy. When the time comes to file a claim, there’s usually an option to either call a specific number to call or do it online, Shon says.

Filing an insurance claim vs. disputing a charge

While it may seem like semantics, there is a major distinction between a disputed charge and a travel insurance claim, according to Gary Leff, a credit card expert and founder of the View From the Wing blog.

“Disputing a credit card charge is for when you didn’t actually make a purchase that was billed to you, when the product or service provided isn’t what had been described, or when you don’t receive what you bought,” Leff says. In other words, a dispute addresses risks when the transaction itself goes awry. A dispute can be requested on any credit card under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Conversely, embedded credit card travel insurance, underwritten by a third-party company and labeled as “trip interruption” or “trip cancellation,” for instance, operates differently. Typically, it’s higher-end credit cards like American Express’s Platinum Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card that offer this benefit.

Card travel insurance offers reimbursement for nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses when incidents arise before or during a trip. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance: peace of mind.

“You may have agreed to make a purchase, but circumstances outside of yours and the merchant’s control mean you’re unable to take advantage of that purchase,” Leff says. In other words, travel insurance addresses risks outside of a transaction. In either instance, travelers must provide documentation to go along with the claim.

Then, on the merchant side, there are key differences between a customer disputing a charge versus filing a travel insurance claim. Axel Hellman, co-founder of transportation company OurBus , says that “a travel insurance claim has no impact on the business.” Hellman notes that he typically wouldn’t even know if a customer uses an insurance benefit.

Neither Chauvin-DeCaro nor Royle responded to a request for an interview by The Washington Post. Spokespeople for both American Express and Chase say there wouldn’t ever be a situation in which credit card travel insurance would submit a dispute for the cardholder.

However, a disputed charge filed by a customer can have “significantly negative” consequences. “Businesses like ours are not only fined when there’s a dispute, but eventually we could lose processing privileges,” Hellman says. “That’s regardless if the dispute is valid or not.”

Meanwhile, the social media exchange between Chauvin-DeCaro and Royle continued to escalate and ended with Table’s owner threatening legal action.

A combination of an insurance claim and a dispute may have been at play here. Leff suspects that Chauvin-DeCaro may have contacted his credit card company to make an insurance claim and the agent initiated a dispute on his behalf. That further highlights the importance of travelers distinguishing between the two.

Is Credit Card Travel Insurance Coverage Enough?

Republished with permission from USI Travel Insurance Services

When travelers are considering insurance for a trip, we often hear questions about travel insurance coverage provided with a credit card and how our plan differs. It’s a fair question. Why pay for something when you may already have access to a product or service? There are many differences, and there’s a reason so many people choose to buy a standalone travel insurance plan to protect their trip investment. While we can’t provide a specific comparison since all plans are different, we can point out some of the key differences to consider. For the purposes of this post, we’ll refer to a standalone travel insurance plan as a “comprehensive” travel insurance plan.

1. Number of benefits on the plan

Typically, a comprehensive travel insurance plan offers a longer list of benefits than a plan provided through a credit card. Review the full list of benefits offered by your credit card coverage to ensure it covers everything you think it will.

2. Coverage maximums

Many credit cards cap their Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits at lower limits than might be found on comprehensive travel plans. Some credit cards may offer coverage up to $2,000 per trip, while others might offer up to $10,000 per trip. This may be sufficient, but many of our customers take trips in excess of this value. Our plan offers Trip Cancellation coverage for trip costs up to $25,000 and more. And keep in mind that the Trip Interruption benefit on USI’s plan may reimburse up to 200% of the trip cost.

When it comes to Trip Delay, our team found that most credit cards will only reimburse up to $500 per trip for lodging and other necessary travel. On the other hand, comprehensive travel insurance plans like our plan from USI may reimburse up to $2,500 in coverage for Trip Delay, depending on the plan and level purchased.

3. Covered reasons

Travel insurance offered through a credit card tends to include fewer covered reasons for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption. This means that should something unexpected happen that causes you to cancel or interrupt your trip, it’s less likely that you’ll be covered in the event of a claim. Comprehensive travel insurance includes a long list of covered reasons. Read the policy for the full list.

4. Medical Expense and Emergency Medical Evacuation

Credit cards offering travel insurance benefits may not provide full medical protection required for your needs. Often, the benefits for medical expense coverage and evacuation on credit card plans are lower than those found on a comprehensive travel insurance plan. For example, USI’s comprehensive trip cancellation plan includes medical protection coverage up to $500,000 and Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage up to $1,000,000.

5. Optional Cancel For Any Reason upgrade

Credit card travel insurance generally does not offer the option to include the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade. This is an important benefit that many travelers seek, especially now when travel can feel more unpredictable. Our comprehensive travel insurance plans offer this upgrade option, which gives many of our customers the added flexibility they need for more peace of mind. Just be sure to buy your plan early – CFAR is only available if you buy your plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. Don’t miss your opportunity!

6. Coverage for all trip costs

An important point to note is that credit card travel insurance only covers eligible travel expenses when the full amount of each expense was purchased with the credit card. On the other hand, with a comprehensive travel insurance plan, travelers can cover all of their expenses, no matter how they were paid.

7. Customer Service and Claims Assistance

Have you ever tried to call those huge credit card companies? Chances are, it may be difficult to get through to a person, let alone someone who is familiar with the travel insurance plan and can advise you on the coverage that best suits your needs. With USI Travel Insurance Services, you have access to knowledgeable support when you need it. The USI Customer Service staff are all non-commissioned, licensed insurance agents who focus entirely on travel insurance and helping travelers protect their trips.

If you need to file a claim, the USI Customer Service team can assist you with that, too. As a broker, USI acts as advocates for travelers during the claims process, and can help you navigate the process and any challenges with the claims administrator.

With this information in mind, hopefully next time you plan a trip it will be easier to know what to look for when researching travel insurance options. You can always  visit our plan website , or contact the USI Travel Insurance Services Customer Service team for help selecting the best plan for your travel needs. Their representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time and can be reached at (855) 874-0156 or  [email protected] . Be sure to mention you are traveling with ThirdHome, account #50054.

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You will receive a welcome email shortly, westpac credit card interest rates on the rise.

In this article:

What are the changes, what does this mean for westpac credit cardholders, compare low-rate credit cards.

Westpac has just announced that it will be increasing the interest rates on several of its credit card products from the 20th of June 2024. The changes will impact both new and existing customers, with increases to both purchase and cash advance rates on several Westpac credit card products.

So, if you're one of the many Aussies with a Westpac credit card in your wallet, here's what you need to know about these changes and how they might affect your finances.

From the 20th of June 2024, The variable purchase interest rate on Westpac’s Rewards and Low Fee credit cards will increase, as will the variable cash advance interest rate on all Westpac credit cards (Rewards, Low Fee, and Low Rate products).

Here’s an overview of the upcoming changes:

Variable purchase interest rate increase

Variable cash advance interest rate increase.

For all Westpac consumer credit cards:

This means that if you have a balance on an impacted Westpac credit card, you could wind up paying more interest on it. While the increase might not seem like much to some, the costs could really add up over time.

If you’re going to be affected by these changes, it would be wise to reassess your credit card usage and plan accordingly.

Options to consider:

Here are some potential options to consider next:

• Pay off your balance: If it’s financially feasible for you, it could be a good idea to try and pay off your balance before the rate increase takes effect to avoid higher interest charges.
• Consider a balance transfer: If you have significant credit card debt, then you might want to consider moving that debt over to a balance transfer card should you find a good offer that suits you. You can compare balance transfer cards at Mozo.
• Compare credit card options: Now might also be a good time to shop around and compare other credit cards to find an option that better suits you and your spending habits.

If you’re keen to compare your options for a new piece of plastic, here are some low-rate credit cards worth checking out:

Credit card comparisons on Mozo - last updated 24 March 2024

NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer

Spend with confidence with a low 13.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).

Purchase rate

Balance transfer rate, low rate card - balance transfer offer.

Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer

Your selected credit cards

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American Express Low Rate Credit Card

Competitive low rate with $0 Annual Fee. Offers Card Refund Cover and Card Purchase Cover. Must have no history of bed debt or payment default, be aged 18 years and over, and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a long term visa.

Low Rate Credit Card

Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Low Rate Credit Card

HSBC Low Rate Credit Card

Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the HSBC Low Rate Credit Card

Australian Unity Low Rate Visa Credit Card

Low rate visa credit card.

Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Australian Unity Low Rate Visa Credit Card

MOVE Bank Low Rate Credit Card

Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the MOVE Bank Low Rate Credit Card

Head to our free credit card comparison tool to start comparing more options today.

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Our goal at Mozo is to help you make smart financial decisions and our award-winning comparison tools and services are provided free of charge. As a marketplace business, we do earn money from advertising and this page features products with Go To Site links and/or other paid links where the provider pays us a fee if you go to their site from ours, or you take out a product with them. You do not pay any extra for using our service.

We are proud of the tools and information we provide and unlike some other comparison sites, we also include the option to search all the products in our database, regardless of whether we have a commercial relationship with the providers of those products or not.

'Sponsored', 'Hot deal' and 'Featured Product' labels denote products where the provider has paid to advertise more prominently.

'Mozo sort order' refers to the initial sort order and is not intended in any way to imply that particular products are better than others. You can easily change the sort order of the products displayed on the page.

Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.

• Credit cards
• Personal Finance

What Is a Credit Card Gambling Block?

A credit card gambling block is a self-imposed restriction that stops all recognised gambling-related transactions. Think of them as digital self-service temporary gambling locks. Pick a time limit and toggle on through online banking or telephone. It’s fast, free and easy protection you can put in place today. 

» MORE: Learn the ins and outs of credit card gambling in Australia

Why set a gambling block? 

Credit cards have been banned in gambling venues for years, but new legislation also prohibits using credit to gamble online. Now, gambling and betting venues, websites and apps cannot accept credit cards or other credit-related products as a payment method. These new, necessary guardrails protect consumers by making it hard to use a credit card to gamble — but it’s still not impossible. 

For example, you can still use a credit card to buy lottery tickets, use a cash advance to get cash, or, with some banks, select SAV or CHQ at an EFTPOS terminal. 

Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent possible gambling transactions on your credit and debit cards . Most banks offer a quick, easy gambling block feature accessible through online banking. Any transactions registered under the merchant category code ‘Betting/Casino Gambling’ are automatically blocked when in place. Check with your bank for any excluded gambling transactions and other situations. 

» MORE: How to use a credit card responsibly  

How do credit card gambling blocks work?

Credit card gambling blocks can be easily applied and removed. 

Once set up — either with an active or automatic ban — your bank will block any transactions classified under the gambling merchant code. 

However, you’ll still need to watch for what your bank can classify as a gambling charge. Your bank may still process and approve certain transactions if identified under another merchant category. For instance, if you visit a newsagent, your bank won’t know if you bought scratchies or a daily when you visit a newsagent, so they’ll likely approve the charge.

The type of credit card you have and whether or not you use a digital wallet can also be a factor. Westpac states they can’t block contactless credit payments if the merchant does not process the transaction through Visa or Mastercard. 

When reviewing your options, consider how strict your bank needs to be, as rules vary by bank. For example, if you’re with CommBank, you can block cash advances to prevent workarounds, such as using your credit card to withdraw cash for gambling.

Some banks also provide financial hardship assistance, money management tools and additional support services. 

Once you choose one (or several) gambling blocks, read the FAQs and fine print associated with the feature. If something doesn’t make sense or you’re in doubt about specific details, call your bank and get a representative to explain how it works. 

» MORE: What is this charge on my credit card? 

Which Australian banks offer a gambling block?

Some banks and credit card companies have automatic blocks in place, others don’t.  

Banks with a block option 

You can access credit card gambling blocks with the Big Four banks —  and many more. The following have a gambling block service, often called ‘problem gambling assistance’. 

• CommBank 
• Westpac 
• Bank of Melbourne 
• St. George 
• Bank of Queensland 
• Citibank 
• Macquarie Bank 
• Suncorp 
• Bendigo Bank. 

Banks with automatic blocks 

A growing number of Australian banks now automatically ban gambling transactions without needing an active block. Examples include Bank Australia, Citibank, Great Southern Bank, and AMEX, which list ‘gambling goods and services’ as prohibited for card use. 

Check if your bank has an automatic gambling block feature. It can’t hurt to set one up regardless, just for security and added peace of mind. 

You’re not alone — here’s how to get help 

• List your information on BetStop , the National Self-Exclusion Register. 
• If your bank allows credit card gambling with a cash advance fee, set up a block for all your cards to prevent gambling authorisations. 
• Access support through Gambling Help Online . Take an assessment, explore the forum, use the live chat or talk to a gambling counsellor. The Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 is free and anonymous. 
• Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 for professional, non-judgemental advice and to work on a plan to deal with your financial responsibilities. 
• Set up self-exclusion at your local venues. Avoid gambling venues and stay away from people you have betted with, however harmless it might seem. 
• Use general and gambling-specific website-blocking software. 
• Reach out to someone you trust — your partner, a close friend, family member or co-worker. 
• Talk to a therapist — there’s usually more to addictive behaviour than meets the eye. Work with a psychology professional to help externalise the addiction, explore what’s unconscious, and develop coping techniques. It’s important to let go of the secrecy, as shame can feed addiction. 
• Find a new way to spend your time. Replace old habits with healthy hobbies, to prevent boredom from leading to bad behaviours. 
• Establish new goals and set milestones, one day at a time. Use this opportunity to get to know yourself again. Track your progress with self-help apps such as Reset and the 100-Day Challenge . 
• Have a plan in place for when you’re feeling tempted to gamble. Assign a ‘sponsor’ to call in any moments of weakness.

About the Author

Amanda Smith is a freelance reporter, journalist, and cultural commentator. She covers culture + society, travel, LGBTQ+, human interest, and business. Amanda has written stories about planning for retirement for…

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How to Lock, Block or Freeze Your Credit Card

A card lock is essentially an on-off switch that allows you to temporarily freeze or block your credit card and most debit cards.

Credit Card Gambling: Risks and Rules

Discover the ins and outs of credit card gambling in Australia, including the new regulations and restrictions changing the face of online betting.

Credit Card Fees: What They Are and How To Avoid Them

Credit card fees can vary among providers. Find which charges are inescapable and which ones you can avoid.

Pros and Cons of Using Credit Cards

Whether shopping in-store or online, know the pros and cons of using credit cards to benefit from fraud protection and other perks.

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• Online Banking – Personal
• Online Banking – Business
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• View all online services
• Credit cards

Which credit card for travel?

If you’re a bit of a jetsetter, the credit card world is your oyster. In many ways, rewards cards are set up for travellers. That’s because not only can you earn points while travelling, but you can put your points towards even more trips. So it’s a win-win.

On top of this, many of the included benefits that come with rewards cards are most useful for people who travel a lot.

When choosing a card with optimum travel benefits, here are some features to consider:

A sign-up bonus to get your points off the ground

Services to make every trip easier, travel and purchase insurance 4.

Many rewards cards offer a substantial volume of bonus points when you take up a new card. You might want to check out the conditions though, as you may only get your points after spending a minimum amount on your card within a set time.

On top of bonus points, some cards also offer you a discount on your first annual card fee, which could save you hundreds of dollars.

Many rewards cards come with built-in travel benefits like complimentary airport lounge access. And there are also complimentary concierge services that can assist you with travel information and bookings, plus shopping, dining and other activities at home and overseas.

Complimentary travel insurance 4 and purchase protection is another feature you might want to look for in a rewards card, and are often included for travel and items you purchase on the card. These can include:

• International Travel Insurance
• Interstate flight Inconvenience Insurance
• Overseas Transit Accident Insurance
• Purchase Protection Insurance
• Extended Warranty Insurance
• Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance

If you’d like to learn more about how Westpac’s rewards cards could help you on your next trip, compare our Altitude credit cards side-by-side .

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• 5 features to compare when choosing a rewards card
• What is credit card purchase protection and extended warranty?

Find out more about credit cards

Things you should know

Credit Card Terms and Conditions (PDF 273KB)

Altitude Terms and Conditions (PDF 141KB)

Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy (PDF 898KB)

Credit criteria, fees and charges apply.

This information does not take into account your financial needs, individual circumstances or objectives. Read the terms and conditions before making a decision and consider whether the product is appropriate for you.

Be credit savvy: Before applying, consider a realistic credit limit and check all conditions, interest rates, fees and charges on your selected card.

Altitude Rewards : You must be a member of the relevant frequent flyer program to redeem Altitude Points for frequent flyer points. The Altitude Terms and Conditions and the terms and conditions of the relevant frequent flyer program apply. A joining fee may apply. Availability of Reward flights may be limited. For more information on the Altitude Rewards program, visit  altituderewards.com.au .

Altitude Velocity or Qantas : In order to earn and redeem points, you must be a member of the relevant Frequent Flyer program. An annual $75 Rewards Program fee applies for customers who choose this option.

Concierge Services are provided by a third party supplier. For further details including terms and conditions visit westpac.tenconcierge.com

4. Complimentary insurance covers:  AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA), under a binder from the insurer, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 (Allianz), has issued an insurance group policy to Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714 (Westpac) which allows eligible persons to claim under it as third party beneficiaries. Access to the benefit of cover under the Credit Card Complimentary Insurance is provided to eligible Westpac cardholders by operation of s48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). If an eligible persons wishes to claim any of these benefits, they will be bound by the eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions contained in the Complimentary Insurance Policy Information booklet (PDF 898KB)  which may be amended from time to time. This insurance is underwritten by Allianz. Westpac does not guarantee this insurance. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Consider its appropriateness to these factors before acting on it.

6. Rewards Points:  The earning and redemption of Altitude Points, Velocity Points and Qantas Points are subject to the Altitude Terms and Conditions (PDF 141KB) . Purchases that are not eligible to earn Rewards Points are set out in the Altitude Terms and Conditions (PDF 141KB) . You do not receive points if you have not paid the Minimum Payment Due in full and on time and in other circumstances. Points earnt for  PartPay (PDF 96KB) Purchases are based on the full value of the purchase, and not on each instalment amount.​ Qantas and Velocity Points earned during a statement cycle are added to your respective Points balance on a monthly basis.

For Altitude Qantas Platinum cards, earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 up to a maximum of $100,000 spent on eligible purchases annually. For Altitude Qantas Black cards, earn 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 up to a maximum of $250,000 spent on eligible purchases annually. This annual limit resets in January each year, based on your statement date. Bonus Points earned are not part of your annual cap.

Westpac is the credit provider and credit licensee under National Consumer Credit Laws.