American Express recently announced a nice benefit addition to several premium travel cards: trip cancellation, delay, and interruption coverage. The personal Delta Reserve Amex and business version are two of the cards carrying all three benefits starting January 1, 2020.
The personal/consumer and business Delta Amex Platinum cards will include limited trip delay insurance.
If you’re on the fence about the great Delta Amex welcome offers available through tomorrow, consider whether or not this additional perk might be worth it.
How does it work? Are there better, more affordable options available?
Which Cards Carry These Benefits?
In addition to Amex corporate Platinum cards, these products will include trip cancellation, delay, and interruption insurance:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card
- Platinum Card® from American Express
- Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
TPG writes that to take advantage of these benefits, the entire round-trip flight must be paid for with one of the above cards.
This is a major difference from, say, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred cards — which require only a portion of your qualifying trip be paid with one of those products.
The Sapphire Preferred is also significantly cheaper than the premium Amex cards.
Some examples of covered incidents are inclement weather, terrorist actions, jury duty, and sudden illness or injury.
You can receive reimbursement on non-refundable expenses up to $10,000 per trip. A maximum of $20,000 per eligible account applies each 12 months.
Eligible purchases must be made on or after January 1, 2020. Even if you use, say, the personal Delta Reserve Amex today to buy a trip sometime in 2020, it will not be covered.
Trip Delay Insurance Coverage
The above cards also will reimburse you up to $500 per trip if a covered reason delays your trip by six or more hours. Think expenses such as meals, hotels, toiletries, and basic transportation.
The below cards provide $300 reimbursement per trip for delays of 12 or more hours:
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- American Express® Gold Card
- American Express Business Gold Card
- American Express® Green Card
Again, the entire round-trip must be paid for with one of these cards. Eligible purchases must be made on or after January 1, 2020.
More Options
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card carries a $95 annual fee and earns 2X on both Travel and Dining worldwide.
Compare that to Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express. That card currently earns 2X on Delta purchases (1X on everything else.) As of January 30, 2020, the personal Delta Platinum earns 3X on Delta flights, 2X at restaurants, 2X at supermarkets, and 1X elsewhere.
So if you purchase airfare on an airline other than Delta, you earn only 1X — and are covered only for delays. Whereas the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage. Plus, it earns 2X, which can be redeemed for 2.5 cents/Ultimate Rewards point when using the UR travel portal.
Essentially, you enjoy better coverage with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — and save $150 on the Delta Platinum’s increased annual fee. Plus, remember you only have to use your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for a portion of the flight purchase. (Personally, I go with at least half just to play it safe.)
If trip protection is important to you, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred cards. Or check out comprehensive travel insurance from Travelex.
Other Delta Amex Topics We’ve Covered This Month
Now is a fantastic opportunity to apply for Delta Amexes because many have great welcome bonuses — and you can lock in a year at their current annual fees.
We’ve covered several related topics during the past several weeks including:
- My Thoughts on the New Delta American Express Benefits, Fees, and More!
- 10 Things to Know About Bonus MQM on the Updated Delta Amex Cards
- What You Need to Know About the Delta Amex MQD Waiver
- Delta Main Cabin 1 Boarding: How Valuable is This Delta Amex Perk?
- Sky Club Access for Delta American Express Cards: Which Cards are Now Eligible?
- Saving Money with the Delta Amex Free First Checked Bag Benefit
- “No Status” Upgrades for Delta Reserve Cardholders?
- Is Centurion Lounge Access with a Delta Reserve Card Really That Great?
- Saving 20% on Delta Purchases Made Onboard During Flights with Delta American Express Cards
- A Mileage Run Without Getting On a Plane? Yes!
- Scoring More First Class Upgrades: How Delta American Express Cards Can Help
— Chris
Big Welcome Bonuses Expire THIS WEDNESDAY! (OFFERS EXPIRED)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
Cover image: ©iStock.com/Sablin
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