AMEX Insurance through the Platinum Card

[Cruzin Terri]

Let me start by saying that I am not blaming AMEX.  i did not do due diligence by reading and understanding all the terms and conditions of the insurance so I blame no one but myself.

This post is only so that anyone else who may be thinking of using the insurance provided by the AMEX Platinum Card understand when and how they may be able to get reimbursed.

Here is my story:

We were planning a trip to Italy and then a cruise from Rome back to Miami.  We booked our airfare with Chase Points and paid for our cruise with the AMEX Platinum Card.  The cruise was under $10,000 so I figured that in the event we had to cancel for a covered reason, we were insured.  

Well, two days before we were to leave for Italy, my husband became ill and we were unable to go.  My airline tickets to Italy (purchased using Chase Points) were fully refundable.  So that was refunded and the points re deposited in my Chase Ultimate Rewards account.  I had opted to pay for the hotel stays at the time we stayed rather than the early, non-refundable rate.  So I canceled in time.  The only money we stood to lose was the cruise fare. So I felt we had a shot at getting that back with AMEX.  So I called them to file a clam.

 

Not so easy.

What I failed to notice was that AMEX says that a Covered Trip is a period of round trip travel 1) to one or more destinations other than an Eligible Traveler’s city of residence at the time of departure where 2) the period of round-trip trave ends when the Eligible Traveler returns by Common Carrier to the city of departure: 3) the trip does not exceed 365 days away from the the Eligible Travelers city of residence and 4) The Eligible Traveler charges the full amount of the cost of the the transportation by Common Carrier(s) to your Eligible Card.  The period of round trip may consist of round trip, one-way, or combinations of round trip, one-way tickets with Common Carriers.

 

So the very first question, after verifying my identity, was how did I pay for the tickets to get to Italy.  As soon as I told her I used the Chase Ultimate Rewards, she let me know the terms and conditions of the insurance and immediately went on to inform me that my claim was most likely to be declined due to the fact that I did not pay for all my transportation by common carrier with the Platinum Card.

 

It was a lesson for me and I share it with you so that you do not make the same mistake I did.

Please don’t flame me for not reading the T&C’s.  i already know I made a mistake.  I write this as a helpful hint for others who may be thinking of doing likewise.

Terri

[canadianbear]

That just seems like a loophole for Amex.  You used rewards/points not a credit card to pay for that.  
 

Insurance is so very confusing and we all try our best to do the right thing but we don’t have lawyers to help us.  I’m so sorry this happened to you.  
 

I hope your husband is doing ok.  

[Cruzin Terri]

36 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

That just seems like a loophole for Amex.  You used rewards/points not a credit card to pay for that.  
 

Insurance is so very confusing and we all try our best to do the right thing but we don’t have lawyers to help us.  I’m so sorry this happened to you.  
 

I hope your husband is doing ok.  

He is doing better, but it was the right decision not to go.

My parting words to the lady from AMEX was that I know to use my Chase Insurance the next time.

Thanks.

Terri.

[canadianbear]

3 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

He is doing better, but it was the right decision not to go.

My parting words to the lady from AMEX was that I know to use my Chase Insurance the next time.

Thanks.

Terri.

I’m glad to hear he’s doing better & of course our health comes first.   
 

I just find insurance very frustrating.  We try to always buy the right coverage but have never had to file a large claim and that’s when you need it the most. 
 

[CruisingAlong4Now]

On 10/27/2023 at 1:07 PM, canadianbear said:

I’m glad to hear he’s doing better & of course our health comes first.   
 

I just find insurance very frustrating.  We try to always buy the right coverage but have never had to file a large claim and that’s when you need it the most. 
 

I find that insurance is like a suitcase.  Whatever I used for my last trip, just doesn't seem to work for my next trip!

[Philob]

Hope your husband is doing okay. 

 

Unfortunately you had to learn the expensive way. That's usually the general requirement for credit card coverage for the trip or car rental "insurance" that it must be paid with the same card. The mucky part is if you paid your trip with points. How the "insurance" will reimburse you for those points?

Edited November 6, 2023 by Philob

[teddie2]

This is confusing to me as I don't understand.. you were not asking for them to reimburse you for your transport just the cruise..

[teddie2]

So I plan to book my upcoming trip with airline miles for American and United.. then we are spending a few days in Paris before and a few days in Rome afterwards.. would that mean that none of my trip would be covered if I used airline miles for transport?? I was thinking about using my CC insurance so thanks for this post

[Cruzin Terri]

11 minutes ago, teddie2 said:

So I plan to book my upcoming trip with airline miles for American and United.. then we are spending a few days in Paris before and a few days in Rome afterwards.. would that mean that none of my trip would be covered if I used airline miles for transport?? I was thinking about using my CC insurance so thanks for this post

If you pay the tax on the miles with your AMEX card, you would be covered.  

Terri

[GeezerCouple]

This may be another advantage of third-party travel insurance, not through any vendor, including the cruise line or a charge card that was used to pay for the trip (some/all/?).

 

We've had a claim for a complete cancellation of a cruise (plus some land, but those were mostly refundable), and we booked airfare with points, as we always do.

 

Included in the payments were the fees we paid to "re-bank" the awards points.

 

And in several other claims, the air (with points) wasn't a factor in the claim, but there were claims during the trip.  There was never any mention of the fact that we used points to "get there and back" rather than paying cash that was used to figure the total cost of the trip - which was then used to determine the cost of the coverage.

 

GC

[Coral]

Thanks for posting your experience. We learn so much from these boards.

[CruisinShips]

It makes little sense to me that the cruise portion should be nullified based on the airfare...what if you live 35 minutes from the Port (like we do in South Florida) and take an uber to the port?  I assume that "loophole" wouldn't apply to us?

[Cruzin Terri]

3 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

It makes little sense to me that the cruise portion should be nullified based on the airfare...what if you live 35 minutes from the Port (like we do in South Florida) and take an uber to the port?  I assume that "loophole" wouldn't apply to us?

i do not think that UBER is considered a “common carrier”.  In my case I used Chase Points to book my passage to Italy.  That was a different situation. You can always use your AMEX card to pay UBER as I do.

Terri

Edited February 29 by Cruzin Terri

[CruisinShips]

27 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

i do not think that UBER is considered a “common carrier”.  In my case I used Chase Points to book my passage to Italy.  That was a different situation. You can always use your AMEX card to pay UBER as I do.

Terri

My point really wasn't about the Uber part...it was more about you are being "penalized" for the airfare, which seems unfair and irrelevant since some of us don't even need to book airfare to the cruise port.

[Cruzin Terri]

2 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

My point really wasn't about the Uber part...it was more about you are being "penalized" for the airfare, which seems unfair and irrelevant since some of us don't even need to book airfare to the cruise port.

Then it is a moot point.  At least that is the way I took it.  You could always call AMEX and get a clarification.

Terri

[judy marlborough]

This makes no sense to me.

I've read the AmExp platinum policy.  

Why wouldn't the cruise be considered a "common carrier" and why can't the "round trip" begin with the cruise/common carrier? Forget about the plane tickets - what happens if you just focus on the cruise?

 

Also, as I understand it from speaking with the insurance company - - I made a few calls before upgrading to Platinum to try to understand whether I still need to buy trip protection/cancellation insurance for a cruise - - paying with points is still within the definition of "paid."

 

How did you make out and can anyone else comment on this topic? 

 

[GeezerCouple]

15 minutes ago, judy marlborough said:

This makes no sense to me.

I've read the AmExp platinum policy.  

Why wouldn't the cruise be considered a "common carrier" and why can't the "round trip" begin with the cruise/common carrier? Forget about the plane tickets - what happens if you just focus on the cruise?

 

Also, as I understand it from speaking with the insurance company - - I made a few calls before upgrading to Platinum to try to understand whether I still need to buy trip protection/cancellation insurance for a cruise - - paying with points is still within the definition of "paid."

 

How did you make out and can anyone else comment on this topic? 

 

Yes, ' ...paying with points is still within the definition of "paid." '

But that's not the *only* requirement.

I think this part quoted by the OP may clarify this:

 

On 10/27/2023 at 11:34 AM, Cruzin Terri said:

4) The Eligible Traveler charges the full amount of the cost of the the transportation by Common Carrier(s) to your Eligible Card.

 

The problem seems to be that some of the "transportation" (indeed a major portion if there are long flights, etc.) were NOT paid using the "Eligible Card".

And the plane is definitely a common carrier (assuming no private jet rentals!).

[This problem has been discussed somewhat on FlyerTalk, also.]

 

Further, if one wants to "ignore" the awards flight entirely... then you wouldn't have met the "round trip" requirement.

 

This is just one reason why we stick with third-party (independent) travel insurance.  Some of the restrictions or dis-allowed costs for charge card or cruise line insurance or protection just don't work for us.  Worse, they can be so quirky that we might not realize our trip wouldn't qualify for some reason... until we file a claim and it's denied.  Not good! 

 

There are indeed some policies where one must include ALL pre-paid costs, even if refundable.  However, it one doesn't need that type of policy, then one wouldn't need to cover *all* costs.

 

It can be VERY helpful to speak with a travel insurance broker, someone who is familiar with assorted policies from a variety of insurers.  Then you'd have the best chance of finding a policy that "works for you".  And someone to help IF you have a claim!

 

GC

[momofmab]

On 9/7/2024 at 11:51 AM, judy marlborough said:

How did you make out and can anyone else comment on this topic? 

I can comment. I was just going to start a thread on this to see what others' experiences were with AmEx Platinum travel insurance. My husband and I have paid for a cruise on our card but will be driving to the cruise port.

 

I called twice this week and spoke to two different AmEx Platinum agents and can confirm that unless your trip includes round trip airfare, that is also purchased on your AmEx Platinum, there are no included travel insurance options. You can purchase T.I. through a 3rd party that works with AmEx (which is of course, pricey) but there will be nothing included under your AmEx Platinum benefits, unless you have the round trip airfare. 

 

I agree that this seems like a loophole and is very disappointing - especially since AmEx offers cruise planning through its travel program. A considerable amount of people live within driving distance of cruise ports - why penalize us for driving?

[judy marlborough]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Coincidentally, I was talking about this with friends last night and used the example of someone who lived in, say, Ft. Lauderdale, who could get on a cruise without flying there: why wouldn't the AmEx Platinum insurance benefit apply where that person starts and ends the  "round trip" by "common carrier [which includes a ship]" on a cruise? So I was interested to hear about your experience.  I just don't see where RT airfare is required.  The other thing is, I had heard that where airfare is included in the total cruise price(for example, Regent), there might be a loophole that would result in a denial of coverage.  I don't see how both things could be true.  There is also an issue with "A. . . . you must charge the full amount of a Covered Trip to your Eligible Card or in combination with your Eligible Card and accumulated points on your Eligible Card or redeemable certificates, vouchers, coupons, or discounts awarded from a frequent flyer program or similar program."  Does this mean "full amount" to the traveler? So for example, you get a RT ticket through points plus a small amount, is that the "full amount"? (I know the Points Guy says yes -- and I would agree that's what it sounds like - - yet others out there have questioned his conclusion.)  

 

To show how ridiculous this is - - if all this is true, since the significant point seems to be the purchase of a RT, this means to get coverage, the traveler could buy a cheap ticket from someplace to the point of departure. For example, drive to a city 3-4 hours from where you live, stay in the airport hotel, fly to the embarkation point, drive home after the cruise. If this costs you a few hundred dollars, it's still a lot less than $2000 (typical cruise insurance policy). In fact, does it even matter if you actually fly?  This is meant to show how ridiculous this is. 

[Cruzin Terri]

Round trip airfare is not required if you drive to the port.  In my situation (I am the OP) I was on a TA from Rome to Miami and I booked  the airfare with Chase.    That is what disqualified me.  I specifically asked about driving to the port.  The answer was that I would have been covered.  It is only when you arrive at the cruise by common carrier.  Your vehicle is not a common carrier.  In that case the cruise would be covered.  That was what I was told.

Terri

[momofmab]

I thought it was ridiculous too, which is why I called twice and spoke to two different people just to make sure they said the same thing. It may be worth checking other travel CC companies to see if their T&C's are similar in that regard.

[GeezerCouple]

A lot of this discussion seems to be about situations very different from the OP's post.

Their problem, which was the point of the thread in the first place (to alert others), was apparently because they did NOT use the Amex card for all of the common carrier costs.  They also used a Chase card.

 

That is completely different from whether one MUST "fly to the port" and whether one can drive.

I'm not really believing that someone who lives in "driving distance" [which is very subjective!] of a port and thus doesn't fly to the cruise would not be covered even if ALL of the actual travel expenses were charged to the proper card.

 

It seems to say that all common carrier costs must be paid by the Card.  I'm not seeing where it specifies that "common carrier" must include an airline, that a cruise ship doesn't satisfy that condition.

 

I wouldn't take the word of an Amex Plat *travel agent* about the specific Terms & Conditions of the *insurance*.  I'd call someone specifically about the insurance.

There are just too many times a phone rep gives an answer, and may even state that they are "certain", when... they are wrong.  This is especially likely for questions that are relatively uncommon.

 

I might make this call to double check (if I get bored later today, ahem! 😉 ).

 

And there is this, which I didn't note at first:

 

16 minutes ago, judy marlborough said:

you must charge the full amount of a Covered Trip to your Eligible Card or in combination with your Eligible Card and accumulated points on your Eligible Card or redeemable certificates, vouchers, coupons, or discounts awarded from a frequent flyer program or similar program.

 

That is, the points must be "accumulated points on your Eligible Card"?  Those would be from Amex Plat spending.  So AIRLINE POINTS aren't acceptable?

Yes, it continues about "redeemable certificates, vouchers, coupons, or discounts awarded from a frequent flyer program or similar program", but doesn't include the wording "points" or "awards" from some other frequent flyer program (??).

 

We'll stick with our third-party travel insurance.

We've never had to deal with quibbling of any sort.  We just need the receipts, and, of course, that the reason is a covered reason (e.g., letter from physician unless we have CFAR, Cancel For Any Reason).

 

GC

[momofmab]

2 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Your vehicle is not a common carrier.

So would train or bus count? I'm guessing the "common carrier" refers to multi-person methods of transport?

[Cruzin Terri]

1 minute ago, momofmab said:

So would train or bus count? I'm guessing the "common carrier" refers to multi-person methods of transport?

A train or a bus is a common carrier.  Just charge it to your AMEX card.  Then you have met the requirements.

[Cruzin Terri]

To be clear, an UBER or taxi is NOT a common carrier.

Terri