Best credit cards with trip cancellation insurance

The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a good option if you want the frills of a premium card but without paying a hefty annual fee. The trip cancellation insurance is first-rate: cardholders are automatically insured for up to $2,500 per person for eligible expenses (maximum $10,000 per trip) when you charge at least 75% of such trip expenses to your card and are forced to cancel/interrupt your trip for eligible causes. Also covered by this policy are your spouse, one travelling companion, and your eligible dependent children travelling with you.

Disclosures:

• Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 3, 2025. Subject to change.

  Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.
  
  *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Along with travel insurance coverage including emergency medical, trip interruption and car rental insurance, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card comes with trip cancellation insurance. You’ll get reimbursed for the non-refundable and non-transferable travel arrangements you paid for with your card. However, you must charge these items to your card before your departure date and your trip must be cancelled for a covered reason. The coverage extends to $1,500 per person, per trip (up to $3,000).

Perks include unlimited Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges™ and Air Canada Café™ access, priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling. All told, the Aeroplan travel insurance package is pretty exceptional.

Disclosures:

• Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card stands out with its senior-friendly coverage, offering a rare 10-day emergency medical insurance for Canadians aged 75 and older. This card goes the extra mile by eliminating foreign transaction fees, putting more money back in your pocket when you're globe-trotting.

Plus, it doesn't skimp on protection, boasting a comprehensive insurance package that covers trip cancellation and other travel-related hiccups. Now, let's talk turkey: the $399 annual fee might make you do a double-take, but when you stack up the extensive benefits, it's like finding a loonie in your pocket every time you travel. For snowbirds and jet-setters alike, this card turns your wanderlust into a well-protected adventure.

Disclosures:

• Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card to learn more.*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

When it comes to travel insurance coverage in Canada, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the cream of the crop. This card isn't just another piece of plastic in your wallet; it's your ticket to worry-free wanderlust. Here's why it's stealing the show:

• Extensive coverage: It's like a Swiss Army knife of insurance, packing trip cancellation, emergency medical, baggage delay, and car rental insurance all in one sleek package.
• Long emergency medical coverage: For travelers 54 and under, it offers a whopping 60 days of coverage. That's triple the length of what many other cards offer – perfect for those extended snowbird getaways or round-the-world adventures.
• Competitive annual fee: At $150, it's easier on your wallet than a Tim Hortons coffee run, especially considering the comprehensive coverage you're getting.

Now, before you rush to apply, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. This card doesn't include travel accident coverage, so if you're planning on bungee jumping off the CN Tower, you might want to look elsewhere. Also, it's got some pretty hefty income requirements – we're talking $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income. But if you meet the criteria and you're looking for top-notch travel protection, this card is a true Canadian beauty, eh?

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card stands out as a top contender in the Canadian travel insurance credit card market. This premium card offers an impressive array of travel protection features that set it apart from the competition.

Its standout benefit is the unlimited emergency medical coverage, a rare find that extends even to Canadians over 65, providing peace of mind for senior travellers. The card's comprehensive coverage doesn't stop there; it also includes travel accident, trip cancellation, rental car, and hotel burglary insurance, offering a robust safety net for various travel scenarios.

For those 64 and under, the card provides an extended emergency medical coverage period of up to 31 days, surpassing many competitors in the market. However, it's important to note that these premium features come at a cost.

The card carries a substantial annual fee of $399 and requires a steep annual income of $200,000, which may put it out of reach for some Canadian consumers. Despite these drawbacks, for those who can meet the requirements, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card offers a comprehensive travel insurance package that's hard to beat.

Disclosures:

•  Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
  
  

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This card doesn't mess around when it comes to protecting your travel investments. It offers up to $1,500 per covered person for trip cancellation, with a maximum of $5,000 per account per trip.www.bmo.com That's enough to cover a fancy igloo hotel stay or a week-long adventure in the Rockies!

If your plans go sideways mid-journey, you're covered up to $2,000 per person, with a maximum of $10,000 per account per trip.

You don't need to charge the entire trip to your card to be covered. As long as you charge the full or partial cost of your travel arrangements to the card or use points earned under the credit card rewards program, you're eligible for coverage.www.bmo.com It's like having a safety net, even when you're juggling different payment methods.

Additionally, the insurance extends to your spouse and dependent children when you charge the full or partial cost of your travel arrangements to the card.www.bmo.com It's like wrapping your whole family in a warm, protective Canadian blanket!

Disclosures:

• *Terms and conditions apply
• BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
  
  
  

You can’t just cancel a trip and get reimbursed for any reason. Credit cards with trip cancellation insurance have very strict parameters about what is and what is not considered an acceptable reason to cancel a trip. Some examples of acceptable cancellation reasons may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• An unexpected death, injury, or illness of the cardholder, an immediate family member, or a travel companion. Note: you may be required to submit documentation/written confirmation from an authority figure.
• Adverse reactions to a vaccination required for travel
• Jury duty
• An official government travel advisory against travel to your destination
• A call to service
• The conference or business meeting you were scheduled to attend is cancelled
• Your travel provider goes bankrupt
• A delay causing a missed connection due to weather, an accident, natural disasters, or mechanical failure

What is not covered by trip cancellation insurance? That depends on the policy offered by your credit card. But some examples of non-acceptable cancellation reasons include:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Self-injury or suicide
• Illness or injury due to alcohol or drugs
• Acts of terrorism and war
• Participation in a dangerous sport

An important note: some credit cards may not cover the loss of redeemed rewards. So, if you used Aeroplan Miles or Air Miles to book a flight, it may not be possible to get back the value of the points that you lost. However, some loyalty programs may offer some flexibility for bookings so be sure to contact your loyalty program to confirm their policy.

If you need to cancel your trip, you'll need to file a claim with the insurance provider. This usually involves submitting documentation to prove your reason for cancellation.

Once again, each credit card has different requirements when it comes to making a claim (that’s why you really should read your credit card’s certificate of insurance carefully). Overall, most require some or all of the following:

• Official flight, hotel or travel agent receipt/invoices
• Doctor’s note or death certificate if you are cancelling for a medical reason
• Providers may request that you show some manner of proof that the costs would not be reimbursed by your flight or hotel company

Additionally, most insurance providers request that cardholders notify them immediately upon cancelling a trip. Many providers also have deadlines for submitting a completed claim, such as within 90 days of the cancellation.