The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has hands-down the most comprehensive travel insurance coverage of all the cards on our list. Not only does the card offer a broad range of benefits, but the coverage amounts are higher than those typically offered by other cards.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is unusual in that it provides emergency medical and dental insurance coverage as long as part of your trip is charged to the card. Don’t get too excited, though—the benefit is secondary coverage, limited to $2,500 with a $50 deductible, which is not nearly enough coverage for most international trips. We recommend obtaining additional out-of-country medical insurance if your existing healthcare plan does not cover it. In addition, the card has the following benefits:
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, which includes transportation, tours and hotels. Limited to $40,000 per year.
- Trip delay reimbursement: Effective after six hours of delay or if an overnight stay is required and covers reasonable expenses up to $500 per person.
- Baggage delay reimbursement: Up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days for the purchase of essential items if bags are delayed six or more hours.
- Lost or damaged luggage reimbursement: Checked and carry-on baggage are each covered up to $3,000 for loss or damage incurred by a common carrier.
- Auto rental collision waiver: Primary insurance provides reimbursement of up to $75,000 for damages caused by theft or collision.
- Emergency medical and dental benefit: Up to $2,500 for emergency medical or dental treatment due to illness or accident. A $50 deductible applies.
- Medical evacuation insurance: Up to $100,000 for medical services and transportation if medically necessary emergency evacuation is required.
- Travel accident insurance: Up to $1,000,000 in the event of death or dismemberment while a passenger is on a common carrier.
- Roadside assistance: Up to $50 per incident with a maximum of four incidents per year.
Who it’s best for: Frequent travelers who want the most comprehensive credit card travel insurance and value the card’s travel perks and transferable rewards.
Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights and 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee: $550
Other benefits and drawbacks: The high annual fee of this card is partially offset by an annual $300 travel credit, which is automatically applied to qualifying purchases. Additionally, cardholders can receive a $100 credit every four years for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee charged to the card and Priority Pass airport lounge membership, including access to airport restaurant locations and Chase Sapphire Lounges. The card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which are transferable to a number of travel partners, including United Airlines MileagePlus and World of Hyatt, at a 1:1 ratio. Points are redeemable through Chase Travel℠ or using Pay Yourself Back, where they’re worth at least 1.25 cents each when applied to eligible categories.
