amex travel insurance milelion

Your guide to Amex's travel insurance coverage

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American Express premium credit cards offer some of the best perks in the credit card space. While lounge access and travel credits are typically the highlights of these cards, some of the lesser-known benefits, such as trip delay reimbursement and trip cancellation and interruption insurance, are becoming hot topics as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the travel industry.

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As a result, many TPG readers have sent in questions about Amex's travel insurance protections. As travel restrictions change, policies and best practices will likely change as well. But this guide will walk you through which Amex credit cards have these benefits, what's currently covered and how you can file a successful claim.

Related: Best credit cards for trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Amex cards offering trip delay, cancellation or interruption insurance

Here is an overview of the Amex cards that offer trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance or both:

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card and American Express Corporate Platinum 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.

Related: The best credit cards with travel insurance

What is covered by trip cancellation and interruption insurance?

You can find the full terms and conditions of what is generally covered on your respective card in your Guide to Benefits, which can be found through your online account. I'll use the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve as an example.

Here is a rundown of the "covered losses" provided by Amex's trip cancellation and interruption insurance:

• Accidental bodily injury or loss of life or sickness of either the eligible traveler, traveling companion or a family member of the eligible traveler or traveling companion
• Inclement weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a covered trip
• The eligible traveler or his or her spouse's change in military orders
• Terrorist action or hijacking
• Call to jury duty or subpoena by the courts, either of which cannot be postponed or waived
• The eligible traveler or traveling companion's dwelling made uninhabitable
• Quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons

Related: Book carefully if you have multiple Amex cards that offer travel protections

Amex also provides an extensive list of things that are not covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance:

• Pre-existing conditions
• The eligible traveler's suicide, attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury
• A declared or undeclared war
• Mental or emotional disorders, unless hospitalized
• The eligible traveler's participation in a sporting activity for which he or she receives a salary or prize money
• The eligible traveler's being intoxicated at the time of an accident. Intoxication is defined by the laws of the jurisdiction where such accident occurs
• The eligible traveler being under the influence of any narcotic or other controlled substance at the time of an accident, unless the narcotic or other controlled substance is taken and used as prescribed by a Physician
• The eligible traveler's commission or attempted commission of any illegal or criminal act, including but not limited to any felony
• The eligible traveler parachuting from an aircraft
• The eligible traveler engaging or participating in a motorized vehicular race or speed contest
• Dental treatment except as a result of accidental bodily injury to sound, natural teeth
• Any non-emergency treatment or surgery, routine physical examinations
• Hearing aids, eyeglasses or contact lenses
• One-way travel that does not have a return destination
• A counterfeit scheduled airline or train ticket; or a scheduled airline or train ticket which is charged to a fraudulently issued or fraudulently used eligible card.
• Any occurrence while the eligible traveler is incarcerated
• Loss due to intentional acts by the eligible traveler
• Financial insolvency of a travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier
• Any expenses that are not authorized and reimbursable by the eligible traveler's employer if the eligible traveler makes the purchases with a commercial card

If you do find yourself canceling or cutting a covered trip short, here are the basic guidelines provided by Amex on what types of expenses are covered for trip cancellation/interruption:

"If a Covered Loss causes an Eligible Traveler's Trip Interruption, we will reimburse you for the nonrefundable amount paid to a Travel Supplier with your Eligible Card for the following: 1. The forfeited, non-refundable, pre-paid land, air and sea transportation arrangements that were missed; and 2. Additional transportation expenses that the Eligible Traveler incurs less any available refunds, not to exceed the cost of an economy-class air ticket by the most direct route for the Eligible Traveler to rejoin his or her places of origin.

If a Covered Loss causes an Eligible Traveler to temporarily postpone transportation by Common Carrier for a Covered Trip and a new departure date is set, we will reimburse you for the following: 1. The additional expenses incurred to purchase tickets for the new departure (not to exceed the difference between the original fare and the economy fare for the rescheduled Covered Trip by the most direct route); and 2. The unused, non-refundable land, air, and sea arrangements paid to a Travel Supplier with your Eligible Card."

What is covered by trip delay insurance?

Trip delay coverage provides reimbursement for reasonable additional expenses incurred when your trip is delayed due to a covered hazard for more than six hours.

Coverage is limited to $500 per trip and cardmembers are only eligible for two claims each 12 consecutive month period.

Amex outlines what is not covered, which includes the following:

• Covered losses that are made public or known to the eligible traveler prior to the departure for the covered trip
• An eligible traveler's expenses paid prior to the covered trip

Filing a claim

When you have a delay or trip cancellation/interruption that you think qualifies for coverage, you can file a claim by calling Amex at 1-844-933-0648 within 60 days of the covered loss.

Trip delay reimbursement requires the following documentation:

• Proof of loss – You must furnish written proof of loss to Amex within 180 days after the date of your loss
• Receipts - Acceptable documentation includes the following:
• A statement from the common carrier that the covered trip was delayed
• Charge receipt
• Copies of common carrier ticket(s)
• Receipts for travel expenses

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance requires slightly different documentation.

• Proof of loss – You must furnish written proof of loss to Amex within 180 days after the date of your loss. Acceptable documentation includes:
• Court subpoenas, orders to report for active duty, physician orders, etc.
• Copies of your common carrier tickets and travel supplier receipt
• Your eligible card billing statement showing the charges for the covered trip
• Copy of travel supplier's cancelation policy

After Amex receives notice of your claim, instructions will be sent on how to send the proof. Typically, you have up to 180 days to file a claim after a delay or cancellation.

Proof of flight delay or cancellation

One of the documents required to file for trip delay reimbursement is a verification form that outlines the reason for the delay or cancellation by the carrier. You can typically get this at the airport when the delay or cancellation is announced, but keep in mind that it may require a supervisor. Each U.S. major airline also has a process for requesting this information after the fact.

Here is an overview of the process that major U.S. airlines require for you to receive a delay or cancellation verification form:

Amex cards that offer car rental insurance

Unfortunately, no American Express credit cards offer primary car rental coverage, although most offer secondary coverage. You can see the entire list of cards that offer secondary car rental protection on the American Express website . However, all American Express credit cards offer an optional "Premium Car Rental Protection policy" that can be added to rentals made using the card for a small fee.

Read our guide on when to use American Express' Premium Car Rental Protection for more details on this coverage option.

You can add Premium Car Rental Protection to any American Express card . TPG has a guide of the best American Express cards , but here are some of the best cards in terms of the return you could receive when renting a car. Note, the estimated return rate for these cards is based on TPG's latest valuations:

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: $450 annual fee (see rates and fees); 4.2% return on car rentals booked directly from car rental companies; no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: $0 annual fee (see rates and fees); 4% return on general spending on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year and 1x thereafter; 2.7% foreign transaction fee (see rates and fees)
• The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express: $95 annual fee; 3% return on general spending in billing cycles where you make 30+ purchases; 2.7% foreign transaction fee

The information for the Amex EveryDay Preferred 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.

Amex cards that offer baggage insurance

If you're a frequent traveler, you've likely run into this situation at some point (it's the worst). Over the years, airlines have been working on improving the baggage system by introducing live bag tracking. Regardless, it's still a smart idea to have some protections in place, like baggage insurance.

Related: Everything you need to know about Amex's baggage insurance plan

This is why you need to pay attention to the benefits each of your travel rewards cards offers. Nearly all of Amex's premium rewards cards offer baggage insurance. You can check out the full list of cards and details on American Express's website.

The types of losses it covers: You're covered for losses resulting from damaged, stolen or lost baggage, including both carry-on and checked bags.

When you're covered: To be eligible for coverage, you have to travel on a common carrier, which Amex defines as any air, land or water vehicle (other than a personal or rental vehicle) that is licensed to carry passengers for hire and available to the public. Your rental car, as well as taxis and ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft, would be excluded from this protection.

To receive coverage, you also need to pay for the entire fare with an eligible American Express card or by using Membership Rewards points to book tickets through Amex Travel . Trips booked with miles from other sources — even the cobranded Delta SkyMiles cards from Amex — are excluded. Your trip also isn't covered if you used a combination of miles and dollars unless the miles came from a Membership Rewards transfer. This is a welcome change. A few years ago, a TPG staffer found out the hard way that Amex's policy didn't cover frequent flyer mile awards.

Who's covered: This policy covers both primary and additional cardholders, as well as cardmembers' spouses or domestic partners and any dependent children under 23 years old. In addition, travelers must be permanent residents of one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How much it covers: Most American Express credit cards will cover replacement costs for checked bags and their contents up to $500 per person, although so-called "high-risk items" are only covered for a maximum of $250. These items include jewelry, sporting equipment, photographic or electronic equipment, computers and audio/visual equipment. Carry-on bags are covered for up to $1,250, which is good to know since your belongings could be stolen from the overhead bins.

You'll enjoy additional coverage if you use The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz and Morgan Stanley-branded Platinum Card (but not the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card).

The information for the Amex Platinum Mercedes-Benz and Morgan Stanley Platinum 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.

Amex cards that offer medical assistance

One of the lesser known benefits of some of Amex's most premium cards is its Premium Global Assistance. This benefit can quite literally be a lifesaver if you or an immediate family member run into any unexpected issues or accident on your trip. For example, this service can help you arrange emergency medical referrals.

All Amex cards have access to Amex's Global Assist Hotline, but the Premium Global Assist Hotline and higher level of coverage are reserved exclusively for the Amex's premium cards:

• The Platinum Card from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express
• American Express Corporate Platinum Card
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• American Express Centurion Card
• American Express Business Centurion Card

The information for the Amex Centurion and Amex Business Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Having a card with trip insurance can save you hundreds of dollars when unexpected hiccups happen in your travel plans. Still, it can be confusing to know what is covered and the right documentation you need to file a claim.

Nothing is worse than getting through an entire claims process only to be denied or have to start over because you don't have the required documentation for the insurance provider. Before you start filing a claim, make sure you have the documents listed above. Keep in mind that a provider may ask for additional documentation related to the incident, so you may have to collect receipts and other forms to help your case.

If you're starting to travel again, it's also a good idea to consider booking refundable travel . Some airlines and hotels even waive cancelation fees and/or change fees for certain fares, which can make last-minute adjustments in the case of emergencies.

Additional reporting by Stella Shon and Madison Blancaflor.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.

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The Guide to American Express Travel Insurance

Elina Geller is a former NerdWallet travel writer specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs and travel insurance. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Her work has been featured by AwardWallet. She is a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University.

Megan Lee joined the travel rewards team at NerdWallet with over 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. When not traveling, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

American Express travel insurance vs. coverage provided by AmEx cards

Complimentary travel insurance provided by amex cards, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance, premium global assist, global assist hotline, standalone american express travel insurance plans, should you use the complimentary benefits or purchase a policy, amex travel insurance recapped.

You can get AmEx travel insurance via your card or as a standalone policy.

AmEx cards typically include coverage for trip delays, interruptions, cancellations, baggage and car rentals.

Coverage tends to be secondary.

Policies vary by card.

American Express has two different types of travel insurance offerings: standalone travel insurance plans that customers can purchase and travel insurance that is included as a complimentary benefit on certain cards. 

So if you’re thinking about getting travel insurance before a trip, get familiar with American Express travel insurance benefits that are included on your credit cards. Knowing what protections you already have will prevent you from spending money on a separate policy with benefits that overlap.

A standalone travel insurance policy from American Express may offer more robust coverage, but depending on your needs, the travel insurance perks provided by your AmEx card may be sufficient. 

If you primarily want specific coverage for cancellations, delays or rental cars and baggage, it’s likely your card will be enough.

If, however, you’re mainly concerned with emergency health coverage while traveling , you’re better off with a separate medical insurance policy because the benefits provided by credit cards are limited in those areas. You can purchase this from American Express directly or shop around other travel insurance companies .

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

There are six travel insurance benefits offered on many American Express cards:

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance .

Trip delay insurance .

Car rental loss and damage insurance .

Baggage insurance plans .

Premium Global Assist Hotline .

Global Assist Hotline .

Here's a closer look at each.

Trip cancellation will protect you if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason (more below), and you will be reimbursed for any nonrefundable amounts paid to a travel supplier with your AmEx card. Bookings made with Membership Reward Points are also eligible for reimbursement. Travel suppliers are generally defined as airlines, tour operators, cruise companies or other common carriers.

Trip interruption coverage applies if you experience a covered loss on your way to the point of departure or after departure. AmEx will reimburse you if you miss your flight or incur additional transportation expenses due to the interruption. American Express considers the following to be covered reasons:

Accidental injuries.

Illness (must have proof from doctor).

Inclement weather.

Change in military orders.

Terrorist acts.

Non-postponable jury duty or subpoena by a court.

An event occurring that makes the traveler’s home uninhabitable.

Quarantine imposed by a doctor for medical reasons.

There are many reasons that are specifically called out as not covered (e.g., preexisting conditions, war, self-harm, fraud and more), so we recommend checking the terms of your coverage carefully.

If you want a higher level of coverage for trip cancellation, consider purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance . CFAR is an optional upgrade available on some standalone travel insurance plans. This supplementary benefit allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get a partial refund of your nonrefundable deposit.

Alternately, if you want what essentially amounts to CFAR insurance on your flights specifically, purchase your fares through the AmEx Travel portal and tack on Trip Cancel Guard for an extra fee. Trip Cancel Guard guarantees you an up to 75% refund on nonrefundable airfare costs when you cancel at least two days before departure, regardless of why. This isn't as comprehensive as other CFAR policies, but it can add some peace of mind for people who want the cash back (as opposed to a travel credit) for flights they may not take.

AmEx cards with trip cancellation, interruption coverage

The following American Express credit cards offer trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage:

on American Express' website

Additional AmEx cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage include:

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express .

Centurion® Card from American Express.

Business Centurion® Card from American Express.

The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express.

The Platinum Card® from American Express for Ameriprise Financial.

The American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab.

The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs.

The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley.

Corporate Platinum Card®.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card .

Terms apply.

Covered amount

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Coverage is secondary and applies after your primary policy provides reimbursement. Claims must be filed within 60 days. To start a claim, call 844-933-0648.

This benefit will reimburse you for reasonable, additional expenses incurred if a trip is delayed by a certain number of hours. Examples of eligible expenses include meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other charges that are deemed appropriate by American Express. It makes sense to use your judgment in terms of what will get approved based on your policy's fine print.

Acceptable delays include those that are caused by weather, terrorist actions, carrier equipment failure, or lost/stolen passports or travel documents. There are also plenty of exclusions, such as intentional acts by the traveler.

AmEx cards with trip delay insurance

The reimbursable amount depends on which card you hold.

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

As expected, the more premium travel credit cards offer higher compensation for shorter delays. Trip delay insurance is offered on the following American Express credit cards:

When you decline the collision damage waiver offered by the car rental agency, you will be covered if the car is damaged or stolen through your AmEx Travel Insurance. Depending on the card you have, the coverage is $50,000 or $75,000.

» Learn more: How AmEx car rental insurance works

In addition, the cards offering car rental damage and theft insurance up to of $75,000 also provide secondary benefits:

Accidental death or dismemberment coverage.

Accidental injury coverage.

Car rental personal property coverage.

To qualify, you must decline the personal accident coverage and personal effects insurance provided by your car rental company.

The entire rental must be charged on the American Express credit card to receive coverage for car rental loss and damage. And keep in mind that you do still need liability insurance when making your rental car reservation (you may have this through your personal auto insurance policy), as these credit card-provided coverage options don't include personal liability.

AmEx cards with car rental coverage

American Express lists over 50 different cards on its site that come with one of the two forms of car rental insurance. Cards that link to the Tier 1 policies are the $50,000-coverage cards, and Tier 2 policies are the $75,000 cards.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

The amount reimbursed is calculated as whichever is lowest:

The cost to repair the rental car.

The wholesale book value (minus salvage and depreciation).

The invoice purchase price (minus salvage and depreciation).

Here are some key exclusions to be aware of with this coverage:

These policies don't cover theft or damage that was caused by a driver’s illegal operation of the car, operation under the influence of drugs/alcohol or damage caused by any acts of war.

Policies don't cover drivers not named as "authorized drivers" on your rental agreement.

The benefit only covers car rentals up to 30 consecutive days.

Not all cars are included in the policy. Certain trucks, vans, limousines, motorcycles and campers are excluded from coverage.

Insurance protection doesn't apply in Australia, Italy, New Zealand and any country subject to U.S. sanctions .

You can file a claim online or call toll-free in the U.S. at 800-338-1670. From overseas, call collect 216-617-2500. Your claim must be filed within 30 days of the loss. Additionally, some benefits vary by state, so check the policy for your specific card.

» Learn more: The guide to AmEx Platinum’s rental car insurance

As an American Express cardholder, you are eligible to receive compensation if your luggage is lost or stolen. This benefit is in addition to what you may receive from the carrier. However, the AmEx policy is secondary, which means that it kicks in after the carrier provides any compensation for losses.

AmEx provides this insurance to "covered persons," who are defined as:

The cardmember.

Their spouse or domestic partner.

Their dependent children who are under 23 years old (there are age exceptions for handicap children).

Some business travelers (Tier 2 coverage only).

To qualify, all covered individuals need to be traveling on the same reservation and must be residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AmEx cards with baggage insurance

Naturally, the higher-end cards offer more protection — but even the basic cards have decent coverage. The compensation limits per person are as follows (note that the maximum payout per covered person for lost luggage is $3,000 on all of these cards).

Below are the limits for cardholders of the The Platinum Card® from American Express , The Business Platinum Card® from American Express , The American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab, The Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs, The Platinum Card® from American Express for Morgan Stanley, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card , Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, Centurion® Card from American Express and Business Centurion® Card from American Express:

Baggage in-transit to/from common carrier: $3,000.

Carry-on baggage: $3,000.

Checked luggage: $2,000.

Combined maximum: $3,000.

High-end items: $1,000.

And here are the coverage limits for cardholders of the American Express® Gold Card , American Express® Business Gold Card , American Express® Green Card , Business Green Rewards Card from American Express , Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card , Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card , Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card , Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card , Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card , Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card , The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card :

Baggage in-transit to/from common carrier: $1,250.

Carry-on baggage: $1,250.

Checked luggage: $500.

High-end items: $250.

AmEx also offers limited reimbursement for high-end items (coverage varies by card), such as:

Sports equipment.

Photography or electronic equipment.

Computers and audiovisual equipment.

Wearable technology.

Furs (including items made mostly of fur and those trimmed/lined with fur).

Items made fully or partially of gold, silver or platinum.

Claims must be filed within 30 days of your baggage loss. To file a claim, call 800-645-9700 from the U.S. or collect to 303-273-6498 if overseas. You can also file a claim online.

» Learn more: Compare travel insurance options: airline or credit card?

This benefit helps with events like replacing a lost passport, missing luggage assistance, emergency legal and medical referrals, and in some instances, emergency medical transportation assistance.

The service can also help you figure out important travel-related details like customs information, currency information, travel warnings, tourist office locations, foreign exchange rates, vaccine recommendations for the country you’re visiting, passport/visa requirements and weather forecasts.

AmEx cards with Premium Global Assist

Premium Global Assistance is offered on the following American Express credit cards:

The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.

Services provided by Premium Global Assist Hotline

You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, the Premium Global Assist Hotline may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

The hotline isn’t so much a concierge as a service that provides logistical assistance, which can include the following:

General travel advice

Emergency translation if you need an interpreter to help with legal or medical documents (cost isn't covered).

Lost item search if your belongings are lost while traveling.

Missing luggage assistance if an airline loses your luggage. The hotline will contact your airline on a daily basis on your behalf to help locate your bags.

Passport/credit card assistance if your credit card or passport is lost or stolen.

Urgent message relay if you need to contact a family member and/or friend in the event of an emergency.

Medical assistance

Emergency medical transportation assistance if the cardmember or another covered family member traveling on the same itinerary gets sick or injured and needs medical treatment (there are many conditions for this coverage; review your policy’s fine print).

Physician referral if you need a doctor or dentist (cardmember is responsible for costs).

Repatriation of remains in the event of death.

Financial assistance

Emergency wire service to get help obtaining cash (fees will be reimbursed).

Emergency hotel check in/out if your card has been lost or stolen.

Legal assistance

Bail bond assistance if you need access to an agency that accepts AmEx (cardmember is responsible for paying bail bond fees).

Embassy and consulate referral if you need help finding or accessing local embassies.

English-speaking lawyer referral if you’re traveling and need a list of available attorneys (cardmember is responsible for any legal fees).

To use this benefit, call the Premium Global Assist Hotline toll-free at 800-345-AMEX (2639). You can also call collect at 715-343-7979.

The main difference between the Global Assist Hotline and the Premium version is that some of the services that are fully covered by Premium Global Assist aren't covered in the more basic version (cited examples include emergency medical transportation assistance and repatriation of mortal remains).

You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

AmEx cards with Global Assist Hotline access

The Global Assist Hotline is available to holders of the following cards:

American Express® Gold Card .

American Express® Business Gold Card .

American Express® Green Card .

Business Green Rewards Card from American Express .

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card .

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card .

Hilton Honors American Express Card .

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card .

Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card .

The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express .

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card .

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express .

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card .

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express .

You can call the Global Assist Hotline toll-free at 800-333-AMEX (2639), or collect at 715-343-7977.

If you don’t have any of the credit cards above and are thinking about purchasing a policy from American Express or just simply want to price compare to see if you get better perks by purchasing a policy, you can go to the AmEx travel insurance website and input your trip plans to build a quote. You’ll need to provide your departure and return date, state of residence, age of traveler, number of travelers covered by the policy and the trip cost per traveler. Then, you can select the option of choosing a package or building your own.

To see which plans are available, we input a sample $3,000, one-week trip by a 35-year-old from South Dakota. Our search result yielded four different plans ranging from $59 for a Basic plan to $208 for a Platinum plan.

Global medical protection (not included on AmEx cards)

Medical protection includes coverage for emergency healthcare and dental costs as well as medical evacuation and repatriation of remains . The limits increase as the plans become more expensive. Although AmEx cards offer an array of travel insurance benefits, medical coverage isn't included. So if medical protection benefits are important to you, a standalone travel insurance policy is what you’ll want to look for.

Travel accident protection (not included on AmEx cards)

Another benefit not included with AmEx cards is travel accident protection. This benefit provides coverage in case of death or dismemberment while traveling . Although this is a topic no one wants to think about, it's good to be familiar with this coverage. While travel accident protection isn’t offered on the Basic plan, all of the higher plans offer it.

Standalone policy benefits that are also included on AmEx cards

These elements of coverage are offered on the AmEx cards mentioned, although in some, the limits may be higher or lower.

Trip cancellation

The Basic plan only covers a trip up to $1,000, however, all the other plans cover 100% of the trip cost. To compare this with the perks included as a benefit on the cards, all AmEx cards that include trip cancellation coverage provide up to $10,000 per covered trip.

Keep in mind that, all the cards included have annual fees and the card with the lowest fee is the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card , with a $550 annual fee. 

Trip interruption

Trip interruption coverage ranges from $1,000 on a Basic plan to 150% of trip cost on the Gold and Platinum plans. The trip interruption benefit offered by the AmEx cards is included on all the same cards that offer trip cancellation insurance, with the trip interruption limit capped at $10,000 per covered trip.

Global baggage protection

If your luggage is lost or stolen this benefit will provide monetary compensation to reimburse you for your lost items. AmEx cards offer baggage coverage as a complimentary benefit, with the higher-end cards naturally providing higher limits. Interestingly, the cards with the lower annual fees (i.e. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card , annual fee $150 ) have a high limit as well, offering a total combined limit for lost luggage of $3,000, which is higher than the coverage offered by the standalone Platinum plan.

Global trip delay

If your trip is delayed, you’re eligible for reimbursement of any necessary expenses incurred up to a specific limit. The Basic plan doesn’t offer this benefit, but all the other plans do, with the Platinum plan providing up to $300 per day (maximum of $1,000 per trip). This coverage is also included on the higher-end AmEx cards.

AmEx cards offer key travel insurance benefits: trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance, Premium Global Assist Hotline (or Global Assist Hotline). However, they don't offer any sort of emergency medical coverage. This is pretty typical of travel credit cards, as the travel insurance perks they offer don't provide coverage for emergency health care costs.

If you’re looking for emergency medical coverage, you’ll need to purchase a separate policy, such as the standalone one offered by American Express. The other limits provided in the American Express travel insurance policy are comparable to what you get on the AmEx cards, so it makes sense to shop around to make sure that the benefits you’re paying for are sufficient for your needs.

» Learn more: What to know about American Express Platinum travel insurance

Yes, if you have one of the cards listed above. If you have a credit card that isn’t listed in this guide or the card is no longer available by American Express, call the number on the back of your card for more information. Generally, AmEx offers a number of travel insurance benefits on its credit cards that shouldn't be overlooked.

Yes, but it depends on which card you have. To qualify for reimbursement, the trip cancellation must be for a covered reason. Refer to the section "Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance" for a list of cards and explanations of covered reasons.

American Express offers a solid range of travel insurance protection across its credit cards, with the premium cards providing the most coverage. However, if you need insurance benefits with higher limits, we recommend purchasing a separate travel insurance policy . If you only need emergency medical coverage , there are policies that provide that as well.

Call the number on the back of your card to ask for guidance. Some benefits may require authorization from American Express before coverage kicks in, so make sure you follow all the correct steps for reimbursement.

Refer to the AmEx credit card policy for the specific benefit because it will include instructions for submitting a claim. If you cannot find the policy, you should call the customer service number on the back of your American Express card for more assistance.

Yes. American Express offers travel insurance as a benefit of some of its cards, but it also sells standalone coverage that you can purchase out-of-pocket. The latter tends to be more comprehensive and customizable to your needs.

No, you do not get automatic travel insurance with American Express. It is available as a benefit on certain cards. Refer to your terms and conditions to learn if you are covered.

American Express cards do not include medical coverage; instead, you will want to purchase a standalone travel insurance policy with medical protections, such as repatriation of remains or medical evacuation coverage .

American Express offers a solid range of travel insurance protection across its credit cards, with the premium cards providing the most coverage. However, if you need insurance benefits with higher limits, we recommend purchasing a

separate travel insurance policy

. If you only need

emergency medical coverage

, there are policies that provide that as well.

American Express cards do not include medical coverage; instead, you will want to purchase a standalone travel insurance policy with medical protections, such as

repatriation of remains or medical evacuation coverage

American Express travel insurance offers a wide array of benefits, especially on its premium cards. Knowing what benefits are available to you is important in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Determine whether an individual policy is a better fit for your risk tolerance than coverage that is included on an eligible card, then go from there.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Premium Global Assist Hotline

If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Insurance Benefit: Global Assist Hotline

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

14 Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

Best travel cards main takeaways.

• Money has evaluated hundreds of credit cards, comparing their fees, benefits, welcome offers, travel insurance policies and more.
• The top credit cards for travel offer high rewards on travel purchases, which can be redeemed for airfare, hotel nights, cash back, statement credits or more.
• Our picks feature the best travel cards for every budget and include no-annual-fee, low-annual-fee, premium and business cards.

Why Trust Us?

Our editorial team has spent well over a thousand hours analyzing, evaluating and comparing the top credit card offers in the market. We carefully vet each card’s fine print in order to understand their features, limitations and potential benefits for consumers. We review cards independently, ensuring our content is accurate and guided by editorial integrity. Read our full methodology to learn more.

• 46 travel credit cards evaluated
• 10+ data points used, including ongoing fees, reward programs and welcome offers
• 100+ sources reviewed

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Our top picks are listed strictly in alphabetical order.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for flat rate rewards
• Bilt Mastercard® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for paying rent
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee card for travel partners
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for domestic travel
• Discover it® Miles Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for everyday spending

Best low-fee-annual-fee travel credit cards

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best travel card for flat-rate rewards
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best travel card for flexible rewards

Best premium travel credit cards

• American Express® Gold Card – Best travel card for dining
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best low-cost premium travel card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best premium travel credit card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for lounge access

Best business travel credit cards

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best business travel card

Best airline travel credit cards

• United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline credit card

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earns 1.5x points on all purchases
• No bonus category for travel
• Few benefits compared to other cards
• Limited redemption options

Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card best suited for travel reward beginners or those who are already Bank of America customers.

Some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Bank of America Preferred Rewards members — that’s up to 2.62 points for every dollar spent.

However, the card doesn’t offer hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection. Additionally, you can only redeem your points as statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com

• No annual or foreign currency conversion fee (Click herehttps://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/bilt/terms/">here; for rates and fees)
• Use it to pay your rent and earn rewards without incurring any processing fees
• You can earn double points on all purchase categories (except rent payments) on the first of every month (up to 10,000 points)
• Earn 2x points on travel (when booked directly through an airline, hotels, car rental agencies and cruise lines)
• No welcome bonus or introductory APR period
• Points redeemed for statement credits are worth 0.55 cents each
• You must make at least five transactions in a statement period to earn points
• Rent payments can only be made to one rental property per month

Why we chose it: The Bilt Mastercard® lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments without incurring any processing fees — unlike most credit cards that typically charge around 2.5% to 2.9% per rent payment.

You can use the card to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. Once you get approved for the card, all you have to do is set up an account through the Bilt app or website and use your assigned routing and account number to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can also use your card even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Additionally, Bilt doubles the card’s rewards rates on the first of every month, which means you can earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, this bonus doesn’t apply to rent rewards.

On the downside, the Bilt Mastercard® doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and points redeemed for statement credits are only worth 0.55 cents each.

• Can transfer your miles to 16 travel partners
• Earns 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare
• No domestic travel partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a no-annual fee travel credit card with a simple rewards structure.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies and more.

You can also transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. This option is notable since travel credit cards with no annual fee don’t typically offer the option to transfer your reward to airline and hotel partners.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is limited compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t offer bonus points on airfare booked through Capital One Travel.

• Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
• Features a high flat cash back rate combined and popular bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the best credit card for traveling domestically. It offers a 1.5% flat cash back rate on most purchases plus it has several appealing bonus categories, including travel and dining.

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, that is, on any transactions made in currency other than US dollars. However, if you mostly travel within the U.S., this card is an excellent option.

For one, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% on each of the card’s bonus categories during the first year of card membership (or up to the first $20,000 spent).

Also, although using this card abroad is not recommended, you can still use it to book international trips while you’re home, and you’ll earn 5% cash back if you book it through Chase Travel℠.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and even transfer them to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. It’s also worth noting that this card is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards with rental car coverage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
• Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
• See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
• Few benefits compared to other travel cards
• Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

Why we chose it: The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a no-frills card ideal for travelers who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories, earning caps or redemption values.

The card earns a flat 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases without any annual caps. You can redeem your miles for statement credits and account deposits at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also use your rewards through Amazon and PayPal checkout with the same value.

Also, the card’s welcome bonus is easily one of the best in the market: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements.

However, while the Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great starter travel card, its lack of bonus categories could hinder your reward-earning potential in the long run. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

• Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, select streaming services and cell phone plans
• Includes cell phone protection plan
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Doesn't include travel insurance
• Netflix and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best travel reward card for everyday spending, offering high rewards on several popular spending categories, including travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plans.

Its travel bonus category is particularly noteworthy because you can earn points regardless of where you make your reservations, whether it’s directly with an airline or through a third-party travel site like Booking.com. (Most travel credit cards limit travel rewards to bookings made exclusively through the card issuer’s travel portal.)

The card also includes rental car insurance and a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• Earn 2x miles per dollar on most purchases
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
• Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories and spending caps.

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal and as statement credits to cover travel purchases at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

However, keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase TravelSM
• Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
• Includes primary rental car insurance
• Earn 3x per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck(R) application fee credit

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, restaurants and more. You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
• Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)
• $100 credit for dining, spa services and other activities when you book a two-night minimum stay at a hotel from The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
• Terms apply

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus fee credits.

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• High annual fee ($395)
• Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
• No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture X also includes noteworthy perks such as:

• 10,000 bonus miles every year (starting on your first anniversary)
• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select and Plaza Premium Group
• Authorized users at no extra cost (many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user)

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee.

• Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
• Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase TravelSM
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for travelers looking for a high reward rate on travel and additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents per point instead of one cent, like most travel cards. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides several high-end benefits such as:

• $300 annual travel credit to cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide (after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select)
• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• High annual fee ($695)
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express features an impressive list of high-end travel benefits, including:

• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges (enrollment required)
• Gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts (enrollment required)
• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
• Complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club (must enroll through your Amex online account using your card)

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
• Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
• Secondary rental car coverage**

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

With this card, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, you get a $200 credit to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers several yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases with Dell.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

• Free first checked bag for you and a companion
• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS every 4 year
• 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights
• Complimentary priority boarding for you and companions traveling on the same reservation
• $95 annual fee (after the first year)
• No intro APR period
• Rewards are only valuable when used with United

Why we chose it: The card_name has a low annual fee and gives you valuable benefits that make up for it, such as priority boarding for everyone on the reservation and a free checked bag for you and one companion.

Other perks the card includes are:

• Two one-time passes for United Club℠ airport lounges each account anniversary year
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages and Wi-Fi
• Up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS
• Comprehensive travel insurance (auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement)

The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles on United purchases, including tickets, inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and more. You also earn rewards at restaurants and select hotel stays.

You can use your miles to book flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Avianca, Lufthansa and Air Canada. You can also redeem them for seat upgrades, inflight Wi-Fi passes and more — although United miles are usually more valuable when used for airfare.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards offer benefits and rewards geared towards individuals who travel frequently or want to earn travel benefits.

They provide high rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars and dining. You can then use these rewards (in the form of points or miles) to book travel reservations. Some cards also let you transfer your rewards to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

On top of the rewards, these cards often feature several travel-related perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, hotel discounts, travel insurance, free checked bags and airport lounge access.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar on eligible purchases. They often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you’ll typically get bonus points in additional spending categories. For example, some cards may offer 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases usually get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which you can earn points (or miles). Well-known point programs include Chase Travel℠, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

To redeem your points, go to your card’s rewards program portal. You’ll usually be able to access it through your online account on the issuer’s website or app.

Once you log in, you’ll get several redemption options, including travel. To make a reservation, select whether you want to book a flight, hotel, car rental or other available options and enter your trip details, including travel dates and number of travelers.

How much are points and miles worth

Points are usually worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points are worth 1.25 cents when used to book flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Points may also be worth less than a cent, depending on how you redeem them. For example, some cards allow you to use your points at Amazon checkout. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

Some cards also allow you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to these loyalty programs on a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 loyalty program points.

Difference between points and miles

You’ll earn points or miles depending on which travel credit card you have. For example, Chase travel credit cards earn points, while Capital One travel cards earn miles. Miles and points typically have similar value (around one cent each) and redemption options.

However, keep in mind that several cards that earn miles are tied to a specific airline — like the United℠ Explorer Card. In this case, you can only use your rewards for purchases with the issuing airline such as flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
• They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
• Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
• Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
• They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
• Some of the best ones can have steep annual fees and require good to excellent credit
• Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who regularly fly with the same airline. These cards earn miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining, airport lounge access and other travel-related purchases but typically only with the issuing airline.

Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

With hotel credit cards, you can only redeem your points for stays, discounts and other benefits with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program, which you can redeem for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are more flexible than airline or hotel cards. They aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, so their points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies.

These cards may also offer useful perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards credit card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on travel spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
• Consider the card’s annual fees. No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
• General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. Still, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.
• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
• Compare insurance policies. The best credit card travel benefits include insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
• Look beyond welcome offers. A 60,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

How to get the most out of your travel credit card

Here are some other tips to maximize your card’s rewards and benefits:

• Use your card as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase and redeem them for free or discounted flights, hotels and more. (Remember to pay your card off in full each month to avoid interest charges and credit card debt .)
• Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
• If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.
• Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company’s frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.
• If you can transfer points from other credit cards to your travel card, take advantage of this feature. This way, you can accumulate extra points for travel booking and sometimes even increase their value.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

What is the best travel credit card, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, what is the best credit card for travel miles, what is a welcome bonus on a credit card, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

Baby boomers’ favorite credit card Amex is now the ‘lifestyle’ card of choice for Gen Zers

There’s always been something elitist about whipping out an American Express card. For one, they often come with an annual fee that can feel hefty for many Americans—and they’ve also long been associated with travel perks that only made sense for the well-off. Plus, Amex wasn’t always accepted everywhere due to its transaction fees. This consumer profile most closely resonated with baby boomers and older generations. 

But now, Gen Zers are clamoring to get their hands on that shiny gold plastic. Indeed, this generation, along with millennials, accounted for 75% of new consumer platinum and consumer gold accounts in 2023, Howard Grosfield, president of U.S. consumer services at American Express, tells Fortune . 

“Amex is becoming the card for an entirely new generation,” Grosfield says. “Our premium products and membership model resonate with high-credit quality, high-spending younger customers, which means we capture a longer relationship over their lifetime and grow with them into their peak spending years.”

It may seem surprising that younger generations facing high inflation, student loans, and high housing costs would go for a card they have to pay for. (A platinum Amex card comes with an annual fee of $695 ). But millennials and Gen Zers are indeed willing to shell out for a card that comes with “lifestyle” perks that go beyond just travel points. The platinum card comes with entertainment credits to subscribe to platforms such as Hulu and The New York Times , as well as Uber cash, airport lounge access, and even credit to shop at Saks. A platinum card offers $1,500 in value per year relative to its yearly fee, according to Amex. 

“Until about 10 to 15 years ago, we thought that no-fee cards were the entry point to bring in younger customers to the franchise,” Grosfield says. “We’ve learned that that’s not the right strategy for millennials and Gen Zs. They like the brand affiliation. They like to travel and eat out, and they like the special access and experiences that come with our premium cards.”

It also helps that more merchants are accepting Amex than in the past, helping the card shed its occasional reputation as fussy or elitist.. While Amex has long offered more-generous perks than other cards, the flipside is its relative priciness for merchants meant it wasn’t accepted everywhere. Competitor Visa had great success trolling Amex with its 20-year “It’s Everywhere You Want to Be” advertising campaign. 

However, that’s now shifted as the number of locations globally that accept American Express cards has more than tripled since 2017, a company spokesperson tells Fortune . “Nearly 18 million stores and vendors accept Amex here in the U.S., as we maintain 99% parity coverage with other credit card networks,” Amex tells Fortune .

Stil, the fee fights aren’t over, as one major e-commerce company will stop accepting Amex this summer: eBay . The e-commerce platform will drop Amex payments in August, citing “unacceptably high fees.” (Amex’s spokesperson says they are “disappointed” in the decision, which “will limit customers’ payment choices.” They add, “Our research tells us that in the U.S. the cost of acceptance for American Express is comparable to what eBay pays for similar cards on other networks.)

Not just anyone has an Amex

While American Express has undoubtedly seen a wave of new, young customers, it doesn’t mean they’re shying away from their high-income or high-quality clientele. Amex customers still have “super prime FICOs and credit quality that outperforms their industry peers,” Grosfield says. Plus, the average income of U.S. millennial and Gen Z customers is about 70% higher than the average income of those customers across the industry, an American Express spokesperson tells Fortune . 

Their average Gen Z or millennial customer has a 751 credit score, while other age cohorts have a 775 average credit score, according to American Express . When looking at the entire credit card industry, Gen Zers and millennials have an average credit score of 705.

It’s also important to recognize that the annual fee of the card isn’t sustainable for everyone, and that fees on competitors’ cards could fluctuate as these travel and lifestyle cards become even more popular. Even still, Gen Z is attracted to a luxury lifestyle —even if they can’t afford it.

Amex “traditionally symbolized stability, coined for the older, affluent bunch,” says 

Gloria Garcia Cisneros, a Gen Z wealth manager for LourdMurray. Gen Z’s interest in the “card is more so because of the change in value proposition from AmEx. They are framing themselves in a new light and Gen Z doesn’t like to miss out on the newest and hottest trends.”

Gen Z also loves a ‘good life hack’

While Amex has long been popular among the wealthy who collect travel points like no other, Gen Zers enjoy the perks of the card beyond flight and hotel points. With a more diversified set of perks, Gen Zers see the card as a way to get the most bang for their buck. 

Gen Z “loves a good life hack,” Gabriela Serpa Royo, a senior cultural analyst at consumer insights agency Canvas8, tells Fortune . To them, “credit card perks are even better than credit, because it computes in the brain as free money.”

Indeed, Gen Z is more engaged with the Amex benefits—including travel, dining, and special-access events—than older generations, Grosfield says. Amex users also have access to online education regarding budgeting, saving, retirement planning, owning a home, and building good credit. These factors all spell hope for a “long runway for growth from millennial and Gen Z customers,” Grosfield says. 

Bottom line is, though, that Gen Z is always looking for a deal. Indeed, the “growing love for credit card perks isn’t dissimilar to the explosion that we’ve been witnessing lately, nor does it stand apart from the rise of” buy-now-pay-later products, Royo says. 

“People are looking for deals because they feel like they need more, want more—and also want to appear like they have more—while having, or feeling like they have, less,” Royo says.

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Amex Will Limit the Value of Cashing Out Points With Schwab Later This Year

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New limits coming on cashing out amex points to schwab, final thoughts.

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Do you cash out your Amex Membership Rewards points to Schwab? If so, we’ve got some bad news.

Starting October 1, 2024, the number of points you can cash out at full value will be limited. After reaching the limit, the value of your points will drop by more than 25%.

Here’s what those with a Schwab account connected to American Express need to know.

Those with the American Express Platinum Card ® for Schwab can currently cash out their points at a rate of 1.1 cents apiece . Prior to August 31, 2021, these cardholders could cash out points at 1.25 cents apiece , and now there’s another devaluation coming.

There will not be a full reduction in the value obtained from your points, but there will be a limit. Starting October 1, 2024 , you’ll only be able to cash out Membership Rewards points at full value (1.1 cents each) up to 1 million points per year . After reaching this limit, you’ll cash out points at just 0.8 cents each. For those counting, that’s 72.7% of the full value, equal to greater than a 25% loss in value.

The notice is found here in the benefits description.

Granted, cashing out your points doesn’t always provide the most value for Membership Rewards . However, it’s nice to have this option if you’ve got a lot of points and need to pay for expenses for which you can’t redeem points. Think home remodeling, travel you booked outside AmexTravel.com , etc. You can pay for those and then essentially redeem the points as cash to use to pay off your credit card bill.

The rate at which you cash out points starting October 1 will only drop after redeeming 1 million points to your Schwab account annually. Within this limit, nothing is changing. After that, you’ll lose 27% of the value on further points redemptions from Amex to Schwab.

While the number of people impacted by this change won’t be in the majority of Amex Membership Rewards points collectors, it’s still a negative for those with the Amex Schwab Platinum card who enjoy this feature and use it to redeem points for expenses they need to cover by using their points like cash.

If you redeem points to your Schwab account, you’ll need to start tracking how many points you redeem with this feature annually. After 1 million points, they’ll be worth less. That’s an unfortunate move on the part of Amex and Schwab.

The information regarding the American Express Platinum Card ® for Schwab was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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Jocelyn Nungaray timeline: After 12-year-old girl's body found, two charged with murder

Jocelyn nungaray, 12, was found dead in a houston bayou from strangulation on june 17. police believe she snuck out of her home and encountered two men who later killed her..

Two roommates have been charged with capital murder after Houston police found the body of a 12-year-old girl in a bayou.

A resident discovered Jocelyn Nungaray's body on the morning of June 17, Houston police Lt. Stephen Hope said during a news conference on June 20. The young girl was strangled to death, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, per a police news release .

Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Peña, 26, were arrested by police on June 20 at the apartment where they roomed together, according to the release.

"I talked to Jocelyn's mother, Alexis, and she's been very brave but she is still devastated," acting Houston police chief Larry J. Satterwhite said during the news conference. "Her little girl is gone."

Here's what we know about the case.

What happened to Jocelyn Nungaray?

Three to four hours after Jocelyn met Peña and Martinez-Rangel, she was murdered, according to Hope. The roommates met the young girl as they were leaving a restaurant together on Tuesday evening, the lieutenant added.

Peña and Martinez-Rangel allegedly asked Jocelyn, who snuck out of her family's apartment that night, for directions, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing prosecutors. The three then walked to a 7-Eleven convenience store before making their way to a bridge, Hope said.

Once at the bridge, Jocelyn was murdered, the lieutenant said. Peña and Martinez-Rangel bound her hands together and assaulted her before strangling her to death, according to prosecutors, per the Houston Chronicle .

After leaving Jocelyn's body at the bridge, the two men headed back to their apartment, Hope said.

“I want karma to hit them. I’m angry. They took advantage of her. She’s so young. She’s 12. I want justice," Alexis Nungaray told KPRC 2 before Peña and Martinez-Rangel were arrested. "They took my baby away.”

Surveillance footage aids police in identifying Franklin Peña and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel

Surveillance photos from the 7-Eleven of Peña and Martinez-Rangel were released to the public by Houston police.

Based on witnesses coming forward and community members sending in tips following the release of the photos, police were able to identify Peña and Martinez-Rangel, according to Hope.

"We were able to find video and trace the movements of our suspects and of Jocelyn," Satterwhite said during the news conference. "We asked for the public's help and the public came through."

Judge sets $10 million bonds for Franklin Peña and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel

A Harris County judge set $10 million bonds for Peña and Martinez-Rangel after the two were charged with capital murder, according to court records.

Peña appeared in court on Monday, while Martinez-Rangel appeared the next day. Both men will not return to court until September, court records show.

Before bonds were set for the two men, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said that neither Peña nor Martinez-Rangel should receive bail.

"The charges have been filed, now we want the justice system to do its job," Whitmire said. "If there was ever a circumstance where you do not give someone bail, this is it."

Franklin Peña blames Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel for Jocelyn's death

During the bail hearing on Monday, Harris County Assistant District Attorney Megan Long said Peña initially told police he kissed Jocelyn but blamed other parts of the assault and her death on Martinez-Rangel, the Houston Chronicle reported.

After someone found Jocelyn's body, Peña allegedly asked his boss at a construction company for money to help him get out of Houston, Long said, per the Houston-based outlet. The boss did not help and instead contacted the police, the prosecutor added.

Prosecutors during Martinez-Rangel's bond hearing said he admitted to tying Jocelyn's legs and instructing Peña to throw her body in the nearby creek to get rid of DNA, KPRC 2 reported . When Martinez-Rangel appeared in court, he had what appeared to be bite or scratch marks on his arms, and he shaved off his facial hair to allegedly avoid detection, according to the TV station.

Detectives were also able to get inside Martinez-Rangel's phone, which showed that he researched ways to get out of the country. He and Peña are both Venezuelan natives.

Martinez-Rangel, who had no prior criminal history, is the father of a 5 and 2-year-old, according to prosecutors, per KPRC 2.

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Extended: AMEX giving new customer welcome offers to existing customers

Existing customers never get anything? From now till 29 May 2024, enjoy AMEX's new customer welcome offers, even if you already hold an AMEX card.

While existing cardholders are usually neglected when it comes to sign-up bonuses, last month American Express bucked the trend by extending its new customer welcome offers to existing AMEX cardholders as well.

This is a fantastic opportunity for those who already hold AMEX cards to enjoy a larger-than-usual bonus, and this offer has now been extended to applications submitted and approved by 29 May 2024.

AMEX Platinum Charge

Existing American Express cardholders who apply for an AMEX Platinum Charge will enjoy 127,500 bonus MR points when they spend S$6,000 within 60 days of approval, as well as 7,500 base MR points.

This represents a ~60% upsize from the regular existing customer offer of 80,000 bonus MR points.

This offer is valid for anyone who has not cancelled a principal AMEX Platinum Charge in the past 24 months. The AMEX Platinum Charge is a distinct product from the AMEX Platinum Reserve and AMEX Platinum Credit Card .

All AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders, whether new or existing, will enjoy benefits including:

• S$1,354 of dining, entertainment, lifestyle, travel and fashion credits each calendar year (so you enjoy two sets in the first membership year)
• Comoclub C5 membership with S$260 of annual birthday vouchers (valid for both principal and supp. cards)
• Priority Pass Lounges
• Centurion Lounges
• International American Express Lounges
• Delta SkyClub Lounges
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• One complimentary hotel night every membership year
• Tower Club access
• Tower Club & assorted dining vouchers
• Access to the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts programme , which offers perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades (subject to availability), a US$100 experience credit and guaranteed late check-out
• Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum status & Radisson Rewards Premium status
• American Express Love Dining
• American Express Chillax
• Platinum Golf privileges

In order to get maximum value, be sure to share the AMEX Platinum Charge’s benefits with friends and family. Two supplementary cards are free for life, and enjoy perks such as Comoclub C5 membership, complimentary lounge access, hotel elite status, Tower Club access and AMEX Love Dining & Chillax.

AMEX Platinum Credit Card

Existing American Express cardholders who apply for an AMEX Platinum Credit Card will enjoy 58,750 bonus MR points when they spend S$1,000 within 30 days of approval, as well as 1,250 base MR points.

The regular welcome offer for existing customers is S$200 eCapitaVouchers, and if we take a value of 1.5 cents per mile, then 58,750 bonus MR points (32,639 miles) are worth S$490, a ~150% upsize.

This offer is valid for anyone who has not cancelled a principal AMEX Platinum Credit Card in the past 12 months. The AMEX Platinum Credit Card is a distinct product from the AMEX Platinum Charge and AMEX Platinum Reserve.

All AMEX Platinum Credit Cardholders, whether new or existing, will enjoy benefits including:

• S$200 annual Lifestyle Credit (issued as S$100 in January and July, so you can enjoy up to 3x S$100 in your first membership year)
• Comoclub C4 membership with S$130 of annual birthday vouchers (valid for both principal and supp. cards)

In order to get maximum value, be sure to share the AMEX Platinum Credit Card’s benefits with friends and family. Two supplementary cards are free for life, and enjoy perks such as Comoclub C4 membership, AMEX Love Dining & Chillax.

AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend

Existing American Express cardholders who apply for an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend will enjoy 27,800 bonus KrisFlyer miles when they spend S$1,000 within 30 days of approval, as well as 1,200 base KrisFlyer miles.

This represents a ~ 55% upsize from the regular existing customer offer of 17,800 bonus KrisFlyer miles.

If this is the first time you’ve held an AMEX KrisFlyer card, you’re also entitled to 5,000 bonus miles when you make your first spend. This is a once-in-a-lifetime bonus, however, and you won’t be eligible if you’ve received it before.

This offer is valid for anyone who has not cancelled a principal AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend in the past 12 months. The AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend is a distinct product from the AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card , AMEX Solitaire PPS Card and AMEX PPS Card.

All AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Cardholders, whether new or existing, will enjoy the following benefits each membership year:

• One-night stay at participating Hilton Hotels across Asia Pacific
• 4x Plaza Premium Lounge passes

Extra S$20 eCapitaVoucher

Regardless of whether you’re new-to-AMEX or an existing AMEX cardholder, you can also enjoy S$20 eCapitaVouchers if you provide consent for direct marketing when you apply. 

The vouchers will be fulfilled within 10 weeks of card approval, and the T&Cs of this offer can be found here. 

Can I apply for multiple cards?

Yes, you can apply for multiple cards and enjoy multiple offers, if you’re so inclined.

However, American Express has internal regulations regarding how many cards you can hold at one time, so depending on how many AMEX cards you already have, not all your applications may be approved.

How do I know I’m eligible?

If you’re applying for Card X, ask yourself:

• Do I currently hold a principal Card X?
• Have I cancelled a principal Card X in the past 12 months (or 24 months, in the case of the AMEX Platinum Charge)

If the answer to both is no, you qualify for the existing customer offer, simple as that. It does not matter whether you currently hold other non-Card X AMEX cards or cancelled them recently.

Terms & Conditions

The T&Cs for this offer can be found below. Be sure to refer to the correct page number.

• AMEX Platinum Charge (Page 5-6)
• AMEX Platinum Credit Card (Page 5)
• AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend (Page 3)

From now till 29 May 2024, American Express is offering its new customer welcome offers to all applicants for the AMEX Platinum Charge, AMEX Platinum Credit Card, and AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend.

This is rather unprecedented, because the best offers are normally restricted to new-to-AMEX customers only. If you already hold other AMEX cards, I can’t think of a better opportunity to pick up a few additional ones.

• american express
• credit cards
• platinum charge

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The problem with hsbc rewards points, review: citi premiermiles card, 30 comments.

Can I apply for a Platinum credit card if I’m already holding a Platinum charge card?

Yes you can

Hi Aaron, Do Amex points pool together? Or they work like Citibank?

I am currently not holding any Amex card. Contemplating to sign all 3 cards just to take advantage of all welcome gifts, assuming I can fulfill the minimum spending criteria. Anyone else thinking the same?

Same, wondering if there’s a clause preventing us from doing so.

Do my MR points pool if I already have the Amex Plat Charge? i.e. will i be able to convert the Amex Platinum CC MR points at the better Amex Plat Charge rate?

Does anyone know if Cardup transactions (eg. Education) are eligible as part of the spending criteria?

Can the Min Spend of S$1000 be clocked in FCY equivalent?

Does buy AMEX travel insurance count towards the min spend requirements?

Thinking to sign up for Charge Card. If I have a COMO C4 membership that comes with the platinum credit card. Would I still get to enjoy the C5 birthday perk or it will overlap and lose out on the C4 $120 birthdays vouchers? Any insights will be really helpful 

I’m also wondering the same. But I’m thinking there’s no way one can have 2 memberships on the same account so I tried registering with a different email address and telephone number. Not sure if it works. Let’s see

Anyone knows if I can use the Amex Platinum Charge Card to pay Income Tax via Cardup for myself and my family members to hit the $6,000 min. spending?

Here’s a remark on AMEX signup page so I guess no issue in signing up all 3 cards here. “In general, each Card Member is allowed to hold one American Express Charge Card and up to two American Express Credit Cards (of which only one can be a American Express® Singapore Airlines Credit Card) issued by American Express in Singapore. If, with this current application, you will exceed the maximum number of Card(s) allowed within each category* (as determined by American Express in its sole and absolute discretion from time to time), then your existing Card in the corresponding category …  Read more »

Milelion Exclusive Offer

For new to American Express Card Members

✔ Receive 10,000 Membership Rewards® points with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$10,000 within 60 calendar days of Card approval.

Is anyone confused by this offer on the sign up page? It seems contradictory with the content that’s mentioned here

that is the additional bonus for new customers. this post is about existing customers.

Any one know Telco bill payment via telco app consider minimum spend ? I had apply Uob and Amex sign up promotion.

Hi readers and Aaron, I am existing AMEX Platinum Charge and AMEX Platinum Credit Card Reserve. I took up the offer and signed up for the AMEX Platinum Credit Card. Unfortunately, upon the successful activation of the Platinum Credit Card, my Platinum Credit Card Reserve was automatically cancelled. I called the hotline and they said, I could only hold I x Platinum Credit Card. Seeing that Platinum Credit Card Reserve has a membership higher value, I have duly cancelled the Platinum Credit Card and AMEX has reinstated my Platinum Credit Card Reserve. According to the Customer Service, they received a …  Read more »

Yes this happened to me as well. They should not approve the AMEX Platinum Credit Card or at least call to confirm that the customer is ok with the cancellation of an existing card. Doing it automatically and then informing the customer after the fact is a dumb process. I’ve already used the AMEX Platinum Credit Card but since it has to be cancelled, I will not receive the welcome offer. They also confirmed that annual fee will continue to be waived for the reinstated Reserve Card since I was grandfathered into that policy, but remains to be seen if …  Read more »

Looks like this has been extended till end of May, with approval by 3rd Jun 2024?

https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/campaigns/milelion.html#platg

yup, will be updating the post shortly.

Hi. I previously had Amex card but cancelled. Do I still get to enjoy this promo?

Hi Aaron, the post states till 29 May, but the sign up page and T&C documents state till 8 May. So is extended till 8 May I supposed?

This is addressed in the article. Read it again

Any of these cards are metal?

I applied for Amex Plat Charge through MileLion and this was approved in April 2024, and hold an Amex Krisflyer card. I called customer service and they confirmed I applied through the MileLion promo. However, they said the system says I am only entitled for an existing holder bonus of 80k points, not the 127.5k points in this article. Is there any way to confirm the promo is not being honored by Amex? I asked in the MileLion Telegram groups but got no answer from other holders.

AMEX customer service doesnt know what they’re talking about. they told me the same thing but my 127.5k bonus still credited. i wouldnt worry so much. save a copy of the T&Cs if you’re paranoid.

Thank you, I saved the T&Cs and read the Amex website page on the Milelion promotion. I was just worried because the CSO said she was reading what was on the system and saying this is the “existing member” Milelion promotion I qualified for. I called Amex again and a second CSO confirmed the 127,500 points but I wasted almost an hour over this

If I get approved for the Plat in mid May, do I get till the end of July to fulfil the 60 days spend of 6k?

Hi Aaron, I read your article. Signed up for a AMEX Platinum Credit Card, met the spending requirements and paid the $327 but apparently I do not qualify for the miles because of approval timing.

How long does it take to receive the bonus? Can’t find it in the T&Cs. I completed the requirements for the platinum credit card a month ago.

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It appears that JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your web browser. JavaScript must be enabled to experience the American Express website and to log in to your account.

All offers mentioned below are only applicable for applications submitted via this page.

The Platinum Card ®

Milelion Offer

For New to American Express Card Members

✔ Receive 5,000 Membership Rewards ® points  on top of your welcome offer with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$5,000 within 90 calendar days of Card approval.

Valid from 1 July 24 to 23 July 24.

T&Cs apply.

Welcome Offers

For New & Existing American Express Card Members

✔ Receive  88,000 Membership Rewards ® points  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$8,000 within 60 calendar days of Card approval.

✔ Earn  10,000 Membership Rewards ® points  based on the S$8,000 spent above (based on 2 Membership Rewards ® points for every S$1.60 spent).

Valid from 1 July 24 to 23 July 24.

T&Cs apply

Card Member Agreement and Benefit Terms and Conditions.

All enquiries about the promotion are to be directed to American Expresss.

Annual Fee, Card Type & Eligibility

Annual Fee: S$1,744 (incl. of 9% GST)

Card Type: Charge Card

Eligibility: Card application is subjected to customers meeting the regulatory minimum income requirement and internal assessment.

Featured Platinum Benefits

Multi-Card Carousel

Travel in style

Be spoiled for choice with unlimited access to our growing network of over 1,400 lounges across 650 cities for you, one Supplementary Card Member and one guest each.

Platinum Perks

Complimentary hotel stay and membership gifts worth more than S$800 upon sign-up and renewal.

Savour epicurean delights​

From Michelin-starred hot spots to hidden gems, embark on a gastronomic journey and discover new favourites with S$400 Global Dining Credit every year with qualifying spend.​

Make every moment of your journey count

Savour your stay just a little longer with guaranteed 4pm late check-out at over 1,300 Fine Hotels + Resorts properties.

Step into a luxury of quiet and space

Take time off and reconnect with yourself with S$400 Lifestyle Credit every year to use at our curated lifestyle partners.

Roam the rare sights

Go off the beaten path with S$200 Airline Credit every year when you make qualifying spends.

Explore new stories

Stream your favourite movie or news content with up to S$17 monthly, on us.

Transform your trips into spectacular memories

Upgrade to higher tier status on hotel loyalty programmes.

Platinum Travel

Travel Benefits

(worth S$2,247 * )

S$200 Airline Credit

Jet away to your next travel destination with S$200 to use every year when you make qualifying spends with Singapore Airlines or Scoot.

Enrolment is required.

International Airline Program

Enjoy  preferential fares  on flight tickets with participating airlines through American Express Travel Online:

• Singapore Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Etihad Airways

Bonus Membership Rewards ®  Points with Singapore Airlines and Scoot

Go far and wide with your Platinum Card. Earn  5 Membership Rewards points  with every full S$1.60 spent with Singapore Airlines or Scoot (equates to 1.95 miles per S$1).

The earn rate of 1.95 miles per S$1 is based on the conversion rate of 400 Membership Rewards points = 250 miles.

The American Express Global Lounge Collection ®

Chill out, tuck in and upgrade your travel experience. Enjoy  complimentary lounge access  to over 1,400 airport lounges across 650 cities in 140 countries for you, your Supplementary Card Member and one guest each.

Participating lounges include:

• The Centurion ® Lounge
• International American Express Lounges
• Delta SkyClub ® Lounges
• Plaza Premium Airport Lounges
• Priority Pass™ Lounges (enrolment required)

Guest access policies may vary internationally by location and are subject to change.

Fine Hotels + Resorts

Create new memories with exceptional value. Explore over 1,300 properties worldwide and bask in  benefits worth up to S$800 . Perks include daily breakfast for two, US$100 experience credit (varies by property), guaranteed 4pm check-out and more.

Participating properties include hospitality brands such as:

• Relais & Châteaux
• The Ritz-Carlton

The Hotels Collection

Elevate your getaways at over 700 design-forward properties worldwide. With every stay, look forward to signature benefits including  US$100 experience credit (varies by property)   for qualifying activities like dining or spa treatments and room upgrade, when available.

To receive The Hotel Collection benefits, a min. of two-night stay is required. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.

Hotel Elite Tier Status

Gain instant status with complimentary upgraded membership tiers of our preferred hotel partners’ loyalty programmes, with no minimum stay required:

• Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status
• Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum Status
• Hilton Honors Elite Gold Status
• Radisson Rewards Premium Status

Car Elite Tier Status

Make every car ride memorable with our preferred partners’ loyalty programmes to enjoy special benefits such as savings, upgrades and priority service:

• Avis President's Club
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards ® Five Star

Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/myplatinum. Terms & Conditions apply for all mentioned privileges.

* This is the indicative amount of the potential savings and value for The Platinum Card ®  in January 2024 based on the assumptions set out in <go.amex/sgplatinumcard>. The actual amount of savings and value may differ depending on an individual’s actual spending and utilization of The Platinum Card ® . Please note that this indicative amount (as well as the assumptions for such potential savings and value) may be updated from time to time without prior notice. For the avoidance of doubt, this indicative amount does not: (i) amount to a guarantee or undertaking by American Express and/or (ii) constitute part of the Card Member Agreement for The Platinum Card ® .

Platinum Lifestyle

Lifestyle Benefits

(worth S$2,414 * )

Pamper yourself with a  complimentary hotel stay and membership gifts worth more than S$800 upon sign-up or renewal. Participating hotel properties include The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The St. Regis Singapore.

Explore full list of participating properties at go.amex/platstay.

S$400 Global Dining Credit

With S$400 to use every year at some of the finest restaurants locally and around the world, it’s time to discover your new favourite. Discover our curated collection of over 1,400 restaurants in 20 countries.

Love Dining by Platinum

Explore a world of dining with up to 50% savings off your food bill  at our handpicked selection of Love Dining by Platinum restaurants at some of the finest destinations in Singapore.

Indulge in a little something on the house in the form of complimentary glass of premium pour or complimentary waiver of corkage whenever you dine at a curated Love Dining Experience restaurant to make your experience more memorable.

Chillax by Platinum

Enjoy the finer things in life with  a complimentary drink  on us with purchase at some of the most contemporary bars in Singapore, from bespoke cocktails to fine whisky.

S$400 Lifestyle Credit

Take time off and reconnect with yourself over a glass of wine or a day at the spa with S$400 to use when you make a qualifying spend. Our curated lifestyle partners include:

• The Ultimate
• Grand Cru Wine Concierge

S$204 Entertainment Credit

From streaming to reading and live events, get up to S$17 per month (S$204 per year) to spend at over 10 entertainment brands, with your favourite people, on us.

S$150 Fashion Credit

Get a wardrobe refresh at NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER, with a new Platinum S$150 Fashion Credit . Receive up to S$75 in statement credits, per 6-month redemption period.

Lifestyle Elite Tier Status

Experience an elevated lifestyle as you get on a fast-track for lifestyle loyalty programmes such as Comoclub C5 and Marina Bay Sands’ Sands LifeStyle Prestige memberships .

Parking Privileges at Great World

Have a fuss-free shopping journey with  complimentary parking  at Great World from Fridays to Sundays.

Awaken your senses and pamper yourself with a luxurious spa day. Enjoy  up to 30% off and other privileges  at participating spa partners such as Adeva Spa, Spa Rael, The Ultimate and The Spa by The Ultimate.

Platinum Access

Access Benefits

(worth S$3,002 * )

Tower Club Singapore

Take work to greater heights. Craft your network and bring your vision to life with  complimentary access  to the Members-only Tower Club Singapore, including its restaurants – Atlantic, Ba Xian and Straits Bar.

Regional Golf Programme

Celebrate your wins with a round of golf at over 40 regional greens, with  complimentary green fees  on us whenever you bring paying companion(s).

Enhanced Golf Programme

Enjoy  special benefits  at local golf clubs at City Golfer and Warren Golf & Country Club.

Membership Rewards ®

(worth S$1,000 * )

Membership Rewards Programme

Earn  2 Membership Rewards points  for every S$1.60 spent. Points do not expire and there is no limit to the points you can earn. The more you spend on your American Express Card, the higher your points balance to redeem from a wide range of rewards. 

10Xcelerator by Membership Rewards

Boost your points-earning potential and earn a total of  20 Membership Rewards points  (equivalent to 12.5 miles) for every full S$1.60 spent up to a maximum spend of S$16,000 at Platinum 10Xcelerator Partners.

For all spend in excess of S$16,000, you continue to enjoy a total of  10 Membership Rewards points  (equivalent to 6.25 miles) for every full S$1.60 charged to your Card.

Pay with Points

Free up your cash anytime, anywhere using your Membership Rewards points to cover your recent purchases with a statement credit. 

Membership Rewards Catalogue

Redeem for  eVouchers  across dining, retail and grocery partners from our Membership Rewards catalogue and receive it within 24 hours to use it instantly.

Amex Apple Rewards Store

Upgrade to the latest Apple gadgets and choose to offset your purchase in full or partially with points and enjoy  20% more value  at Amex Apple Rewards Store.

Platinum Service

The Card for peace of mind

Travel Insurance

Stay protected with  comprehensive travel insurance  for you, your immediate family, your supplementary Card members and their immediate family when you book travel with your Platinum Card.

Purchase Protection

Enjoy peace of mind against  accidental theft or damage, returns or extended warranty  for items purchased on your Platinum Card.

Global Assistance

Should you need emergency assistance while travelling, we can provide immediate personal advice over the phone:

• Travel Emergency Assistance  - Should the unforeseen happen during your travel, you will have access to emergency services such as worldwide medical and legal assistance.
• Home Assist  - For urgent situations around the house, we will arrange an emergency callout to assess and fix any problem.
• Roadside Assist  - With Roadside Assist, we offer around-the-clock help whenever you are on the road.

for The Platinum Card ®

Annual Fee of S$1,744 (incl. of 9% GST).

Card application is subjected to customers meeting the regulatory minimum income requirement and internal assessment.

The American Express ® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card

✔ Receive  27,800 KrisFlyer miles  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval. ✔ Earn  1,200 KrisFlyer miles  based on the S$1,000 spent above (based on 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent locally).

For Existing Card Members 

✔ Receive 17,800 KrisFlyer miles  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval. ✔ Earn  1,200 KrisFlyer miles  based on the S$1,000 spent above (based on 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent locally).

All enquiries about the promotion are to be directed to American Express.

• Welcome Bonus: 5,000 KrisFlyer miles upon first transaction on Card (for first-time American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card applicants).
• Earn 3.2 KrisFlyer miles  for every S$1 spent on Grab Singapore transactions, up to S$200 spend in each calendar month.
• Enjoy  complimentary one night stay  at participating Hilton properties each year.
• Enjoy  four complimentary lounge access passes  to any participating SATS Premier and Plaza Premium Lounge each year.
• Enjoy accelerated upgrade to  KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership tier  with min. spending of S$15,000 on eligible purchases made on  singaporeair.com within 12 months of Card approval.
• Enjoy  Double KrisFlyer Miles Accrual Voucher  (capped at 5,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles) with min. spending of S$15,000 on eligible purchases made on singaporeair.com from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

Annual Fee of S$343.35 (incl. of 9% GST).

Card Member Agreement and Benefit Terms and Conditions .

The American Express ® Platinum Credit Card

Milelion Exclusive Offer

✔ Receive 2,500 Membership Rewards ®  points  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval.

Valid from 30 May 24 to 31 July 24.

✔ Receive  S$200 Statement Credits  with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$1,000 within 30 calendar days of Card approval.

✔ Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards ®  points  based on the S$1,000 spent above (based on 2 Membership Rewards ®  points for every S$1.60 spent).

• Own your style in your favourite brands or step up to the foodie life with up to  S$200 Lifestyle Credit.
• Enjoy up to 50% savings on dining at 5-star hotels & restaurants.
• Enjoy a complimentary drink with purchase of at least one item from the merchant’s menu at over a dozen fashionable bars in Singapore.
• Skip the S$15,000 qualification spend and enjoy a complimentary  12-month C4 tier Comoclub membership.

Card applicaton is subjected to customers meeting the regulatory minimum income requirement and internal assessment.

Platinum Dining

Enjoy up to 50% off  on your food bill and S$200 Lifestyle Credit to use at our specially curated selection of 5-star hotels and restaurants.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/lovedining.

How it works

*35% savings when dining with two (2) friends and 15% savings when dining alone apply to Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, The St. Regis Singapore and W Singapore – Sentosa Cove only. 33% savings when dining with two (2) guests and 10% savings apply when dining alone at Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford.

Lifestyle Credits

Own your style in your favourite brands or step up to the foodie life with up to  S$200 Lifestyle Credit .

Spend S$100 or more in a single transaction with participating partners and get back S$100 in statement credits each time. Valid for 2 redemptions a year, once per defined calendar period (January to June, July to December).

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgplatcclifestyle.

Enjoy 1-for-1 first drink or a complimentary drink with purchase at some of the most bespoke bars in Singapore which include Anti:Dote, The Auld Alliance, Tipsy Flamingo and many more.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/chillax.

Skip the S$15,000 qualification spend and enjoy a complimentary 12-month C4 tier Comoclub membership .

Earn 4 Comocredits per S$1 spent across the COMO Group and its partners spanning fashion, dining, travel, wellness and more. Plus, gain access to:

• curated experiences
• limited-edition items
• invitation-only events

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgplatgcomoclub.

Platinum Wellness

Pamper yourself at your favourite spa with up to  25% off  all à la carte spa services. Spa partners include The Ultimate, Spa Rael and Adeva Spa.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/platinumspa.

Platinum Golf

Enjoy  complimentary green fees  and privileged access to over 40 golf clubs in Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Enjoy  special benefits  at CityGolfer and Warren Golf & Country Club.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/golfcc and go.amex/enhancedgolfcc.

Platinum Rewards

You'll be sure to find something perfect for yourself or someone special.

How You Earn

10 MEMBERSHIP REWARDS POINTS at Platinum 10Xcelerator Partners

2 MEMBERSHIP REWARDS POINTS on all other purchases

Boost your points-earning potential to 10 Membership Rewards points  for every full S$1.60 spent at over 50 participating partners.

Your points never expire + there is no limit to the points you can earn.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/10xceleratorsg.

How To Redeem

Free up your cash using your Membership Rewards points to pay or part-pay for all your eligible purchases.

Pay with Points+

Enjoy  1,000 Membership Rewards points = S$6 off  for purchases at over 80 participating partners.

Enjoy  1,000 Membership Rewards points = S$4.80 off  for all other purchases.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgpwp.

Shop with Points

Level up your online shopping with Points.

From the everyday to the extraordinary, shop with points online and pay for almost anything instantly when you check out via Amex SafeKey ® with eligible partners and enjoy  S$5 off per 1,000 points  redeemed.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgshopwithpoints.

Travel with Points

Use your points to travel around the globe.

Book your next trip with  Amex Travel Online  and pay your flights, hotels, car-rental or package with points. Plus get access to exclusive travel benefits and offers.

You can also choose to  redeem flights or hotel stays  with our Airline and Hotel transfer partners.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgtravelwithpoints.

Redeem with Points

Gifts for your loved ones or reward yourself with eVouchers.

Redeem your points for  eVouchers  from as low as 2,200 points and take your pick from a variety of merchants across dining, groceries, lifestyle from our rewards redemption catelogue.

Receive your eVouchers  within 24 hours  of redemption to use it for your spend at your chosen merchant.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgevoucher.

Shop Apple with Points

Upgrade your gadgets at Amex Apple Rewards Store.

Shop for the latest Apple products with points and enjoy  20% more value  when you offset your purchase with points, now at  S$6 per 1,000 points  redeemed.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/sgapplerewards.

Peace of Mind

Platinum Financial Benefits

Take a load off your mind with our range of financial services, including Travel Accident Insurance , Fraud Protection and American Express Global Assist TM .

No Worries Guarantee

With 90-days return guarantee , even if the store does not accept, you can return almost any purchase made in Singapore for a refund up to S$800 per item. 90-days purchase protection automatically insures your purchases against accidental damage or theft, up to S$10,000 per incidence of theft of damage.

T&Cs apply. Discover full benefits and its Terms & Conditions at go.amex/platinumwithyou.