Best Credit Cards with Trip Delay Insurance

By Isaac BaekUpdated 2026-03-1336 cards

Trip delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses when your flight is delayed, canceled, or interrupted — including meals, hotel stays, and transportation. Many premium credit cards include this coverage automatically when you purchase travel with the card.

What's Covered

  • Trip delay: Reimbursement for meals, lodging, and transportation when your trip is delayed beyond a threshold (typically 6–12 hours).
  • Trip cancellation: Coverage for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled for a covered reason (illness, severe weather, jury duty, etc.).
  • Trip interruption: Coverage if you need to return home early for a covered reason.
  • Baggage delay: Some cards also cover the cost of essential items if your luggage is delayed.

Coverage Limits

Coverage varies significantly by card. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer up to $500 per ticket for trip delay and $10,000–$20,000 for trip cancellation. Mid-tier cards may offer $300 per ticket for delays. The delay threshold ranges from 6 hours (best) to 12 hours.

How to File a Claim

  1. Keep all receipts for expenses incurred during the delay.
  2. Get written documentation from the airline about the delay/ cancellation and the reason.
  3. File a claim with the card's benefits administrator within the required timeframe (usually 60–90 days).
  4. Submit receipts, travel itinerary, and credit card statement showing the travel purchase.

Why This Matters

Flight disruptions are increasingly common. In 2025, approximately 20% of U.S. flights were delayed or canceled. A single overnight delay at a major airport can easily cost $200–$400 for a hotel and meals. Having automatic trip delay coverage through your credit card means you don't have to worry about these surprise expenses.

Pro Tips

  • Always book travel with a card that has trip protection — even if another card earns more points.
  • Cards with a 6-hour delay threshold are much more useful than those requiring 12 hours.
  • Some cards cover the cardholder's immediate family even if they didn't pay with the card.
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Cards with Trip Delay / Cancellation Insurance

Reimbursement for expenses caused by trip delays, cancellations, or interruptions when travel is purchased with the card.

36 cards foundSorted by offer strength

Business Platinum

Amex · $895 AFBusiness

Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

95

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

Amex · $650 AF

Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 05/13/2026.

94

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy

Amex · $250 AF

Earn 175,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 05/13/2026.

94

Aeroplan

Chase · $95 AF

Earn 85,000 bonus Aeroplan points after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.

90

Business Gold

Amex · $375 AFBusiness

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. No lifetime language.

88

Delta Reserve

Amex · $650 AF

Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 after spending $6,000 and 25,000 after an additional $3,000 in purchases, all within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/01/2026.

87

Platinum

Amex · $895 AF

Earn up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.

86

Marriott Boundless

Chase · $95 AF

Earn 5 Free Night Awards (up to 50,000 points each) after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Earn up to $100 in airline statement credits.

84

Sapphire Reserve for Business

Chase · $795 AFBusiness

Earn 150,000 bonus points after $20,000 spend in 3 months.

81

Southwest Priority

Chase · $229 AF

Earn Companion Pass® through 2/28/27 and 40,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

79

Atmos Rewards Summit

Bank of America · $395 AF

Earn 100,000 bonus Atmos Rewards points + 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 in the first 90 days.

79

Sapphire Reserve

Chase · $795 AF

Earn 125,000 bonus points after $6,000 spend in 3 months.

74

Hilton Surpass

Amex · $150 AF

Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/15/2026.

74

United Business Card

Chase · $150 AFBusiness

Earn 100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

74

Gold

Amex · $325 AF

Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.

70

Delta Reserve Business

Amex · $650 AFBusiness

Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months.

69

United Club Business

Chase · $695 AFBusiness

Earn 100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

67

United Quest

Chase · $350 AF

Earn 80,000 bonus miles + 3,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months your account is open.

66

Hilton Aspire

Amex · $550 AF

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/15/2026.

66

Delta Platinum

Amex · $350 AF

Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 after spending $4,000 and 20,000 after an additional $2,000 in purchases, all within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/01/2026.

66

Delta Platinum Business

Amex · $350 AFBusiness

Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months.

66

United Explorer

Chase · $150 AF

Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.

64

AAdvantage Globe

Citi · $350 AF

Earn 90,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first 4 months of account opening.

63

Sapphire Preferred

Chase · $150 AF

Earn 75,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend in 3 months.

59

Strata Elite

Citi · $595 AF

Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.

59

Strata Premier

Citi · $95 AF

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

59

World of Hyatt

Chase · $95 AF

Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points: 30,000 after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus up to 30,000 more by earning 2x on purchases (normally 1x) in the first 6 months.

57

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful

Chase · $250 AF

Earn 85,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

55

Ink Business Preferred

Chase · $95 AFBusiness

Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.

53

SKYPASS Select Visa Signature

U.S. Bank · $450 AF

Earn 60,000 SKYPASS miles after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days.

53

Green

Amex · $150 AF

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.

51

Ink Business Premier

Chase · $195 AFBusiness

Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

50

Premium Rewards Elite

Bank of America · $550 AF

Earn 75,000 bonus points ($750 value) after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days.

47

Altitude Connect

U.S. Bank · $0 AF

Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

29

Marriott Bonvoy Bold

Chase · $0 AF

Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

26

Freedom Rise

Chase · $0 AF

Earn a $25 statement credit when you enroll in automatic payments within the first 3 months and stay enrolled for at least 90 days.

16