Because you deserve clarity before you go skiing in Switzerland or sipping smoothies in Santorini. If you’re forking out £650 a year for a metal rectangle that sets off airport security, you might as well know what you’re getting in return. Travel insurance is one of the juiciest perks baked into the Amex Platinum Card, but most people have no idea what’s actually covered. Let’s break it down.
In This Post
Who’s Covered?
- You, the cardmember, obviously
- Your partner/spouse (yes, even if they don’t have their own card)
- Kids under 25, as long as they’re your dependents and not backpacking to Bali forever
- Supplementary cardholders and their immediate family, too (worth it if you travel as a squad)
- Anyone covered is insured even on Avios or points bookings, just make sure you paid taxes/fees with your Platinum Card.
- Business trips are included too, whether you’re flying for meetings or just ‘working remotely’ from a beach bar.
WingTip: To trigger most of the cover, you must pay for some of your travel with the Platinum Card. Don’t skip this step, or you’ll be travelling naked (insurance-wise).
What’s Covered (The Good Stuff)
Emergency Medical Cover
- Up to £2 million. Yep, million.
- This includes hospital stays, ambulance rides, and even emergency dental care.
- COVID treatment is covered, which is the 2020 trauma we’re still carrying.
- There’s also winter sports cover included, but only if you’re under 65 and the trip is under 31 days. No slaloming at 70, sorry.
WingTip: You’ll also get £50 per day (up to £1,000) if you’re hospitalised abroad, just enough for Netflix and weird hospital snacks.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
- Up to £7,500 per person
- Covers illness, injury, redundancy, and even death in the family (morbid but helpful)
- Bad weather, strikes, and volcano tantrums are all potentially covered.
Delayed Flights
- More than 4 hours late? You can claim up to £200.
- Includes delays due to weather, technical issues, or the airline being allergic to punctuality.
Missed Departure
- Miss your flight because of a motorway pile-up or a cancelled train? You can claim up to £300 per person as long as you weren’t cutting it fine.
Lost, Damaged or Delayed Bags
- Lost or damaged: Covered up to £2,000 per person
- Valuables cap: £750
- Delayed bags: £300 to go buy new pants and toothpaste
WingTip: If you chuck your laptop in checked luggage and it gets lost, Amex may say tough luck. Always carry valuables in your hand luggage and declare them if needed.
Lost your passport or wallet? You’re covered up to £300 for documents and £500 for stolen cash.
Legal Expenses
- If someone elbows you off a jet ski or your rental apartment goes up in smoke, Amex covers legal fees up to £25,000. Lawyers included.
Personal Liability
- Up to £2 million in cover if you damage someone’s property or accidentally injure someone, whether you crash a scooter or flood a hotel bathroom.
Car Hire Insurance
- No need for dodgy upsells at the Hertz counter
- Covers damage, theft, and liability in most countries
- As long as you booked the car with your Amex (obviously)
WingTip: You also get elite perks with rental companies like Hertz, Avis, and Sixt, such as queue-jumping and free upgrades. All part of the Platinum bundle.
What’s Not Covered (The Buzzkill Section)
- Pre-existing medical conditions (unless pre-approved)
- Extreme sports (unless you’re covered under their list of accepted ones)
- Long trips over 90 days
- Travel paid fully on another card (don’t play yourself)
- Residents outside the UK
- Travellers over 70 are not ideal for big birthday trips with the grandparents.
- Trips within the UK are only covered if they include at least two consecutive pre-booked nights away from home.
WingTip: Planning to do something stupid on holiday? Check the policy. Not everything adrenaline-fuelled is covered.
WingTip 2: Cover kicks in from the moment you leave home, not just after you’ve passed airport security. You’re protected from the doorstep to the departure gate.
WingTip 3: There’s no excess to pay when claiming. Yep zero. Unlike most standalone policies.
How to Claim (When Things Go Sideways)
Head to the Amex Platinum Insurance Centre or call the Chubb Insurance helpline (details are in your online account).
Keep your receipts, reports, and proof of basically everything but your boarding pass tattoo.
File ASAP (within 28 days of returning is ideal)
So, Is It Any Good?
Honestly? Yes. It’s one of the most comprehensive Amex Platinum travel insurance benefits available with any UK card. You could almost ditch standalone insurance entirely. Almost.
As long as you:
- Book your trip with your Amex
- Don’t try heli-skiing in the Himalayas without checking coverage
- Keep your travel under 90 days
- Don’t turn 71 mid-flight
You’re golden.
WingTip: Download or print the full policy doc (PDF) before your trip. Because nothing says “I’m responsible” like a 47-page PDF in your carry-on. Or apply for the card here.So you too can get the Amex Platinum travel insurance.
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2 comments
Im going skiing (on piste only) in March 2026 as a large group of friends. A friend has booked the entire trip for us (large chalet, transfers, ski hire, etc). The only thing we have booked individually are our flights where I have used my platinum amex. If I need to make a claim on this trip, will I be covered?
If you’ve booked any part of your trip with your Platinum Amex, you’re usually covered under the American Express Platinum Travel Insurance (as long as you’ve enrolled for it and meet the eligibility rules).
A few key points:
Coverage applies even if only part of the trip was paid with your Platinum Card. Unlike some other cards, Amex Platinum doesn’t require the whole trip to be booked on the card. Paying for your flights on the card is enough to activate cover.
Everyone in your group isn’t automatically covered. The policy covers you, your partner, and your dependent children (plus supplementary cardholders and their families), not the whole chalet of mates.
On-piste skiing is included as standard.** You’re covered for medical treatment and evacuation if something goes wrong on the slopes, as long as you’re sticking to marked runs. Off-piste has extra conditions.
Check the small print.** There are exclusions (age limits, pre-existing medical conditions, professional sports, etc.). If you fall into one of those categories, you’ll need separate cover.
So in short: yes, paying for your flight with your Amex Platinum should give you full travel insurance cover for the trip. Just make sure you’ve enrolled in the insurance, and don’t assume the rest of your friends are covered unless they’re also on the policy.