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To make sure you get appropriate cover and the most value out of the complimentary insurance policy, use this guide to compare your options and learn what you should look out for in the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions.
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
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Complimentary travel insurance refers to the insurance policy that is included with some credit cards. The travel insurance could be an included feature of the card, but that doesn't mean it's exactly "free". Technically, it comes at the cost of the card, which charges interest and could have an annual fee. Most travel insurance covers are only activated once you've met specific spend requirements, as well.
Having said that, complimentary or included insurance doesn't have its own fee, which means it is at "no extra cost". So this credit card perk can save you the time and money that comes with organising standalone travel insurance. It can also reduce the cost of any unforeseen emergencies that may pop up while you’re overseas.
Different credit cards provide different levels of complimentary travel insurance. It is important to look at the terms and conditions of the card to ensure you know what you are covered for and how much coverage applies. The cover will vary according to which card you use and the policy itself, so make sure you look at the overall cover, coverage limits and any excess applicable to decide if it's suitable for your trip. Different types of complimentary travel insurance include:
Use this table to compare complimentary credit card insurance covers based on the length of your trip, age and what's required to activate the insurance.
Credit card provider | Length of cover | Maximum age for standard coverage | Steps to activate |
---|---|---|---|
American Express | Up to 180 days | 79 | Book the full fare for a return trip on your eligible American Express credit card or by using reward points earned through the card. Other details may be outlined in the insurance terms and conditions booklet for your credit card. |
ANZ | Up to 6 months | 80 | Book at least AUD$250 of your travel costs (airfares, cruise, tours, hire cars, accommodation etc) with an eligible ANZ credit card. Additional eligibility requirements are outlined in the ANZ premium cards insurance policy booklet. |
Bankwest |
|
| None. Just have an open, eligible card while you're travelling. |
Bank of Melbourne |
| 80 | You must have a return overseas travel ticket, and need to have prepaid at least AUD$500 of your travel costs using your eligible card. Travel costs include:
|
Citi | Up to 6 months (or 3 months if you have a Citibusiness Gold Card) | Not outlined in policy document. For specific enquiries contact Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 072 791. | Before leaving Australia, you must use one of the following methods to book your trip:
|
CommBank |
| Limited cover is available for people aged 80 or over but requires further steps and may attract a premium charge. Refer to the CommBank Credit Card Insurance booklet for more information. |
|
HSBC | Up to 4 months | Not outlined in policy document. For specific enquiries contact Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 648 093. | Pay for at least 90% of your overseas return travel ticket with your HSBC card. |
NAB | Up to 3 months | 90 | Pay for a minimum of $500 of your pre-booked travel expenses using an eligible NAB credit card. |
St.George |
| 80 | Before leaving Australia on an overseas journey, you must have a return overseas travel ticket, and need to have prepaid at least AUD$500 of your travel costs using your eligible card. |
Virgin Money | Up to 6 months | Not outlined in policy document. For specific enquiries contact Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 072 791 | You must pay for your return overseas travel ticket using your eligible Virgin credit card. |
Westpac |
| 80 | Use your eligible Westpac card for at least $500 on prepaid travel costs (e.g. return travel ticket, airport or departure taxes, prepaid overseas accommodation or travel itinerary items) before departing Australia. |
If you’re over the age specified for full coverage with your credit card’s complimentary insurance, it may still be possible to get limited coverage. Contact the insurance provider directly to find out your options. Alternatively, you may want to buy a policy designed specifically for people aged 65 or older.
Some of the other factors you’ll want to take into account with complimentary credit card travel insurance include:
If you're interested in getting a credit card with complimentary travel insurance, make sure you also consider the following factors:
If you'd like to receive more comprehensive cover than your card's complimentary insurance, you can compare comprehensive standalone policies from Australian travel insurance issuers for more options.
If you travel regularly, a credit card with complimentary travel insurance could help you save time and money on additional expenses. As the level of cover and the eligibility requirements will vary according to the card and insurance issuer, it’s important to compare your options and read the terms and conditions so you can find a card with insurance that suits your needs.
Compare travel insurance quotes online and save
Usually when the fees are higher there is more to be gained in extras and bonuses. The credit cards in this comparison do offer complimentary free travel insurance. Read terms before you go ahead.
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Earn flexible rewards points as you spend and enjoy a big 100,000 bonus points offer with the Citi Rewards Credit Card.
Save on fuel at 7-Eleven with this fuel card you can use across the WEX Motorpass network.
This card offers 0% interest on balance transfers for 36 months, a discounted $29 first year annual fee and platinum benefits including airport lounge passes and complimentary insurance covers.
Enjoy 100,000 bonus Velocity Points, a reduced first-year annual fee and points per $1 spent with the Citi Rewards credit card.
The American Express Velocity Business Card earns points per $1 spent and offers complimentary travel insurance and two complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each year.
The American Express Business Card offers reliable service, a wide range of benefits, additional features, and competitive fees.
The Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card offers 150,000 bonus Qantas Points, no pre-set spending limit and platinum perks including complimentary insurances.
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What is age eligibility on Citibank platinum.
Are we covered for cruises eg if we need treatment from Dr on board.Alliance don’t seem to cover for pre-existing condition even if condition stable,although they say you can pay administration fee.Zurich would cover stable conditions.
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for your inquiry.
For Citi Platinum Credit Card, the minimum age requirement is 18 years old. With Citi Credit Card Complimentary International Travel Insurance, this policy does not automatically cover pre-existing medical conditions but you can apply for additional coverage relating to a pre-existing medical condition by calling Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 072 791. A registered medical professional will assess your application and, if approved, you will have to pay an administration fee. You will then be issued with a certificate outlining the additional coverage and medical condition it applies to for the journey.
You can learn more on Citi credit card complimentary international travel insurance.
Best regards,
Rench
Which credit card travel insurance covers for terrorism?
Hi Tash,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, not all travel insurance policies cover terrorist-related incidents. You can clarify this matter with your credit card issuer or check this page for further details.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi I have a Nab card /with a Amex card linked do both these cards cover excess on car hire when using either card
Thanks Mick
Hi Mick,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Please note that the NAB Premium and NAB flybuys Rewards cards come with the complimentary travel insurance. If you own one of these cards, then you can receive cover for your overseas travel including rental vehicle accidents and the return of rental vehicle provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
You may check our NAB complimentary travel insurance guide for the details of the eligibility criteria as well as the type of cover they offer.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
Which credit card comes with travel insurance when I purchase flight tickets for just my kids on unaccompanied flights.
Hi Wilson,
Thanks for your question.
Basically, the complimentary travel insurance attached to a credit card provides cover for the primary cardholder and his dependents (i.e. spouse and dependent children) so long they will be travelling with the cardholder.
To be sure that your dependents are covered without you having to travel with them, it would be best to contact the insurance provider of the credit card.
Cheers,
May
Hi! I have paid for myself and my family using my CBA Gold Visa for travel overseas. Would the complimentary travel insurance cover me over the period of the travel?
Thanks,
Adrian
Hi Adrian.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Your Commonwealth Bank complimentary travel insurance will cover not only you but also your spouse or dependent child.
As long as they are travelling with you for the entirety of the trip and meet the other standard eligibility requirements, they’re automatically covered. You must activate your Commonwealth Bank complimentary travel insurance before you leave for your travel by contacting Allianz Global Assistance.
Cheers,
Jason
I have paid for overseas travel flights via Bpay using an eligible Westpac black credit card. Is this considered the same as using the credit card directly and therefore activating the complementary travel insurance policy?
Hi Pegasus, thanks for your inquiry!
Yes this will qualify as using the credit card directly to active the complimentary travel insurance policy.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I have paid for my flight with my BOQ Platinum credit card, now I want to upgrade. Will I be covered for travel if I pay the balance with another card?
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your inquiry.
As long as the flight was purchased with BOQ Platinum Credit Card and still active, you will still be covered for your travel.
As such, I would suggest that you get in contact with Bank of Queensland directly or Zurich which is the insurance issuer of BOQ to verify.
I also suggest that you revisit the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions of your credit card to ensure that you got everything covered on your transactions.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Debbie
I’m travelling overseas with my girlfriend in July this year so she bought an airplane ticket for both of us with her Golden credit card. After that she made me the second gold credit card holder so we are travelling together and hiring a car overseas. But I will be the only driver to drive overseas so I wanted to know if I’m covered with car excess fees in the case of an accident, could you please let me know about that?
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your inquiry.
To allow me to assist you further, could you notify us of which Golden credit card you are using, please? I also suggest that you contact your credit card provider directly to know your coverage.
You may also like to refer to the following link for a guide on free complimentary travel insurance with credit cards.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I am about to book flights for a 6 month trip through Europe and am wondering which card is best to use to get the best insurance or if I should use multiple cards to cover holes in the others insurances? I have an ANZ Frequent Flyer Black card, Westpac Altitude Qantas Black card and NAB Platinum Frequent Flyer card. It seems as though NAB has the best insurance but it is hard to compare the info from pds’s.
I paid the deposit for our cruise on 10/06/15 by ANZ Platinum credit card I paid the balance on 31/08/15 again on my ANZ Platinum card.We then changed To ANZ Black Credit card and the payment will be paid on our black credit card statement
will we still be covered for insurance
Hi Ann, thanks for your inquiry!
Since the ANZ Black Credit Card is eligible for the complimentary insurance, if you meet the following eligibility requirements you will be covered for a maximum of 6 continuous months under this policy:
-Be eighty (80) years of age or under
-Be a permanent resident of Australia or a person who holds a temporary work (skilled) visa (subclass 457)
-Purchased a minimum of $250 of your pre-booked transport costs, and/ or land content prior to the commencement of your trip. The payment must be debited to your participating card account prior to your departure from Australia
-Hold a return ticket to Australia
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi Clinton, thanks for your inquiry!
Depending on your travel insurance needs (types of activities, nature of the visit, type of holiday, personal requirements) the travel insurance policy will vary depending on the individual. If one credit card has significant ‘holes’ in your travel needs it may be recommended to look at other options, as receiving cover from one card policy can overrule other complimentary card policies. It would be best to speak to an authorised representative from the bank/’s to best advise on your travel insurance needs and options.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I have an ANZ platinum card with free travel and medical insurance. My husband disagrees with me re the insurance benefits cover, so prefers to buy separate insurance. We paid a premium costs of over $500 for a recent ten-day travel as he has a pre existing condition and he is 71. I feel the credit card is adequate for me. I am 67 and have no pre-existing medical condition. I wonder whether for future travels, i will let him buy his separate insurance just for himself while i feel comfortable to be covered by the free credit card insurance. Is this possible? If the travel for us both are paid using the credit card, does it mean he will be doubled covered, ie covered by two insurances?
Hi Kim, thanks for your inquiry!
The complimentary travel insurance with the ANZ Platinum credit card covers the primary cardholder and accompanying spouse up to 80 years of age. The eligibility requirements require you to have a return ticket to Australia and have purchased at least $250 of your prepaid travel expenses using the ANZ Platinum Credit Card, this also applies to the accompanying spouse. If this requirement has been met then your partner would be covered by both insurances.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Thank you for your reply. Is there any benefit to be covered by two insurances? Does it mean he can choose one to claim valid medical expenses or can he claim from both?
Hi Kim, thanks for your response!
Under Australian insurance law, ‘double claims’ are not supported in the context of getting twice the payout for the same loss. Claims would only be able to be made from one insurance provider.
Cheers,
Jonathan