The Christmas travel mistake that could leave you out of pocket
Key takeaways
- It's not long until Aussies start locking in their end of year travel plans, whether that's heading home to visit family or unwinding with a much needed getaway.
- Recent changes to credit card complimentary travel insurance may no longer be enough to cover your trip.
- What's next: Review your credit card's insurance changes and secure solid travel cover if you're heading abroad this Christmas.
With just 71 days till Christmas, thousands of Aussies across the country have begun making their annual end of year travel plans.
And in previous years, relying on their credit card's travel insurance may have been enough to get by.
But with the RBA cutting fees banks earn on credit card transactions, all of the Big Four banks have cut back or changed its insurance perks, meaning travellers may now need to consider alternative options.
What each bank has changed
| Bank | When | What's changed on some cards |
|---|---|---|
| NAB | 15 May 2026 |
|
| CommBank | Late September 2026 |
|
| Westpac | 1 October 2026 |
|
| ANZ | 9 December 2026 and 24 March 2027 |
|
How to check your card's travel insurance before your holiday
Every bank and card is a little different, so the best way to know where you stand is to check your own card's cover before you fly. Here's what to look for:
- Find the latest policy booklet. Don't rely on what your card offered when you first signed up. You can also check your bank's website for the current version.
- Check whether you need to activate it. Some cards now need you to switch your cover on before you leave Australia.
- Check the spend rules. Many cards only cover you if you've paid a minimum amount of your prepaid travel costs on the card.
- Look at what's still included. Is cancellation, travel delay and luggage cover still there, or is it medical only?
- Check the trip length. Some cards have cut the maximum length of trip they'll cover.
- Check who's covered. If you're travelling with a partner or kids, make sure they're included too.
Credit card travel insurance vs a standalone policy: what's the better option?
It really depends on your card and your trip. If you still have full access to your complimentary policy, credit card travel insurance can be a handy freebie, but it usually comes with strings attached and new limitations .
A standalone policy costs extra, but you get to choose your level of cover and add extras like cruise or snow sports cover. It also starts from the day you buy it, so you're covered for cancellations well before you fly.
If you would like to find out what kind of cover you can get by purchasing a travel insurance policy, check out our travel search engine to get a free quote.
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