So it's snowing and time to plan the next trip to Europe. Reading the very tiny print of the guide to one of my credit cards indicates somewhat extensive trip cancellation and interruption benefits. Unknown until now, a covered reason for trip cancellation or interruption benefits includes, "The Covered Traveler’s Pet, has an injury or serious illness that is either life threatening or requires care and is verified by a licensed veterinarian. Pet(s) means any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately."
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3102 posts
Wow. That's really amazing. I don't actually have a pet, but do have small animals in the backyard. If I regard those affectionately, can I work with them?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Which card. Bruce ? Seems like you have to go through the fine print on EVERY card to determine which to use to pay for a trip. Chase Sapphire Reserve has a lot of coverage, including some medical evacuation costs. And some cards require that ALL trip costs be on that card, others only that "some of" the trip costs be charged to the card.
Worth spending a few hours before the trip rather than checking after a loss is incurred. And printing/packing a copy of the card benefits.
Posted by
OP
2545 posts
@Laura B: It's the Citibank/Costco credit card here and includes coverage for interruption or cancellation of trips. You must use the card for at least a portion of your trip. If just used for some but not all of your trip, then the reimbursement extends only that amount not to exceed the card maximum. Each "covered traveler" (family and companions...extensive definitions) has up to $3K of protection. Reimbursement includes "unused transportation tickets or forfeited deposits" (minus refunds), change fees (e.g. airlines), nonrefundable hotel and tour expenses, etc. Cancelling a trip for any reason is not included. Bottom line, I am surprised the protection is as broad as stated. This no annual fee credit card, but requiring a paid membership at Costco, does have a 3% foreign transaction fee. It may be offset by a "3% cashback on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide." I've tried without success to learn in advance whether a purchase that is fully travel related falls into the stated rebate language.
What other credit cards offer valuable travel benefits?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Thanks, @Bruce. I guess I stopped looking at the Citibank/Costco card (which we have) when I saw the 3% foreign transaction fee. Chase Reserve ($450 annual fee partially offset by $300 annual travel reimbursement) has zero foreign transaction fee, 3x points on travel and restaurants. FYI, Chase definition of "travel" expenses includes local bridge tolls and BART tickets.
Guess I will need to balance out probability of our needing medical evacuation against the probability of cancellation due to a sick Chihuahua.
Posted by
362 posts
This is a good thread!
I never really looked too closely before this year at trip benefits of a credit card beyond things like no foreign transaction fees or a mileage bonus for an airline associated card. I am now going to have to make a detailed study of my travel credit cards for all the other benefits that are travel related.
Posted by
OP
2545 posts
Purchases on this side of the pond, before an upcoming trip and denominated in dollars only are charged to the card. So, coverage is extended and no foreign transaction fee is at issue. I’ll use a separate credit card for large purchases while in Europe...no foreign transaction fee with it.
Posted by
New York, NY
4071 posts
Great thread topic. I'll have to see what the cancellation coverage Bank AmeriCard Travel Rewards visa provides (if any).