Chase Sapphire cardholders, how's their travel insurance?

[ruadisneyfan2]

We have had the Chase Sapphire Preferred card for years. When I read through the various benefits, it lists travel insurance for any travel that is purchased with our card. For some reason, I tend to forget about it when we're cruising. Maybe I'm just leary about accepting that something that is "free" might be a really good quality product.
With cruises I feel better being insured not just for cancellations but in case one of us ever had to have a medical emergency evacuation. I'm in my 50s and dh in his 60s so it's not outrageous to worry about dh potentially having a heart attack or something like that while onboard. The last thing I need in that situation is to worry about the financial aspect of it all.

So, that led me to wonder, how good is the insurance that Chase offers? Yes, I can read the details of coverage but for those of you who have actually placed a claim, how was their service overall? Did they give you a hard time? Were they reasonable to deal with?
Do you rely on this for travel insurance?

Tell me about your experience.

 

[PoppyJ]

I use my CSP for airfare to get the travel insurance. I have had one claim and found it was an easy process.

I had a flight leaving Las Vegas that was canceled by Frontier. The flight before us had mechanical issues. They gave that flight our plane and then canceled our flight. We had to rent a car, drive to Phoenix, stay the night and fly out the next day.

I filled a claim with CSP. I had to upload my receipts and get documentation from Frontier stating the reason for the delay and when they would have been able to get us to our destination.

It wasn't a difficult process but the only reimbursement we got from Chase was our dinner and hotel.

Luckily, Frontier reimbursed us for the cost of the new flight ($500+) and the rental car.

I guess I haven't looked into it too much to compare, but not sure whether if you buy travel insurance it pays for the cost to actually get to your destination after a cancelled flight?? Does any travel insurance do that?

Because it seems like that is the most expensive cost after a cancelled flight. For example, our original flight with Frontier was about $200. After that flight was cancelled, to book a flight out the next day was $500. Hypothetically, I think Frontier could have just reimbursed us $200 for the canceled flight, then we would have been out for the $500 flight. I'm happy they reimbursed us for the $500 flight though.

I'm also interested in experiences others have had.

 

[pompetti]

We went to DLR last February. Our flight home from LAX to BOS was cancelled due to bad weather in BOS. Jetblue rebooked us on a flight to JFK 2 days later. With 3 people we got $1500 re-imbursed through Chase after filling out the paperwork. We stayed 2 nights at the JWMarriot on Santa Monica Beach and rented a car. The $1500 covered the hotel, rental car and some of our meals. We could have stayed at a cheaper hotel but decided to splurge when we knew it would be covered.

It took about 1 month to get the refund on our card. The hardest part was getting the official paperwork from Jetblue as to why the flight was cancelled.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I use my CSP for airfare to get the travel insurance. I have had one claim and found it was an easy process.

I had a flight leaving Las Vegas that was canceled by Frontier. The flight before us had mechanical issues. They gave that flight our plane and then canceled our flight. We had to rent a car, drive to Phoenix, stay the night and fly out the next day.

I filled a claim with CSP. I had to upload my receipts and get documentation from Frontier stating the reason for the delay and when they would have been able to get us to our destination.

It wasn't a difficult process but the only reimbursement we got from Chase was our dinner and hotel.

Luckily, Frontier reimbursed us for the cost of the new flight ($500+) and the rental car.

I guess I haven't looked into it too much to compare, but not sure whether if you buy travel insurance it pays for the cost to actually get to your destination after a cancelled flight?? Does any travel insurance do that?

Because it seems like that is the most expensive cost after a cancelled flight. For example, our original flight with Frontier was about $200. After that flight was cancelled, to book a flight out the next day was $500. Hypothetically, I think Frontier could have just reimbursed us $200 for the canceled flight, then we would have been out for the $500 flight. I'm happy they reimbursed us for the $500 flight though.

I'm also interested in experiences others have had.

I wonder too if that is covered. I will ask at Insure my trip.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I just got off their chat line. This was her reply. The plan I just bought is called "Essential" by Nationwide. It is listed as Comprehensive Insurance, meaning it covers not just medical but also cancellation, interruption, baggage, etc.


"Unfortunately, flight cancellations is not covered with Trip Cancellation. They are typically responsible for reimbursing you in that situation. Unless the trip is cancelled or interrupted for a reason listed in the policy certificate, there will not be any coverage. The list of reasons that are covered are outlined in the policy certificate.

There is likely no wording on that policy that covers for a cancellation of the flight. Generali does have a form from flight cancellation coverage however. That can be reviewed if you back out of the buy page to where the plans are listed."


I never considered asking that question though it's a very realistic possibility. The airline's contract of carriage on requires them to get you from Point A to Point B. It doesn't state any time deadline.

 

[Willow1213]

We used it for our flight to Aulani March 2022. Delayed flight resulted in missed connected in San Diego. Southwest rebooked us on the AM flight the next morning no issues. We rented a car and stayed in a Hilton near the aiport, saved all our receipts for meals, etc. We never got reimbursed because they did not accept the letter I received from Southwest about the reason for delay. We went back and forth about 3 times, each time they wanted more/different info. By the time I finally got another reply from SW, it had been more than 90 days since the incident and it was too late. Their reply times were TERRIBLE! In the end, it was about $300 we spent that should have been reimbursed. I REALLY was hoping they would also pay for the first night at Aulani we had to eat ($600++), but I never did get a determination on it so I'll never know.

 

[PoppyJ]

Right? I guess the airline will rebook you on the next flight but in our case the next Frontier flight out of Las Vegas was in 3 days. We panicked and booked the flight out of Phoenix. We probably could have gone to the counter, waited in the extremely long line and had Frontier change our flight. However, hypothetically, if we really needed to get home that day and booked a AA/United/Delta flight for say $600, then Frontier would have reimbursed us for our $200 flight but we would get nothing for the $600 flight. I get though that flying with budget airlines is a risk because they have limited flights and don't work with other airlines to get you on another flight. Fingers crossed for our next trip with Frontier!

 

[havaneselover]

On my way back from London, we missed our connection. I rented a car and drove two hours home from Dulles. CSR insurance paid for the rental. Not a big deal and it was a hassle but it worked in that situation.

 

[Lewisc]

I had to cancel a trip, death in the family. Disney refunded my deposit, 2 days before my trip. Chase refunded my, very low, Frontier, fare. Chase didn't covery my MNSSHP tickets. Chase doesn't cover any tickets including sporting event, concerts and Broadway Shows

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We used it for our flight to Aulani March 2022. Delayed flight resulted in missed connected in San Diego. Southwest rebooked us on the AM flight the next morning no issues. We rented a car and stayed in a Hilton near the aiport, saved all our receipts for meals, etc. We never got reimbursed because they did not accept the letter I received from Southwest about the reason for delay. We went back and forth about 3 times, each time they wanted more/different info. By the time I finally got another reply from SW, it had been more than 90 days since the incident and it was too late. Their reply times were TERRIBLE! In the end, it was about $300 we spent that should have been reimbursed. I REALLY was hoping they would also pay for the first night at Aulani we had to eat ($600++), but I never did get a determination on it so I'll never know.

That is awful. It should take the airlines a few days to send an email explaining why.
The system is terrible. Ins companies know this and that’s why they make people provide proof.

They probably have a computer that is capable to give them flight status of all flights and can store it all for 90 days so any claimant can submit, they look up the flight info, see it was 4 hours late, cancelled or whatever, and pay the claim. If claims were easy they’d pay out more money.

They know that by putting the onus on the passenger to deal with their airline, they are saving millions.

 

[Willow1213]

That is awful. It should take the airlines a few days to send an email explaining why.
The system is terrible. Ins companies know this and that’s why they make people provide proof.

They probably have a computer that is capable to give them flight status of all flights and can store it all for 90 days so any claimant can submit, they look up the flight info, see it was 4 hours late, cancelled or whatever, and pay the claim. If claims were easy they’d pay out more money.

They know that by putting the onus on the passenger to deal with their airline, they are saving millions.

Travel insurance doesn't cover every reason for a flight cancellation. In our case, this was a mechanical issue for a plane but the email from Southwest didn't give enough specifics on why it was cancelled.

 

[jimmymc]

I use Chase Sapphire for hotel stays and cruises but other cards for flights. Chase would cover the hotel or cruise if I had to cancel it last minute, the trip was cut short, or a medivac, but they wouldn't cover a lot of flight issues.

For flights, I use Amex platinum. Going through two different cards would theoretically be a bit more complicated, but they each have better coverage for their own areas.

 

[Robber Baron]

Just as some added 411......Last year I rented DVC points from a third party company.

In my decision making when deciding whether to buy travel insurance, related to that room rental, I called Chase about my Sapphire Preferred Card and found I would be covered for cancellation. It had to be specified on the invoice that it was for a 'reservation, 'room charge', or some other key words I can't remember now.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Just as some added 411......Last year I rented DVC points from a third party company.

In my decision making when deciding whether to buy travel insurance, related to that room rental, I called Chase about my Sapphire Preferred Card and found I would be covered for cancellation. It had to be specified on the invoice that it was for a 'reservation, 'room charge', or some other key words I can't remember now.

Hmm, we've rented DVC points many times but it's always been through the owner which I've found here on the Dis or another similar site. We've always paid by Paypal or Zelle. Depending on how many points someone is renting, it may be worth it to book through a broker such as David's so that it's covered.

 

[Dznypal]

while not the sapphire card from chase we have the freedom which has terrific trip insurance

we were booked on the hawaiian cruise back in 2020 around feb my mom was put into hospice care--
this was just before covid hit--we cancelled and the insurance was just outstanding to work with
th claim included the disney cruise we get all but the deposit back from disney insurance covered the deposit
for the airlines when I cancelled as usual they gave a credit to be used within the year--
I needed for the year to pass and then I got a letter from the airlines that credit expired without use
air canada was great I got the letter from them just after the year and sent to the insurance and got paid very quickly

united was another story--since by now covid was everywhere they kept changing the expiration date to use the credit--by a year each time
I thought since I cancelled before covid Iwould be under those rules which was a year but no the date kept getting pushed out

every so often I would write to united just to see if someone could help me
eventually I got to the right person who was able to push a refund directly from united so I didnt even have to send it to the insurance

the credit was back on our card I think within 2 weeks if not sooner--
since both the sapphire and freedom cards are from chase I wonder if the insurance is the same comapany

this was called eclaimson line great customer service it could be worth checking that out

 

[Lewisc]

We used it for our flight to Aulani March 2022. Delayed flight resulted in missed connected in San Diego. Southwest rebooked us on the AM flight the next morning no issues. We rented a car and stayed in a Hilton near the aiport, saved all our receipts for meals, etc. We never got reimbursed because they did not accept the letter I received from Southwest about the reason for delay. We went back and forth about 3 times, each time they wanted more/different info. By the time I finally got another reply from SW, it had been more than 90 days since the incident and it was too late. Their reply times were TERRIBLE! In the end, it was about $300 we spent that should have been reimbursed. I REALLY was hoping they would also pay for the first night at Aulani we had to eat ($600++), but I never did get a determination on it so I'll never know.

Missed connection isn’t always covered by trip insurance. I don't see it mentioned in the benefit pdf i have for CSR. Missed connection coverage, when included, only applies if your first flight is delayed at least xx hours. 4 and.even 6 hours are typical. In other words coverage wouldn't apply for many of the flights we book.

JMO most people underestimate what hotels and airlines will do for travelers and overestimate what travel insurance covers.

Travel insurance specifically lists what's covvered. Don't assume it covers anything extra.

Capital One cardholders who book air through the capitaline portal and buy coverage, not every flight, which covers the cost $$$ of replacement airfare