If you’re travelling outside of Canada, you have more to plan for aside from your flight and hotel accommodations. When you leave the border, your provincial health plan will no longer cover you for a medical mishap. And without adequate insurance in place, you could be left with a hefty bill to pay.
Plus, anything can happen that can interrupt your trip or force it to be cancelled. Again, this can leave you paying for a trip you never even end up taking.
Rather than risk having to take on debt to pay for a pricey medical procedure or be stuck covering the cost of a trip that is cancelled, a travel insurance policy can reimburse you and give you some peace of mind.
Insurance companies typically offer travel medical insurance plans, but they can be pricey. Instead, your credit card may come with just enough coverage without you having to dish out any extra for a separate policy. Luckily, there are plenty of credit cards with travel insurance to choose from.
Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
| Annual Fee | Travel Benefits | |
| Neo Mastercard® (With Travel perks) | $7.99/monthly | – Comprehensive travel insurance with Chubb – 1.5x cashback boost at all hotel partners – 2% cashback on all foreign transactions – Priority Pass airport lounge access – SmartDelay free airport lounge access |
| National Bank Platinum Mastercard® | $70 | – Out-of-province medical – Trip cancellation – Trip interruption – Flight delay – Baggage delay/loss/theft – Car rental insurance |
| BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard® | $150 | – Extensive travel and medical insurance – Free membership in Mastercard Travel Pass for airport lounge access – Free access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard Cardholders |
| CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card | $139 | – Extensive travel insurance package – 4 free visits to airport lounges with the Visa Airport Companion Program |
| TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | $139 | – Travel medical – Trip cancellation/interruption – Flight/trip delay – Delayed and lost baggage – Common carrier travel accident – Rental car collision/loss damage |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card | $120 | – Extensive travel insurance package – No foreign transaction fees – Preferred discount on the Priority Pass™ membership |
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card | $150 | – Travel emergency medical – Trip cancellation – Trip interruption – Flight delay – Travel accident – Baggage delay/loss/theft – Rental car collision/damage – Hotel burglary |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | $250 | – Extensive travel insurance package – $100 travel credit towards any travel booking – Get $50 credit on your statement if you charge your NEXUS application or renewal to your credit card – Get 4 free visits to the Plaza Premium Lounges – Access to Priority Pass Lounges |
| RBC Visa Infinite Avion | $120 | – Comprehensive travel insurance package – No blackout dates – Optional road assistance |
| KOHO Extra | $84 or $9/monthly | – No FX fees |
Neo Mastercard® (With Travel perks)
Neo Mastercard® is a great option for any type of consumer, it offers maximum benefits with minimum commitment. You can earn up to 4% cashback on gas and groceries and up to 1% everywhere else. You can also earn up to 15% cashback on purchases with select Neo partners.
The original Neo Mastercard® had no monthly fee, but cardholders have the option to add perks to their account to take advantage of additional benefits. For users who travel a lot, adding the Neo Travel perks to your Neo credit card is a great option (travel perks not available in QC). Neo Travel perks cost $7.99 a month.
Upgrade Your Neo Mastercard® To Premium and Get The First 3 Months Free
Upgrade your Neo Mastercard® to Premium and get the first month for free. After 1 month, the cost is $9.99 a month. With Premium, you’ll earn higher cashback rates, 3% on all gas and groceries and 0.5% on all other purchases.
Neo Mastercard® Main Features
Annual fee: $7.99 a month with the Travel perks.
Purchase rate: 19.99% – 29.99% (QC: 19.99% – 24.99%)
Cash advance rate: 22.99% – 31.99% (QC: 22.99% – 25.99%)
Earn rate:
- Up to 4% cashback on gas and grocery
- Up to 1% cashback everywhere else
Extra features: When you add the Travel perks, you’ll benefit from these extra features:
- Comprehensive travel insurance with Chubb (emergency travel medical, trip cancellation, car rental protection, flight delay, and more).
- 1.5x cashback boost at all hotel partners.
- 2% cashback on all foreign transactions.
- Priority Pass airport lounge access.
- SmartDelay free airport lounge access.
National Bank Platinum Mastercard®
With the National Bank Platinum Mastercard, you’ll be covered with a wide range of travel insurance including travel medical insurance. When you travel out of province, you’ll be covered up to $5,000,000 for up to 10 days. Do note, that those aged 76 or over are not eligible for coverage. Similarly, if your trip is longer than 10 days, you won’t be covered.
National Bank Platinum Mastercard Main Features
Annual fee: $70
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.49%
Earn rate:
- Earn up to 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases.
- 1.5 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases, recurring bill payments and À la carte travel purchases.
- 1 point for every $1.5 spent on all other purchases.
Extra features:
- Extensive travel insurance (out-of-province medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, baggage delay/loss/theft, and car rental insurance).
- Mobile device insurance.
- Extended manufacturer’s warranty and purchase protection (up to 180 days).
- Use points to pay off your balance.
BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®
The BMO Acend World Elite Mastercard comes with comprehensive travel insurance products, including up to $5 million in emergency medical insurance for up to 21 days (which may be extended). Plus, you’ll be covered for trip cancellation or interruption, flight or baggage delay, and car rental collisions or theft.
The card also comes with other travel perks, including access to airport lounges through Mastercard Travel Pass. You’ll also have the ability to earn points with every dollar you spend.
BMO Acend World Elite Mastercard Main Features
Annual fee: $150 (waived for the first year)
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 23.99% (QC: 21.99%)
Earn rate:
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases.
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining purchases.
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible entertainment purchases.
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on recurring bills.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Extra features:
- Extensive travel and medical insurance (travel medical and accident, trip cancellation/ interruption, car rental collision loss/damage waiver, delayed and lost baggage, flight delay).
- Free membership in Mastercard Travel Pass for airport lounge access.
- Free access to 24-hour concierge.
- Free access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard Cardholders.
- Extended warranty and purchase protection.
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
With the CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card, you’ll be fully covered for most travel mishaps while travelling abroad. The card comes with an impressive $5 million in coverage per insured traveller and 15 days of coverage for those who are under the age of 64 years. Plus, you’ll receive coverage for flight and baggage delays, car rental collisions and damages, and hotel burglaries.
Travel can be made even more luxurious thanks to the 4 complimentary airport lounge visits you’ll receive each year through the Visa Airport Companion Program. You’ll also get a rebate on your NEXUS application fee to help you cross borders faster.
Plus, you can earn points whenever you use your CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card to spend.
CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card Main Features
Annual fee: $139 (first year rebated)
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99% (QC: 21.99%)
Earn rate:
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre.
- Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on groceries, gas, and pharmacy purchases.
- Earn 1 point on all other purchases.
Extra features:
- Extensive travel insurance (emergency medical, flight delay, baggage loss or delay, car rental damage or theft, common carrier accident, hotel burglary).
- 4 free visits to airport lounges with the Visa Airport Companion Program.
- Purchase security and extended protection insurance.
- Mobile device insurance.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
As a TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite cardholder, you’ll receive comprehensive travel medical insurance coverage up to $2 million for the first 21 days of your trip if you’re under the age of 65. Those over the age of 65, will be covered for the first 4 days of travel. You may also opt to purchase top-up coverage if your trip will be longer than 21 days or you’re over the age of 65 years.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card Main Features
Annual fee: $139
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99% (21.99% for QC residents)
Earn rate:
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar on gas, groceries, dining and travel expenses made directly through Air Canada.
- Earn 1 per dollar on all other purchases.
- Earn 2x the points when you provide your Aeroplan number at participating stores.
- Earn 50% more Aeroplan points on your Starbucks purchases (must link card to your Starbucks account).
Extra features:
- Extensive travel insurance (travel medical, travel cancellation, travel interruption, flight/trip delay, common carrier travel accident, delayed/lost baggage, and auto rental collision/loss damage).
- Fee rebate of up to $100 on your NEXUS application every 48 months.
- Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card comes with one of the more generous travel medical insurance plans among credit cards. As a cardholder, you’ll be covered for medical costs for up to 25 consecutive days if you’re under the age of 65 years. Otherwise, you can purchase additional coverage if you’re older than 65.
The card also allows you to earn Scene+™ points with every purchase and you won’t pay foreign transaction fees on foreign currency purchases.
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Main Features
Annual fee: $120
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99%
Earn rate:
- Earn 6 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at IGA, Sobey’s, Foodland, etc.
- Earn 5 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible dining, food deliveries, food subscriptions, and other groceries store.
- Earn 5 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases.
- Earn 3 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and transit.
- Earn 3 Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible streaming services.
- Earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.
Extra features:
- Extensive travel insurance (emergency medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, travel accident, rental car collision cause/damage, hotel burglary).
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Preferred discount on the Priority Pass™ membership.
- Complimentary concierge services.
- Purchase security and extended protection insurance.
- Mobile device insurance.
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card comes with a comprehensive package of travel insurance, including travel medical. For cardholders under the age of 65, up to $2 million in emergency medical coverage is provided for up to 25 straight days of travel. And for those over the age of 65, coverage is provided for up to 3 consecutive days.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Main Features
Annual fee: $150
Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99%
Earn Rate
- Earn 3 Scene+ points at participating grocery stores such as Sobeys, IGA, Safeway and more.
- Earn 2 points on every $1 spent on eligible groceries, dining, entertainment, and transit.
- Earn 1 point on every $1 spent for all other purchases.
Extra Features
- You’ll have access to trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, travel accident, delay/lost baggage, rental car collision/damage, and hotel burglary insurance.
- Get a free membership with the Visa Airport Companion Program and 6 free airport lounge visits a year.
- There are no foreign transaction fees.
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
This charge card comes with an in-depth travel insurance package to help you travel with peace of mind. Furthermore, if your baggage is lost or stolen, you’ll be reimbursed for any purchases made to replace the lost item. Plus, anything stolen from your hotel room will also be covered.
As an American Express Gold Rewards cardholder, you can also earn points when you use your credit card to make purchases, then redeem them for travel and other eligible items.
American Express Gold Rewards Card Main Features
Annual fee: $250
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%
Cash advance rate: 21.99%
Earn rate:
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchases, groceries, gas, and pharmacy purchases.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Earn 1 additional point on eligible car or hotel bookings.
Extra Perks:
- Extensive travel insurance (emergency medical coverage, trip interruption/cancellation coverage, flight and baggage delay, hotel burglary, lost/stolen luggage, travel accident, rental car theft/ damage).
- $100 travel credit towards any travel booking.
- If you stay at a participating hotel for 2 or more nights, you can get a free room upgrade if available and up to $100 credit to use on hotel amenities (ex: spa, dining, etc).
- Get $50 credit on your statement if you charge your NEXUS application or renewal to your credit card.
- Priority Pass lounge access and 4 free visits to Plaza Premium Lounges.
RBC Visa Infinite Avion
If you’re looking for a travel card with no blackout dates and are a fan of Avion points, this card is for you. You can earn Avion points with every dollar you spend using your card. Moreover, you’ll have access to a comprehensive list of travel insurance including emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, rental car insurance and hotel burglary insurance.
If you’re under the age of 65 and are travelling for 15 days or less, you’ll be covered for an unlimited amount as an RBC Visa Infinite Avion cardholder. Plus, you’ll receive reimbursement if your trip is cancelled or interrupted for eligible reasons.
RBC Visa Infinite Avion Main Features
Annual fee: $120
Purchase interest rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99% (21.99% for QC residents)
Earn rate:
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all purchases.
- Earn an extra 25% on qualified travel purchases.
Extra Features:
- Extensive travel insurance (trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical).
- There is optional road assistance available for an additional cost.
- Mobile device insurance (up to $1,500).
- Purchase and extended warranty.
KOHO Extra Account – A Good Alternative To Travel Credit Cards
When travelling foreign exchange fees can put a real dent in your budget. FX fees generally cost 2.5% per transaction, but with KOHO, you can avoid these charges. When you open a KOHO Extra account, you’ll not only earn cash back on your travel purchases but avoid all FX fees.
Moreover, since the KOHO Extra is equipped with a prepaid Mastercard, it’s easier to stay on budget when you travel. Similarly, if you lose your card while travelling, you can simply use the KOHO app to lock your card and protect yourself from thieves.
Use code LOANSCANADA when you sign up for a KOHO account and get $40 FREE when you add funds to your account.
KOHO Extra Main Features
Annual fee: $84 or $9/monthly
Purchase rate: none
Cash advance rate: none
Earn rate:
- Get 1.5% cash back on groceries, transportation and eating and drinking expenses.
- All other purchases will give you 0.25% cash back.
- Get up to 50% extra cash back with select merchants.
Extra features:
- Earn 4% savings interest on your entire balance.
- No FX fees.
- Free e-transfers.
- If you want to build credit, you can access KOHO’s Optional credit-building feature at a discounted rate.
Looking for the best credit card options?
Types Of Travel Insurance Available In Credit Cards
There are all sorts of different areas of coverage that may come with travel insurance, including the following:
Trip Interruption Insurance
If you are in the middle of a vacation and something happens that requires the trip to be cut short, a travel interruption insurance policy will provide coverage for specific expenses. Trip interruption insurance takes effect as soon as your trip begins and ends when you return.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
If something happens leading up to your trip before you take it that requires you to cancel, trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for fees already paid. This type of insurance takes effect as soon as you take it out and ends when you depart.
Travel Accident Insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage for an accident causing injury or death while travelling on a carrier such as a plane, train, bus, or boat.
Travel Medical Insurance
Medical expenses that you incur when travelling abroad will be covered by a travel medical insurance policy.
Flight Delay Insurance
If your flight is delayed for whatever reason, you may be reimbursed for certain expenses, such as hotel fees and meals.
Lost Or Delayed Baggage
The cost of any necessary items that have to be bought because of lost or delayed baggage may be reimbursed with this type of insurance coverage.
Car Rental Theft And Damage Insurance
If you rent a car on your trip and it is damaged or stolen, a car rental theft/damage insurance policy can help cover the costs you may owe to the rental company.
Hotel Burglary Insurance
This type of insurance may cover any of your belongings that are stolen from your hotel room.
How many trips do you have planned this year? Find out if you need multi-trip travel insurance.
Advantages Of Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
There are a few benefits of having a credit card with travel insurance:
Cheaper Than Travel Insurance
Perhaps the biggest and most obvious perk to a credit card with travel insurance is the fact that you likely will not have to purchase a separate policy to keep you covered while travelling. Instead, everything you need is included with your annual fee, unless you require more in-depth coverage than what your credit card’s policy offers.
Credit Card Perks
There are plenty of reasons why people choose to carry plastic in their wallets. Credit cards make shopping online and booking travel possible. Credit cards also offer some form of rewards system that allows cardholders to earn points with every dollar spent. Plus, some cards offer VIP-level perks, including access to VIP airport lounges, discounts on car rentals and other merchants, and so forth.
Factors To Consider When Getting Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
While there are certainly some perks that come with having a credit card with travel insurance, there are also some factors to consider before applying:
What Are The Card’s Coverage Limitations?
Perhaps the credit card you have doesn’t offer as much coverage as you’d like. In this case, you may end up having to take out a separate policy, which will cost you.
Does Coverage Only Cover The Cardholder?
While some credit cards offer coverage for you as a cardholder and your immediate family travelling with you, others may only exclusively cover the cardholder.
Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered?
Like other types of travel or life insurance, a credit card travel medical insurance policy may not cover you for issues related to a pre-existing condition.
Does The Company Offer 24/7 Customer Service?
It would be extremely helpful if there was round-the-clock assistance available when travelling abroad, especially in an emergency situation.
Are You Eligible For The Card’s Travel Insurance?
Even though the credit card you carry offers travel insurance, it’s possible that you may not be eligible. For example, you may be over the age of 65, which is often the limit for coverage. In this case, you may have to pay for coverage that applies to those over that age limit.
Final Thoughts On Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
If you travel frequently and don’t like the idea of always having to take out — and pay for — a travel insurance policy, then it might make sense for you to apply for a credit card that comes with travel insurance. Just make sure the card’s coverage is ample enough to suit your needs.
Medical Insurance Credit Card Faqs
How do you make a medical travel insurance claim?
Are there any credit cards with travel insurance and no annual fee?
Who’s covered by credit card travel insurance?
Neo Credit and Neo Secured Credit cards are issued by Neo Financial™ pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
