When it comes to credit cards for travel, the Chase Sapphire cards are among the best. They not only offer great rewards and ways to use them, but they also come with a bunch of travel insurance benefits that can be super helpful if something goes wrong.
Imagine your flight getting canceled or your rental car getting a flat tire – in situations like these, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® have your back. In this guide, we’ll look closely at what these insurance benefits cover, their limitations, and how to make a claim if needed.
Let’s start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card asks for a $95 annual fee, but it comes with some cool perks. You get a bonus of 60,000 points when you start, and your interest rate can be anywhere between 21.24% and 28.24% depending on your situation. If your credit score is in the range of 700 to 749, you’re good to go.
The rewards are sweet: you earn 5 times the points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3 times the points on dining, and 2 times the points on other travel. But there’s more – this guide also gives you a deeper look at what this card offers.
Now, let’s dive into the world of travel insurance by Chase. When it comes to travel-focused cards like the Sapphire ones, Chase is really generous with its insurance offerings. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card with its $95 annual fee and the pricier Chase Sapphire Reserve with its $550 annual fee are real champs in this area. Their coverage limits are high, and they often outshine other travel credit cards.
Imagine this as a table: On one side is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, on the other is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. There are categories like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and so on. Both cards provide great coverage, but the Reserve usually has a bit more oomph.
| Chase Sapphire Cards |
|---|
| – Preferred Card: $95 annual fee<br>- Reserve Card: $550 annual fee<br>- Both offer 60,000 points bonus |
| Benefits |
| – Travel rewards and insurance coverage |
| Coverage |
| – Trip cancellation/interruption insurance<br>- Trip delay reimbursement<br>- Baggage delay insurance<br>- Lost luggage reimbursement<br>- Primary rental car insurance<br>- Roadside assistance<br>- Travel and emergency assistance services |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
| – 5x points on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®<br>- 3x points on dining<br>- 2x points on other travel |
| Emergency Benefits (Reserve Only) |
| – Emergency evacuation and transportation: Up to $100,000<br>- Emergency medical and dental: Up to $2,500<br>- Travel accident insurance: Up to $1 million for common carrier travel accidents or $100,000 during your trip |
| Claim Process |
| – Specific timeframes to start claims and provide documentation |
| Exclusions |
| – Some scenarios not covered by insurance |
| Decision |
| – Choose based on your travel needs and preferences |
For example, if your trip gets canceled unexpectedly, these cards can cover you up to $10,000 per person or $20,000 per trip. If your flight gets delayed by more than 12 hours (6 hours for the Reserve) or you need to stay overnight, you could get up to $500 covered for things like meals and a place to stay. If your luggage takes its own vacation and arrives more than 6 hours late, you might get up to $100 per day to buy essentials like clothes and toiletries.
But wait, there’s more! If your luggage decides to have its own adventure and doesn’t come back, the Chase Sapphire cards can help. You could get up to $3,000 back for the stuff you lost, with some limits for jewelry and gadgets.
Now, let’s say you’re renting a car. Both cards offer primary rental car insurance, which means they can cover theft and damage. The Reserve can cover up to $75,000, while the Preferred covers up to the car’s value.
Got car trouble? Both cards offer roadside assistance – Reserve holders get help from the Cross Country Motor Club, while Preferred holders have a number to call for assistance.
Travel and emergency assistance services are also in their bag of tricks. These services can help you find medical help or sort out travel issues 24/7.
But of course, not everything is covered. There are some situations these cards won’t help with. Like if you change your plans, have a pre-existing condition, travel during a war, or forget important travel papers.
So, what’s the bottom line? Both cards have a lot to offer, but the Reserve adds a bit more sparkle with benefits like emergency evacuation and medical assistance.
Keep in mind, each coverage has rules and you’ll need to provide some documents if you want to make a claim. These cards have your back, but they want to make sure you’re not pulling their leg.
If you need to use these benefits, you’ll need to follow some steps. The clock starts ticking when something goes wrong – for example, you have 20 days to start a claim if your trip gets canceled. And remember, these rules are there to help you, so it’s important to follow them.
So, as you weigh the options between Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve, know that both cards bring a lot to the table. It’s a matter of what suits your travel style and needs better. Happy travels!
