Everything you need to know about Amex’s Premium Global Assistance and travel insurance benefits

While benefits include unparalleled airport lounge access, up to $200 annual flight credit, up to $200 annual hotel statement credit and up to $200 in Uber Cash annually (for US services; Amex Plat must added to your account and you can redeem it with any Amex card) can be seen as very important benefits Platinum Card® from American Expressthere are a number of little-known benefits the card offers that all help make the $695 annual fee worth it (see rates and fees). Among them are Premium Global Assist and travel insurance. (Registration required.)

These protections are separate from benefits such as baggage insurance – they help with critical issues such as emergency transportation and unexpected trip cancellations. While we all hope we never have to use these benefits, it’s worth getting used to, as they can save you a ton of money and aggravation when you’re in need.

Amex cards offer Premium Global Assist and travel insurance

All Amex cards have access to Amex’s Global Assist Hotline, but travel insurance benefits are reserved for top cards.

For maximum protection, you’ll need Amex premium cards:

Information for the Hilton Aspire Amex, Amex Corporate Platinum, Amex Centurion and Amex Business Centurion cards has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card information on this page has not been updated or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Which American Express credit card is best for you?

What is the Premium Global Helpline?

Whenever you’re traveling for 90 days or less and 100 miles or more from home, you can reach Amex’s Premium Global Assist Hotline^.

This 24/7 hotline can help you with everything from cultural information and local guidelines to unexpected problems you may encounter during your trip, such as arranging emergency medical transportation, medical prescription replacement, lost luggage assistance and legal assistance.

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For example, TPG student Joseph was able to get great value from the Global Assist Hotline during a trip to New Zealand when both of his children were sick and he needed help finding reputable medical facilities nearby.

While most hotline services are at your own cost, there are certain benefits available to premium card members at no charge. They include emergency medical transport and evacuation – if an Amex doctor or local doctor determines it is medically necessary and justified due to the inadequacy of local facilities – and repatriation of mortal remains.

There are important exclusions, such as pre-existing conditions and refusal of approval by local authorities, so you’ll want to read the full terms and benefits guide (warning: PDF link) for your card. Also, note that the coverage is only for out-of-pocket expenses, not actual medical care.

^Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Card Members are responsible for fees charged by third party service providers.

Related: What does credit card travel risk and emergency evacuation insurance cover?

What does travel insurance cover?

Amex offers two types of travel insurance benefits: trip delay insurance* and trip cancellation and interruption insurance**. They’re pretty self-explanatory, but here’s what you need to know.

With the travel delay insurance offered by the cards listed above, you will be reimbursed for unexpected expenses – such as food, accommodation, and personal expenses – if your trip is delayed for more than six hours due to a covered reason. You’re paid up to $500 per trip as long as you book round-trip flights and pay in full with an eligible card (if you’ve paid taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay With Points tickets, they’re also covered).

Amex defines round-trip tickets as trips that include “round-trip, one-way, or combinations of round-trip or one-way tickets.” So, for example, a trip that brings a covered passenger from New York to Los Angeles and back from San Francisco to New York would qualify.

Some mid-range Amex cards offer travel delay protection, but only for delays of more than 12 hours, with only up to $300 in reimbursement.

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: Your guide to getting Amex travel insurance

On the other hand, trip cancellation and interruption insurance provides reimbursement of covered expenses when you are forced to cancel or curtail the included trip due to a valid reason. If you qualify, you can receive reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses of up to $10,000 per trip, and up to $20,000 per eligible account in each consecutive 12-month period.

Covered reasons for canceled travel include inclement weather, an act of terrorism, a summons to jury duty, sudden illness or injury to you or an eligible traveller, the traveller’s accommodation being made uninhabitable and if the confinement is ordered by a doctor for health reasons. Also, you must book a “round trip”, paid in full using your eligible card, to be covered.

Here is a sample of that not covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

• Existing conditions
• Self-inflicted suicide, attempted suicide or intentional self-harm
• Declared or undeclared war
• Mental or emotional disturbances, unless hospitalized
• Participation of an eligible traveler in a sporting activity for which he receives salary or prize money
• The rightful passenger was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Drunkenness is defined by local laws when such an accident occurs
• The eligible traveler is under the influence of any narcotic or other controlled substance at the time of the accident, unless the narcotic or other controlled substance is taken and used as prescribed by a physician.
• The traveler’s rightful commission or attempt to commit any illegal or criminal act, including but not limited to any crime
• An ideal traveler is parachuting into an airplane
• An eligible traveler participating in or participating in a motor vehicle race or speed competition
• Dental treatment, without accidental physical damage to sound, natural teeth
• Any treatment or surgery that is not an emergency, and any routine physical examination
• Hearing aids, eyeglasses or contact lenses
• It’s a one-way trip with no return point
• A fraudulent scheduled flight or train ticket, or a scheduled flight or train ticket charged to an eligible card issued fraudulently or fraudulently used.
• Any occurrence while the eligible traveler is in custody
• Loss due to the willful acts of the eligible traveler
• Financial insufficiency of the travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier
• Any expenses that are not authorized and not reimbursed by the eligible traveler’s employer when the eligible traveler makes purchases with a business card

Full details of what is and is not covered can be found in Amex’s full guide to this benefit.

**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Bottom line

Little-known benefits like Premium Global Assist Hotline and travel insurance can save you time, money and in some cases — your actual life. Be sure to review your card’s benefits guide carefully for a complete list of terms and conditions.

Apply here: Amex Platinum 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Related: Comparing built-in travel insurance with Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum

For prices and fees for the Amex Platinum Card, click here.