Travel Insurance via CBA Plat AMEX/Visa : is it sufficient?

[SOPOOR]

ok, so im going to travel to asia for about a month in the next couple of months

I thought that part of the benefits of paying the high fee on CBA Plat was the travel insurance?

Ive read through the T/Cs which put me to sleep,

is the travel insurance provided by CBA sufficient for my travel,

does credit card travel insurance usually suffice or have I fallen for the marketing gimmick of credit cards

 

[jcb12]

I've claimed twice this year on it and have found it to be ideal for my needs. You'll have to read through the cover to see if it meets yours though.

 

[keefjake]

Hi, I am very new to this site, and I do wish to offer you the benefits of a close reading of the Travel Insurance Package

associated with Zurich who are the underwriters for the Commonwealth credit card products.

I am sure many card members feel quite naturally that they are covered by the complimentary insurance.

There are quite a few circumstances that definately exclude you from the cover, and I did not know this!!

I have recently written to Zurich to express my dismay and have a courteous letter back from them

which I can use to support my words and undermine my happiness with expensive reward programs.

I have had Gold, Platinum and now Diamond cards and until recently paid top dollar for them ($250)

The insurance is VOID if you make a Qantas booking using frequent flyer points

or if you do not personally travel. Surprised and really disappointed me!

Keef from Perth

 

[straitman]

Hi, I am very new to this site, and I do wish to offer you the benefits of a close reading of the Travel Insurance Package

associated with Zurich who are the underwriters for the Commonwealth credit card products.

I am sure many card members feel quite naturally that they are covered by the complimentary insurance.

There are quite a few circumstances that definately exclude you from the cover, and I did not know this!!

I have recently written to Zurich to express my dismay and have a courteous letter back from them

which I can use to support my words and undermine my happiness with expensive reward programs.

I have had Gold, Platinum and now Diamond cards and until recently paid top dollar for them ($250)

The insurance is VOID if you make a Qantas booking using frequent flyer points

or if you do not personally travel. Surprised and really disappointed me!

Keef from Perth

Hi Keef,

Welcome to AFF.

Unfortunately what you mention is common with CC based TI.

The only card that I am aware of that gives you full cover even when it is not used is the Amex Platinum Charge Card.

 

[ab7]

The insurance is VOID if you make a Qantas booking using frequent flyer points

To be eligible for International Travel Insurance, you have to purchase the return overseas travel ticket (before leaving Australia) with at least $950 or 90% of the fees charged on Gold (or above) credit card or redeemed from Awards points through CommBank Awards Program.

In short, don't convert to Qantas Frequent Flyers, or don't use QFF points for entire purchase.

 

[thehound]

To be eligible for International Travel Insurance, you have to purchase the return overseas travel ticket (before leaving Australia) with at least $950 or 90% of the fees charged on Gold (or above) credit card or redeemed from Awards points through CommBank Awards Program.

In short, don't convert to Qantas Frequent Flyers, or don't use QFF points for entire purchase.

This is not entirely correct. The insurance is activated by spending $950 on any aspect of the trip - not just flights. So you can book your hotel/s for example, and if the cost is > $950 it doesn't matter how you pay for your ticket, FF points or not.

From the PDS:

Cardholders, their spouses and dependent children become eligible for this International Travel Insurance when, before leaving Australia on an overseas journey, they have a return overseas travel ticket, and at least:
(a) A$950 of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and dependent child(ren)’s prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of the return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure taxes; and/or prepaid overseas accommodation/travel; and/or other prepaid overseas itinerary items); or
(b) 90% of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and dependent child(ren)’s return overseas travel ticket(s);
is paid for by one or a combination of the following payment methods:
• charged to the cardholder’s eligible credit card account; or
• paid for by the redemption of the cardholder’s Commonwealth Awards points through the Commonwealth Awards Program, this excludes points redeemed for Frequent Flyer programs;
and, in the case of the spouse and/or dependent child, they are travelling with the cardholder for the entire journey.

 

[SOPOOR]

This is not entirely correct. The insurance is activated by spending $950 on any aspect of the trip - not just flights. So you can book your hotel/s for example, and if the cost is > $950 it doesn't matter how you pay for your ticket, FF points or not.

From the PDS:

Cardholders, their spouses and dependent children become eligible for this International Travel Insurance when, before leaving Australia on an overseas journey, they have a return overseas travel ticket, and at least:
(a) A$950 of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and dependent child(ren)’s prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of the return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure taxes; and/or prepaid overseas accommodation/travel; and/or other prepaid overseas itinerary items); or
(b) 90% of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and dependent child(ren)’s return overseas travel ticket(s);
is paid for by one or a combination of the following payment methods:
• charged to the cardholder’s eligible credit card account; or
• paid for by the redemption of the cardholder’s Commonwealth Awards points through the Commonwealth Awards Program, this excludes points redeemed for Frequent Flyer programs;
and, in the case of the spouse and/or dependent child, they are travelling with the cardholder for the entire journey.

Thats very interesting

Was having this exact conversation with a family member as to what % you had to use by your own credit card

Anyway,do parents count as spouses or part of coverage??????

My elderly parents are going overseas for their once in a lifetime holiday, and suggested that I pay for their flight and tour costs to get coverage,

 

[yo yo ma]

A$950 of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and dependent child(ren)’s prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of the return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure taxes; and/or prepaid overseas accommodation/travel; and/or other prepaid overseas itinerary items)

Great clarification from thehound. For my family (2A, 3C), we will easily spend $4750 ($950 x 5) and will be covered even though I predominantly used points for the flights.

 

[Stephen65]

From the PDS:

Cardholders, their spouses and dependent children become eligible for this International Travel Insurance when, before leaving Australia on an overseas journey, they have a return overseas travel ticket, and at least:
(a) A$950 of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and dependent child(ren)’s prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of the return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure taxes; and/or prepaid overseas accommodation/travel; and/or other prepaid overseas itinerary items);

Does this mean $950 per person must be prepaid for anyone to be covered? So a family of four must prepay $3800?

 

[yo yo ma]

Does this mean $950 per person must be prepaid for anyone to be covered? So a family of four must prepay $3800?

That is the way it reads - I guess they want you to spend something on the card to get the insurance? If you paid for the flights with points and intended to pay for the accommodation on the card but a problem arose on the first leg before you had paid anything, then the insurance is covering you without making a purchase; I gather this is the reason they say "prepaid"?

 

[thehound]

Thats very interesting

Was having this exact conversation with a family member as to what % you had to use by your own credit card

Anyway,do parents count as spouses or part of coverage??????

My elderly parents are going overseas for their once in a lifetime holiday, and suggested that I pay for their flight and tour costs to get coverage,

Won't work unfortunately, since the cardholder has to be on the trip...

 

[ab7]

Does this mean $950 per person must be prepaid for anyone to be covered? So a family of four must prepay $3800?

OR 90% of the fare is paid by Commbank's credit card.

 

[thehound]

Does this mean $950 per person must be prepaid for anyone to be covered? So a family of four must prepay $3800?

I agree with others that on the face of it, it seems that each person must have $950 of prepaid costs on the card. But I wonder if you could turn to the insurer and say that, for example, the swanky Parisian hotel at $1000/night (prepaid of course!) was both the cardholder's costs and their spouse's costs, as they shared the same cost.

I must admit I only read this PDS this weekend in the wake of the Amex Platinum insurance fiasco, and it's not half bad. Only a few months ago I was telling my wife to throw her CBA Diamond card in the bin (which she got for free from an upgrade from the cheapest awards card she's had for a decade) and get herself a real point earning card. Now I'm glad she's hung onto it!!

Our big issue for the honeymoon we're planning is that all the flights have been paid for already by Amex cards, so that mainly leaves hotels. And having just booked hotels today, the broad majority of them have only taken the credit card as a security. So short of asking the hotels to charge us immediately, we wouldn't rack up enough prepaid travel to activate the insurance! Even booked a Europcar hire and it would only let us pay when we pick it up. Does no one want our money NOW!?

 

[greenfrog86]

I agree with others that on the face of it, it seems that each person must have $950 of prepaid costs on the card. But I wonder if you could turn to the insurer and say that, for example, the swanky Parisian hotel at $1000/night (prepaid of course!) was both the cardholder's costs and their spouse's costs, as they shared the same cost.

I must admit I only read this PDS this weekend in the wake of the Amex Platinum insurance fiasco, and it's not half bad. Only a few months ago I was telling my wife to throw her CBA Diamond card in the bin (which she got for free from an upgrade from the cheapest awards card she's had for a decade) and get herself a real point earning card. Now I'm glad she's hung onto it!!

Our big issue for the honeymoon we're planning is that all the flights have been paid for already by Amex cards, so that mainly leaves hotels. And having just booked hotels today, the broad majority of them have only taken the credit card as a security. So short of asking the hotels to charge us immediately, we wouldn't rack up enough prepaid travel to activate the insurance! Even booked a Europcar hire and it would only let us pay when we pick it up. Does no one want our money NOW!?

The big advantage of prepaying is that often when you use a website with an Australian link and you prepay you get to pay in AUD and avoid the currency conversion fees! Saves a bundle when you're going to be away for a while...

Another good prepay option is where you get a discount for booking early - these are difficult to change however should your travel plans need to be amended.

I'd much prefer it if Amex had taken a minimum spend approach for activating their Travel Insurance, rather than a policy with poorly worded definitions of 'full cost of the trip'.

 

[SOPOOR]

im off overseas in a couple of months, and am just booking the flights,

can anyone interpret this for me

"Cardholders, their spouses and dependent children
become eligible for this International Travel Insurance
when, before leaving Australia on an overseas journey,
they have a return overseas travel ticket, and at least:
(a) A$950 of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and
dependent child(ren)’s prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of
the return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure
taxes; and/or prepaid overseas accommodation/travel;
and/or other prepaid overseas itinerary items); or
(b) 90% of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and
dependent child(ren)’s return overseas travel ticket(s);
is paid for by one or a combination of the following payment
methods:
•? charged?to?the?cardholder’s eligible credit card
account; or
•? paid?for?by?the?redemption?of?the?cardholder’s
Commonwealth Awards points through the Commonwealth
Awards Program, this excludes points redeemed for
Frequent Flyer programs;"

Im travelling alone, so dont need any spousal benefits,
I get that I have to spend $950 or more, my flights so far have been $700, but I probably will book $250 worth of hotels, which according to the terms I must book PRIOR to leaving,

does it matter if I put some on amex and some on MC?

and I dont get the redemption bits, I assume thta if you are paying by QFF points, then you are not covered, but it also refers to Commonwealth awards points, but how do you determine $950 worht of award points???

just a bit confused!

 

[Erro]

(a) A$950 of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and
dependent child(ren)’s prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of
the return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure
taxes; and/or prepaid overseas accommodation/travel;
and/or other prepaid overseas itinerary items); or
(b) 90% of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and
dependent child(ren)’s return overseas travel ticket(s);
is paid for by one or a combination of the following payment
methods:
•? charged?to?the?cardholder’s eligible credit card
account; or
•? paid?for?by?the?redemption?of?the?cardholder’s
Commonwealth Awards points through the Commonwealth
Awards Program, this excludes points redeemed for
Frequent Flyer programs;"

Im travelling alone, so dont need any spousal benefits,
I get that I have to spend $950 or more, my flights so far have been $700, but I probably will book $250 worth of hotels, which according to the terms I must book PRIOR to leaving,

just a bit confused!

If you have paid >90% of your flights with an eligible credit card you do not need to spend $950 before leaving the country

 

[greenfrog86]

im off overseas in a couple of months, and am just booking the flights,

can anyone interpret this for me

"Cardholders, their spouses and dependent children
become eligible for this International Travel Insurance
when, before leaving Australia on an overseas journey,
they have a return overseas travel ticket, and at least:
(a) A$950 of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and
dependent child(ren)’s prepaid travel costs (i.e. costs of
the return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure
taxes; and/or prepaid overseas accommodation/travel;
and/or other prepaid overseas itinerary items); or
(b) 90% of each of the cardholder’s, spouse’s and
dependent child(ren)’s return overseas travel ticket(s);
is paid for by one or a combination of the following payment
methods:
•? charged?to?the?cardholder’s eligible credit card
account; or
•? paid?for?by?the?redemption?of?the?cardholder’s
Commonwealth Awards points through the Commonwealth
Awards Program, this excludes points redeemed for
Frequent Flyer programs;"

Im travelling alone, so dont need any spousal benefits,
I get that I have to spend $950 or more, my flights so far have been $700, but I probably will book $250 worth of hotels, which according to the terms I must book PRIOR to leaving,

does it matter if I put some on amex and some on MC?

and I dont get the redemption bits, I assume thta if you are paying by QFF points, then you are not covered, but it also refers to Commonwealth awards points, but how do you determine $950 worht of award points???

just a bit confused!

'Eligible credit card account' means your 'account' not a specific card - as you would have noticed, you only get ONE statement for your ONE account however you have the flexibility of TWO cards that both charge against your account...

 

[collegekid1984]

Howdy.

First time poster here.

The travel insurance offered with Platinum is quite good value. Especially as it is one of the few that will cover your travel against insolvency of the operator. However, you should note that there is a variation to the travel insurance policy that has changed some of the benefits (i.e. increasing the amount required to be spent on the card to be eligible for complimentary travel insurance, etc.).

Cheers.

 

[Stephen65]

Yes I just noticed that there is a new version of the policy for the period from 1 July:

http://www.commbank.com.au/personal/apply-online/download-printed-forms/ADB631.pdf

As I read it the relevant clause setting out the qualifications for cover (see page 25 of the above) now provides:

- you must spend A$1000 per person for cover on prepaid overseas expenses (so a family of four must spend A$4000)

- there is now no option to be covered if you spend 90% of the ticket cost per person, this could impact inexpensive trips overseas with you now not being covered even if you buy the tickets on the card

As before it remains the case that you are not covered if you exchange CBA rewards points for FF points and then travel using those points.

 

[ethernet]

Yes, I picked this up too. But I wonder about the truthfulness of Complimentary Insurance, because now it is attached to an amount, it is no longer complimentary = false and misleading, or an abuse of market strength. Do other countries echo these terms?