Amex Platinum Charge Card Travel Insurance

[mini2]

So I've got a partial refund - accommodation minus the excess.

Now they've asked me why did I priced my Velocity points at $0.01 for each points. Then I've found this beauty:
https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Redeem/points-booster/

Instead of $232, I am now asking $635

 

[mini2]

For those who's interested, they did accept Virgin's points booster value so I'm getting paid $636.20 for 23,200 points. All done and dusted now with minimal fuss other than chasing HSW and VA for those letters.

 

[cssaus]

I've been relying on the Travel Insurance that comes with the Platinum Charge Card to cover myself and my wife and Thought I'd check out the T&C's of the policy effective January 1, 2017

Like many senior Australians my wife (aged 63) takes medication for high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure. Reviewing the list of "Pre-existing Medical Conditions" that are acceptable it says and I quote "High Cholesterol - If You have no known heart conditions." That's fine so the fact that my wife takes Cholesterol lowering medication is acceptable and covered however, it appears that if she's also taking medication for the lowering of her blood pressure that is considered an unacceptable Pre-existing medical condition and precludes her from the medical emergency expense cover.

For peace of mind I'm now looking at a travel insurance policy for her that just covers medical emergencies and for all the other types of insurance cover will rely on the AMEX Platinum Charge Insurance policy.

I now notice that the Insurance provider is Chubb.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Give Chubb a ring & run it passed them for clarification...no harm done.

 

[cssaus]

Give Chubb a ring & run it passed them for clarification...no harm done.

Actually I took a look at Chubb's own PDS and it does say that high cholesterol & high blood pressure are acceptable pre-existing medical conditions providing you have no known heart conditions but reading the AMEX PDS it mentions that high cholesterol as an acceptable pre-existing medical condition but makes no mention of high blood pressure which makes me think it's not an acceptable pre-existing condition.

I will ring and check but I would also like to get something in written form as well.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Chubb should be able to provide that for you, since they are providing the insurance not Amex? I would be interested to hear what they say .

 

[andye]

Just reading this thread. I suspect I have a similar policy toPrincess Fiona via union. However, that only covers family when on same trip (or joining me for a trip). I was pleased to see that the Charge policy covers family when travelling without me (provided paid with the card).

 

[M@rcoPolo]

Any difference from the old Ace policy besides the change of insurer?!

 

[Mr_Orange]

Any difference from the old Ace policy besides the change of insurer?!

I would be interested to understand this too. Any recent feeback from members?

 

[cssaus]

Chubb should be able to provide that for you, since they are providing the insurance not Amex? I would be interested to hear what they say .

I got a response back from AMEX/Chubb saying that with the complimentary travel insurance that is provided with the AMEX Platinum cards, High Blood Pressure is not a pre-existing medical condition that is covered but with Chubb's own travel insurance it is providing there are no known hear issues.

Not really a satisfactory response!

 

[mini2]

At least you've got a solid response from them. My experience with ACE and Chubb so far it's vague as hell, just submit the claim and try your luck is all I've ever gotten from them.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Thanks cssaus, I don't like it .. but can understand it ... one is free with the card & the other you pay for with the Chubb company, looks like some phone calls for me.

 

[M@rcoPolo]

Thanks cssaus, I don't like it .. but can understand it ... one is free with the card & the other you pay for with the Chubb company, looks like some phone calls for me.

My experience with ACE in the past has been nothing short of TERRIBLE - absurd replies and continuously making up their own "definitions" to reject claims. I know the insurance is "free" with the card but the card costs $1200/yr and the insurance is "sold" as a major benefit. Honestly it's my main issue with AMEX, I love the cards and benefits but to cut corners with something as crucial as insurance for a premium product is simply inexcusable IMHO!

 

[albyd]

know the insurance is "free" with the card but the card costs $1200/yr and the insurance is "sold" as a major benefit.

They've added the refund protection which I recently found valuable when my wife bought expensive art for our home that just didn't go and the vendor wouldn't take back.
Lots of downgrades on the Platinum charge like:
* no cover for pre-existing conditions (used to be able to pay $50 extra to get cover);
* no cover for supplementary card holders if they're not traveling with you;
* car rental coverage only activated if you're out of town (I needed a rental recently while my car was at the panel beaters) - glad I called them first before opting not to take car rental company's excess waiver. I was only about 10km from home.
* purchase protection no longer includes 'lost' items.
I like the product also but need to think hard when buying big ticket items which card to put them on now. Used to be a no brainer after considering any points maximizing opportunity.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

I agree....that things have changed over the last 20 years...for the card holders.

 

[andye]

* car rental coverage only activated if you're out of town (I needed a rental recently while my car was at the panel beaters) - glad I called them first before opting not to take car rental company's excess waiver. I was only about 10km from home.
.

That's disappointing. I just did the same and assumed I'd be covered

 

[Deleted member]

I have just been speaking with someone from Amex about the Platinum "Business:" card (I was sent a promotional gift to encourage me to chat).
there is a $1,500.00 annual fee, but the card sign on bonus is 150,000 rewards points . there are some other "perks" but the main thing for me is the travel insurance. I mentioned how a few years back I cancelled my (personal) Platinum card due to the "enhancements" to the travel insurance, she advises me that the difference is "Chalk & Cheese" , suggesting the Business card travel insurance is 10 times better. has anyone here any experience of or information on the Plat' business card, and opinion about the travel insurance?

 

[M@rcoPolo]

I have just been speaking with someone from Amex about the Platinum "Business:" card (I was sent a promotional gift to encourage me to chat).
there is a $1,500.00 annual fee, but the card sign on bonus is 150,000 rewards points . there are some other "perks" but the main thing for me is the travel insurance. I mentioned how a few years back I cancelled my (personal) Platinum card due to the "enhancements" to the travel insurance, she advises me that the difference is "Chalk & Cheese" , suggesting the Business card travel insurance is 10 times better. has anyone here any experience of or information on the Plat' business card, and opinion about the travel insurance?

Realistically the best way to find out is to download the 2 T&Cs and compare them...

 

[andye]

On my last trip, my luggage was delayed by 36h. Impressed that Chubb dealt with the claim in under 48 hours. (This was on my union's corporate policy but the cover and claim form seem very comparable to Amex Plat). It was a shame the clothing options in the island resort store were so limited