Amex platinum insurance for middle of trip

[Grrr]

So I booked Syd-KL return flights and then KL-Europe flights on a different airline/ticket.

Looking back through my records (flights booked ages ago), it appears I used my wife's new-at-the-time Amex to book the Syd-KL return flights in order to hit a sign up bonus, and my Amex for the KL-Europe return flights.

So I was wondering if anyone else has done something similar before and could perhaps shed some light on the coverage T&Cs which I find a bit vague:

1. If something was to happen in Europe, would Amex still cover it given that the ex-Aus flights (a specific condition of coverage being that the trip must originate in Aus) are only Aus-Malaysia ?

2. Even if I had booked a straightforward Aus->Europe return ticket, if everything else was booked on another card (due to the 3% Amex forex fee), would they still cover cancellations etc ? Eg if someone broke a leg falling down somewhere, so we had to cancel the following week's activities, all of which were not paid for by Amex, would they cover this ?

Thanks for any advice

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So I booked Syd-KL return flights and then KL-Europe flights on a different airline/ticket.

Looking back through my records (flights booked ages ago), it appears I used my wife's new-at-the-time Amex to book the Syd-KL return flights in order to hit a sign up bonus, and my Amex for the KL-Europe return flights.

So I was wondering if anyone else has done something similar before and could perhaps shed some light on the coverage T&Cs which I find a bit vague:

1. If something was to happen in Europe, would Amex still cover it given that the ex-Aus flights (a specific condition of coverage being that the trip must originate in Aus) are only Aus-Malaysia ?

2. Even if I had booked a straightforward Aus->Europe return ticket, if everything else was booked on another card (due to the 3% Amex forex fee), would they still cover cancellations etc ? Eg if someone broke a leg falling down somewhere, so we had to cancel the following week's activities, all of which were not paid for by Amex, would they cover this ?

Thanks for any advice

You might need to call.

Eligibility for cover states you must purchase the full amount for the outbound leg of your return trip on your card.

You could argue this means solely the AU-Malaysia portion of your journey. People’s plans change. You could have purchased a ticket all the way to Europe and still decided, last minute, to go somewhere else, like the USA or Africa. That would be covered.

I don’t think you’d get cover for cancellation etc on the ex-Malaysia tickets if you decided to cancel. Those aren’t outbound from Australia. But I think the trip as a whole meets the eligibility criteria.

Still you would would be better off getting advice from AMEX to confirm.

 

[sydunipete]

I often travel to Asia and then some time later (hours, days or weeks) proceed to other destinations such as Europe. Multi-port trips are very common.

After many years I had my first reason to claim on travel insurance and Amex were fabulous. Easy to deal with and prompt enough. My circumstances were similar to your itinerary description.

 

[Gladstone Tim]

Rather than call I would email so you end up with their response in writing. Easier than asking for a copy of the call recording if a dispute arises.

 

[Grrr]

My circumstances were similar to your itinerary description.

Thanks; so did you book the Europe stuff on a different card ? Was Amex/Chubb ok to cover that portion regardless ?

 

[Grrr]

Rather than call I would email so you end up with their response in writing

Yeah I started with the online chat who basically parroted the website, and referred me to the call centre or email.

I also wanted a response in writing, so I emailed; the response wasn't very specific (despite my questions being quite specific !)

However they did say:

Please be advised that in order to have coverage under the American Express Personal Platinum Charge card, you must meet the following criteria;



1. You are a Card Member or an Additional Card Member or their:

a) Spouse; or

b) Dependent child 25 years of age or younger

2. You are a Resident of Australia.

3. You are going on an International Return Trip, and You pay the full amount of Your outbound ticket for a Scheduled Flight or Scheduled Cruise leaving Australia only on Your:

i. American Express Card Account;

ii. corresponding American Express Membership Rewards points or any frequent flyer points (under your name); and/or

iii. AMEX Travel Benefit.

4. You hold an eligible American Express Card Account which is current at the time of the incident (meaning it is not cancelled or suspended).

5. You are 79 years of age or younger when You make Your Qualifying Travel Purchase.

6. Your trip must not exceed 180 consecutive days.



Once you meet these criteria, the insurance is automatically available to you. Therefore, you do not provide us with anything unless you lodge your claim. Additionally, there is no registration or application required.

To my reading, it appears that my scenario would be covered, including all events/expenses incurred from when I leave Sydney on the Amex-purchased ticket to KL.

I don't see the point of calling up as I'm not sure I could use what some call centre person says (even if recorded by myself) to actually fight a rejected claim down the track...

The whole thought process came about because I wondered if I should purchase separate insurance, but I feel reasonably reassured by the Amex response and @sydunipete's experience

 

[sydunipete]

Thanks; so did you book the Europe stuff on a different card ? Was Amex/Chubb ok to cover that portion regardless ?

Yes and Yes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah I started with the online chat who basically parroted the website, and referred me to the call centre or email.

I also wanted a response in writing, so I emailed; the response wasn't very specific (despite my questions being quite specific !)

However they did say:



To my reading, it appears that my scenario would be covered, including all events/expenses incurred from when I leave Sydney on the Amex-purchased ticket to KL.

I don't see the point of calling up as I'm not sure I could use what some call centre person says (even if recorded by myself) to actually fight a rejected claim down the track...

The whole thought process came about because I wondered if I should purchase separate insurance, but I feel reasonably reassured by the Amex response and @sydunipete's experience

I agree with you. It simply says the outbound from Australia.