Travel Insurance with QFF points reinstatement

[bjay51]

Joined today. Have searched the forum looking for threads/posts offering info on Travel Insurance (TI) policies that will offer reinstatement of QFF points if an insurable event occurs. Either I did not search properly or there is nothing, which is surprising.

I am aware that the QBE Qantas policy offers points reinstatement (e.g. for delay/cancellation) but it is expensive, even if the cover is good. Is anyone aware of other good TI policies that offer the same points reinstatement cover?

I am going to book a 2011 46 day trip today to Europe and back for two (256000 pts) and the Qantas QBE policy costs $732 . Is anyone able to suggest something better?

I look forward to any assistance.

 

[HardieBoys]

It may be cheaper for you to buy a year-long insurance policy than the one you've quoted.

Also note that QBE offer considerable shareholder discounts on their travel policies. You have to ring up and ask about them, because they don't necessarily advertise this.

 

[bjay51]

Hardieboys,
Thanks. You are right. $645 vs $732 and I will be covered for other travel, as I plan a trip to Bali in September 2011.
One question. Would I need to start the Annual policy today because I am booking today, or date it to start from the commencement of the trip to Europe (July 5, 2011) or some time between? At this point we don't plan any other travel between now and July, 2011.

 

[markis10]

You usually start the insurance from the day you are starting the trip. As for points reinstatement, I am not sure if they give you the points or the value? I have claimed on QBE for the loss of points owing to SARs and the cancellation of an event/flights, I got back the business class airfare back rather than the points used for the J booking.

 

[serfty]

Many Oz travel insurance companies provided a pro-rata $ rebate on any lost points.

e.g. Travel Insurance Direct (Annual policy up to $354) has the following: (http://www.travelinsurancedirect.com.au/wording/TIDAUS_PRIMARY_PDS_0408.pdf#page=3)

Frequent Flyer Points

Cover extends to pay the equivalent if you lose frequent flyer or equivalent points which you used to purchase your travel.

 

[bjay51]

Thanks Serfty,
That's interesting. I have used TID before for non-FF travel so didn't see that bit about FF points. Are you, or anyone else, aware of other companies who include some sort of cover for QFF travel that is interrupted?

I had a look at the TID Annual cover but our trip next year is 47 days and the max. term of cover for a leisure trip is 38 days so can't use that. The cost of two single trip policies for Europe and then Bali is almost the cost of Qantas QBE Annual Cover so I may still stick with that, unless someone else comes up with something better. Perhaps I should become a QBE shareholder for a better discount (as suggested earlier)