travel guard reasons to cancel

Everything you need to know about cancel for any reason trip protection

In January 2020, my husband and I decided to splurge and book a suite aboard a Celebrity Cruises springtime voyage on the line's Apex ship . The cruise fare wasn't insignificant, so we bought travel insurance — as we usually do for any big trip. We printed out policies from five different companies and carefully reviewed the differences.

We thought about all the things that could go wrong that might stop us from going on this cruise — the death of an elderly relative, a work conflict or a broken leg. At the time, "pandemic" did not make our shortlist. We ultimately purchased a trip insurance package without the pricey "cancel for any reason" add-on (sometimes called CFAR). We thought we'd be just fine.

Of course, the sudden emergence of COVID-19 changed things and, boy, do we wish we'd sprung for the additional CFAR protection.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs — including cancel-for-any reason coverage.

More destinations are reopened to American travelers, and people are booking trips once again. But the coronavirus pandemic isn't over, and there is still some uncertainty about what the rest of this year and 2022 holds. Cancel-for-any-reason trip protection can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in a time when flexibility is paramount when booking travel.

If you're not sure what cancel-for-any-reason travel protection is and when you should purchase it, here's everything you need to know.

Visit TPG's coronavirus hub for the latest news and advice.

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What you need to know about travel insurance

Cancel for any reason, also known as CFAR, is a time-sensitive, optional benefit that can be added to some comprehensive travel insurance policies for qualifying travelers. Before we delve into the details, it's useful to understand trip insurance in general. Here are some resources that explain everything you need to know about travel insurance and its benefits, from trip cancellation and interruption coverage to emergency medical to baggage delay. And, we've included some resources that specifically talk about coronavirus as it relates to insurance policies:

• The best travel insurance policies and providers
• When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections
• Will independent travel insurance cover coronavirus? Here's what you should know
• Best credit cards with travel insurance
• What you should know about the trip cancellation and interruption protection offered by select credit cards
• Be careful: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance

What is cancel-for-any-reason protection?

While travel insurance policies can offer a range of inclusions (think: medical evacuation, trip cancellation due to foreign or domestic terrorism or damage to your rental car), not every eventuality is included in all insurance policies. For example, some trip insurance plans may offer coverage in the event of employment layoffs, while others do not. Some policies may have robust emergency medical coverage, while competitors don't. That's why it's so important for you to select a plan that meets your specific needs for each trip.

A commonality among insurance policies is their long list of exclusions. For example, my homeowners' insurance clearly states I'm not covered for damage caused by an alien invasion. Yes. Seriously.

When it comes to travel insurance, it's common to see these sorts of incidents excluded from coverage: normal pregnancy, the illness of a pet, suicide (yours or a traveling companion) or any self-inflicted injury, psychological disorders, mountain climbing, bungee-jumping, skydiving, declared (or undeclared) war as well as epidemics and pandemics.

So, under normal circumstances, a travel insurance policy would likely not cover a trip you cancel because you're worried about contracting coronavirus .

That's where a cancel-for-any-reason policy comes into play. This is a time-sensitive add-on you can purchase from some providers when buying specific comprehensive travel insurance plans — as long as you meet certain eligibility requirements. By paying extra for this coverage, you can cancel for any reason under the sun as long as you follow the policies' purchase and cancel stipulations.

When am I eligible to add CFAR protection?

In general, you're only eligible to add CFAR protection to a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of purchase — you typically can't purchase the policy and then decide (at a later date) to commit to the CFAR add on. In addition, you'll need to commit to the policy and CFAR protection fairly soon after making your initial trip payment. According to InsureMyTrip.com , typically "a policy must be purchased within 10-21 days of making the initial trip payment to be eligible for CFAR benefits."

Many providers will also require you to insure the entire value of your trip, and additional requirements may apply. As always, it's critical to read through all of the terms before committing to purchasing any travel insurance policy — including CFAR coverage.

How much does cancel-for-any-reason coverage cost?

CFAR coverage is sounding pretty good as a way to hedge bets against the continued uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic. But, how much are you going to have to dig into your wallet to pay for it? The fee for this add-on is typically calculated as a percentage of the price of the standard insurance policy you select.

Standard comprehensive plans can cost about 4-10% of the total cost of the insured trip, and CFAR can be an additional 40-60% on top of the standard plan (not the cost of the trip).

Consider the following illustrative example for a $5,000 trip with two 50-year-old travelers to Aruba:

• A standard, comprehensive plan might cost around $250 — which is 5% of the total trip cost.
• A comprehensive plan with the CFAR upgrade included might cost around $375 — which is the price of the standard plan ($250) plus an additional 50% ($125).

However, please note that all plan costs can differ based on individual quote details.

Will you get all your money back if you purchase CFAR coverage?

No. Generally speaking, CFAR can reimburse up to 75% of your total insured, prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. In addition, CFAR typically requires you to cancel your trip no less than two days prior to departure to be eligible for reimbursement.

Check the insurance policy terms carefully to find out how much your refund would be if you invoked the CFAR terms and canceled your insured trip — and be sure to know the deadline for doing so.

Should you buy CFAR coverage?

Whether to travel and what level of insurance to purchase — or not — is always a personal decision. But, TPG has consistently received a lot of reader questions over the past year about what they should do if they have a trip booked or were about to book a trip and now don't know what to do because of the uncertainty of the coronavirus.

"One of the top questions travelers ask is about when to splurge for the CFAR upgrade," says Meghan Walch, a travel insurance expert for InsureMyTrip . "It's important to note that a standard comprehensive policy does not cover fear of travel. That's why we strongly recommend all travelers consider CFAR, if eligible. There is so much uncertainty with the pandemic, travelers are leaning towards maximum flexibility to cancel their trip to receive a percentage of their trip cost back."

If your total trip cost is low, you may decide to forego insurance — or the additional CFAR coverage — and self-insure (i.e., eat the nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel). But, if your vacation is expensive, the additional fee for CFAR may feel like a bargain instead of potentially losing thousands of dollars if you have to cancel nonrefundable reservations.

A few more words of advice

Coronavirus is adding a layer of complexity to decisions travelers must make about going on planned trips and booking future vacations. Here are a few specific scenarios to consider:

What to do if you're about to book a trip but are hesitant because of coronavirus

If you're afraid to commit a large amount of money to a future trip, purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy and adding the cancel-for-any-reason coverage option might be the best bet.

"Cancel-for-any-reason is the only way to protect the majority of your trip cost if you would like the flexibility to cancel your trip due to fear of the coronavirus pandemic and variants that are currently spiking," says Walch.

This could also be a great option for immunocompromised travelers. Even a doctor attesting to your inability to travel may not be enough to qualify for reimbursement under a standard, comprehensive plan — but CFAR coverage could help recoup some of your forfeited costs.

If you're shopping for CFAR, you can use a site like InsureMyTrip.com , and then check the applicable box under the search results:

Doing so will only return policy results that include that type of coverage.

What to do if you booked a trip and have insurance — but your policy doesn't include CFAR clause

If you purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan for an upcoming trip but didn't add CFAR coverage, just be aware that your options for coronavirus-related cancellations are more limited. While CFAR is the only cancellation option to cover fear of travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, some comprehensive policies still offer coverage for other COVID-19-related concerns. This may include:

• Coverage for common concerns like cancellation due to diagnosed illness before traveling
• Emergency medical care from a doctor or hospital if you become ill while traveling
• Accommodation coverage if quarantined at your destination

Always be sure to review your policy carefully to understand the exclusions — but note that, without CFAR coverage, canceling a trip simply because you're afraid of contracting COVID-19 will likely not result in a successful claim under standard, comprehensive travel insurance plans.

What to do if you booked a trip and have no travel insurance

First, look at when you actually booked the trip. If it was within the last three weeks, you may still be eligible for a comprehensive travel insurance plan with the cancel-for-any-reason add-on. And if not, there may still be more limited policies that provide some coronavirus-related protection — including emergency medical evacuation.

In short, it's critical to begin investigating your travel insurance options as soon as you book (and make an initial payment on) a trip, as this will maximize the number of applicable plans. This is particularly important when it comes to time-sensitive benefits — like CFAR protection.

To explore these options, you can enter your trip details to compare available plans on a site like InsureMyTrip.com .

Bottom line

Having the peace of mind of travel insurance is more important than ever as countries reopen to vaccinated U.S. citizens and people start booking trips once again. With the delta variant now the dominant strain in the U.S., there is still uncertainty ahead for travelers hoping to take trips this year and into next.

In the past, you may have shrugged at the idea of trip insurance, especially the more expensive policies that offer a CFAR add-on. If you don't want the coronavirus pandemic to derail your travel plans but want to be covered if an expensive trip must be postponed or canceled, CFAR may be a great option to consider.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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American Express® Trip Cancel Guard™

Book with optimism., cancel with confidence..

With Trip Cancel Guard, you can cancel your flight for any reason up to 2 full calendar days before departure and receive up to 75% reimbursement when an airline credit or voucher is not available or expires. Available exclusively with flights booked on AmexTravel.com.

Please review the FAQs below to learn more.

Purchase and Use Trip Cancel Guard in 3 easy steps ✝ :

1. Purchase Your Trip and Trip Cancel Guard 

Purchase Trip Cancel Guard when booking an eligible flight itinerary through AmexTravel.com

2.  If You Cancel Your Trip

Contact your airline or American Express Travel® to cancel your flight for any reason at least two calendar days before your departure date

3. Make A Request for Reimbursement 

Once your trip is cancelled, submit a request online through the Digital Claims Center* or by phone and you may receive up to 75% reimbursement of nonrefundable flight costs

✝ Illustration only

Watch To Learn More

Terms apply. click here for terms and conditions..

QUICK FACTS:

Available for purchase with all US American Express® Cards

 Cancel for any reason you choose at least 2 days before departure

Up to 75% reimbursement with a convenient digital process*

*Currently available for American Express Card Members only

American Express® Trip Cancel Guard™

The flexibility to change your mind.

There are some things you just can't plan for. Luckily, there's Trip Cancel Guard.

HOW IT WORKS:

Add Trip Cancel Guard and get up to 75% reimbursement if you cancel your eligible flight at least two full calendar days before. Available exclusively through AmexTravel.com at the time of booking. 

Trip Cancel Guard is in effect until you cancel your benefit, submit a request for reimbursement on a canceled flight, or you reach your benefit end date. This benefit applies only before your trip starts and does not offer coverage during your trip or return flight.   If you want to update or change your trip, you must call the Benefit Administrator to determine if the benefit can be applied to your updated itinerary.   If you get a travel credit or airline voucher for your cancelled trip, Trip Cancel Guard can provide reimbursement once the credit or voucher has expired or is forfeited by its own terms and conditions. 

Trip Cancel Guard is not insurance and may be purchased in addition to any other travel insurance.

Click here for Terms & Conditions 

Ready to book your travel?

Purchase Trip Cancel Guard when booking an eligible flight itinerary through AmexTravel.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Trip Cancel Guard?

Trip Cancel Guard is an optional add-on benefit available for certain travel itineraries booked through American Express TRS that allows You to receive reimbursement when You cancel Your trip for any reason at least two (2) full calendar days before Your Departure Date and before the Benefit End Date, as defined by the benefit terms & conditions. You may receive reimbursement of up to the amount stated on Your Schedule of Benefits, which is up to 75% of Your Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses. This benefit is a cancellation fee waiver and is not an insurance product .

When do I need to cancel my trip Itinerary by to be eligible for Trip Cancel Guard reimbursement?

You must cancel Your trip with American Express TRS or Your airline carrier prior to the restricted period, which includes the 2 full calendar days before Your original scheduled Departure Date. The Benefit End Date is the date by which You need to cancel before 11:59 PM in order to be eligible for benefits and is listed on Your Schedule of Benefits. Below are illustrative examples of eligible and non-eligible trip cancellation:

• This cancellation meets eligibility requirements
• This cancellation does not meet eligibility requirements. July 13th is one of the 2 full calendar days prior to the trip Departure Date

Can I purchase Trip Cancel Guard in addition to Travel Insurance?

Yes! You may purchase Trip Cancel Guard in addition to any other travel insurance. Trip Cancel Guard will provide reimbursement if You decide to cancel Your trip for any reason at least two (2) full calendar days before Your Departure Date and before the Benefit End Date, as defined by the benefit terms & conditions. Please review Your travel insurance policy details for the specific reasons that trip cancellation insurance coverage is different from Trip Cancel Guard and whether You are eligible for benefits under one or both. 

Will I receive reimbursement from Trip Cancel Guard if I receive a travel credit or voucher for my cancelled trip?

If You have purchased Trip Cancel Guard and receive a travel credit or airline voucher for Your cancelled itinerary, Your eligibility for reimbursement from Trip Cancel Guard may be delayed until the credit or voucher expires or is forfeited by its own terms and conditions. If the credit or voucher expires or is forfeited, You may reopen Your request for benefit.

If You are charged and pay an additional penalty fee due to cancellation to receive or use a travel credit or voucher provided for Your cancelled itinerary, You may make a request to receive reimbursement for those penalty fees charged and paid due to cancellation, regardless of credit or voucher status or when fee is charged.

Cancellation fees charged by airlines may go by different names, but only fees that were charged and paid directly as a result of trip cancellation will be eligible for reimbursement.  

Am I eligible to receive this benefit for itineraries purchased with frequent flyer points or other travel credits?

This benefit is available for itineraries paid with American Express Membership Rewards® points only when used through the Pay with Points Program. This benefit is not available, however, for travel purchased with travel award credits such as loyalty points, vouchers, credits, coupons or similar programs offered by travel suppliers including airlines or American Express Travel & Lifestyle Services. Additionally, this benefit is not available for travel purchased with travel supplier credits obtained by exchanging American Express Membership Rewards points for those travel supplier credits.

Can I add Trip Cancel Guard to an existing itinerary?

No, this benefit may only be purchased at the time of booking the itinerary and cannot be added after the booking is completed.

If I experience a website error, can I call in to purchase Trip Cancel Guard?

If You are experiencing a website error, please check back later as the Trip Cancel Guard is not available for purchase offline.

What if I change my original flight itinerary after the purchase date?

If You change Your original flight itinerary, it is Your responsibility to call the Benefit Administrator  as soon as possible to determine if Your enrollment in this benefit can be reissued. Please note, Trip Cancel Guard only applies to the one original Eligible Trip Itinerary unless the Benefit Administrator is able to reissue the benefit for an updated itinerary. In some cases, the Benefit Administrator may be able to reissue Your benefit for Your updated itinerary. If the Benefit Administrator is not able to reissue Your benefit OR You do not contact the Benefit Administrator, reimbursement may only be provided based on the original amount as stated in Your original Schedule of Benefits. Please see below for illustrative, non-exhaustive examples of itinerary changes:

Benefit Administrators may be able to amend Your benefit for flight-related changes, like: ·     Upgrade seat or fare class ·     Change in trip Departure Date ·     Change in trip length ·     Adding additional travelers (Eligible Beneficiaries) ·     Added WiFi, seat selection, or specialty meal

Trip Cancel Guard only applies to flight-related purchases. Therefore, Benefit Administrators cannot amend Your benefit  to include newly added itinerary components or costs, like:

·     Add on hotel to itinerary ·     Add on car rental to itinerary ·     Add on cruise to itinerary ·     Add on tour package or excursion to itinerary ·     Add on train to itinerary

Is Trip Cancel Guard available for purchase in all states?

Yes, Trip Cancel Guard is available for purchase in all fifty (50) US States and US territories. American Express reserves the right to limit purchase of Trip Cancel Guard at any time.  

Is Trip Cancel Guard available for all itineraries?

No, Trip Cancel Guard is not available for all itineraries. Currently, Trip Cancel Guard is only available for stand-alone airfare purchases made on AmexTravel.com and does not include packaged travel purchases such as flight + hotel, cruise and/or car rentals. Other factors such as the total trip cost may impact the availability of the benefit for Your itinerary. American Express also reserves the right to limit purchase of Trip Cancel Guard at any time.

When does the Trip Cancel Guard benefit end?

The Trip Cancel Guard benefit is in effect unless You cancel Your benefit, or until You or Eligible Beneficiary(ies) submit a request for reimbursement on a cancelled flight, or You reach Your Benefit End Date. The Trip Cancel Guard benefit does not apply during travel or to travel interruptions or return flights. 

How is the price of Trip Cancel Guard calculated?

The fee for Trip Cancel Guard is a percentage of the total flight cost, inclusive of taxes and fees.

Learn more about other American Express Travel Protections and Benefits.

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Terms and Conditions

American Express® Trip Cancel Guard TM

Cancellation Fee Waiver

Terms & Conditions

Revised May 2022

The American Express Trip Cancel Guard is an optional benefit enabling Eligible Beneficiaries to receive partial reimbursement for Eligible Trip Itineraries purchased through American Express TRS that are cancelled for any reason at least 2 full calendar days before the Departure Date and before the Benefit End Date . This benefit is a cancellation fee waiver and is not an insurance product. Trip Cancel Guard is only available for purchase through American Express TRS at the time of the Eligible Trip Itinerary booking. With this benefit, the Eligible Beneficiaries may receive reimbursement for up to 75% of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses listed on the Eligible Trip Itinerary purchased through American Express TRS  as stated on Your Schedule of Benefits . Reimbursement is subject to requirements and restrictions.

Trip Cancellation and Reimbursement Process

Eligible Trip Itinerary Cancellation 1. You may cancel all or part of Your Eligible Trip Itinerary and may receive reimbursement for up to the amount stated on Your Schedule of Benefits , subject to the notice and timing requirements of this benefit. You may also cancel itineraries for each Eligible Beneficiary listed on the Eligible Trip Itinerary . 2. In order to be eligible for this benefit, You must cancel your Eligible Trip Itinerary with TLS or the airline carrier before your Benefit End Date . • If You cancel Your trip after Your Benefit End Date during the two (2) full day restricted period before Your Departure Date, You will no longer be eligible to make a Request for Reimbursement. If You are no longer eligible to make a Request for Reimbursement , any trip cancellation penalties or lost Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses are not eligible for reimbursement under American Express Trip Cancel Guard. Eligible Trip Itinerary Request for Reimbursement 1. You may complete a Request for Reimbursement at www.americanexpress.com/protectionbenefits or by calling the Benefit Administrator at 1-800-228-6855. The Benefit Administrator must be notified no more than thirty (30) days after trip cancellation, or as soon as reasonably possible. 2. The Benefit Administrator will review the Request for Reimbursement and may request additional materials from You to support the Request for Reimbursement . Additional information must be submitted no more than sixty (60) days from the time of request, or as soon as reasonably possible. • In order for the Benefit Administrato r to evaluate a Request for Reimbursement , You must cooperate by providing any requested documents or statements that determine the amount of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses and whether the Eligible Trip Itinerary cancellation is eligible for reimbursement by another benefit or plan. 3. If a Request for Reimbursement is approved by the Benefit Administrator , reimbursement will be paid directly and separately to each of the Eligible Beneficiaries included in the Request for Reimbursement at the address provided for each Eligible Beneficiary in the Request for Reimbursemen t. • If You receive a travel voucher and/or credit from Your travel supplier, Your Request for Reimbursement  may not be eligible for reimbursement until the travel voucher and/or credit is forfeited or has expired. You may contact the Benefit Administrator  to reopen the Request for Reimbursement  once Your  travel voucher and/or credit is forfeited or has expired. • Any amount payable to a minor will be paid to a guardian of that minor

Benefit Communication

General Administration We will communicate directly with the purchaser of this benefit on behalf of all Eligible Beneficiaries , unless We are told to communicate directly with any Eligible Beneficiary by that Eligible Beneficiary . Request for Reimbursement When completing a Request for Reimbursement , an individual may indicate that they are authorized to provide the address and contact information for other Eligible Beneficiaries listed in the Schedule of Benefits , in which case we will communicate with those Eligible Beneficiaries unless directed otherwise. Benefit Cancellation The purchaser of this benefit may cancel for a full refund of the fees paid for Trip Cancel Guard within fourteen (14) calendar days after the date of purchase. The purchaser of this benefit will not be eligible for a refund of fees paid if: • You have cancelled Your Eligible Trip Itinerary and made a Request for Reimbursement during this period OR • The request for refund occurs after the Benefit End Date stated on Your Schedule of Benefits To request a refund of the fees paid for Trip Cancel Guard, please call the Benefit Administrator at 1-800-228- 6855.

What do the Defined Terms mean?

Capitalized and Bolded terms have the meanings set forth below. The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular, as the context requires. The singular includes the possessive, as the context requires. “Including” and any derivative form means “including but not limited to”. American Express TRS means American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Benefit Administrator means the administrator of this benefit for American Express TRS . Benefit Effective Date means the date on which Trip Cancel Guard was purchased, as stated in Your Schedule of Benefits . Benefit End Date means 11:59 PM on the date listed on Your Schedule of Benefits at Your city of departure that is listed on Your Eligible Trip Itinerary . Departure Date means the date on which an Eligible Beneficiary is originally scheduled to depart on the Eligible Trip Itinerary . Eligible Beneficiary means any traveler listed on the Eligible Trip Itinerary and named on the Schedule of Benefits who is eligible to receive reimbursement through Trip Cancel Guard. This benefit only applies to Eligible Trip Itineraries with 10 or fewer listed travelers. Eligible Trip Itinerary or Trip means the one original itinerary containing standalone airfare only and trip ID purchased through American Express TRS’ travel website, AmexTravel.com, at the same time you purchased this optional benefit and that has no more than 10 named Eligible Beneficiaries . Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses are: • Forfeited payments or deposits (including expired or forfeited travel credit and vouchers) • Airline cancellation or penalty fees charged to and paid by You caused by Eligible Trip Itinerary cancellation Request for Reimbursement means a request made by You to the Benefit Administrator to reimburse Eligible Beneficiaries for loss of up to 75% of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses linked to an Eligible Trip Itinerary that You cancel at least two (2) full calendar days before the Departure Date . You can make a request by providing notice and documentation required by the Benefit Administrator that states the amount of Nonrefundable Prepaid Expenses to be reimbursed up to the amount stated on Your Schedule of Benefits . If the purchaser of this benefit is not a traveler then they are not an Eligible Beneficiary and are not eligible to receive reimbursement. Schedule of Benefits means the summary of benefits for all Eligible Beneficiaries under Trip Cancel Guard. TLS means the American Express Travel & Lifestyle Services division of American Express TRS You means the purchaser of Trip Cancel Guard and Eligible Beneficiaries entitled to cancel all or part of an Eligible Trip Itinerary and complete a Request for Reimbursement .

Integrated Document

The terms and conditions of Trip Cancel Guard are stated in this terms and conditions document and the Schedule of Benefits . This terms and conditions document and the Schedule of Benefits , plus the Eligible Trip Itinerary are the integrated benefit contract.

American Express TRS’s Right of Recovery

If payment is made under this benefit, American Express TRS shall be subrogated, to the extent of such payment, to all rights of recovery, and any person(s) receiving payment shall not waive American Express TRS’s rights and shall cooperate to enable American Express TRS to bring suit or otherwise pursue subrogation. American Express TRS is entitled to recover any amount from other responsible parties or persons (excluding You when correctly provided benefits under Trip Cancel Guard) up to the amount of American Express TRS’s payment. Any party or person recovering such amounts from other parties or persons shall reimburse American Express TRS to the extent of American Express TRS’s payment.

Fraud Warning

If any Request for Reimbursement made under this benefit is determined to be fraudulent, or if any fraudulent means or devices are used by You or a person requesting benefits, all benefits will be forfeited.

ARBITRATION CLAUSE

MOST CONCERNS CAN BE RESOLVED QUICKLY AND TO YOUR SATISFACTION BY CALLING BENEFIT ADMINISTRATOR  AT 1-800-228-6855. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT BENEFIT ADMINISTRATOR  IS UNABLE TO RESOLVE A COMPLAINT YOU MAY HAVE TO YOUR SATISFACTION (OR IF AMERICAN EXPRESS TRS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE IT HAS WITH YOU AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DO SO INFORMALLY), YOU AND AMERICAN EXPRESS TRS EACH AGREE TO RESOLVE THOSE COMPLAINTS OR DISPUTES THROUGH BINDING ARBITRATION INSTEAD OF IN COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

ARBITRATION IS MORE INFORMAL THAN A LAWSUIT IN COURT. ARBITRATION USES A NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR INSTEAD OF A JUDGE OR JURY, ALLOWS FOR MORE LIMITED DISCOVERY THAN IN COURT, AND IS SUBJECT TO VERY LIMITED REVIEW BY COURTS. ARBITRATORS CAN AWARD THE SAME DAMAGES AND RELIEF THAT A COURT CAN AWARD. ANY ARBITRATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS; CLASS ARBITRATIONS AND CLASS ACTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

(a) American Express TRS and You agree to arbitrate all complaints and disputes relating to the benefit, except any complaints and disputes which under governing law are not subject to arbitration. This agreement to arbitrate (the “ Agreement ”) is intended to be broadly interpreted and to make all complaints and disputes relating to the benefit subject to arbitration to the fullest extent permitted by law. 

You agree that You and American Express TRS are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. This Agreement evidences a transaction in interstate commerce, and thus the Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration provision. This arbitration provision shall survive termination of this Agreement . (b) A party whointends to seek arbitration must first send to the other, by certified mail, a written Notice of Dispute (" Arbitration Notice "). The Arbitration Notice to American Express TRS should be addressed to:

American Express ADR c/o CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

(the “ Arbitration Notice Address ”). The Arbitration Notice must describe the nature and basis of the complaint or dispute and set forth the specific relief You  seek from American Express TRS  (the “ Demand ”). Please retain a copy of the Demand for Your  records.

If American Express TRS and You do not reach an agreement to resolve the complaint or dispute within 30 days after the Arbitration Notice is received, You or American ExpressTRS  may commence an arbitration proceeding. During the arbitration, the amount of any settlement offer made by American Express TRS or You shall not be disclosed to the arbitrator until after the arbitrator determines the amount, if any, to which You or American Express TRS is entitled. (c) After American Express TRS receives notice at the Arbitration Notice Address that You have commenced arbitration, it will promptly reimburse You for Your payment of the filing fee. If You are unable to pay this fee, American Express TRS will pay it directly upon receiving a written request at the Arbitration Notice Address . Arbitration may be referred to either JAMS (1-800-352-5267, jamsadr.com) or the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) (1-800-778-7879, www.adr.org), as selected by the party electing arbitration. Complaints and disputes will be resolved pursuant to this Arbitration provision and the selected organization's rules in effect when the complaint or dispute is filed, except where those rules conflict with this Agreement . If we choose the organization, You may select the other within 30 days after receiving notice of our selection. Contact JAMS or AAA to begin an arbitration or for other information.

The arbitrator shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement . The arbitrator shall have the power and authority to award any relief that would have been available in court, including equitable relief (e.g., injunction, specific performance) and, cumulative with all other remedies, shall grant specific performance whenever possible. The arbitrator shall have no power or authority to alter the Agreement or any of its separate provisions, including this section, nor to determine any matter or make any award except as provided in this section. Unless American Express TRS and You agree otherwise, any arbitration hearings will take place in the county (or parish) of Your billing address. If Your complaint is for $10,000 or less, we agree that You may choose whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted to the arbitrator, through a telephonic hearing, or by an in-person hearing as established by the selected organization’s rules. If Your complaint exceeds $10,000, the right to a hearing will be determined by the selected organization’s rules. Except as otherwise provided for herein, American Express TRS will pay all of selected organization’s filing fees, however, the parties will be equally responsible for any administration and arbitrator fees for any arbitration initiated in accordance with the notice requirements above. If, however, the arbitrator finds that either the substance of Your complaint or dispute or the relief sought in the Arbitration Demand is frivolous or brought for an improper purpose (as measured by the standards set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b)), then the payment of all such fees will be governed by the selected organization’s rules. In such case, You agree to reimburse American Express TRS for all monies previously disbursed by it that are otherwise Your obligation to pay under the AAA Rules. (d) The arbitrator may make rulings and resolve complaints and disputes as to the payment and reimbursement of fees and expenses at any time during the proceeding or in the final award, pursuant to applicable law and the selected organization’s rules. 

(e) Discovery and/or the exchange of non-privileged information relevant to the complaint or dispute will be governed by the selected organization’s rules. (f) YOU , AND AMERICAN EXPRESSTRS  AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING COMPLAINTS OR DISPUTES AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless both You  and American Express TRS agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. The arbitrator may award injunctive relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party's individual claim. If this specific subparagraph (f) is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void.

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our Travel Consultants. For more information visit www.americanexpress.com/travelterms.

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Is the American Express Cancel for Any Reason Coverage Worth It?

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

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Table of Contents

What is american express trip cancel guard, how to purchase trip cancel guard coverage, trip cancel guard vs. cancel for any reason insurance, trip cancel guard vs. american express card travel insurance, trip cancel guard vs. airline cancellation policies, submitting a claim, everything else you need to know, final thoughts.

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During the past few years, it’s safe to say that as travelers we’ve become more aware of the importance of securing travel insurance. This new awareness of the importance of travel insurance has also created questions as to which is the best travel insurance to purchase and whether we need it for any given trip.

We may be tempted to select the convenient point-of-sale option, normally offered at checkout when we’re purchasing a flight, though the option provides limited coverage.

If you’re an American Express cardholder, you’ll now have the option when purchasing a flight via AmexTravel.com to add coverage that protects your flight purchase if you need to cancel your flight for any reason!

American Express is not new to travel insurance. In addition to issuing credit cards and offering other important financial products, the financial institution has long been a provider of travel insurance via American Express Travel Insurance.

The addition of American Express Trip Cancel Guard coverage addresses travelers’ concerns about protecting their flight purchases while simplifying the process of securing the coverage.

Today we’re going to look at how the coverage works, how it compares to other travel insurance, and what you can expect to pay for the coverage.

Join us as we explore the American Express cancel-for-any-reason Trip Cancel Guard coverage and find out if it’s worth purchasing.

Trip Cancel Guard is a coverage you can add when purchasing flights via AmexTravel.com  whether paying with an American Express card , with Membership Rewards points using the Pay With Points option, or a combination of both.

The coverage provides for reimbursement of up to 75% of the cost of the non-refundable prepaid flight expense, penalty and change fees caused by the cancellation, or the amount of any expired vouchers/flight credits received for the canceled flight. Coverage is applicable when your flight is canceled for any reason and is valid until 2 full calendar days prior to your trip’s originally scheduled departure date.

Since Trip Cancel Guard is not insurance , you can purchase it in addition to a travel insurance policy .

Bottom Line: Trip Cancel Guard is a cancel-for-any-reason coverage, available at AmexTravel.com checkout, that provides for reimbursement of up to 75% of non-refundable expenses incurred when canceling a flight booked via the portal. The flight must be paid for with an American Express card, Membership Rewards points, or a combination of both. 

When you book a flight via AmexTravel.com online, you’ll have the opportunity to select the Trip Cancel Guard option at checkout. The charge for the coverage is calculated at 8% of the total price of the flight. In the above example, the flight price was $952.25. The Trip Cancel Guard cost of $76.18 could be added to the flight price.

You can use Membership Rewards points to pay for the entire flight + the Trip Cancel Guard coverage, or just a portion of the cost, then use your American Express card for the remainder.

The full terms and conditions and details of the coverage will be disclosed prior to finalizing the purchase.

Bottom Line: Trip Cancel Guard can be added at checkout when you purchase a flight via AmexTravel.com. The cost is 8% of the total flight price and, when added to the flight cost, can be paid using your American Express card and/or Membership Rewards points. 

You can purchase Cancel for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR) for most trips as an add-on to travel insurance policies secured via a travel insurance company. The timing of purchasing Cancel for Any Reason Insurance is normally limited to 14 days (or a similar duration) after your first trip deposit, and there are limits on the amount of coverage you can purchase.

The coverage will generally be expensive as it is based on the total trip cost, which can include lodging, flights, tours, ground transportation, and more. While the trip must be insured to 100% of the total cost , reimbursement is generally limited to 50% to 75% of non-reimbursed expenses. If you are uncertain as to whether you’re going to be able to take an expensive trip, the coverage could be worth it.

By comparison, Trip Cancel Guard covers just flights — and only those booked via AmexTravel.com with your American Express credit card and/or Membership Rewards points. The price is 8% of the total flight cost, allowing you to purchase coverage for the flight alone, not the entire trip as you would need to with CFAR.

Bottom Line: CFAR insurance must be purchased based on the total cost of your entire trip while Trip Cancel Guard covers just the flight , making it a more affordable option when the flight cost is your main concern. 

You may be wondering how Trip Cancel Guard coverage compares to the travel insurance that comes with your American Express credit card. First, credit cards do not offer cancel for any reason insurance , but you will find a variation of the following coverages on many American Express cards that could apply to flights:

• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption — Provides coverage if your trip needs to be canceled or if your trip is interrupted for a covered reason. Covered reasons for cancellation are limited but can include events such as illness, your dwelling becoming inhabitable, or legal obligations.
• Trip Delay Insurance — If your trip is delayed more than a specific number of hours for a covered reason, normally 12 hours or overnight, you could receive reimbursement for eligible incidentals, lodging, or transportation.

Neither Trip Cancel Guard nor the insurance that comes with your American Express credit card offers medical insurance . If this coverage is a priority, you’ll want to purchase medical travel insurance separately.

If you want to learn more about the travel insurance coverage that comes with credit cards offered by American Express , we go into much more detail in our article on the topic.

Bottom Line: Travel insurance that comes with your American Express credit card does not include Cancel for Any Reason Insurance. While you may find trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay insurance on several American Express cards, covered events are limited to those listed in the Guide to Benefits. Additionally, trip cancellation coverage will not include voluntary cancellation for a non-qualifying event, while Trip Cancel Guard does. 

Most airlines now have flexible cancellation policies that allow you to receive a flight credit for future travel, for the full amount of your ticket, if you need to cancel a flight for any reason.

You may not need to purchase additional coverage that provides reimbursement for just 75% of the amount paid. However, if you are purchasing a basic economy or another restrictive non-refundable fare that does not provide for a future travel credit or refund, Trip Cancel Guard might be a viable option. You may also prefer receiving 75% of your money refunded versus any travel credit issued by the airline.

Trip Cancel Guard could also make sense if you’re purchasing a flight that comes with heavy change fees. If you need to cancel the flight, you may have to pay a fee to rebook using the airline credit. Having coverage would allow you to submit a reimbursement for 75% of the total price of the flight once the credit expires which could be a better option than paying the change fee at rebooking.

If an airline does issue you a travel voucher or flight credit when you cancel your flight, you will not be able to submit a request for reimbursement with Trip Cancel Guard until those credits expire or are forfeited.

Bottom Line: Trip Cancel Guard could make sense when purchasing a flight fare that is restrictive including those with no changes, refunds, or fares that involve high change fees. 

Submit a claim after canceling your flight by completing a claim application online or by calling 800-228-6855 . You must submit the claim within 30 days of canceling your flight or “as soon as reasonably possible.”

The benefits administrator will ask for documentation supporting the cancellation including a statement regarding the amount of any voucher or reimbursement you may have received from the airline plus any fees you were charged for the cancellation.

If you have received a voucher/credit from the airline, your claim will not be valid until said voucher/credit has expired or forfeited.

Trip Cancel Guard must be purchased at the time of booking and cannot be added on later . The coverage remains active from the time of purchase until you cancel it, submit a claim, or until you reach the 2-day limit prior to your flight departure.

Coverage is secondary to any reimbursement or travel vouchers/flight credits received from the airline when you cancel your flight. If you receive a travel voucher from the airline, Trip Cancel Guard may apply once the voucher has expired.

If you purchase Trip Cancel Guard and change your mind, you will have 14 days from the date of purchase to request a refund , provided you have not canceled your flight or submitted a claim for reimbursement. The request for a refund must also be made before coverage expires at the 2-day window prior to departure.

If you change your flight, you must notify the benefits administrator to determine new flight eligibility and re-apply coverage to the new flight.

Trip Cancel Guard is a coverage that can provide peace of mind if you’re worried about losing the money you spent on a flight due to a voluntary cancellation. Perhaps you take just 1 major trip each year and don’t want to receive a flight credit should you need to cancel. Receiving 75% of the cost of your flight back in cash may be more desirable to you in this situation.

For those with health issues, Trip Cancel Guard may provide comfort in knowing you can book a flight and cancel with not having to worry about losing your entire investment or having to accept an airline credit you may not be able to use.

Also, there are some airlines that still charge change fees if you need to cancel voluntarily. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I recently had to cancel a Scandinavian Airlines highly-discounted flight to Europe that cost around $600 but came with a $300 change fee . The cost to purchase Trip Cancel Guard would have been $48. At cancellation, I received a voucher for future travel for $600 but would have to pay the $300 change fee to rebook. With Trip Cancel Guard, I could have waited until the voucher expired and submitted a claim to receive 75% of my flight cost ($450) reimbursed, a net loss of just $198 ($150 + $48) vs. $300.

Kudos to American Express for giving cardmembers an additional choice for protecting the value of flight investments. While the option may be useful in limited situations, it’s always good to have choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is american express cancel for any reason coverage worth it.

It can be in certain circumstances. If you do not have any use for a travel credit issued by the airline when you cancel a flight and prefer to receive up to 75% of the flight price reimbursed, it can be worth it.

If you want to protect your investment in a flight with a restrictive fare that has high change fees or does not provide for a travel credit or refund, the coverage could be worth considering.

Additionally, if your health is not stable and you want the flexibility of canceling your flight for any reason, the coverage could provide peace of mind knowing you’ll receive a portion of the cost returned versus an airline credit you may not use.

How does American Express Trip Cancel Guard work?

At checkout, when purchasing a flight via AmexTravel.com, you can purchase Trip Cancel Guard coverage for your flight. The coverage provides for reimbursement of up to 75% of non-refundable flight costs should you need to cancel the flight for any reason.

The coverage can be added to eligible flights for a cost of 8% of the total flight price. The flight and coverage can be paid for with your American Express card, Membership Rewards points, or a combination of both.

Can I cancel Trip Cancel Guard coverage and get a refund?

You can cancel Trip Cancel Guard coverage up to 14 days from the date of purchase and receive a refund provided you have not canceled the flight, submitted a claim for reimbursement, or have not reached the end of the coverage period of 2 days prior to the flight departure date.

Does American Express Trip Cancel Guard cover COVID-19?

Yes. Trip Travel Guard covers canceling a flight for any reason, including having COVID-19 or the fear of getting COVID-19.

Does American Express Trip Cancel Guard cover trip cancellation?

Trip Cancel Guard covers just flights purchased via AmexTravel.com with an American Express card, Membership Rewards points, or both. It does not cover entire trips, just flights.

You can purchase the coverage for your eligible flight at checkout.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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How to Use Travel Insurance to Cancel a Flight

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Table of Contents

Basic process for travel insurance flight cancellation

Additional tips for travel insurance flight cancellation, if you need to cancel a flight with travel insurance.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for the nonrefundable portion of your flight expenses when you have to cancel a trip due to serious illness, a death in the immediate family, natural disaster or other reason specifically covered by your policy. But to make sure your claim is processed, you need to cancel your flight and file your claim the right way.

If you’ve been wondering how to cancel a flight with travel insurance — here's what you need to do.

The steps necessary to cancel a flight with travel insurance vary by travel insurance company, but many have the same basic process for submitting a claim.

1. Cancel your flight with the airline

Contact the airline to cancel your flight. For most airlines, this can be done online, through its app or by calling customer service. The airline isn't concerned about whether or not you have travel insurance protections.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance: Which is right for you?

2. Determine the amount of your claim

When you cancel a plane ticket, you may be entitled to a refund of some or all of your ticket price. Travel insurance reimburses you for the nonrefundable portions of your affected travel plans; your claim amount is the price of your nonrefundable travel plans minus refunds that you have received, up to your eligible limits.

3. Start your claim

Claims can be started online or over the telephone with most travel insurance providers. Some allow you to submit your claim through their mobile app. To get started, have your policy information and travel details handy.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

4. Review the claim documentation checklist

Travel insurance companies often provide a checklist of documents you’ll need to process your claim. Gather all of the documents required by the insurance company, even if you don't understand why it is asking for them.

5. Submit your supporting documents

Once you have the documents, submit them to the travel insurance company for its review. It's best to submit all of the information at once, rather than piecemeal, so that the claims adjuster can quickly make a decision.

6. Respond to additional requests right away

If the insurance company requests additional documents or information, respond as quickly as possible. If too much time passes, your claim could be denied.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

Here are tips for dealing with a trip cancellation to make the process as smooth as possible.

Determine if you're canceling for a covered reason. A common question travelers have when they need to cancel a trip is: Can I cancel my flight with travel insurance? Depending on your policy, the answer may be yes. With many trip insurance policies, you can expect to get reimbursed only if you cancel for a covered reason, like serious illness, terrorist attack or death in the immediate family. Review your policy to determine what reasons are eligible for coverage.

Document everything and save all receipts. Save all of your receipts, emails and other items related to the trip. Keep a journal of all communications with the airlines, your doctor (if applicable), the insurance agency and anyone else related to your claim. Consider scanning and backing up your documents in case they are lost.

Call your doctor if you’re sick. You may not be feeling well, but can you prove you are sick enough that a reasonable person would need to cancel the flight? A doctor’s advice that you cancel your trip can help prove that your travel insurance claim is valid.

Contact your travel insurance company right away. You should start your travel insurance claim as quickly as possible. If you don't submit your claim and supporting documentation within the required timeframe, your claim will be denied.

Consider rescheduling your flight. After the pandemic struck, many airlines dropped the fees for changing flights . If you are planning to make this trip in the near future, contact the airline to ask about rescheduling your flight. This could be quicker and easier than trying to get reimbursed through insurance.

Remember that travel companions might be covered, too. Review your travel policy to see if it covers travel companions as well.

Buy the right insurance coverage from the get-go. The most flexible types of plans are Cancel For Any Reason, or CFAR plans; you can avoid a lot of phone calls and proof-of-coverage demands by purchasing CFAR policies.

Travel insurance offers protection in case you need to cancel a flight. Follow the steps carefully and document everything to prevent the insurance company from denying your claim.

Before canceling, discuss your situation with the airline to see if you can cancel or reschedule your flight without incurring a fee. This may be quicker and easier than submitting a claim through your travel insurance provider.

To file a trip cancellation claim on travel insurance, contact your insurance provider online, through its app or by phone. They will provide detailed instructions on how to submit your claim, including what documentation they'll need based on your reason for filing a claim.

In many cases, yes, you can cancel your flight and be reimbursed if you have an eligible reason for canceling. You may not cancel the flight because you've changed your mind. You must have a valid reason that is detailed in your travel insurance policy.

Travel insurance reimburses the cost of nonrefundable travel plans if you need to cancel your flight for a covered reason. To receive reimbursement, you must file a claim and submit supporting documentation that validates your eligibility to receive reimbursement.

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Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

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