Everything you need to know about Amex’s Premium Global Assistance and trip insurance benefits

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Although perks like unparalleled airport lounge access, an up to $200 annual airline credit, up to $200 annual prepaid hotel statement credit and up to $200 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. services; Amex Plat must be added to your account and you can redeem with any Amex card) may seem like the most valuable benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express, there are a number of lesser-known perks the card offers that all help to make the $695 annual fee worth it (see rates and fees). Among them are Premium Global Assist and trip insurance. (Enrollment required.)

These protections are separate from perks like baggage insurance — they assist with more severe issues like emergency medical transportation and unforeseen trip cancellations. While we all hope never to have to use these benefits, they're worth familiarizing yourself with, as they can save you a ton of money and aggravation if you are in a time of need.

Amex cards that offer Premium Global Assist and trip insurance

All Amex cards have access to Amex's Global Assist Hotline, but trip insurance benefits are reserved for the higher-end cards.

For the most protection, you'll need Amex's premium cards:

The Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express Corporate Platinum Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
American Express Centurion Card
American Express Business Centurion Card

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex, Amex Corporate Platinum, Amex Centurion and Amex Business Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

What is the Premium Global Assist Hotline?

Whenever you're traveling on a trip of 90 days or less and that is 100 miles or more from home, you have access to Amex's Premium Global Assist Hotline^.

This 24/7 hotline can help you with everything from customs information and destination guides to unexpected issues you may encounter during your trip, such as arranging emergency medical transportation, medical prescription replacement, missing luggage assistance and legal assistance.

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For example, TPG reader Joseph was able to get tremendous value from the Global Assist Hotline during a trip to New Zealand when both of his children got sick and he needed help finding reputable medical facilities nearby.

While most services the hotline coordinates for you are at your own expense, there are some benefits available to premium cardmembers at no cost. They include emergency medical transportation and evacuation — if the Amex physician or local physician decides that it is medically necessary and advisable due to the inadequacy of local facilities — and repatriation of mortal remains.

There are some important exclusions, such as preexisting conditions and refusal of permission by local authorities, so you'll want to read the full terms and benefits guide (warning: PDF link) for your card. Also, note that the coverage is only for the cost of evacuation, not the actual medical care.

^Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

What's covered by trip insurance?

Amex offers two types of trip insurance benefits: trip delay insurance* and trip cancellation and interruption insurance**. They're pretty self-explanatory, but here's what you need to know.

With the trip delay insurance provided by the cards listed above, you'll be reimbursed for unexpected expenses — such as meals, lodging, and personal-use items — if your trip is delayed by more than six hours due to a covered reason. You're covered up to $500 per trip so long as you booked round-trip flights and paid entirely with an eligible card (if you paid taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay With Points tickets, that is also covered).

Amex defines round-trip tickets as travel consisting of "roundtrip, one-way, or combinations of roundtrip or one-way tickets." So, for example, an itinerary bringing a covered traveler from New York to Los Angeles and then back from San Francisco to New York would qualify.

Some of Amex's mid-tier cards offer trip delay protection as well, but only for delays of more than 12 hours, with reimbursement of only up to $300.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

On the other hand, trip cancellation and interruption insurance provide reimbursement for covered expenses when you are forced to cancel or cut a covered trip short for an eligible reason. If you qualify, you may receive reimbursement of nonrefundable travel expenses of up to $10,000 per trip, with a maximum of up to $20,000 per eligible account for each consecutive 12-month period.

Covered reasons for canceled trips include inclement weather, terrorist action, call to jury duty, sudden illness or injury to you or an eligible traveler, the traveler's dwelling is made uninhabitable and if a quarantine is imposed by a physician for health reasons. Again, you must book "round-trip" travel, paid for entirely using your eligible card, to be covered.

Here's a sampling of what's not covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Preexisting conditions
The eligible traveler's suicide, attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury
A declared or undeclared war
Mental or emotional disorders, unless hospitalized
The eligible traveler's participation in a sporting activity for which he or she receives a salary or prize money
The eligible traveler being intoxicated at the time of an accident. Intoxication is defined by the laws of the jurisdiction where such an accident occurs
The eligible traveler being under the influence of any narcotic or other controlled substance at the time of an accident, unless the narcotic or other controlled substance is taken and used as prescribed by a physician
The eligible traveler's commission or attempted commission of any illegal or criminal act, including but not limited to any felony
The eligible traveler parachuting from an aircraft
The eligible traveler engaging or participating in a motorized vehicular race or speed contest
Dental treatment, except as a result of accidental bodily injury to sound, natural teeth
Any non-emergency treatment or surgery, along with any routine physical examinations
Hearing aids, eyeglasses or contact lenses
One-way travel that does not have a return destination
A counterfeit scheduled airline or train ticket, or a scheduled airline or train ticket which is charged to a fraudulently issued or fraudulently used eligible card
Any occurrence while the eligible traveler is incarcerated
Loss due to intentional acts by the eligible traveler
Financial insolvency of a travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier
Any expenses that are not authorized and reimbursable by the eligible traveler's employer if the eligible traveler makes the purchases with a commercial card

Full details of what's covered and excluded can be found in Amex's full guide to this benefit.

**Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Bottom line

Lesser-known benefits such as Premium Global Assist Hotline and trip insurance can save you time, money and in some cases — your actual life. Just be sure to review your card's benefit guide very carefully for the full list of terms and conditions.

Apply here: Amex Platinum with a 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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