American Express Platinum travel insurance: what does it cover?
Last checked against American Express's policy documents on 27 October 2026
The short answer
The American Express Platinum Card (£650 a year) includes worldwide travel insurance for you, your supplementary cardmembers and your families, plus purchase protection, refund protection and car hire cover.
Trips can last up to 90 days, with a maximum of 240 days a year. Medical cover is up to £2 million and only applies to people under 70 for the whole trip. Cancellation and belongings cover only apply if the trip was paid for with the card or with Membership Rewards points.
Winter sports are only covered for activities on Amex's list, and there is no separate ski equipment, lift pass or piste closure cover.
What the Platinum Card covers
| Cover | Who or what is covered | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | Cardmembers and supplementary cardmembers, partners living at the same address, and dependent children under 25. Grandchildren under 25 travelling with you. | Worldwide, trips up to 90 days (240 days a year). Medical up to £2 million, only for people under 70 throughout the trip. Cancelling or cutting short up to £7,500 per person. Belongings up to £2,000 (£500 per item). Delayed baggage £300 after 4 hours. Personal liability £1 million. £50 excess on cancellation and belongings claims. |
| Winter sports | As for travel. | Only activities on the Winter Sports Activities list: on-piste skiing and snowboarding, off-piste only with a qualified instructor, cross-country skiing on recognised paths, glacier skiing, ski touring and a few others. No separate ski equipment, lift pass or piste closure cover. |
| Purchase protection | Items bought on the card for personal use. | Theft or accidental damage within 90 days of purchase. Up to £2,500 per item and £20,000 in any 12 months. £50 excess. |
| Refund protection | Items of £25 or more bought on the card that the retailer won't take back within 90 days. | Up to £300 per item and £1,000 in any 12 months. |
Where people get caught out
- Medical cover stops at 70. Everyone must be under 70 for the whole trip to be covered for medical costs.
- Pay with the card. Cancellation, cutting short and belongings cover only apply if transport or accommodation was paid in full with the card, Membership Rewards points or a travel rewards programme, with taxes paid on the card.
- Medical limit. Medical cover is up to £2 million, lower than the £10 million many packaged bank accounts include. Check this before a trip to somewhere with high medical costs.
- Pre-existing medical conditions aren't covered unless they are on Amex's accepted conditions list.
- Winter sports must be on the list. Unlisted activities aren't covered, off-piste needs a qualified instructor, and there is no cover for your skis, lift pass or piste closure.
- Long trips. Trips over 90 days, or more than 240 days away in a year, aren't covered.
Could you be paying twice?
If you have the Platinum Card, check whether you also pay for any of these.
- A separate annual travel policy for anyone the card already covers. You may still want one if you are 70 or over, or need higher medical cover or ski equipment cover.
- Car hire excess insurance. The card includes cover for theft of or damage to a hire car up to £50,000, including the excess. Check the conditions before you buy a separate policy.
- Extended warranties or purchase cover bought at the till, for items you paid for with the card.
Compare limits and excesses before cancelling anything: a separate policy may give you more cover than the card does.
Related guides
Common questions
- Does American Express Platinum include travel insurance?
- Yes. It includes worldwide travel insurance for cardmembers, supplementary cardmembers and their families, for trips of up to 90 days.
- Is there an age limit on Amex Platinum travel insurance?
- Medical cover only applies to people under 70 for the whole trip. Children and grandchildren are covered if they are under 25.
- Do I have to pay with my Amex to be covered?
- For cancellation, cutting short and belongings cover, yes: transport or accommodation must be paid in full with the card, Membership Rewards points or a travel rewards programme.
- Does Amex Platinum travel insurance cover skiing?
- Yes, for activities on its Winter Sports Activities list, including on-piste skiing and snowboarding. Off-piste is only covered with a qualified instructor, and there is no ski equipment or piste closure cover.
- How much is the Amex Platinum annual fee?
- American Express lists it at £650 a year. Check the current fee on the American Express website.