Bank of America Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide
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Written by
Ryan Flanigan
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Edited by
Jasmin Baron, CCC™
Credit card travel insurance can help protect your trip when things don’t go as planned.
While these features aren’t a substitute for standalone travel insurance policies, they can still provide meaningful coverage for common disruptions if you understand how they work and when they apply.
This guide breaks down which cards provide coverage and whether Bank of America travel insurance benefits are sufficient on their own. Some cards offer more robust protections than others, so understanding your specific card’s benefits is key to knowing what’s covered.
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What Is Travel Insurance on Bank of America Credit Cards?
Bank of America travel insurance isn’t the same as a standalone policy and may vary depending on which card you have.
Credit Card Travel Insurance vs. Standalone Policies
Travel insurance on Bank of America credit cards refers to complimentary travel protections included with certain premium, travel-focused cards. These benefits help cover common travel disruptions, such as trip cancellations or baggage delays, when eligible expenses are charged to your card. Credit card travel insurance typically has no deductible and often extends coverage to the cardholder and eligible family members, making it a convenient layer of protection for many trips.
However, credit card travel insurance usually comes with lower coverage limits and more exclusions than standalone policies. Standalone travel insurance generally offers broader protection, including higher limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation, as well as options like “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) upgrades that aren’t available through credit cards. These policies may be a better fit for international travel or for frequent travelers who want greater flexibility and higher coverage limits than most credit card benefits offer.
How Bank of America Travel Protections Are Activated
Bank of America travel protections typically apply only when you charge eligible travel expenses to the qualifying Bank of America credit card. This usually means paying for flights, hotels or rental cars directly with the card before your trip begins.
Reviewing coverage details, limits and requirements outlined in each card’s guide to benefits when booking travel or before starting your trip can help ensure you meet the necessary conditions and avoid surprises if you need to file a claim later.
Which Bank of America Cards Offer Travel Insurance Benefits?
Three premium cards offer travel insurance and protections administered through the Bank of America’s benefits provider:
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card
- Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card
These cards are designed for travelers who want built-in coverage for common disruptions. Below is a comparison of the travel insurance benefits each card offers.
| Benefit | Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card | Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite credit card | Atmos Rewards Summit credit card |
| Trip Cancellation & Interruption | Up to $2,500 for non-refundable passenger fares | Up to $2,500 for non-refundable passenger fares | Up to $2,500 for non-refundable passenger fares |
| Trip Delay Reimbursement | Up to $500 per ticket for delays over 12 hours or requiring an overnight stay | Up to $500 per ticket for delays over six hours or requiring an overnight stay | Up to $500 per ticket for delays over six hours or requiring an overnight stay |
| Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver | Secondary coverage up to the actual cash value of most vehicles for rental periods up to 15 days (domestic) or 31 days (international) | Primary coverage up to $75,000 (actual cash value) for rental periods up to 15 days (domestic) or 31 days (international) | Primary coverage up to $75,000 (actual cash value) for rental periods up to 15 days (domestic) or 31 days (international) |
| Baggage Delay Reimbursement | Up to $100 per day (maximum five days) for essential items after six hours | Up to $100 per day (maximum five days) for essential items after six hours | Up to $100 per day (maximum five days) for essential items after six hours |
| Lost Luggage Reimbursement | Up to $3,000 per covered trip for lost/stolen carry-on or checked baggage | Up to $3,000 per covered trip for lost/stolen carry-on or checked baggage | Up to $3,000 per covered trip for lost/stolen carry-on or checked baggage |
| Emergency Evacuation and Transportation | Up to $15,000 for evacuation and $1,000 for repatriation | Up to $100,000 for evacuation and $10,000 for repatriation | Up to $100,000 for evacuation and $10,000 for repatriation |
| Travel Accident Insurance | N/A | Up to $1 million for accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech or hearing | Up to $1 million for accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech or hearing |
| Travel and Emergency Assistance | 24/7 referrals for medical, legal and travel emergencies | 24/7 referrals for medical, legal and travel emergencies | 24/7 referrals for medical, legal and travel emergencies |
By contrast, other Bank of America cards are focused primarily on rewards rather than travel protections. Cards such as the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offer limited Visa Signature® benefits, such as basic travel assistance, but they do not provide robust travel insurance on their own. Many student and cash-back credit cards offer little to no meaningful travel coverage, making premium cards the better option for travelers who want built-in insurance protections.
Key Travel Insurance Protections With Bank of America Cards
If your Bank of America card includes travel insurance, these are the benefits you’ll have access to, including what’s covered and when it applies.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled before departure or cut short after it begins due to a covered reason. This may include common carrier fares, hotel deposits, cruises or other prepaid bookings that you can’t get refunded directly from the travel provider. For example, you may be required to pay a deposit for a hotel room or cruise booking before your trip. If you can’t go on the trip for a qualifying reason, this charge may be eligible for reimbursement.
Coverage generally applies when plans change due to unforeseen events beyond your control, such as severe weather or a medical emergency. All three Bank of America cards mentioned above have this benefit and provide up to $2,500 for non-refundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short due to covered situations, and the eligible travel was purchased with the card.
Trip Delay Reimbursement
Trip delay reimbursement covers reasonable out-of-pocket expenses when your travel is significantly delayed for a covered reason, such as severe weather or a carrier-related issue. If your flight or other common carrier is delayed beyond a required time threshold or forces an overnight stay, this benefit may reimburse costs like meals, lodging and local transportation that aren’t otherwise provided by the airline.
Coverage usually applies only after the delay meets specific criteria, such as a minimum number of hours, and if the trip was paid for with your eligible Bank of America card. Receipts and documentation of the delay are typically required when filing a claim. These cards provide coverage (up to $500 per ticket) for you and eligible family members, for reasonable expenses incurred when a trip is delayed (due to a covered hazard) or requires an overnight stay. The Premium Rewards credit card requires a 12-hour delay, while the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite and Atmos Rewards Summit card benefits take effect after only six hours.
Baggage Delay and Lost Luggage Coverage
Baggage delay and lost luggage coverage can help offset the inconvenience and costs of bags that don’t arrive on time or go missing. Baggage delay insurance may reimburse you for essential purchases, such as toiletries or clothing, if your checked luggage is delayed by a covered common carrier. Lost luggage coverage may apply if your bags are permanently lost, stolen or misdirected, reimbursing you for the value of the luggage and its contents after any compensation offered by the airline or carrier is applied.
This coverage is generally secondary to other insurance and carrier reimbursements, and exclusions may apply to certain high-value or restricted items. On these three Bank of America cards, baggage delay benefits reimburse up to $100 per day for essential items for up to five days, while lost luggage protection offers up to $3,000 in coverage ($2,000 for New York residents) if an airline loses your bag due to theft or misdirection.
My family needed this benefit when our bags didn’t make our connecting flight from Australia to Los Angeles. Since we were staying in the area for a couple of days, we were reimbursed for clothing purchases and toiletries needed until our bag arrived the next day.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (Rental Car Insurance)
Auto rental collision damage waiver coverage can protect you against damage or theft of a rental vehicle when the rental is charged to an eligible Bank of America credit card. This benefit typically covers physical damage to the rental car, theft-related losses and certain fees assessed by the rental agency, such as towing or loss-of-use charges.
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite and Atmos Rewards Summit offer primary coverage up to $75,000 (actual cash value) for rental periods up to 15 days (domestic) or 31 days (international). With the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card, coverage is secondary and capped at the actual cash value of most cars.
To be eligible, you must decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver and follow the rental agreement requirements outlined in the card’s guide to benefits. After my rental car was scuffed in a parking lot, the coverage handled the damage, and I didn’t need to file a claim with my own auto insurer, which helped me avoid a potential rate increase.
Emergency Evacuation and Transportation Services
Emergency evacuation and transportation services may cover medically necessary transport if you or an immediate family member becomes seriously ill or injured while traveling far from home. This can include ambulance services, emergency medical or dental coverage, air or ground evacuation, and transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility for treatment.
Coverage generally applies only in true emergency situations and does not extend to routine or non-urgent medical treatment. The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite and Atmos Rewards Summit credit card may reimburse up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation-related expenses when a covered illness or injury occurs during a trip away from home. With the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card, emergency evacuation insurance is up to $15,000.
For example, this coverage would apply if you experience severe food poisoning requiring emergency medical care while traveling.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
Travel and emergency assistance services offer access to 24/7 support for situations that arise while you’re away from home. These services can help connect you with medical providers, legal referrals, emergency transportation arrangements or travel assistance following unexpected events. While the assistance is often provided at no additional cost, you are generally responsible for any third-party expenses, such as medical bills or legal fees. These services are intended to provide coordination and support, rather than direct reimbursement.
Travel accident insurance is separate from travel assistance services and applies only in the event of severe injury or loss of life while traveling on a covered common carrier. The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite and Atmos Rewards Summit provide up to $1 million in accidental death or dismemberment insurance while traveling on a common carrier when the entire fare is charged to your card.
How To Use and Maximize Bank of America Travel Protections
Bank of America travel insurance benefits can be valuable, but they’re only useful if you activate them correctly and understand how to file a claim. Here’s how to make sure your coverage applies, what documentation you’ll need if something goes wrong, and the most common limitations to keep in mind before you travel.
Booking Travel the Right Way
To activate Bank of America travel protections, eligible travel expenses must be charged to the qualifying credit card. This typically includes purchases such as flights, hotels, cruises or rental cars paid for directly with the card before the trip begins. If you book travel using a different payment method or through a third party, coverage may not apply.
Coverage is usually limited to common carriers and eligible travel providers, and some benefits require the full fare to be charged to your card. Reviewing your card’s guide to benefits requirements before booking can help ensure your protections are in place if you need them later.
Filing Claims and Required Documentation
If you need to file a travel insurance claim, having proper documentation is essential. Most claims require proof that your travel was purchased with an eligible Bank of America card, along with receipts for any prepaid or out-of-pocket expenses you’re seeking reimbursement for. You’ll typically need travel itineraries, booking confirmations and itemized receipts for expenses like meals, lodging or replacement items.
Depending on the type of claim, additional documentation may be required, such as a delay notice from the airline, a baggage report, medical records or a police report for stolen items. Filing your claim promptly and keeping copies of all supporting documents can help prevent delays or denials during the review process, and it’s generally better to submit more documentation than less.
Common Exclusions and Limitations
Bank of America travel insurance benefits have exclusions that can limit coverage. Voluntarily canceling your trip, changing your mind or non-covered personal reasons are generally not eligible for reimbursement. Many benefits also exclude pre-existing medical conditions unless specific criteria are met, and routine or non-emergency medical care is typically not covered.
Certain activities and situations may also fall outside standard protections. Extreme sports, high-risk activities or travel to restricted locations may be excluded, and coverage limits can apply to high-value items or specific types of losses. Reviewing the exclusions section of your card’s benefits guide before traveling can help set realistic expectations and reduce surprises if you need to file a claim.
When To Consider Additional Travel Insurance
While Bank of America travel insurance can cover many common disruptions, it may not be sufficient for every trip. Credit card travel insurance typically focuses on issues like trip delays, cancellations and rental car damage, but often provides limited or no coverage for international medical care, extended hospital stays or non-emergency treatment abroad. If you’re traveling internationally or to a destination where health care costs are high, a standalone travel insurance policy with medical coverage may offer added peace of mind.
Additional travel insurance may also make sense for expensive or complex trips, as well as for frequent travelers. Credit card benefits often have coverage limits and typically don’t include “Cancel For Any Reason” options. Travelers with high prepaid costs or flexible cancellation needs may benefit from a standalone policy that fills these gaps and offers broader protection than credit card travel benefits alone.
The information related to the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card and Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bank of America Travel Insurance
Does credit card travel insurance cover all types of trips?
Most credit card travel insurance covers hotel charges and fares on common carriers such as airlines, cruise ships, and long-distance buses and trains. Your card’s benefits guide should explain what counts as travel and what doesn’t, so review it carefully before booking.
Is credit card travel insurance automatic?
Generally, benefits are automatic if you pay for your trip with your card. Additional conditions may be required to qualify for coverage, such as a minimum delay duration.
Do all credit cards offer travel insurance?
No, card issuers decide which cards include travel insurance benefits. Your credit card company may also change your coverage at any time, so it’s important to review your current benefits guide before each trip to confirm the protections available.
Does credit card travel insurance cover my family members?
Most credit card travel insurance benefits extend to family members and other traveling companions, but definitions vary by card. Some cards only cover spouses and dependent children, while others include domestic partners or other relatives, so check your specific card’s benefits guide for complete eligibility details.
How long does it take to receive payment from a credit card travel insurance claim?
Credit card travel insurance claim processing times vary by issuer and the complexity of your claim, but typically range from a few weeks to several months after you submit all required documentation. To expedite the process, file your claim promptly after the incident, provide complete documentation with your initial submission, and respond quickly to any requests for additional information from the benefits administrator.
