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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

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Table of Contents

The 11 best annual travel insurance policies, what is annual travel insurance, is annual travel insurance worth it, how much do annual travel insurance policies cost, does credit card travel insurance apply annually, choosing an annual travel insurance policy, final thoughts.

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If you take multiple trips every year, insuring each one can be a hassle. There are forms to fill out, comparison shopping over and over again, and then remembering the policy documents for each specific trip. And then there’s the risk you might forget to take out travel insurance for one of your trips.

Plus, those costs add up. There must be a better way.

Enter annual travel insurance. Also known as multi-trip travel insurance, taking out an annual policy covers you for a whole year of travel. Not only is it simpler, it may be cheaper than taking out multiple single-trip policies. But is it right for you?

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t exactly the same as the trip insurance you’d buy for a weeklong holiday with your family. Here are the best annual travel insurance policies, what they do and don’t cover, and how to decide whether taking out a yearly policy might be right for you.

GeoBlue Trekker Choice

GeoBlue offers 2 Trekker plans for annual coverage, which are unique in several ways. These plans cover preexisting conditions, COVID-19, and all travel outside the U.S.

However, they don’t cover any trips inside the U.S. or provide any coverage for canceled, delayed, or interrupted trips. Instead, these are travel medical insurance plans . With the GeoBlue Trekker Choice plan , you’ll get higher maximum payouts in all categories and pay a lower deductible ($100). However, note that this is still secondary coverage .

You’ll get unlimited access to telemedicine and coverage for trips up to 70 days in length . Additionally, coverage is available up to age 95, which isn’t offered on most other policies.

GeoBlue Trekker Essential

The GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan offers the same pros and cons as the Choice plan. The main differences are the lower maximum payout values and the higher deductible ($200 instead of $100). You also won’t get the Choice plan’s lost baggage and personal effects coverage, which can provide up to $500 per trip. Again, this secondary medical insurance policy is only valid on trips outside the U.S.

Trawick International Safe Travels Annual Basic

Trawick International offers 2 annual plans, and the Safe Travels Annual Basic plan is more economical. You’ll have coverage for everything you expect in a trip insurance policy , such as 100% coverage for trip cancellation or interruption (up to a $2,500 annual maximum) and coverage for delays, lost luggage, delayed luggage, and even medical expenses. To make up for the lower cost of the plan, coverage limits are lower than what you’ll find elsewhere . However, if you want peace of mind while traveling, you can get it for a year and cover trips up to 30 days in length.

Trawick International Safe Travels Annual Deluxe

While Trawick International’s Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan offers higher maximum coverage limits than the Basic plan, its maximum payouts for medical and evacuation benefits are lower than what you’ll find with competitors . Where this plan shines is in the coverage for change fees, lost deposits on tours, and coverage for lost items if an airline misplaces your luggage.

You’ll be covered for up to $300 per trip for prepaid excursions, up to 100% of your trip cost (with an annual maximum of $5,000) for trip cancellations or interruptions, and up to $150 per item and $750 per trip for personal effects. After signing up for a plan, you’ll also get a 10-day free look period.

Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic Plan

If you want an annual plan with a low price tag , this could be what you’re looking for. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic plan covers you for unlimited trips up to 45 days each over the course of a year. Coverage includes emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss and delays, travel delays, rental car theft and damage, and travel accident coverage.

However, there’s a fair list of exclusions from this plan . That includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connections, and change fees. As the name implies, you’ll get basic coverage at a basic price.

Allianz Travel AllTrips Prime Plan

The Allianz Travel AllTrips Prime option covers 365 days of trips, though the maximum trip length is just 45 days. While you’ll get coverage for all the standard travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, delays, and baggage mishaps, there are limits you should know about with this plan.

The travel accident coverage, which applies to death or the loss of a limb, maxes out at $25,000 per trip, baggage delay maxes out at $200, and baggage loss or damage maxes out at $1,000. The maximum coverage for emergency medical is $20,000, and costs can exceed that quickly in a true emergency.

However, this is a decent option if you want a fair amount of coverage across numerous categories without a high price tag.

Allianz Travel AllTrips Executive Plan

For those worried about expensive business equipment or losing points and miles, this plan has you covered. On top of higher maximum payouts in categories such as trip cancellation, emergency medical transportation, or travel delays, you’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage, change fee coverage, and reimbursement for renting business equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed during a trip.

Moreover, you can be reimbursed up to $500 to cover fees for reinstating your points and miles if a covered trip is canceled or interrupted. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Executive plan also provides coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy at least 14 days before the first trip.

Allianz Travel AllTrips Premier Plan

Allianz also has a customizable AllTrips Premier plan , allowing you to choose between several payout tiers for trip cancellation and interruption. You’ll pay more when choosing higher maximums, but this allows you to choose exactly what you want in coverage and not pay for more than you need. Another positive is coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy your policy at least 14 days before your first trip.

You’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage , $500,000 of emergency medical transportation coverage, $50,000 of emergency medical, and coverage for travel delay expenses after a delay of 6 hours or more. The baggage delay coverage is up to $2,000, but it requires a delay of 12 or more hours. The maximum trip length allowed is 90 days.

AIG Travel Guard Annual Travel Insurance Plan

The AIG Travel Guard Annual Travel Insurance plan isn’t available to Washington state residents. Still, it provides coverage for trip interruption, trip delay, lost baggage, delayed baggage, and missed connections, as well as both medical and security evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel medical expenses. However, the coverage limit for dental is just $500, and the maximum coverage for travel medical expenses is just $50,000. Those are lower limits than other plans. Additionally, trip cancellation isn’t included.

However, Travel Guard has some strengths. Trip delay coverage applies for up to 10 days and requires a delay of just 5 hours, and the missed connection benefit applies after just 3 hours. You get a “free look” period of up to 15 days to cancel for a refund, so long as you haven’t started your trip or filed a claim. Maximum coverage for any particular trip is 90 days.

USI Affinity Voyager Annual Travel Insurance

USI Affinity’s Voyager plan has a Silver and Gold option , and pricing is easy to determine from the chart. Simply find your age bracket and the associated cost. The key differences between the plans are in the higher maximum payouts for nearly every coverage type with the Gold plan, other than emergency dental and accidental death and dismemberment. However, the Gold plan also includes coverage types the Silver plan doesn’t: political and natural disaster evacuation, airline ticket change fees, and trip interruption. However, trip cancellation isn’t included with either plan .

The maximum trip length is 90 days, and coverage for Silver and Gold plans lasts for 364 days. An unlimited number of international and domestic trips are covered, and you’re covered for trips as little as 100 miles from home. That’s a lower requirement than most other plans (which tend to require 150 miles).

Seven Corners Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip

This plan is ideal for those who don’t live in the U.S., as other plans on this list are only available to U.S. residents and citizens. While the plan technically lasts for 364 days, Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip plan is customizable. It lets you choose a maximum trip length of 30, 45, or 60 days and include or exclude coverage for the U.S. Note U.S. citizens and residents cannot add coverage for inside the U.S.

Seven Corners also provides coverage for travelers aged 14 to 75 years, though maximum payouts decrease in some categories for those aged 65 and older. If you receive medical care in the U.S., Seven Corners will pay 90% of the first $5,000 of covered expenses and 100% of the cost afterward. You’re covered 100% outside the U.S. Note that coverage doesn’t apply to your home country (which includes the U.S. if you’re a citizen, even if you live in another country) and isn’t available in Antarctica, Cuba, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Russia, Syria, or Ukraine.

A Plan That Didn’t Make Our List

We considered another plan. Here’s why this annual travel insurance policy didn’t make our “best of” list.

IMG Patriot Multi-Trip International : For trips inside the U.S., you may be on the hook for 20% of your medical expenses if you visit a provider outside IMG’s PPO network. Additionally, the maximum trip length is 30 days, and coverage limits are quite low in multiple categories. These include $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and $10,000 for political evacuation, a maximum of $50 per item and $250 overall for lost luggage, a $100 maximum for dental treatment, and $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment 24/7 coverage.

Annual travel policy plans vary considerably. Most provide secondary medical insurance, so you may need to submit to your other coverage (home healthcare plan, credit card insurance provider, etc.) first and then submit to your travel insurance provider for any remaining expenses or deductibles. If you won’t have other coverage, you may want to look for a plan that provides primary health coverage instead. Also, understand that most plans provide reimbursement, so you would pay out of pocket for overseas hospital visits and then submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement after the fact.

Annual travel insurance covers you for many trips over the course of a year (or sometimes 364 days). Rather than needing to buy a travel insurance policy for each trip separately — which can add up — you can buy a single policy that covers all your trips for the next year. It’s important to understand the terms of these policies, though. Some may require buying coverage in advance, such as 14 days before your first trip, while that requirement normally doesn’t exist on single-trip travel insurance.

It’s also important to note which types of trips and destinations are covered by your policy — and which aren’t. Look for how far from home you must travel to be covered and whether domestic trips are included. Moreover, consider what benefits you’re looking for. These can vary from medical-only to all the bells and whistles, such as baggage delay and medical evacuation. Once you know the type of coverage you want, you can find a policy or policies that align with your needs, helping you narrow down your options to conduct a more effective comparison.

How Annual Travel Insurance Works

Annual travel insurance works as an umbrella policy, covering all your trips during the policy period. You don’t need to inform the policy provider about each trip’s start and stop dates or destinations. You simply buy a policy, and then you’re protected for every trip that meets the conditions while your policy is in effect. Some regions may be excluded from coverage, and you may be subject to a maximum trip length.

Trip length is an important element to pay attention to. Annual travel insurance doesn’t cover you for a year-long trip. It covers you for a year for many small trips within that time, typically up to 30 or 45 days per trip. If you’re looking for a plan to cover you during a year-long trip to another country, you should look for specialized plans for study abroad, mission work, or other situations that apply to you. Traveling full-time? You may need a policy geared toward digital nomads and backpackers.

When To Buy an Annual Travel Insurance Policy

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and determine that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than that of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want.

Considering that single-trip plans can sometimes be found for $10, yet an annual trip is likely to cost $150 or more per adult, you’d need 15 trips to justify the annual policy. However, that’s not really an apples-to-apples comparison, as a $10 basic travel insurance policy won’t provide as much coverage as you’re likely to find on even the most basic of annual policies.

It’s also not just about the number of trips you take but the types of trips, the complexity of the trips, and money at risk in nonrefundable costs. The more of these you foresee in your next year of travels, the more likely an annual plan would be good for you.

What Annual Travel Insurance Policies Do and Don’t Cover

We already highlighted that annual policies don’t cover traveling nonstop for a year due to their restrictions on the maximum trip length. Annual travel insurance policies also restrict how far you must travel for coverage to kick in. Driving to the next town over may be a trip in your kids’ eyes, but it’s probably not far enough for your travel insurance to kick in.

While coverage varies by policy, you’ll typically have coverage for sickness, accidental death and dismemberment, lost or delayed luggage, trip cancellation, and possibly injuries during skiing or snowboarding. However, it’s important to read the terms of each policy because coverage maximums and inclusions vary widely. Some policies only provide medical coverage, while others offer robust coverage across the board.

Understanding Trip Length Rules

Each policy specifies a maximum trip length. How trips longer than that are treated can vary. Most policies won’t cover any expenses related to a trip longer than the maximum trip length. Suppose you take a trip of 41 days on a policy with a maximum of 40 days. In that case, claims for delayed luggage or medical expenses may be rejected when the claim evaluator asks for your trip confirmation details.

However, GeoBlue covers the first 70 days of any particular trip. If something goes wrong during that time, you’re covered. You’re on your own for anything that happens on days 71 or beyond. Still, you’re covered on those first 70 days, despite taking a longer trip.

If you foresee long trips in the future, make sure you understand these rules.

For some travelers, yes, annual travel insurance is worth it. For others, it’s not.

Annual travel insurance is worth it when it costs less than what you’d pay to insure each trip individually. It’s also worth it if you think you might forget to purchase some of those individual policies throughout the year and would prefer to be done with them for another 365 days.

However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few trips a year, they’re mostly domestic, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses. If you’re traveling within the U.S. with your standard health insurance policy in effect and you have credit cards that provide trip insurance for delays or cancellations, that coverage may be sufficient.

Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the “starting at” costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest:

Yes and no. Using a credit card to pay for your trip can provide some built-in protections. However, you should be mindful of annual maximums on any policy. You may run into limitations such as a maximum of 2 claims per 12-month period or similar exclusions. If you take many trips, that could be an issue.

To better understand what is and isn’t covered, check out our complete guide to credit card insurance .

To choose the right policy, look beyond the cost alone. Rather than immediately choosing the cheapest policy, find the policy or policies that provide the coverage types you want with payout maximums that cover your travel plans for the next year — both confirmed bookings and likely plans.

Consider your coverage needs. Will you be carrying expensive items such as scuba equipment for a trip to the Galapagos or top-notch camera lenses for a bird-watching tour in Papua New Guinea? How many extreme sports will you participate in?

Conversely, how many “never heard of this airline before” flights will you take to get off the beaten path? These are flights where you may be worried about cancelations that lead to extra costs or a misplaced suitcase.

Consider the types of trips you’ll take and the up-front money at risk if something goes wrong or you get delayed, then look at which plans align with your travels. From there, choose the best plan that aligns best with your needs, which may or may not be the cheapest one.

As an annual travel policy holder myself, I promise you that having the right plan is important when you wind up in a remote hospital in Tanzania with malaria.

Annual travel insurance isn’t right for everyone. However, it makes sense for those who travel often and could save money by taking out a single policy instead of many separate policies. It also makes sense if you’d prefer to avoid filling out paperwork numerous times throughout the year for each trip.

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t great for those who tend to travel closer to home, don’t have major nonrefundable travel expenses, or need to customize coverage for each trip because their travels tend to vary. For example, you might need different coverage for a backcountry ski trip with friends versus a 2-hour drive with your family.

Look at what annual policies do and don’t cover and see if these align with your travel goals and needs. Then, consider the prices for the plans that align well with your situation. After taking an informed look, you should have a good idea of whether an annual policy is right for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is yearly travel insurance worth it.

For some, yes. For others, no. Annual travel insurance is worth it when the cost is less than what you’d pay to insure each trip separately or you would prefer to just sign up once then be done for a year. However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few, mostly domestic, trips a year where your healthcare coverage works, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses.

How much does annual trip insurance cost?

Costs vary greatly depending on the type of coverage you want. Annual travel insurance plan costs range from $140 to $500 for a single person. If you take a lot of trips, the cost can be worth it over the course of a year, but each person’s situation is different.

When should I take out annual travel insurance?

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than the cost of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want. Look at the different types of coverage and your expected costs for insuring each trip separately, then see if it makes sense for you.

Does annual travel insurance automatically renew?

It varies by policy provider, but some companies have an auto-renew feature to ensure you don’t have gaps in coverage.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
• HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
• Tin Leg: Best Cost
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
• Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

• 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
• $750 in missed connection coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

• Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
• Up to $1,600 for travel delays
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
• Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
• $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

• 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
• $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
• Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
• $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
• Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
• $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
• Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
• $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
• Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
• Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

• 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
• $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
• $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
• $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
• $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
• Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

• TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
• InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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• Travel Insurance

https://money.com/best-travel-insurance/

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of May 2024

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• What Is Whole Life Insurance and How Does It Work?
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• Everything to Know About Your Pet’s Mental Health

Our team vetted 15 companies and narrowed our top picks to nine insurers, including Seven Corners, Generali Global Assistance and World Nomads. To do so, we read the fine print on travel insurance plans and compared coverage options and prices. That helped us determine which company stood out by offering services that may appeal to particular groups.

Travel Insurance Made Easy™ - Compare and buy from trusted providers in just a few minutes

Gain access to policies from all major insurers, including COVID-19 coverage

• 24/7 Emergency Assistance Worldwide
• Licensed in all 50 states and Member of the US Travel Insurance Association (UStiA)

COVID-19 coverage is available and/or may be included as an add-on

• “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) availability 
• Includes trip cancellation, baggage delay/loss, and flight delays
• Emergency medical expenses coverage are included in the coverage

Trip cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, lost baggage, unexpected crises, and more

Access to a worldwide network of prescreened hospitals 

Quick claim payments for qualifying delays

24-7 emergency assistance services

Medical, cancellation, and baggage coverage

• Travel concierge services with premium plans
• Emergency evacuation and medical repatriation
• Offers cancellation coverage due to terrorism and natural disasters

Largest selection of policies with Covid-19 coverage

• Coverage for Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Delay, Medical Emergency & Evacuation and Pre-Existing Conditions
• Award-winning customer service with an A+ BBB rating
• Reviewed by 47,691 customers with an average rating of 5 stars

Over 190 years of experience – Travel Smarter™  with Generali Group

• Enjoy quick resolutions with your own global 24/7 travel assistance team
• Coverage for all types of trips: domestic, international, cruises, vacation rentals, and more
• Covid-19 illness coverage including lodging
• Up to $250,000 in medical coverage and $1 million in evacuation  

Pre-Existing Conditions and Cancel For Any Reason Coverage Available

• 28 Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption
• Up to $1MM for emergency medical evacuation
• Customizable standard & comprehensive coverages

Coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, and more

• Lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed baggage costs
• 'Cancel for any reason' policy available
• Travel Accident Insurance for non-US citizens

Trip cancellation insurance for U.S. and non-U.S. residents

• Coverage for trip cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, and more
• Group travel products available 
• Top-rated cruise insurance plans, adventure travel insurance and International Student Insurance available   

Money's Main Takeaways

• Travel insurance can reimburse you for lost luggage, missed flights, trip cancellations or interruptions, and emergency medical expenses.
• Purchase travel insurance right after booking the trip to ensure the best coverage.
• You can compare multiple policies in one place through a marketplace such as TravelInsured.com.

Why Trust Us?

Our editors and writers evaluate insurance companies independently, ensuring our content is precise and guided by editorial integrity. Read the full methodology to learn more.

• Based on 15+ data points
• Reviewed 13 insurers
• 1,000+ hours of research

Comprehensive travel insurance can give you peace of mind, whether you’re going on a carefully planned trip or an impromptu adventure to one of the best places to travel .

Here are the nine best travel insurance companies of 2024 so you can protect yourself, your finances and your belongings while abroad.

Our Top Picks for the Best Travel Insurance

• Seven Corners - Best for Large Groups
• Generali Global Assistance - Best for Emergency Support Services
• World Nomads - Best for Adventure Sports Coverage
• Nationwide - Best Cruise Travel Insurance
• Travelex - Best for Families with Children
• Allianz Travel - Best for Business Travel
• AIG Travel Guard - Best for Add-Ons
• HTH Travel Insurance - Best for Long-Term Insurance for International Travel
• TravelInsurance.com - Best for Comparing Travel Insurance Quotes

Best Travel Insurance Reviews

Best for large groups: seven corners travel insurance.

• Coverage from five up to 364 days
• Allows coverage extensions
• Website includes sample scenarios to illustrate how the coverage works
• Hazardous activities not included in coverage (add-on only)
• Different plan options for WA, NY, PA, and MO residents

Why we chose it : We chose Seven Corners as the best travel insurance for large groups because it insures parties of 10 or more travelers through comprehensive policies that cover medical expenses and evacuations.

Seven Corners’ simple and budget-friendly Trip Protection Choice plan covers trip cancellation, interruption or delays for specific reasons, including COVID-19 for groups of 10 or more. Its emergency medical protection goes up to $500,000 and offers up to $1,000,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.

In addition to its group trip travel insurance plans, Seven Corners has three travel medical plan tiers with comprehensive medical coverage for emergency room visits, hospital room and board, and onset of pre-existing medical conditions, among others.

These plans include 24/7 multilingual customer service to help with emergency travel arrangements, medical evacuations and locating the nearest embassy or consulate.

Read Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Seven Corners's Secure Website >>

Best for Emergency Support Services: Generali Global Assistance

• Offers 24-hour emergency assistance services
• Up to $1K upfront payment for acute medical treatment
• Car rental damage add-on available
• Pre-existing condition coverage only available in the Premium plan
• High premium costs
• "Cancel for any reason" only available for Premium plan

Why we chose it : Generali Global Assistance is our choice for the best travel insurance for emergency support services because its policies include telemedicine, concierge services and identity theft resolution assistance.

All of Generali’s policies include 24-hour Travel Support, which can provide immediate assistance for problems that might arise during a trip:

• Medical emergencies
• Identity theft resolution
• Emergency cash transfer
• Replacing lost or stolen medication
• Locating lost or stolen items

Travelers can choose between three plans — Standard, Preferred and Premium — that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, and baggage damage, loss or theft. Each plan also covers medical and dental emergencies up to specific payout limits:

• Standard: up to $50,000 per person
• Preferred: up to $150,000 per person
• Premium: up to $250,000 per person

Both its Preferred and Premium plans include trip cancellation benefits or trip interruption in the event that a travel supplier — say, a cruise company, hotel or rental car company — becomes insolvent and can no longer offer its services.

Read Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Generali Global Assistance's Secure Website

Best for Adventure Sports Coverage: World Nomads

• Emergency medical $100,000 (accident and sickness)
• Buy more while traveling
• 24/7 emergency support (Generali Global Assistance)
• Does not cover pre-existing conditions
• No CFAR option offered
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage low compared to other providers ($2.5K-$10K)

Why we chose it: World Nomads is the best travel insurance for travelers who enjoy adventure sports because it covers over 150+ sports and adventure activities, unlike most companies.

While most travel insurance companies shy away from covering adventure sports and other off-the-beaten-path activities, WorldNomads offers policies specifically tailored to more adventurous travelers.

Its Standard and Explorer plans cover scuba diving, skiing, surfing and 150+ other sports and activities. Both plans include $100,000 in coverage for accidents and illnesses and 24/7 emergency support to help you find local physicians or medical facilities.

• Standard: Covers accidents and illnesses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, accidental death and lost luggage or theft
• Explorer: Increases the coverage limits of each benefit and adds $35K in rental car damage coverage

Most companies don't let you purchase or extend coverage during the trip, but World Nomads offers a rare alternative; individuals who didn't purchase coverage before their trip can enroll in the company's "Buy While Traveling" plan. Those who already purchased a policy can also extend their coverage to keep exploring.

Read World Nomads Travel Insurance Review

See rates on World Nomads's Secure Website

Best Cruise Travel Insurance: Nationwide

• Offers a pre-existing condition waiver
• 24-hour assistance
• Multi-trip plans
• Must wait 12 hours before bag delay coverage
• Cancel for any reason is only available in premium plan
• Few options for additional coverage.

Why we chose it : We picked Nationwide as the best travel insurance for cruises because it offers travel insurance plans geared explicitly toward cruise travel.

Nationwide has three cruise insurance tiers (Universal, Choice and Luxury) that fit any budget and insurance needs.

Nationwide's emergency medical coverage starts at $75,000, and all three of its plan tiers include “cancel for work reasons” coverage, $500 for return-home-early benefit, $200 for shipboard service disruption, and $25,000 for non-medical evacuations.

Covered reasons for cancellation and interruption include inclement weather, natural disasters and work-related emergencies.

Nationwide also has two single-trip plans: Essential and Prime. In addition to industry-standard trip protection basics, these plans offer above-average medical coverage starting at $75,000 and a “cancel for any reason” add-on that reimburses 75% of non-refundable trip costs.

Travelers can add a pre-existing conditions waiver and coverage in the case of a travel supplier’s financial default (as an upgrade to Essential and included in Prime).

Read Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Nationwide's Secure Website

Best for Families with Children: Travelex

• Flight insurance plans available
• Pre-existing conditions waiver
• Several upgrades available
• Upgrades not available for the Basic plan
• Customer service has limited operating hours

Why we chose it : Travelex is our choice as the best travel insurance for families with children because it offers two plans that cover family members under 17 at no additional cost.

Travelex Insurance Service features two main plans for international trips, Travel Basic and Travel Select — plus a Travel America plan for trips in the USA. Both plans include children 17 and under at no additional cost.

The Travel Basic is an affordable plan perfect for students, backpackers, small groups or those on a budget. These plans cover trip cancellation and interruption at 100% of the trip cost and offer up to $2,000 for trip delays or missed connections.

Read Travelex Insurance Services Review

See rates on Travelex's Secure Website

Best for Business Travel: Allianz Travel

• Epidemic coverage endorsement
• Allianz TravelSmart App
• Annual plan geared to business travelers
• 24-hour multilingual assistance hotline
• Low medical coverage
• No "cancel for any reason" benefit

Why we chose it : Allianz Travel is our choice for the best travel insurance for business trips because its comprehensive annual plan is ideal for frequent flyers, whether they are traveling for business or pleasure. It also covers business equipment against theft, loss, damage and delay.

Allianz sells 10 distinct travel insurance plans offering a wide range of options, from basic cancellation benefits to multi-trip protection. These plans include a 24-hour multilingual assistance hotline and the TravelSmart App, which gives quick access to travel advisories, local medical facilities, mobile claims filing and much more.

Allianz's AllTrips Executive plan is tailored for frequent travelers, aiming to streamline business trips and enhance convenience. This comprehensive plan covers:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption
• Emergency medical and transportation
• Rental car damage and theft
• Business equipment coverage (for lost, stolen, damaged or delayed equipment)

Another one of Allianz’s highlights is its lack of age restrictions (most other insurers limit coverage by age). Some of its plans also cover kids 17 and under traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Read Allianz Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Allianz Travel's Secure Website

Best for Add-Ons: AIG Travel Guard

• Lodging expense benefit
• Trip saver and exchange specialized coverage included
• A child 17 and under is covered per insured
• Covers trips to Cuba if the traveler provides additional documentation
• High cost of premiums
• Most add-ons are not available for the basic plan

Why we chose it : We chose AIG Travel Guard as the best travel insurance for add-ons because it offers travelers a wide variety of coverage options with which to customize their plans.

AIG Travel Guard has over 30 years of experience providing comprehensive travel insurance to millions of travelers. These customers have had access to unique services such as MedEvac and Bag Trak®.

AIG Travel Guard’s most popular plan, the Preferred offers:

• Up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Reimbursement of up to 50% of your trip cost if you were to change your trip dates

Travelers can also add unique options such as a pet bundle, a wedding bundle (for canceled weddings) and an inconvenience bundle in the event any attractions you wanted to visit are closed.

Another of AIG's specialized insurance products is lodging expense coverage. This benefit is for travelers who test positive for COVID-19 and must remain abroad until they present a negative test result.

For last-minute trips, AIG Travel Guard has the Pack N’ GO Plan that includes post-departure coverage and an exclusive 24-hour emergency travel assistance service.

Read AIG Travel Insurance Review

See rates on AIG Travel Guard's Secure Website

Best for Long-Term International Travel Insurance: HTH Travel Insurance

• Travel medical insurance for groups of five or more
• International expatriate comprehensive coverage
• mPassport app to find doctors, pharmacies, and translations of drug names
• Pet medical expense coverage
• 12-hour wait for bag delay coverage (24 hours under the economy plan)
• "Cancel for any reason" option only offered in the Preferred plan
• Participants must be enrolled in a primary health insurance plan to be eligible for the multi-trip plan

Why we chose it : HTH Travel Insurance stands out as the best travel insurance for long-term international travel because it offers specialty coverage for expats and students.

HTH Travel Insurance's Xplorer Plan offers comprehensive medical insurance for individuals and families traveling outside their home country for at least three months out of the year. This plan features:

• No deductible for office visits
• No waiting periods for preventive care services
• No pre-existing condition waiting period, provided the insured has proof of prior creditable coverage

HTH Travel Insurance also offers international health insurance for students with flexible trip duration options. This plan has unlimited annual and lifetime medical care maximums and includes supplies and prescriptions. In addition to unlimited telemedicine services, the plan covers medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Other global health and safety services available through HTH Travel Insurance include 24/7 call assistance, access to elite international doctors and hospitals, and translated medical terms.

Read HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

See rates on HTH Travel Insurance's Secure Website

Best for Comparing Travel Insurance Quotes: TravelInsurance.com

• Shows results from the top-rated insurers
• Offers helpful tips and articles
• Site only shows all add-ons available at checkout
• You may prefer a company that isn't on the marketplace

Why we chose it : We picked TravelInsurance.com as the best travel insurance for comparing quotes because it allows users to quickly and easily view plan details and prices from some of the top travel insurance providers in the industry.

TravelInsurance.com is a travel insurance comparison platform that simplifies the shopping process by connecting users with top-rated carriers. It breaks down coverage options and presents policies in a simple table for easy comparison.

This marketplace simplifies the process for travelers to input their trip details and receive customized quotes based on factors such as trip cost, duration and traveler ages. The results page presents essential coverage information, reviews, ratings and a link to each provider's COVID-19 policy FAQs.

Read TravelInsurance.com Review

See rates on TravelInsurance.com's Secure Website

Quote, compare and buy in a few minutes

Best Price Guarantee By Comparing Top Providers In A Single Platform

• Buy online and get instant coverage by email
• 24/7 emergency assistance worldwide
• Over 100,000 verified customers with 5-star reviews and $3.5 billion in protected trip costs
• Includes coverage from theft, trip cancellations, baggage loss and delay, medical expenses for hospital treatments
• Policies from trusted providers including: Travel Insured International, AEGIS, Global Trip Protection, Arch RoamRight and others

100% Digital Travel Insurance

• Cancel for any reason available
• Includes emergency medical expenses
• Quick claims & reimbursements in App with 24/7 support
• Largest selection of 100+ policies
• Coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, travel delay, medical emergency & evacuation and pre-existing conditions

Worldwide network of prescreened hospitals

• Trip Cancelations, Delays, Medical Emergencies, Lost Baggage, Unexpected Crises, And More

Over 190 years of experience

• Cancel For Any Reason availability
• Up to $250,000 in medical coverage and $1 million in evacuation

Other travel insurance companies we considered

In this section, we feature popular companies that didn't make our top picks. The table below highlights the highest coverage available for each type of benefit. Check out the full reviews to learn more about each provider:

• Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review
• TravelSafe Insurance Review
• AXA Travel Insurance Review
• Faye Travel Insurance Review
• Trawick International insurance review
• John Hancock travel insurance review
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Trip cancellation insurance

Trip interruption insurance

Medical insurance

Baggage maximum/per item limit

Trawick International

100 to 150%

$2,000/$250

AXA Assistance USA

$3,000/$500

$2,500/$300

$1,000/$250

Berkshire Hathaway

$2,500/$250

$2,000/$500

Travel Insured International

John Hancock Insurance Agency

Travel Insurance Guide

Travel insurance reimburses you if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip early. It can also pay for stolen or lost baggage and medical expenses if you get sick or have an accident during the trip. You can purchase a single policy for a short trip, or purchase a long-term policy for frequent trips or long stays abroad.

Read on for more information on coverage benefits and tips on how to select the right type of coverage.

What does travel insurance cover?

What does travel insurance not cover, how much is travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, how much travel insurance do i need, credit card travel insurance, are there location restrictions when it comes to travel insurance.

• Travel insurance companies that cover COVID-19

Comprehensive travel insurance covers common travel issues and mishaps, from accidents to baggage delays.

The following are standard coverage options and add-ons.

• Trip cancellation insurance: refunds up to 100% of prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if you cancel an upcoming trip for eligible reasons.
• Trip interruption coverage: reimburses you for the unused portion of the trip as well as expenses you may incur to get back home. Insurers typically cap reimbursement at 150% of the cost of the trip.
• Travel delays: reimburses you (up to your policy limits) for extra expenses such as meals or lodgings during a flight delay. Insurers may also cover airport delays and any flight change fees necessary to catch up on your travel plans.
• Emergency travel medical insurance : reimburses you for medical expenses incurred during your trip, under certain circumstances. Coverage amounts for medical expenses can range from $15,000 to $50,000. Coverage may apply even if you're pregnant while traveling .
• Emergency medical evacuation: Reimburses you if you need to be evacuated to the nearest medical facility or to a facility in your country of origin. Maximum benefits usually range between $100,000 to $500,000 but can be as high as $1 million.
• Baggage and personal effects: Refunds you the cost of replacement items if your luggage is lost or delayed during your trip, typically up to $2,500. You must wait a predetermined number of hours before filing a claim and submit purchase receipts or a list of items in your luggage. Coverage may be subject to a deductible.
• Worldwide assistance: 24/7 customer service should you need assistance while traveling. This includes multilingual medical hotlines that can provide medical advice and refer you to local healthcare services.

Popular travel insurance add-ons

Here we explain a variety of add-ons or riders that allow you to increase benefit limits and cover activities that may be excluded from standard policies.

The most common exclusions in a travel insurance policy are:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Injuries caused by extreme sports
• Theft/loss of personal items such as electronic devices and jewelry
• Pregnancy-related conditions
• Injuries that happen while you’re intoxicated with drugs or alcohol, even if the intoxicating substance is legal to use at the destination
• Missed flights, where the traveler is at fault
• "Foreseeable events" such as epidemics and pandemics that are officially declared by federal or international health agencies. (Claims related to COVID-19 illness may be covered)

The cost of travel insurance can range from 4% to 12% of the total cost of your trip and depend on:

• Your travel destination
• The length of your trip
• The types of benefits and policy limits you select

We used an online marketplace to get quotes for a family of four taking a trip from New York City to London. Let's say that the family spent $2,200 on four tickets. Insuring all four travelers could cost between $90 to over $300.

To illustrate the potential cost of trip insurance, we calculated 6% of the cost of various trips.

Total trip cost

6% of trip cost (estimated travel insurance cost)

You can buy travel insurance after booking a flight . However, it's advisable not to delay obtaining a policy. The longer you wait between your initial trip payment and purchasing trip insurance, the greater the chance you'll miss out on valuable add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR upgrades.

The best time to purchase travel insurance coverage is right after you've booked your trip’s costliest non-refundable expense, i.e., flight tickets and lodging.

1. Define your travel insurance needs

Consider your reasons for traveling and how long you'll be away, taking into account who is traveling with you as well as your planned activities.

Business travel insurance is suitable for those who travel frequently for work and need coverage for items like work laptops and phones. Vacationers who booked a cruise may need a specialized policy such as Nationwide's cruise insurance plans , while students in overseas programs should look into a plan like Trawick International Insurance for students .

2. Review the policy limits

Each travel insurance benefit has a specific payout limit, which may or may not be enough for your particular situation. For example, individuals traveling with expensive personal belongings such as cameras or jewelry may want a higher payout limit for personal effects or riders for high-value items.

3. Check the policy's fine print

Make sure the trip insurance policy you're interested in covers the activities you have planned, especially if there are recreational sports involved.

Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions should also confirm whether those are covered under their policy. If not, they may need supplemental medical coverage or a different provider.

Take a moment to check if emergency assistance services are available 24/7 and what kind of assistance you can expect should you have a medical emergency or your belongings be stolen.

4. Compare travel insurance quotes

We recommend you get insurance quotes through comparison sites and marketplaces such as InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth Travel Insurance . If you're traveling on a tight budget, you can still find cheap travel insurance that will cover the essentials, such as medical expenses and personal effects.

Consider the following when comparing quotes:

• Affordability
• Maximum payout limits for baggage loss or theft
• Available add-ons such as "Cancel for Any Reason"
• Policy terms regarding pre-existing medical conditions
• Minimum wait time before you can file a claim for baggage loss and trip delays
• Maximum payout limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Before buying travel insurance , take stock of what losses you would incur if unforeseen events forced you to cancel the trip, or if you suffered an unexpected medical emergency.

• Non-refundable travel expenses: This includes flight tickets, lodging reservations, pet care accommodations, travel activities like guided tours and transportation expenses booked in advance.
• Potential medical emergencies: Travelers may need medical care abroad due to food poisoning, cardiovascular emergencies, endemic illnesses and injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. Some travel insurers recommend you get a minimum of $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international trips and $100,000 for cruises and trips to remote locations.
• Additional coverage needs: Travelers who engage in adventure sports may need a rider to ensure medical coverage if they get injured. These sports are usually excluded from most trip insurance policies.

Many credit cards offer flight insurance and travel protection for lodging and luggage if you use the card to pay for these trip expenses. That being said, if you compare credit card travel coverage with travel insurance , you'll see that most credit cards lack benefits such as medical expenses and emergency evacuation coverage.

Read our guide to the best travel credit cards for more information on how your credit card can help you travel smarter.

Most U.S. insurance providers will not issue international travel insurance for destinations that are currently under a State Department travel advisory or where there is political unrest. Among the countries usually excluded by providers are Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and Cuba.

The U.S. State Department created the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so travelers can stay apprised of relevant security updates from the nearest U.S. Consulate. The program is free to use and travelers can register each upcoming trip as needed. STEP is a useful tool for all travelers, no matter their destination, as it facilitates contact between them and the U.S. Embassy in case of natural disaster, civil unrest or a family emergency.

Travel insurance that covers COVID-19

All of the insurers on our list cover COVID-19 if you become sick and need medical attention abroad. Trip protection is also available if you need to cancel the trip due to a COVID-19 infection.

Does insurance cover COVID-19 testing for travel?

Travel insurance doesn't cover the cost of COVID-19 tests prior to your trip. It may cover COVID-19 tests during your trip if you get sick and a doctor requires a test to diagnose you.

Alternatively, low or no-cost COVID testing may be available at a health center near you if you need to get tested before departing.

Latest News on Travel Insurance

• Travel insurance is mainly used for international trips but insurers also sell policies for domestic travel. Check out our guide to domestic travel insurance to determine whether this coverage is necessary for your trip within the U.S.
• Planning a trip to a European destination within the Schengen area? You'll need a Schengen visa and proof of medical insurance coverage. Read our Schengen travel insurance guide to learn more about this requirement
• Southwest now offers a rare (and valuable) welcome bonus if you sign up for the airline's credit card: a complimentary extra ticket (minus taxes and fees) for one travel companion once you purchase a Southwest ticket. To unlock this bonus, you must spend $4,000 within the first three months after you open a Southwest credit card account.
• Travel search engine Kayak unveiled a calculator that can help you budget for vacations . The Vacay Valuator is a free tool that tallies how much you'd save if you cut certain expenses for a specific length of time and matches you with flights within that price range.

Now that the holiday season has passed, it's time to start planning this year's adventures. Check out the following travel guides to plan your next trip in 2024:

• Best Places to Travel in Spring
• Best Places to Travel in Fall
• Best Places to Travel in Winter

Travel Insurance FAQs

What is a pre-existing condition for travel insurance.

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or injuries diagnosed by a medical professional 60 to 180 days before you purchased the policy.

Providers may define pre-existing conditions differently, so ask your insurer about this, even if you qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver . Misunderstanding the terms and conditions of your policy could lead to your claim being denied.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be worth it , especially if you're traveling internationally and have covered non-refundable expenses upfront. It serves as a financial safety net, covering unforeseen events before or during your trip. It includes flight insurance and covers medical expenses and/or reservation costs if you get sick or need to cancel or interrupt your trip.

Having said that, this coverage isn't necessary if you can already get reimbursed for a canceled trip. This can happen, for example, if you reserve your trip with a credit card that offers travel insurance as a perk.

How does travel insurance work?

Travel insurance reimburses you for expenses or losses incurred before or during your trip, provided they are covered under your policy. It's more commonly associated with medical emergencies, but it also covers prepaid expenses like airfare, accommodations, tours and more.

If you suffer a covered loss, you'll need to file a claim and provide evidence of the loss. The insurance provider will then analyze your claim and reimburse you if it's covered under the policy. If the claim is denied, you can always appeal the decision.

What is the best travel insurance?

Can i cancel a flight and get a refund.

You can cancel a flight and get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchasing the tickets, according to the Department of Transportation. (This applies to airline tickets purchased at least seven days before departure.)

Once 24 hours have passed, all airlines allow you to cancel a flight and many offer a refund, credit or voucher. What you get will depend on the airline's policies and the type of flight you purchase.

To ensure you obtain a refund for your flight you should buy a policy that includes a cancel for any reason rider.

When is it too late to buy travel insurance?

Policies purchased at the last minute cover the basics: trip interruptions and delays, medical emergencies, and baggage loss or theft. You will miss out on valuable benefits such as "cancel for any reason," "trip interruption for any reason" and waivers for pre-existing medical conditions.

How We Chose the Best Travel Insurance Companies

As part of our methodology, we gathered travel insurance quotes from online comparison site Travelinsurance.com using the following profile:

• Family of four traveling from New York City to London
• $2,200 on flight tickets for all four travelers

We then reviewed the available plans and looked at the following factors to evaluate and compare each company:

• Plans and coverage: We looked for insurers with a variety of plans and the ability to customize the policy with upgrades. We focused on companies offering unique add-ons, such as coverage for extreme sports and lost gear or equipment.
• Ease of use: We considered how easily you could get a quote and understand the policy information. Most of these companies either offer just a few plans to keep things simple or provide a comparison page where you can quickly spot the differences in each plan.
• Customer service and support: Factors like a 24/7 hotline and an established network of global resources to help in an emergency indicate a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. We gave extra points to companies with mobile apps, multiple ways of accessing customer support and added perks like concierge and translation services.
• Reputation : To gauge each company’s reputation, we evaluated factors such as customer feedback and ratings, years in business and financial stability as evidenced by AM Best financial strength ratings.

Summary of Money's 9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of May 2024

• Seven Corners – Best for Large Groups
• Generali Global Assistance – Best for Emergency Support Services
• World Nomads – Best for Adventure Sports Coverage
• Nationwide – Best Cruise Travel Insurance
• Travelex – Best for Families with Children
• Allianz Travel – Best for Business Travel
• AIG Travel Guard – Best for Add-Ons
• HTH Travel Insurance – Best for Long-Term Insurance for International Travel
• TravelInsurance.com – Best for Comparing Travel Insurance Quotes

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The Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans (2024)

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Annual travel insurance can provide travelers with protection for multiple trips in one year. After researching and reviewing travel insurance companies nationwide, the MarketWatch Guides team found that Seven Corners and Trawick offer the best annual travel insurance plans. International Medical Group, Allianz and AIG Travel Guard also offer annual plans worth considering.

What Is Annual Travel Insurance?

Annual travel insurance — also known as multi-trip travel insurance — can protect multiple trips over a year. For frequent travelers planning several vacations in a year, an annual travel insurance plan can offer a more economical option than purchasing multiple single-trip policies. With annual travel insurance, you should only pay one premium for a year’s worth of coverage.

While each annual travel insurance plan varies by provider, you may find that per-trip or yearly coverage limits apply rather than item-specific limits. In addition, some coverages found with single-trip policies are not typically included in an annual travel insurance plan, such as trip cancellation insurance, baggage loss and rental car coverage. Providers may also not offer the option to add cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage with an annual plan. Annual travel insurance usually focuses more on medical protection versus a broader range of coverages, based on our assessment.

The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans

Based on our team’s extensive research on annual, multi-trip travel insurance plans, we’ve named the following as our top picks. 

• Seven Corners : Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip
• Trawick International : Safe Travels Annual Basic
• International Medical Group (IMG): Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical
• Allianz Travel Insurance: AllTrips Premier
• AIG Travel Guard: Annual Plan

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Seven Corners

Seven Corners provides annual coverage through its Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip plan. The plan includes COVID-19 protection, trip cancellation insurance and pre-existing condition coverage as standard, and allows for unlimited trips lasting 40 days or less throughout your policy term. You can also customize your annual trip cancellation limit, with up to $10,000 in total benefits.

Pros and Cons

Trawick international.

Why We Picked Trawick

If you’re looking for basic coverage at a low cost, Trawick International offers its Safe Travels Annual Basic plan for a flat rate of $155 per person. Coverage extends up to 30 days for each trip taken more than 100 miles from home during your coverage period and can apply to both U.S.-based and international trips. While Trawick features lower coverage limits than other providers on our list, it offers 100% trip cancellation coverage at no additional cost.

International Medical Group

Why We Picked IMG

International Medical Group (IMG) provides the highest medical coverage maximum of all the providers on our list through its Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical plan. The policy offers protection of up to $1 million after paying a $250 deductible for medical benefits, dental, emergency medical evacuation and more. IMG also provides medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage if you have a sudden and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition. Note that you can upgrade your plan to allow for 45 days of coverage per trip versus 30 days.

Allianz Global Assistance

Why We Picked Allianz

The Allianz AllTrips Premier plan provides annual travel insurance coverage for your entire household through one plan — regardless of whether you travel separately or together. The plan includes trip cancellation and interruption benefits as standard coverage, but you can customize the coverage limits at an additional cost. The AllTrips Premier plan also provides rental car coverage, which most providers in this review lack.

AIG Travel Guard

Why We Picked AIG

AIG Travel Guard (AIG) offers one annual travel protection policy, called the Annual Plan. It provides non-flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $50,000, which is not typically included in other yearly policy offerings based on our review. AIG also offers up to $100,000 specifically for security evacuations. Note that there is no age limit to purchasing a policy — the only requirements include holding U.S. residency and buying the policy no later than 24 hours before departure.

Compare Annual Travel Insurance Plans

You can refer to the table below for a side-by-side comparison of our team’s picks for the best annual travel insurance policies.

* Our team gathered quotes from each provider’s website for the above-listed plans based on a 30-year-old sample traveler.

How To Choose an Annual Travel Insurance Plan

There are several steps you can take to help make the process of choosing an annual travel insurance plan easier while ensuring you pick the right plan for your needs as a traveler.

First, it is best practice to research providers before choosing an annual travel insurance plan. Not all travel insurance providers offer this type of policy, and for the ones that do, we recommend you consider industry and customer reputation when making a decision. Note the coverage limits, medical benefits and any additional add-ons each company offers. While the providers listed in this article are our top picks for annual coverage, every traveler’s needs and best-suited plan will vary.

If you have your travel itinerary for the year mapped out and know what you’re looking for in terms of coverage, consider an annual plan that aligns with your needs and concerns. For example, if you have a pre-existing medical condition , you may consider a provider that provides a pre-existing condition waiver and high medical coverage limits. If you’re more concerned about cancellation coverage, you may choose a plan that offers this type of protection, which not all companies include in their annual plans.

How Does Annual Travel Insurance Work?

Annual travel insurance works by covering a traveler during multiple trips over the course of a year. There’s usually no limit to the number of trips you can take during this time. However, companies do include limits on how long each trip can last under coverage. This limit varies by provider, but a standard threshold is a maximum of 90 days based on our review.

Some annual travel insurance benefits work on a per-trip or per-year basis. For example, a yearly plan may have a baggage loss limit that resets every trip, while it sets separate limits for trip interruption benefits for an entire year of travel. Plans are typically non-renewable, so once your coverage is up, you would have to buy a new plan to cover another year of travel.

After purchasing a plan, coverage begins on the effective date, which your provider should list within your policy documents. Coverage ends on your policy’s expiration date, which your provider should also detail within your policy. How long coverage extends per trip, and the associated coverage levels, will depend on your provider.

We recommend you read your policy carefully to ensure you fully understand the applicable limits of your annual travel insurance plan.

Benefits of Annual Travel Insurance

The benefits of an annual travel insurance plan include low costs compared to purchasing individual plans, convenience and consistent coverage across all of your trips. Learn more in the sections below.

Cost-Efficiency

Annual travel insurance plans are often more cost-efficient than several single-trip policies, according to our quote collection process. If you’re taking more than one or two trips within a year and looking for coverage on a budget, you may consider an annual travel insurance policy.

Convenience

Purchasing one travel insurance policy to cover a year’s worth of multiple trips is easier than buying several single-trip policies. You only need to worry about one set of terms, conditions, policy limits and more instead of juggling multiple plans.

Consistent Coverage

An annual travel insurance policy can ensure that coverage stays consistent throughout your travels. You can take trips of varying lengths to different destinations, but your coverage and benefits should remain the same within your term limits.

Drawbacks of Annual Travel Insurance

As with most types of insurance, there are both pros and cons to annual travel plans. These drawbacks include limited benefits and a variety of exclusions, which we’ll detail below.

Variety of Exclusions

Many providers do not include trip cancellation coverage if you purchase a basic annual policy. While some providers allow you to add these benefits to annual policies for an extra cost, coverage is not typically included as standard as with a single-trip policy.

Offers Lower Limits

Annual travel insurance limits are often lower than with a single-trip policy. If you’re looking to insure a costly trip or need a plan with high medical coverage limits, you may want to consider a single-trip plan instead.

Annual Travel Insurance vs. Single Trip Travel Insurance

You will likely notice differences and similarities when comparing annual travel insurance versus single-trip travel insurance policies. For one, both yearly and single-trip policies usually bundle travel medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss, baggage delay and travel delay coverage within a standard policy . Single-trip policies, however, often include trip cancellation benefits, which many annual policies only offer as an add-on.

Both annual travel insurance and single-trip policies limit the length of trips covered. For yearly plans, limits can range from 30 to 90 days for a single trip, and you’ll need to head back to your home base in between trips. For a single-trip policy, plans often limit trip length to no longer than 180 days.

Cost Differences Between Annual and Single-Trip Travel Insurance

Annual multi-trip policies can be more cost-effective than single-trip coverage for frequent travelers, based on our review. Typically, single-trip policies may benefit travelers taking one or two trips in a year. Annual travel insurance is usually more suited for those who travel often, taking upwards of three trips or more within a year’s time.

There are times when a single-trip plan may better suit your needs compared to an annual policy. For example, if you are taking high-end, luxury trips with a high overall cost, you may benefit more from single-trip policies for each trip with high cancellation and interruption limits.

Who Needs Annual Travel Insurance?

Various types of travelers could benefit from an annual coverage plan. A multi-trip travel insurance plan is worth considering if you travel frequently for business or pleasure and do not need coverages such as trip cancellation insurance. Annual insurance may also suit travelers who like to take last-minute trips or longer vacations, as having an annual travel insurance plan in place can offer more convenience.

Annual plans are also worth considering for lower-cost trips where the primary concern is covering a potential medical emergency. As mentioned, annual plans do not usually offer trip cancellation coverage as a standard inclusion. However, they typically include medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation coverages — ideal for those looking to protect their health versus trip expenses during their travels.

If you’re taking expensive or high-value international trips throughout the year, you may prefer a single-trip policy for the trip cancellation benefits that come with each plan. Or, if you’ve booked a variety of non-refundable expenses, such as hotel or tour reservations, a single-trip plan with cancellation coverage may also better suit your needs.

What Does Annual Travel Insurance Cover?

Annual travel insurance policies offer a variety of coverages to offer financial protection if  unexpected events occur. From medical emergencies to travel inconveniences, yearly plans can provide comprehensive coverage for peace of mind.

Exclusions and Limitations of Annual Travel Policies

Annual travel insurance policies usually have the same exclusions as single-trip policies. Typically, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered. Still, some providers offer a waiver to extend coverage for medical bills or claims related to your recent medical history. Standard annual policies don’t cover adventure sports, but this coverage is often available as an add-on. Moreover, “foreseeable” events, such as natural disasters or named storms that began before you purchased your policy, are also excluded from annual travel coverage.

The coverage provided through an annual travel insurance policy also has limitations. For example, travel medical expenses and emergency medical evacuations have capped monetary limits. If the medical bills incurred during your travels cost more than the coverage you’ve purchased through your policy, you will have to cover the excess out-of-pocket. In addition, trip interruption benefits will cover a percentage of your non-refundable travel expenses, with the amount depending on your plan and provider.

According to Angela Borden, Product Marketing Specialist at Seven Corners, “One of the most common reasons for a denied claim is because a traveler misunderstood the details of their plan. If you have any questions about what’s covered, contact your provider. They’ll be able to address any concerns so that you can travel more confidently.”

We recommend you read through your annual travel policy documents thoroughly to understand the exclusions and limitations associated with your coverage. 

How To Buy Annual Travel Insurance

Purchasing an annual travel insurance policy is usually a straightforward process, as most providers allow you to get a quote and buy a policy entirely online. However, there are some specifics to pay attention to when purchasing a policy. 

Coverage Start and End Dates Vary

It is best practice to pay attention to when your coverage starts and ends with your chosen policy. Most providers specify the start date as when you begin your travels. Plans will likely end a year after your start date or when your benefits are exhausted, whichever comes first. Coverage for each trip cannot exceed the specified maximum length outlined in your policy, so take note of the stipulations around coverage start and end dates.

Understand the Claims Process

It can help to understand how to file a claim with your provider before an emergency occurs during your travels. Many companies allow you to file a claim online, but you can often speak with a claims representative during specified hours if you’d prefer to talk to someone over the phone. You’ll likely have to provide documentation for your claims, so we recommend you keep all receipts and other necessary documents during your travels.

Look for Add-On Options

Some annual travel insurance providers offer optional add-on coverages for an additional cost. You may find that you can customize your coverage limits as well. For example, Allianz and Seven Corners allow you to choose your trip cancellation coverage limits, but increasing the amount can result in an additional cost. Other companies, such as IMG, provide adventure sports riders for those looking to participate in activities such as paragliding, skydiving, windsurfing and more.

Is Annual Travel Insurance Worth It?

Annual travel insurance plans can be worth it for certain travelers . If you travel frequently for business or pleasure and prefer consistent, cost-effective insurance protection, an annual multi-trip policy may be the right choice for you over a single-trip policy. However, examining your unique coverage needs can help you better gauge whether you need a yearly policy.

“When you’ve made a financial investment in your trip or need to protect your health when you travel, travel insurance is 100% worth it. Travel insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason. This means you get money back in your pocket if the unexpected happens. Travel insurance can also reimburse you if your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace them during your trip.” Angela Borden, Product Marketing Specialist at Seven Corners

We encourage you to gather multiple annual travel insurance quotes from various providers, comparing the costs and coverage limits on each policy. This can help you choose the coverage that best fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Annual Travel Insurance

What is the difference between annual multi-trip and long-stay trip insurance.

Annual multi-trip travel insurance covers multiple short-term trips — usually lasting 90 days or less — over the course of a year. Comparatively, long-stay trip insurance protects extended trips to one location and can be ideal for those working or studying abroad , taking a gap year and more.

Is an annual travel insurance plan worth it?

Annual travel insurance plans can be worth it for people who travel frequently and want affordable, consistent protection throughout the year. It may not be worth it for travelers looking for protections such as CFAR coverage or general trip cancellation benefits.

How much does annual trip insurance cost?

The average cost of annual trip insurance can range from $155 to $485 , based on quotes we gathered for multiple companies. The cost of an annual trip insurance policy will depend on factors such as your chosen plan, provider, coverage limits, add-on coverages and more. The best way to learn how much an annual multi-trip plan will cost you is to obtain free quotes from multiple providers.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards that offer varying levels of travel insurance coverage for purchases made with the card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance?

How much is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth it?

What does travel insurance cover?

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

By clicking a retailer link you consent to third party cookies that track your onward journey. If you make a purchase, Which? will receive an affiliate commission which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion .

Best travel insurance companies and policies 2024

In this article

How do you find the best travel insurance?

Best travel insurance policies, best travel insurance: companies and policies compared.

• What's the best type of travel insurance?
• How can I save money on travel insurance?

How much travel insurance cover do I need?

How to compare travel insurance companies, why there are so few best buy policies.

The best travel insurance can't stop things going wrong on holiday, but it can prevent problems – medical issues, cancellations, delays or losses – from having a huge impact on your finances.

Our experts compared over 50 travel insurance companies, scrutinising hundreds of policies, each with more than 60 areas of cover. 

We've assessed information on medical expenses, Covid cover, flight cancellation, compulsory excesses and many other factors to bring you our Best Buy travel insurance policies.

Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of an insurer before committing to any financial products.

Compare travel insurance deals

Check Which? insurance ratings and compare deals using the service provided by Confused.com

We looked at 56 travel insurers, comparing more than 160 policies. See our results in the table below.

We rated six policies as Best Buys – here are the three highest scoring:

NFU Mutual - Home and Lifestyle

• 81% policy score - 2nd out of 161 policies rated. 

We like: NFU Mutual was one of a minority of providers that will pay out if your holiday supplier or airline goes bankrupt. It is one of only two providers that applies its excess (£50) once per claim (rather than per person) – which could save hundreds if you're travelling as part of a group. 

We don't like:  NFU Mutual's travel insurance policies are only available to customers who also hold NFU Mutual home insurance . 

• Read our full NFU Mutual travel insurance review.

All Clear travel insurance - Platinum

• 79% policy score -  joint 7th out of 161 policies rated. 

We like: All Clear was the highest-scoring medical specialist insurer in our analysis. Its policy covers outbound, connecting and returning flights that you miss because of delays. Missed flights cover was available in more than 90% of policies we checked – but only half of policies covered the full round trip.

We don't like:  If your holiday company or airline goes bankrupt and you have to cancel the holiday, you won't be able to claim on the insurance for lost costs. 

• Read our full All Clear travel insurance review.  

Insure and Go - Black

• 77% policy score - joint 10th out of 161 policies rated.

We like:  If you're covering a very expensive trip, the Black policy has one of the highest cover limits for costs if you have to cancel – £10,000. You also don't pay excesses.

We don't like:  If you have a dental emergency while travelling, you can only claim up to £250. As with All Clear's policies, you can't claim if your travel company or airline goes bust.

• Read our full Insure and Go insurance review .

Here's the full details of our findings in the tables below – to access each table, use the 'Select a table' dropdown below.

• The 'Best Buys' table shows the policies that meet our exacting Best Buy criteria . When choosing these, we check for key features of cover as well as data on complaints and claims acceptance rates. 
• The other tables show the top-scoring policy from every provider we've rated. Of all policies reviewed, scores ranged from 83% to 29%.

We've also written comprehensive reviews of the best 16 insurers overall – just click on the links in the table to read them.

Best Buy policies

Table note:  All ratings are for policies available to new customers, and the details were gathered in a survey carried out in April 2023. The information should be considered correct to then. We will next update our policy scores in June 2024. See our full methodology .

For insurers outside our 'Best Buys' list, we've only included the provider's best scoring policy. However, they might offer other policies with fewer features, often at a lower price. We've still scored these policies: find the scores in our individual travel insurer reviews, which cover the biggest and best brands.

If a brand isn't listed in the table it means it didn't take part in our survey and hasn't been reviewed.

  What's the best type of travel insurance?

When picking travel insurance consider the number of foreign trips you'll make over the next 12 months, where you'll go and who with.

• Single-trip and multi-trip (annual cover) Single-trip insurance is aimed at people who are making a single, one-off journey. Multi-trip (annual) provides ongoing cover for 12 months. If you take 3 or more trips per year, multi-trip (annual) is likely to work out cheaper, and you don't have to tell the insurer when or where you're travelling.
• European, worldwide and USA cover European-only cover is usually the cheapest type and worldwide including USA (and often the Caribbean) is the most expensive due to high medical costs. If you've no intention of going to these destinations over the next 12 months, save money by buying worldwide cover that excludes them.
• Individual, couple or family cover You'll have the option to choose how many people to cover under a single policy, although if a member of your party needs specialist cover due to age or health, costs may change.
• Specialist insurance options If you have more specific requirements, for example due to age, or type of holiday, we've assessed the best options for you below. Best cruise insurance • Best travel insurance for over 60s • Best travel insurance for medical conditions • Best ski insurance
• Unexpected events cover Your policy  may include cover for unexpected events, like bankruptcy of the holiday supplier, strikes, civil unrest and more. We've listed which providers' policies have the best unexpected events cover providers.

  How can I save money on travel insurance?

What you'll pay for travel insurance varies hugely by where you're going and for how long.

Take these average quotes, collected for us by Confused.com , for a couple of 50-year-olds with a joint policy:

Source: Confused.com, based on average quotes from 1 January 2023 to 20 November 2023

These are averages, and so you're likely to pay:

• Less if just buying cover for yourself
• Less if you're younger than 50, or more if you're older than 50
• More if you have a pre-existing medical condition

Whatever your situation, chances are you can reduce costs by comparing travel insurance. An annual policy may work out cheaper if you travel multiple times a year.

When should you buy travel insurance?

You should buy travel insurance on the same day you book your holiday.

One of the best features of travel insurance is that it covers you if you're unexpectedly forced to cancel the trip and stand to lose money as a result.

If you leave buying your insurance until the last minute, you won't benefit from this protection, even if some providers might make it slightly cheaper.

With this in mind, you should buy your insurance as soon as you book your holiday – unless you already have annual cover in place.

Should you buy travel insurance from the tour operator or airline?

When you buy your holiday, whether that's through a traditional package provider or a budget airline, you're likely to be offered insurance at the same time.

But cover offered as an add-on to your trip is unlikely to be tailored to your needs and could be more expensive. Always check the wider market to see if you can get better cover for less.

If you do buy add-on insurance, make sure it covers any medical conditions that you have.

Do you already have insurance?

Some packaged bank accounts come with travel insurance as a sweetener, so if you have a packaged account, check whether cover is included.

If you do have travel insurance with your bank account, check its terms carefully and make sure it meets your needs. Does it cover you for trips outside Europe? Will it cover your medical conditions?

If it doesn't, call your bank to see if you can add the cover you need or look for a standalone policy that meets your needs.

You might also have some of your insurance needs met if you have personal possessions cover with your home contents insurance . These policies often protect things you carry on your person (such as gadgets or jewellery) around the world, from loss, damage or theft.

Do you need travel insurance if you have an Ehic or Ghic?

Yes, you still need travel insurance. A Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) – the replacement for the Ehic – is a medical card that can be used throughout the EU. It entitles you to treatment in state hospitals for the same price paid by the residents of the country you're visiting. If they get free treatment, so do you.

But it won't cover the costs of medical transportation (for example ambulance bills or being flown back to the UK where medically needed), alongside costs of cancelling your holiday or returning early, replacing lost and stolen possessions, and many other things - that's what travel insurance is for.

• Find out more:  The Ehic and Ghic explained  

While it can be tempting to get the cheapest cover you can find, this could prove a false economy. Everyone's specific cover needs will be different, but as a starting point, we recommend looking for policies with these minimum levels of cover:

• Medical expenses:  £5 million
• Cancellation cover:  £2,000 – or the full cost of your holiday (which may be higher or lower)
• Personal belongings: £1,500 – or the value of your possessions
• Personal liability cover: £1 million.

Many sports won't be covered as standard, such as skiing and snowboarding , so you'll need to get cover that includes this, or add it on for a fee.

Cruises requre a special type of cruise insurance. If you're considering working abroad, or spending a couple of months abroad, you may need 'backpacker insurance'.

1. Check our tables and reviews

Our experts have assigned each travel insurance policy a policy score, reflecting how comprehensive, overall, the cover is.

It's important to remember, however, that travel insurance is complex – so even providers with high policy scores won't necessarily cover everything you're looking for. For a more detailed look at some of the larger and higher-scoring providers, see our individual travel insurer reviews.

2. Get a travel insurance quote

While looking at our reviews, you can get a quote for travel insurance using the service provided by Confused.com.

You might be able to save by using multiple comparison sites. 

Some insurers don't sell through comparison sites, including NFU Mutual and Direct Line , and specialist medical insurers .

Both the government's MoneyHelper website and the British Insurance Brokers Association have directories of such insurers.

An insurance broker can find affordable cover for unusual scenarios that most insurers won't cover.

3. Check the T&Cs

Before you buy, check the policy wording to make sure you understand what your policy covers, and what it doesn't.

If there are specific reasons you've bought the cover, check these sections to make sure they meet your expectations. Also check the policy's general exclusions and conditions. If anything in the policy is unclear, contact the insurer.

Finally, check what protection your holiday provider offers, because if something goes wrong, you might need to seek compensation from it first before your insurer will accept your claim.

Check you're getting a great deal and search for a new travel insurance policy using the service provided by Confused.com. Get a quote now

Dean Sobers, Which? insurance expert says:

'In our tables, you'll see dozens of products brimming with features and high levels of cover – but just six Best Buys. 

'Unfortunately, it comes down to the difference between what a policy promises on paper, and the depressing reality that we see in the claims statistics. Roughly a quarter of claims made on single-trip and annual European policies were declined by travel insurers in 2022 (the latest stats available). With most kinds of insurance, payout rates are above 90%.

'Not all travel insurers are the same: some – including our Best Buys – were markedly better in this data than others. But a large number of candidates clearing all other hurdles in our analysis fell flat when we reviewed their claims acceptance rates and the numbers of their claimants who'd lodged complaints.

'We'd love to be able to recommend a much wider selection of policies, as we all have different requirements and budgets when shopping around for travel insurance. Hopefully, we'll see insurers do better in future. In the meantime, the best way to avoid disappointment is to be reasonably familiar with the policy's T&Cs when you buy it, as policy exclusions are the most common single reason claims get turned down .

'Each section of a policy wording document (for example, cancellation or delay cover) will include its own exclusions. You'll also need to check the policy's section that details 'general' exclusions and conditions that apply across the policy.'

Frequently asked travel insurance questions

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights.

This depends on whether you can no longer make your flight or the airline has cancelled it.

If the airline cancels your flight, it is generally their responsibility to find an alternative flight or to give you a full refund.

If you can no longer make your flight, perhaps due to illness or accident, then it is not the airline's responsibility. If you have taken out a travel insurance policy and depending on the reason you can no longer fly, you may be able to claim some of the flight costs back. 

You should also check the airline's conditions of carriage if you are going to miss your flight last-minute to see whether you can be moved to an alternative flight.

Can I buy travel insurance after departure?

Yes you can - but you'll need to get a special type of policy called 'post-departure insurance'.

Unfortunately, you're likely to pay more and get less cover than if you had bought standard travel insurance.

Post-departure insurance won't cover incidents that have already happened, such as a delayed flight on the way out. It generally applies from the day after buying, not the same day.

Even though you'll need to cover fewer days, the specialised nature of post-departure insurance means it's likely to cost more per day and overall.

The best approach is to buy standard travel insurance on the same day you book your holiday. Although the insurance only needs to cover the dates of your holiday, from the moment of buying it you'll be covered if, for instance, you need to cancel your trip.

Can I get travel insurance if I'm pregnant?

You can get travel insurance if you're pregnant, especially if your trip is less than 28 weeks into your pregnancy.

Many insurers still offer cover for trips after that point, but check with them before buying, and bear in mind airlines may request extra details such as a letter from your doctor.

Pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing medical condition so you shouldn't have to tell your insurer or pay more.

Standard travel insurance will cover emergency medical care, but ask insurers if antenatal care after premature births will be covered, or cancellation due to pregnancy-related complications.

In general, travel insurance won't pay out if you cancel a trip simply because you're pregnant - it's worth asking airlines and accommodation providers if you can reschedule.

Do I need travel insurance for the UK?

Potentially, depending on the type of trip you've booked.

Many travel insurers will cover the UK; if you have an annual policy check if it includes UK travel.

The main advantage of travel insurance for the UK is cover if you need to cancel your trip (such as because of illness) or lose baggage.

In general, travel insurance only covers paid-for accommodation, sometimes with a minimum duration. So stays with friends and family wouldn't be covered.

Nor will you need travel insurance for medical cover, due to the NHS - though visitors to the Isle of Man and Channel Islands may need insurance for repatriation to the mainland.

Your home contents insurance may cover personal possessions outside the home, but you may have to pay high excesses.

Do I need travel insurance for Europe?

Yes, travel insurance is essential for European holidays. 

The European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) and Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) only entitle you to public medical care at the price locals pay.

That's only in the EU, Switzerland and a few other countries however, and won't cover associated - and very high - costs such as for rescue from ski slopes or repatriation to the UK.

Nor will the Ehic and Ghic cover cancellations or lost baggage, unlike the best travel insurance policies.

• Find out more: The Ehic and Ghic explained  

Does travel insurance cover cruises?

Some, but not all, policies will offer specialised cover for cruises.

In some cases cruise cover will be an optional add-on.

This includes scenarios such as being ill and confined to your cabin, missing your departure during an excursion, or the intinerary being changed. 

We've listed which policies cover cruises and how good they are in our guide to the best cruise insurance .

Does travel insurance cover skiing?

As with cruises, this depends on your policy.

Winter sports cover may be included as standard within your travel insurance, or as an optional add-on.

It should cover scenarios such as piste closure, avalanche delay and air ambulance rescue from the slopes.

We've listed which policies include or offer winters sports cover, and rate that cover, in our guide to the  best ski insurance .

Are you covered for Covid?

Covid isn't the menace to travel that it was a year or two ago, but it's still around and retains the potential to scupper your plans.

Fortunately, all policies we examined provide at least a basic level of Covid cover - covering you if you get ill while travelling and require emergency medical care or medical repatriation to the UK.

Some 98% of those we checked also cover cancellation costs if you can't travel because you're ill with the virus.

From here, the degree of Covid cover varies significantly between policies - meaning you can't make assumptions about what's covered and should check very carefully if Covid cover is a priority for you. 

Of the policies we analysed, fewer than one in ten will pay if your hotel closes because of Covid and you can't get your money back. 

And only a handful of providers cover you if you choose to cancel your plans because the FCDO advises against travel to your destination due to Covid. At the time of our analysis in April 2023, these were:

• Direct Line
• M&S Bank
• Nationwide Building Society

How do I claim on my travel insurance?

For emergency medical claims, your travel insurer will have a 24/7 phone line. It's worth saving the number if your phone prior to travelling.

To make other claims, you may be able to claim by phone and/or online. Don't leave it more than a couple of weeks to claim, as there may be time limits.

• Find out more: How to claim on your travel insurance   

What medical conditions do you have to declare for travel insurance?

Any current or recent medical conditions that haven't been disclosed to your insurer will almost certainly be automatically excluded from your policy. 

In recent Which? research, we found that pre-existing medical conditions were the second most common reason for claims being turned down.

When you declare a condition, you'll go through a medical screening process where you give the insurer information about your medical history. When you buy insurance by itself, this will usually form part of the application process. 

With some providers (for example where the cover is included with a holiday or a bank account), you'll need to contact the insurer separately to have the conditions added. If you're uncertain about what needs to be declared, it's best to contact the insurer. 

• Find out more:  Best travel insurance if you have a medical condition  

How else can you protect your holiday?

Travel insurers only expect you to claim with them if you've been unable to recover your money through other channels.

Book with a Which? Recommended holiday provider

If a package holiday firm cancels your holiday, or airlines can't fulfil flights, you're entitled to a refund by law.

Unfortunately, in the wake of Covid, not all travel providers fulfilled their legal obligations. For peace of mind, opt for one of our Which? Recommended Providers .

• Find out more:  Your legal rights with package holiday companies

Atol protection

If you buy a package holiday that includes flights from an Atol-protected firm, you'll get your money back if it goes bust. You'll also be repatriated if this happens while you're on holiday.

Your credit card provider

If you can, pay for your holiday with a credit card .

If you pay with a credit card for services costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 that aren't provided as advertised, you can claim the money back from your card supplier if the seller (ie the holiday company) won't refund you.

• Find out more:  Section 75

Banks have similar schemes to help you recover money for services that haven't been fulfilled as paid for. These are known as chargeback.

Chargeback can be used to recover debit and prepaid card payments, as well as credit card payments below £100.

Banks aren't legally bound to do this in the same way as credit card providers are under Section 75, so you should always pay for amounts over £100 with a credit card if possible.

How we analyse travel insurance

Our editorial independence means we are able to work on behalf of consumers, not insurers. That means our reviews are fair and there's no hidden agenda.

Policy score

The policy score rates how comprehensive the cover is in a policy – the higher the better.

We've looked at 161 policies, examining 67 elements of cover in each.

Policies are given points for each element of cover, reflecting how competitive their cover is compared with what other policies offer. The policy score shows how well the policy did overall. 

Based on our assessment of which elements are more or less important for customers choosing and using travel insurance, we adjust the impact that points earned in each area has on the overall policy score.

Among the highest-weighted elements are medical expenses cover, cancellation cover and the compulsory excesses on the policy.

How we pick Which? Best Buys

Our 'Best Buy' badge recognises the individual products that stood out as being the most comprehensive in our analysis. 

It doesn't reflect customer service. However, we do look at claims statistics published by the Financial Conduct Authority and complaints data from the Financial Ombudsman Service, where these are available. We won't give a Best Buy badge to providers shown to reject higher than average numbers of claims or that have a poor track record when it comes to complaints.

Policies named as Best Buys did well in our analysis of cover, with a policy score of at least 66%.

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Money blog: Why are concert tickets so expensive? Here's who is really responsible

Ticket prices for some concerts have reached astronomical levels in recent years - we've looked at why and who is profiting. Read this and the rest of our Weekend Money content below and join us for live updates again from Monday.

Saturday 1 June 2024 21:08, UK

• Taylor Swift

Weekend Money

• Where is all the money going? Here's who is really responsible for concert tickets going crazy
• Strikes, new bank notes, cat fines and airport disruption: Main June money dates for your calendar
• Your comments: Man Utd WFH crackdown, Sterling's uni pledge, pebble fines and standing charges

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Ask a question or make a comment

By Katie Williams , Money team

Spending a fair chunk on going to see your favourite big artist is not new - but it certainly feels like concert prices have entered a new stratosphere.

Fans of Bruce Springsteen have paid upwards of £120 for "rear pitch" standing tickets for his May 2024 tour, while some expressed disappointment recently over the £145 price tag of standing tickets for Billie Eilish's 2025 UK leg.

And while you could have nabbed Beyonce or Taylor Swift tickets in the UK for £50 (before fees) if you took a "nosebleed" seat, these had limited availability and quickly sold out. General admission standing tickets for Swift's Eras tour - which comes to the UK next week - started at £110.40 and those at the front had to shell out £172.25. It didn't stop there - by the time many fans got to the front of the online ticket queue, the only tickets left cost upwards of £300.

So what's behind rising ticket costs? These are some of the reasons...

Fans willing to pay for big spectacles

Simply put, ticket prices would come down if people voted with their feet.

Matt Hanner, booking agent and operations director at Runway, said prices at the top level had "risen considerably" - but the increase was partly being driven by demand.

"We're seeing a lot more stadium shows, greenfield, outdoor festival-type shows which are now a staple of towns around the country," he said.

"There's a growing number of people that are happy to spend a large chunk of their disposable income on going to a major music event."

Jon Collins, chief executive of LIVE, the trade body representing the UK's live music industry, had a similar view.

He said there were more large-scale shows and tours now than ever, and there was "massive appetite" among music lovers for "bigger spectacles".

Fancy shows mean higher costs - with staffing, the price of the venue, transport, artists' needs, insurance and loads more to factor in.

Of course, all these things are affected by inflation. Collins said ticket prices also factored in the rising costs that had hit every venue from the grassroots scene to major arenas.

"You've got a couple of different factors - you've got the spectacle of the show and the production cost and everything that goes into the ticket price. But then you've also got the fundamentals," he said.

The cost of venue hire has increased "significantly" in the past couple of years due to electricity and gas price rises, he added.

"You've got the increase in the cost of people… very justifiable costs like increases in minimum wage and living wage. At every stage of the process we've got these cost increases that will all push through the pressure on the ticket price."

Are artists being greedy?

How much money artists really earn off live touring is of interest to many - but the music industry is generally reluctant to release details.

The people we spoke to suggested it was not as simple as artist greed because, as we mentioned earlier, there's a lot to pay for before anything reaches their bank accounts.

The Guardian spoke to anonymous insiders about this topic in 2017. Its report suggested that between 50-70% of gross earnings were left for promoters and artists. The piece also cited a commonly quoted figure that the promoter takes 15% of what is left and the act will get 85%.

It all depends on the calibre of the artist and how much work the promoter has had to put in - they could end up with a bigger share if it was a hard push to get the show sold.

The people we spoke to said music acts and their teams would discuss the ticket price, and the bigger the act, the more sway they have - but it's ultimately set by the promoter.

Taylor Swift - arguably the biggest popstar on the planet right now - is personally earning between $10m and $13m (£8m - £10.5m) on every stop of her Eras Tour, according to Forbes. She is reported to take home a whopping 85% of  all revenue  from the tour.

But it's worth pointing out, too, that she's been known to be generous with her cash, having given $100,000 bonuses to the dozens of lorry drivers working on the tour.

What have other artists said? 

Some artists have been critical of the high ticket prices being demanded by others.

Tom Grennan told ITV two years ago that he had seen "loads of artists putting tickets out that are way too expensive for the times that we are in", adding that he wanted people to enjoy shows without worrying if they could pay their bills.

Singer-songwriter Paul Heaton was also praised for capping ticket prices for his tour with Jacqui Heaton at £30 in a bid to tackle music industry "greed" and help people during the cost of living.

British star Yungblud recently announced his own music festival, Bludfest - saying the industry was too expensive and needed to be "shaken up".

"I believe that gigs are too expensive, festivals are too expensive, and I just wanted to work to create something that has been completely done by me," he told Sky News.

Meanwhile, frequent Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff has said "dynamic pricing" by ticket sale sites such as Ticketmaster was also an issue when it came to cost.

He told Stereogum that he wanted artists to be able to opt out of the system - which basically means ticket prices increase when a show is in demand - and be able to sell them at the price they choose.

On its website, Ticketmaster describes its "Platinum" tickets as those that have their price adjusted according to supply and demand.

It says the goal of the dynamic pricing system is to "give fans fair and safe access to the tickets, while enabling artists and other people involved in staging live events to price tickets closer to their true market value".

The company claims it is artists, their teams and promoters who set pricing and choose whether dynamic pricing is used for their shows.

Ticketing website fees

As well as dynamic pricing, "sneaky" fees by online ticket sites are also causing issues for live music lovers, according to the consumer champion Which?.

A report from the group last month said an array of fees that isn't seen until checkout can add around 20% to the cost of concert and festival tickets.

Which? has urged a crackdown on the "bewildering" extra charges, which include booking, "delivery" and "transaction" fees, venue charges and sometimes charges for e-tickets.

The Cure lead singer Robert Smith tweeted that he was "sickened" after fans complained last year about processing fees  on Ticketmaster that wound up costing more than the ticket itself in some cases.

Responding to the Which? findings, Ticketmaster (which was far from the only company named) said: "Fees are typically set by and shared with our clients… who all invest their skill, resource and capital into getting an event off the ground. Ticketmaster supports legislation that requires all-in pricing across the industry."

Live Nation and Ticketmaster sued over 'dominance'

The US government is suing Ticketmaster owner Live Nation over allegations the company is "monopolising" the live events industry.

Justice department officials said it was unfair for the firm to control around 70% of primary ticketing for concerts in America. 

Live Nation has been accused of using lengthy contracts to prevent venues from choosing rival ticket companies, blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers and threatening venues that they could lose money and support if Ticketmaster wasn't the chosen seller.

Live Nation said the lawsuit reflected a White House that had turned over competition enforcement "to a populist urge that simply rejects how antitrust law works".

"Some call this 'anti-monopoly', but in reality it is just anti-business," it said.

And it said its share of the market had been shrinking and its profit margin of 1.4% was the "opposite of monopoly power".

The lawsuit "won't solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees and access to in-demand shows", the company said.

"We will defend against these baseless allegations, use this opportunity to shed light on the industry and continue to push for reforms that truly protect consumers and artists."

As well as reportedly controlling most of the ticketing market, Live Nation also owns and represents some acts and venues.

Canadian artist Dan Mangan told Moneywise this was enabling the company to take "more and more of the pie".

He said when venue rent, equipment and other costs were taken into account, lesser known artists could take as little as 20% of ticket sales.

Another major cost on tickets in the UK is VAT (value added tax).

At 20%, it's pretty hefty. It was brought down to 5% and then 12.5% as the live music industry was hampered by COVID, but returned to the pre-pandemic level in April 2022.

The charge puts the UK "out of step" with other countries, Collins said.

"In competitive major markets like France, it's 5%. Germany it's 7%, Italy it's 10%. Sales tax in the US is typically 6% or 7%. So we are significantly out of step with other markets when it comes to how much VAT we charge on tickets," he said.

Touring now bigger source of income for major stars

With the decline of physical products and the rise of subscription listening, artists are earning less from making music - and income from live shows has become more important for the biggest stars.

Writer and broadcaster Paul Stokes said major stars who would have toured infrequently in the past were now willing to put on more shows as it becomes increasingly profitable.

Some artists will even pencil in multiple nights at huge venues like Wembley Arena, he said - something that wouldn't have been considered two decades ago.

"When Wembley was built and they said 'we'll be doing regular shows' you'd think 'are there acts big enough to fill this massive stadium?'

"It's become absolutely part of the live calendar that artists will come and play not just one night at Wembley, but two or three every every summer."

Stokes said this demand has also prompted the scale of shows that we've become used to seeing, featuring expensive production and pyrotechnics.

Not being felt evenly

While a night out seeing a platinum-selling artist is likely to be an expensive affair, industry figures are also keen to point out that the escalation in ticket prices isn't necessarily happening at a lower level.

Collins said that while major stars were putting on arena shows, there would be plenty of other live music taking place at the same time, "from the free pub gig to the £10 ticket at the grassroots venue, to the £30 mid-cap".

"There's an absolute range of opportunities for people to experience live music, from free through to experiencing the biggest stars on the planet," he said.

But concertgoers choosing to save their cash for artists they're more familiar with may have led to a "suppression" of prices for lesser-known acts, Hanner noted.

"Everyone's short of disposable income because there's a cost of living crisis. [Artists' and promoters'] core costs are going up as well, so it's more expensive for everyone. That fear of pricing people out is just being compounded," he said.

"I think [that] has definitely led to prices being suppressed [at the lower level], when really they should have been going up."

With May in the rearview mirror, here are the key money dates for your calendar in June. 

1 June onwards - benefit changes

While benefits rose 6.7% from 8 April for many claimants, those who had their last assessment period before then will have had to wait until June to receive the new, higher rate. 

The exact date in June when that payment is made will depend on when you were assessed.

Also from 1 June, all people claiming Housing Benefit alone will be asked to claim Universal Credit instead within three months of receiving the letter.

Failure to do so could result in you losing your entitlement.

1-2 June - Heathrow disruption

Hundreds of border force officers at Heathrow Airport are striking until Sunday in a dispute over rosters.

More than 500 of its members working on passport control at terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 are taking action.

Disruption is expected over the weekend as families return to the UK at the end of the half-term holiday.

5 June - new banknotes

Banknotes featuring the face of the King will enter circulation across the UK. 

Notes that feature the portrait of the late Queen will remain legal tender and will co-circulate.

The new banknotes will only be printed to replace those that are worn and to meet any overall increase in demand.

10 June - £500 cat fines

All cats over 20 weeks old in England must be microchipped by 10 June.

You could face a £500 if you miss the deadline and don't get your cat microchipped in the following 21 days.

The law does not apply to the rest of the UK.

16 June - Father's Day

As the day dedicated to dads and father figures approaches, it may be worth remembering to put some cash aside to treat them in mid-June.

19 June - inflation data released

We'll get May's inflation data in the monthly drop from the Office for National Statistics. 

This will give us the clearest indication of whether the Bank of England will lower interest rates.

Remember, the Bank's target is 2% (April's headline rate was 2.3%), so the closer we get to that number the better. 

20 June - interest rate decision

Another Monetary Policy Committee meeting at the Bank of England will determine whether we finally get a drop in interest rates. 

Many economists predict a cut from 5.25% will happen in August, but June isn't ruled out.

27 June - doctors' strike

Junior doctors in England will begin a five-day strike at 7am over pay.

The last strike by junior doctors led to 91,048 appointments, operations and procedures being postponed.

30 June - meter readings

Not a fixed date - more of a reminder.

From 1 July, the energy price cap will fall by £122 per year.

Your provider will do most of the work, but you can help keep your bill accurate by submitting meter readings (unless you have a smart meter) ahead of this date. 

The big topics covered in the Money blog this week that got you commenting were...

• Manchester United giving staff who don't want to come into the office a week to resign
• Raheem Sterling offering to pay for 14 people to go to university
• Fines for pebble-taking tourists on beaches
• The standing charge rising despite the energy price cap being cut

Let's start with the two football-related stories. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, new part-owner of Manchester United, sent an email round on Tuesday offering all non-playing staff the chance to resign (with their annual bonus paid early) within the week if they do not like his plan to stop working from home ...

Some praised his decision... 

Well done Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Finally, somebody who has the guts to stand up and end this 'working from home' nonsense! edwinbasnett

Sir Jim has got it right, decisions are decisive and provide clear expectations and an option to get out. WFH doesn't work at the levels seen following COVID, I'm sure it does for some but many take advantage and it's far more difficult to manage. Tel

Others not so much...

Thankfully there's not quite so stark an ultimatum from my employer, but I am planning to leave soon. It's a nonsense commuting to an office where I then engage with other colleagues over Teams/Zoom. Jim

Who wants to work for a **** like that anyway with that attitude? No filter

Earlier in the week, we learnt Raheem Sterling will financially support 14 students through university. 

Applications for the Raheem Sterling Foundation Scholarship Programme - which closed on Thursday - were open to students of black, African and Caribbean heritage from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds to help bridge the equality gap.

This will be the second year the Chelsea forward will assist successful applicants at King's College London and the University of Manchester.

Readers said...

Sterling is a credit to sport, football and his heritage. I hope more footballers will join him and his endeavours. Judy

This is brilliant - I have never understood why professionals in many fields do not give more back to their communities. Just a visit to their old primary school could turn a bright light on for so many kids. Why don't many more do it? Old white woman

Well done Raheem Sterling for financially supporting 14 students who would like to attend university. Sometimes professional football players get a negative press but this is amazing, well done. Anthony G

Away from football and to Cumbria - where beach-goers have been warned they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they remove pebbles or shells across the area.

You said...

Why aren't the same rules applied to stop Southern Water dumping all their s*** into our seas. They take millions of pounds from normal people who trust them to process it correctly. Anti s outhern water

So that means the thrill of going to the beach and collecting a few shells is stopped. What about the scallop shells used in restaurants and supermarkets? What about the sacks of shells sold at garden centres? What about the tonnes of sand used every day etc etc? JR

Has the world gone mad? £1,000 fine for taking pebbles home from a beach? I think most children take a few pebbles home with them.  Bob

Many of you responded to last Friday's announcement that while the energy price cap would fall in July, standing charges - the set amount you pay for gas and electric each day regardless of use - would be going up.

Martin Lewis's explanation of it can be read here...

Here's what you said...

Are there any regulations for energy supplies regarding the standing charge? Every time the unit price drops my supplier raises the standing charge. SianW

Our energy bills have dropped, now the heating is off. However, the high daily standing charge means my bills are off the starting blocks even before the switches are flicked. Come the winter the price cap will rise again - not unlike profiteering in wartime. Porthy

My standing charges are almost three times what they used to be. I've cut back on my usage to the point I pay more a month in standing charges than I do usage so having the unit price drop makes little impact. P hunt

The energy companies have ripped us off for the last two years. The daily standing charge has to go. The shareholders have had real good dividends over the past few years, and therefore must pay for the people that can't pay their bills, because of the bonuses they have received. michael rogers

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

An investigation has been launched into whether the biggest banking merger since the financial crisis could harm competition.

The Competition and Markets Authority announced the inquiry into Nationwide's £2.9bn takeover of rival Virgin Money this morning.

The move would bring together the fifth and sixth largest retail lenders, creating a combined group with around 24.5 million customers and nearly 700 branches.

It would spell the end of the Virgin Money brand, with Nationwide planning to rebrand the business within six years.

The CMA has invited interested parties to give their views on the deal, as it considers whether it could "result in a substantial lessening of competition" in the market.

Nationwide struck the takeover agreement in March, and last week a clear majority of 89% of Virgin Money shareholders voted in favour, helping to clear the path to complete.

The government has sold £1.24bn of its shares in NatWest, accelerating the process of private ownership.

The Treasury's shareholding in the high street bank has fallen by approximately 3.5 percentage points to 22.5%.

NatWest, formerly Royal Bank of Scotland, received multibillion-pound bailouts during the 2008 financial crisis, leaving the government with an 84% stake.

The government has been selling down its stake in the lender, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt planning to sell all of its interest in the bank by 2025 or 2026 should the Conservatives be re-elected.

There was supposed to be a public share sale this summer, allowing individuals, not just institutional investors, to purchase stock, but the plans have been shelved due to the election.

In recent years, the sell-off has become more rapid. In 2018, the government owned 62% of the group, but by December of last year that was down to just under 38%.

In March, that fell below 30%, meaning the government was no longer classed as a controlling shareholder in the lender.

Earlier this year, NatWest wrote to shareholders asking them to support an increase in the amount of stock the bank could buy back from the government in a year, from just under 5% to 15%.

The establishment of Great British Energy is among the last remnants of the "green prosperity plan" devised and championed by Ed Miliband, the shadow secretary of state for energy security and net zero, three years ago.

The former Labour leader's vision was to spend £28bn per year in the first five years of an incoming Labour government on decarbonising the UK economy.

However, as the current leader Sir Keir Starmer recognised, the issue was swiftly weaponised by the Conservatives because all the money - as Mr Miliband himself had made clear - would have been borrowed.

More importantly, the plan did not survive contact with Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, who has made fiscal responsibility her priority.

The £28bn-a-year spending pledge was watered down in February this year to one of £23.7bn over the life of the next parliament.

A sizeable chunk of that will be on Great British Energy, described by Mr Miliband as "a new publicly owned clean power company", which Labour has said will be initially capitalised at £8.3bn.

And, instead of the money being borrowed, Labour is now saying "it will be funded by asking the big oil and gas companies to pay their fair share through a proper windfall tax".

Read on  here... 

Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are joining Glasgow as cities with Low Emission Zones where motorists could face fines up to £480 if they don't comply.

The zones were introduced two years ago, but drivers were given a grace period before charges began.

In Dundee, the grace period ended today - in Edinburgh and Aberdeen it's tomorrow.

A non-compliant vehicle entering the zone can be charged £60, which doubles with each subsequent breach up to a maximum of £480.

If paid within 14 days, the initial fine will be halved to £30.

Despite the warning, only 55% of drivers in Scotland are confident they know where the zones are in operation, according to online marketplace Carwow.

Some 30% of Scottish motorists are not sure if they understand the rules and 24% are not sure if their vehicle is compliant.

"We therefore need to tackle the lack of understanding among motorists about Low Emission Zones in Scotland – where they are and which cars are compliant - because, without better knowledge, millions of drivers are at risk of being fined," said Sally Foote, chief commercial officer at Carwow.

The Low Emission Zones aim to discourage high-polluting vehicles from entering certain areas, just like those in English cities like Sheffield and Bristol.

Unlike English Clean Air Zones, Scottish LEZs apply to all types of vehicles except motorbikes and mopeds.

Non-compliant vehicles are not allowed into those zones whatsoever, unlike English LEZs, which apply a daily charge.

Ultra-low emission vehicles are automatically compliant, but others must conform to certain Euro emission ratings, which can be found in your V5C logbook - or you can check online.

Cars, vans, minibuses, taxis and private hire vehicles with a petrol engine must have at least a Euro 4 rating, while those with diesel engines should have a Euro 6.

Grants are available to people living within 20km of a LEZ who have no other choice but to sell or adapt their vehicles.

Hackers say they have stolen confidential information from all Santander staff and millions of customers, reports the BBC.

A gang going by the name of ShinyHunters posted an advert on a hacking forum claiming to be selling 30 million people's bank account details, six million account numbers and balances, 28 million credit card numbers and HR information for staff.

Earlier this month, the bank said data was accessed belonging to customers in Chile, Spain and Uruguay and all current Santander employees, but nothing that would allow transactions to take place.

As of March, Sandander as a whole employed more than 211,000 people and as of 30 June 2021, 20,900 employees worked for Santander UK.

Santander has declined to comment on the claims beyond a statement released on 14 May.

It read: "Certain information relating to customers of Santander Chile, Spain and Uruguay, as well as all current and some former Santander employees of the group had been accessed.

"No transactional data, nor any credentials that would allow transactions to take place on accounts are contained in the database, including online banking details and passwords. The bank's operations and systems are not affected, so customers can continue to transact securely.

"We apologise for the concern this will understandably cause and are proactively contacting affected customers and employees directly."

ShinyHunters have previously sold data stolen from AT&T and claim to be selling private data hacked from Ticketmaster, the BBC reported.

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Best business credit cards of June 2024

The best business credit cards offer generous earning rates, lucrative perks and additional features to affect both your bottom line and your operational efficiency. Selecting the right business card allows you to earn rewards while focusing on the day-to-day operations of your enterprise — whether you own a formal business with multiple employees, are just getting your company off the ground or simply do freelance work as a side gig.

Business credit cards allow you to separate business and personal spending. In addition, they allow you to access more rewards and unique perks that aren’t typically offered on personal credit cards. Consider where your business spends the most and what type of rewards you want to earn when selecting your business card — or cards.

Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best business cards from our partners below.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for travel perks
• Capital One Venture X Business : Best for businesses with high-spending
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for bonus earning
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus : Best for unlimited business cash back
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express : Best for no annual fee
• American Express® Business Gold Card : Best for flexible rewards earning
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card : Best for freelancers
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business : Best for everyday business spending
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card : Best for office supplies
• Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card : Best for businesses that fly Alaska Air regularly
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card : Best for BofA Preferred Rewards for Business members
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card : Best for customizable business cash back
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card : Best for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers
• United℠ Business Card : Best for United Airlines flyers
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card : Best for small business owners

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Comparing the best credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, credit pointers with brian kelly, maximizing business credit cards, helpful tools, how we rate cards, what is a business credit card, how to choose the best business credit card, ask our experts, pros + cons of business credit cards, frequently asked questions.

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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card does come with a high annual fee, you’re also getting a ton of valuable benefits in return. They include generous annual travel credits, unparalleled lounge access that includes Amex Centurion Lounges and more. Read our full review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express .

• Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years (enrollment is required)
• Up to $400 annual statement credit for U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
• Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels; access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
• Steep $695 annual fee.
• High spend needed for welcome offer.
• Limited high bonus categories outside of travel.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Capital One Venture X Business

The Capital One Venture X business card has all the Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit and lounge access. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Business card .

• The Capital One Venture X Business card has a welcome offer of 150,000 miles.
• In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 travel credit and airport lounge access, at a reasonable annual fee of $395.
• Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
• The card requires a high spend of $30,000 in the first three months to earn the 150,000-miles welcome bonus.
• Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Travel.
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
• Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of options
• Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
• Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card’s sign-up bonus is among the highest we’ve seen from Chase. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full  review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card .

• One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening.
• Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption.
• Reasonable $95 annual fee.
• Bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners; primary car insurance.
• Perks including cellphone and purchase protection; extended warranty; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement;.
• Yearly cap on bonus categories.
• No travel perks.
• Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications.
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Member FDIC

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a business cash-back card that offers 2% on all purchases. If your business spends more than $7,500 annually and doesn’t want to keep up with multiple bonus categories, this is the perfect card for you.

• Unlimited 2% rewards rate on all purchases with no categories to keep up with
• No foreign transaction fees, making this a great card to bring on your travels abroad
• $150 annual fee may be pricey for small business owners
• Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
• Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
• $150 annual fee
• Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business Plus is a great card for small business owners who want to earn lucrative Membership Rewards points on everyday business spending. It was created specifically for sole proprietorships and start-ups with limited revenue who would appreciate a card with an introductory interest rate and expanded buying power. Read our full review of the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express . 

• No annual fee.
• Earn Membership Rewards points; transfer points to 22 travel partners.
• 2x points capped at $50,000 a calendar year (then 1x)
• No higher bonus categories for business-related spending.
• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
• You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
• *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses who value simplicity above all. Read our full review of the Amex Business Gold card .

• You'll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the top 2 spending categories each month (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year).
• Hefty $375 annual fee.
• There may be better options for small businesses who don't spend a lot.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
• *Terms Apply
• See Rates & Fees

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited' sign-up gives you a generous $750 cash back spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase. It fills in rewards gaps not covered by the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. You can maximize this card by pairing it with cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card .

• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• No Annual Fee.
• Primary insurance for car rentals.
• No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred.
• Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus.
• No travel protections.
• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a simple way to earn rewards on every business purchase, no matter the category. Those miles can then be easily redeemed for travel purchases or by transferring to partners. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

• You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you don’t have to juggle different bonus categories.
• Employee cards are free and also earn 2 miles per dollar on all spending.
• It’s an affordable card that only charges $95 in annual fees, and that fee is $0 the first year.
• The sign-up bonus is only worth $925 according to TPG valuations (not provided by the issuer), which falls short against some of the top business travel cards.
• The card comes with minimal perks if you’re wanting additional benefits for when you travel.
• Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
• Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
• Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Cash is an excellent no annual fee card for small business owners. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on office supplies and select utilities, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations. Ink Business Cash cardholders also get automatic credit limit increase assessments every six months — and sometimes even sooner — to suit the needs of their growing enterprises. Read our full review of the Chase Ink Business Cash card . 

• Earn $350 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
• You’ll earn 5% at office supply stores and on common monthly bills such as internet, cable and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
• 5% and 2% cash back earned on certain categories is capped at the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card

For small business owners in the Pacific Northwest, this card definitely packs a punch. You can jump start your earning with a good sign-up bonus and the famous companion fare offer, and Alaska Airlines has some good airline transfer partners if you need to go another route. Read our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card .

• Get Alaska's Famous Companion Fare each year card is renewed (after meeting spend requirement)
• Free checked bag
• 20% back on inflight food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases when you pay with your card
• Only earns 1-2 miles per dollar for all purchases outside of Alaska Airlines purchases
• Get 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Earn another Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
• Free checked bag for any cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card - that's a savings of $60 per person roundtrip!
• Priority Boarding for any cardholder when paying for the flight with an Alaska Airlines Business card.
• Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if your company has an eligible Bank of America® small business account.
• Enjoy 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your new card.
• Get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Alaska Airlines Business card.
• Plus, no international transaction fees and a low annual fee of $70 for the company and $25 per card.
• This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Back offers phenomenal returns on all purchases, with a 1.5% earning rate that could potentially climb to 1.875-2.62x for existing Bank of America customers who participate in the Preferred Rewards for Business program. Read our full  review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card .

• Unlimited 1.5% earning rate on all eligible purchases, no matter the category.
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business members could have access to even more earning potential.
• There’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you want to avoid using this card on your international travels.
• Redemption options are limited to cash back rewards.
• Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, or join Preferred Rewards for Business for no fee, and earn up to an unlimited 2.62% cash back on all purchases if you have a Bank of America® business checking account and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier.
• No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
• 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 18.49% to 28.49% will apply.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card offers small businesses a way to mold their rewards structure to fit changing business needs. If you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program, this no-annual-fee card has the potential to easily earn you thousands of dollars in cash back each year. Read our full review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash card.

• Flexible earning structure (3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% on dining; up to $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%)
• No annual fee or expiration on rewards.
• $300 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Only one category can be chosen for the 3% rewards rate each month.
• 3% foreign transaction fee.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas stations & EV charging stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services, 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• You'll earn 3% cash back on purchases in the category of your choice and 2% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
• You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier. That means you could earn up to 5.25% cash back in your selected choice category and up to 3.5% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year, and up to an unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
• Choose how to redeem your cash rewards-as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you. Cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• To change your choice category for future purchases, you must go to the Mobile Banking app or Business Advantage 360, our small business online banking. You can change it once each calendar month, or make no change and it stays the same.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is ideal for business travelers and loyal Southwest flyers interested in hitting A-List status or earning a Companion Pass. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card . 

• 9,000 points on each cardmember anniversary
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (up to $100)
• 4 upgraded boardings a year
• $199 annual fee means only those loyal to Southwest will truly benefit
• Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
• Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• Earn 2X points on rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.

United℠ Business Card

The United Business Card offers a plethora of travel benefits that will benefit business owners who prefer to fly United — all for a reasonable annual fee. Read our full review of the United Business Card . 

• Earns 2 miles per $1 spent in a variety of categories, including United purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), gas, office supplies and more
• Get a $100 United travel credit after qualifying purchases each year
• If you have a personal United card, too, you can earn 5,000 bonus miles each year
• Open employee cards at no additional cost
• Redemption options are mostly limited to United and its partners
• Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases
• You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
• Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
• Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
• $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

For business travelers who stay with Hilton, there is a lot to love about the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. You’re getting a solid return when you use the card on eligible Hilton purchases, and it comes with a nice array of perks. Read our full review of the  Hilton Honors Amex Business Card .

• Hilton Gold status
• Up to $240 statement credit each year for eligible purchases directly with Hilton
• Complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status (Emerald Club® program is required; enrollment is required)
• Less useful for non-Hilton loyalist
• Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
• Enhanced: Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• New: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• New: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required.
• Terms apply.

While its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ) may appear jarring at first, the Business Platinum Amex offers unmatched benefits, including lounge access, plus other value-added perks that can easily offset the card’s annual fee each year. Not to mention, it has an earning structure that can add up quickly for those who travel frequently. If you want to be rewarded for travel spending with American Express Travel and want extra comfort on your trips, this card provides both. New applicants can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.

You don’t have to be a high spender to find value in this card. It’s well suited for those who travel frequently, will enjoy airport lounge access , will benefit from automatic elite status with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required) and can maximize the card’s various statement credits. Plus, the card’s return on spending for travel purchases is very strong — as is the return in select business categories and purchases totaling more than $5,000. You’ll also enjoy a 35% points rebate on eligible flights booked with Amex Travel on up to 1 million points back per calendar year.

“I find that the annual perks and credits vastly outweigh the large annual fee. And that's even without using some of them. By using the benefits with Priority Pass and Amex lounges, the airline incidental credits, plus the statement credits for Clear, our cellphone plan and restocking my home printer with ink and paper from Dell, I get more value out of the card than it costs to keep it. Plus, it earns my favorite points — American Express Membership Enrollment is required for select benefits. Rewards — earning 5 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you have a business banking relationship with Capital One, consider the Capital One Venture X Business card. It comes with a lower annual fee (see rates and fees ) and access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One Lounges. Additionally, it earns at least 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on all purchases.

The Capital One Venture X Business credit card features a $395 annual fee (see rates and fees ) that more than pays for itself when you account for the considerable rewards and perks that come with the card. We love that the Venture X Business card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase when you book via Capital One Travel. We especially love the generous earning structure that gives you 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and the whopping 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars (when booked through Capital One Travel).

Fans of Capital One who frequently book travel via the Capital One portal and want a card the offers no foreign transaction fees.

In addition to a solid earning structure, the Venture X Business card provides you with a $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel in addition to 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary — starting with your first anniversary.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those who want to take advantage of a solid earning structure that provides them with easy to redeem miles. The Venture Rewards card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase plus an unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You get similar benefits that come with the more premium Capital One Venture cards with a smaller annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees ).

With just a $95 annual fee, you’ll unlock several valuable perks on the Ink Business Preferred . These include a strong earning structure, valuable insurance benefits and access to Chase’s full range of airline and hotel transfer partners, such as World of Hyatt and United Airlines MileagePlus. Using these partners is the key to getting huge value from your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Additionally, you can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.

Small business owners who spend heavily on travel, shipping, advertising or internet, cable and phone services will benefit from earning 3 points per dollar spent on these purchases (on up to $150,000 of purchases per account year, then 1 point per dollar). Plus, they can take advantage of the card’s primary rental car insurance, excellent  purchase protection , extended warranty and  cellphone protection  (when you pay your monthly bill with your card) — valuable benefits if something goes wrong.

“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I’ve found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.”  —  Katie Genter , senior writer

Consider the  Capital One Spark Miles for Business , which has a $0 introductory annual fee the first year, then $95 (see  rates and fees ). It earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotel and rental car reservations made with Capital One Travel and unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. You’ll also enjoy reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee — a benefit worth up to $100 once every four years.

We love earning 2% cash back on all purchases with the Spark Cash Plus, meaning there are no bonus categories to track or complex transfer partners to understand when it’s time to redeem your rewards. Plus, the card has two user-friendly elements: Rewards don’t expire as long as your account is open, and you can redeem your cash back in any increment, starting from just a cent. The annual fee is a reasonable $150 (see rates and fees ).

Business owners whose spending habits fluctuate will love the fact that this card has no preset spending limits. It adapts to you, which can be great when you need to spend more around busy periods or to restock inventory. If you can pay your bill in full each month (which is required on this card), you’ll love this spending flexibility.

High-spending businesses can take home a ton of cash-back without worrying about complicated travel rewards.

If you’d prefer to earn transferable rewards points or get higher earnings in your most common spending categories, the American Express® Business Gold Card might fit well in your wallet. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar (an 8% return on spending based on TPG’s valuations ) in your top two spending categories each month on up to $150,000 of these purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar.

The Blue Business Plus Card from American Express offers a solid earning rate of 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar. If your small business spends less than $50,000 each year in purchases, the Blue Business Plus can be a good no-annual-fee option (see rates and fees ) that provides an effective 4% return on spending, based on TPG’s valuations of Amex points. For those with spending that falls outside other cards’ bonus categories, this is an excellent option.

Freelancers, those with a side hustle, newcomers to points and miles and those with varying expenses will love this card and the fact that it doesn’t require tracking any bonus categories to maximize earnings . Instead, its flat earning rate provides value on all purchases without an annual fee required to unlock its full potential.

“ There are very few no-annual-fee cards that award fully transferable points, but the Amex Blue Business Plus is one of them. Not only that, but you'll earn 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar you spend (on up to $50,000 each year). That's a fantastic return of 4% back based on TPG's valuations, making this a great option for your small-business needs.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If you want a card without an annual fee that doesn’t have the earning limits of the Blue Business Plus, look at the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card . You’ll earn 1.5% back on all purchases (and can convert these into transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card). Doing so would yield a 3% return on all spending based on TPG’s valuations.

There are few perks more rewarding than earning a large number of points automatically — but that’s just the attraction of the Amex Business Gold. You’ll earn 4  Membership Rewards points per dollar in your top two spending categories monthly (on up to $150,000 of these purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar). Categories include popular business expenses like U.S. restaurants, U.S. advertising in select media and U.S. computer software, to name a few. Plus, you can add up to 99 employee cards, paying just a $95 annual fee for the first five cards, and then a $95 annual fee for each card after (see rates and fees ). The card currently has a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.

Business owners who spend in the card’s bonus categories will love its up-to-8% return (based on TPG’s valuations ). Bonus categories where you can earn up to 4 points per dollar include transit purchases; U.S. purchases for online, TV and radio advertising; monthly wireless phone service charges made directly from U.S. service providers; U.S. purchases at gas stations; U.S. purchases at restaurants; and U.S. purchases from electronic goods retailers and cloud system providers. You’ll also enjoy perks like Amex Offers . 

“ No other card provides the earning potential and adaptability this card has. Sure, its annual fee isn’t cheap, but I love the fact that I don’t need to think about what purchases I put on this card. It will automatically adapt and provide 4 points per dollar in my top two spending categories monthly (up to $150,000 of these purchases yearly).” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you’re looking for a lower annual fee or a card that earns bonus points on more purchase categories (not just your top two per month), consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card . You’ll earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, select advertising purchases and internet, cable and phone services (on up to $150,000 in annual purchases, then 1 point per dollar). Its annual fee is just $95.

If you’re looking for ease of earning on all your purchases — or a card that earns well on purchases that don’t fall into bonus categories with other credit cards — the Ink Unlimited card is a clear winner. Freelancers and independent contractors love the ability to earn 1.5% back on all purchases, pay no annual fee and even combine the points they earn with Chase Ultimate Rewards from other eligible Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Plus, there are no earning limits on this card.

There are two types of business owners who will benefit from this card. The first is the person looking for a card with a lucrative earning structure but no annual fee. The second is someone who needs a card for those “other” expenses that fall outside the bonus categories offered by other rewards cards in their wallet. This is an ideal card for everyday business expenses.

“I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, while the Ink Unlimited covers everything else with a flat 1.5% earn rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

If you’re looking for a card that rewards you based on your banking relationship, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card earns 1.5% back on all purchases. Those with banking and investment accounts at Bank of America can bump their earning rate up to 2.625% on all purchases thanks to Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business .

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card has an intro offer of 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations , this bonus is worth $925. You can transfer Capital One miles to 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan and Wyndham Rewards, and you’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Plus, the card has an introductory annual fee of $0 the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees ).

Business owners who want to earn a transferable currency will love Capital One miles, which have grown in value and redemption options over the past few years. You’ll also enjoy a  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100) and the flexibility to use your miles to cover travel expenses at a fixed value of 1 cent apiece. If you’re looking for a card that earns valuable miles without needing to track bonus categories, this is it.

You’ll earn transferable points on every purchase without worrying about bonus categories, all for a low annual fee.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has the same $95 annual fee but earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points instead of Capital One miles. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, select advertising purchases and internet, cable and phone services (on up to $150,000 in annual purchases, then 1 point per dollar); you’ll earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

No card can match the Ink Business Cash for earning on office supplies. You’ll love accruing 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year, plus 2% back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. New applicants can earn up to $750 back: $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 after spending $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening. However, you can turn your cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

This is an ideal card for business owners whose primary expenses are at office supply stores, telecommunications providers, gas stations or restaurants thanks to those bonus categories. You can earn handsomely in these categories without paying an annual fee to keep the card in your wallet.

“I love this card for awarding 5% back on my telecommunication services and office supply purchases, all with no annual fee. But my favorite perk is taking those cash-back rewards and combining them with my earnings from the Chase Sapphire Reserve. This means I’m effectively earning 5 fully-transferable Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar I spend in these categories — which I then can transfer to valuable partners like World of Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If your expenses are spread across many categories, you may prefer a card that earns a flat rate on all purchases. Consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express , which earns 2  American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases (on up to $50,000 of purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar) and has no annual fee (see rates and fees ).

The Alaska Airlines Visa Business card offers great airline-specific perks like priority boarding, a $100 annual Alaska Lounge+ credit, elevated earnings on Alaska Airlines flight purchases and more. In addition, the card is currently offering 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when new cardholders make purchases totaling $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening their account.

Businesses who frequently fly Alaska Airlines could benefit from the packed airline-specific perks on this card. Flyers will enjoy priority boarding, a free checked bag and earn 3 points per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines flights.

"I opened the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card when it was offering an elevated welcome bonus, but I keep it to earn 2 miles per dollar on gas and for the annual Companion Fare I get after spending $6,000 in a year. And because I have a Bank of America checking account, I get a 10% bonus on all the miles I earn using the card." — Nick Ewen , director of content

If your business frequently travels but is not an Alaska Airlines loyalist, consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card . The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and other business categories each year. The card is also currently offering an incredible 100,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The card does not offer many airline-specific perks but allows you greater flexibility when it comes to bonus earning and redemption options.

This card has few travel perks but no annual fee, so it can be worthwhile for business owners looking to earn cash back easily. The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash offers a terrific 1.5% earning rate on all purchases, but Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business customers can earn even higher rates — from 1.875% to 2.625%, depending on their tier within the program.

Business owners who can qualify for Preferred Rewards status should consider this card thanks to its accelerated earning rates that are based on your banking and investment accounts. Additionally, this card is a solid option for business owners looking for a quality cash-back rate on a card without an annual fee and without annual earning limits.

For no annual fee, earning up to 2.625% back on your business expenses is a solid return.

Consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card if you don’t have qualifying accounts with Bank of America or prefer to earn points in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem. The Ink Unlimited earns 1.5% back on all purchases, but you can redeem these as transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

With the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash, you can maximize your ever-changing business purchases with up to 3% cash back. You can choose your top spending category monthly for 3% earnings, plus receive 2% on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 spent in combined category and dining purchases per year, then 1% back). If you have qualifying accounts for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program , you could boost your earning rate to 5.25% back in your chosen category — impressive earnings for a card with no annual fee.

Two types of business owners should consider this card. First, it works well for those who can maximize the 3% categories — which include gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services and business consulting services — and are looking for a card without an annual fee. Second, those who can qualify for Preferred Rewards tiers will love the accelerated earnings rates that far outpace earnings on other cards without annual fees.

Picking your top spending category each month allows you to maximize rewards, even when your purchases vary across the year.

Those who need different bonus categories or who won’t qualify for Preferred Rewards should consider the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card . It has no annual fee and earns 5% back on the first $25,000 of purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each cardmember year. You’ll also earn 2% back on the first $25,000 of combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each cardmember year and 1% back on other purchases.

The Southwest Performance Business credit card is ideal for Southwest fans, as it’s packed with perks that will make business trips on the airline more comfortable than ever, especially for those who don’t yet have A-List or A-List Preferred status. You’ll earn extra points in popular business categories, enjoy four priority boarding positions each year, receive up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits annually and have the ability to accelerate your path to the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass .

Business owners who can both take advantage of those day-of-travel perks and maximize this card’s earning structure. It accrues 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases; 3 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases; 2 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, phone services, local transit and commuting; and 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

“It made sense for me to get this as my first Southwest card given that I live in Austin, where almost 40% of flights are operated by Southwest. I get the most value out of this card by taking advantage of the upgraded boardings, inflight Wi-Fi credits and 9,000 anniversary bonus points, which help offset the significant annual fee.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

If you only fly Southwest a handful of times per year or want a lower annual fee, you should consider the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card instead. You'll enjoy a 25% discount on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi purchases, have the chance to spend your way toward A-List status, get a shortcut toward the Companion Pass and receive two EarlyBird check-ins each year.

The United Business Card is an affordable option for business travelers who tend to fly with United and its partners. This is a great card to pair with your personal United credit card, too, because it will not only help you keep personal and business expenses separate, but you’ll also receive 5,000 bonus miles each year on your United Business Card account anniversary for carrying both cards. Plus, you can spend your way toward United elite status and gain access to expanded award availability when it comes time to redeem those MileagePlus miles.

Those who want elite-like benefits with United — such as priority boarding and free checked bags — but aren’t willing to shell out for premium cards with lounge access will love this card. Its earning rates, perks and moderate annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99) are a powerful combination for those who fly United a few times a year.

“As a frequent United traveler, I actually have a couple of United credit cards that unlock different perks and benefits. While I initially got the United Business Card for the bonus and to keep business expenses separate, I keep it for the discount on inflight purchases, the 5,000 annual mile bonus for having both a business and personal United card and the $100 statement credit for charging at least seven annual United flights to the card.” — Summer Hull , director of content

If you’re looking for points you can use with United and in other ways, see if the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a better fit for your wallet. For a $95 annual fee, this card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can transfer to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, including United, though you do miss out on the airline-specific perks.

Considered one of the most advantageous hotel business cards available, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers exceptional value. With its valuable mid-tier Hilton Gold elite status, this card provides a range of premium benefits while maintaining a reasonable $195 annual fee (see rates and fees ). If Hilton is the preferred hotel chain for your company, adding this card to your wallet is a highly recommended choice.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business card provides an excellent balance of benefits while maintaining a low annual fee. Cardholders can enjoy various perks, including  complimentary Gold Elite status, free night rewards and valuable travel protections. It's worth noting that the card offers the highest earning potential for points on Hilton purchases, as is common with cobranded cards. Please keep in mind that enrollment may be required for certain benefits.

“With generous perks like Gold status, a path to two standard free night awards and the ability to unlock top-tier Diamond status with $40,000 of spend in a calendar year, the Hilton Honors Business Card is all about giving you perks beyond your money’s worth with a reasonable annual fee.” — Kyle Olsen , former points and miles reporter.

Unlike some other cards, the American Express® Business Gold Card does not provide hotel status. However, it offers the advantage of earning American Express Membership Rewards points , which can be transferred to Hilton or utilized with a wide range of hotel and airline partners . This flexibility allows cardholders to maximize their rewards by choosing with diverse options beyond just Hilton.

Use it as often as possible

The more you use your card, the more points and rewards you’ll earn. It can be strange to switch up spending habits but try to switch to using your business credit card as your go-to option rather than cash, debit, bank transfers, or other payment methods.

Use it for all business expenses and pay it off every month

You can maximize your business credit cards by charging all business purchases to your credit card. This is a great way to keep your business expenses separate from personal expenses as well as maximize the return on your spending. Most credit cards geared toward small businesses offer at least 1% cash back or 1 point per dollar spent. The right credit card for your business will likely offer even higher returns. By putting all of your expenses on a business credit card, you will earn more rewards! 

But this does not mean you should spend money you wouldn’t have otherwise spent. Charging everything on your business credit card is a means to earn rewards on spending that would’ve occurred anyways. 

Finally, be sure to pay off your balance in full every month to avoid interest and fees that could cancel out any rewards you earn.

Consider multiple cards for different expenses

If you’re a small business, it is likely that your spending is not concentrated on one category. Luckily, many business cards offer various bonus categories. In order to receive the most return on your spending, consider having multiple cards that earn an elevated return on your business’s various main spending categories. Then, cover your bases with a solid flat-rate card for every purchase you make that doesn’t fall into an eligible category.

However, if that’s too much for you to manage, aim for that sweet spot of a card with a lucrative rewards structure and affordable annual fee.

• Awards vs cash calculator Compare the cost in points or miles to cash.
• CardMatch™ Get prequalified offers in less than 60 seconds.

Many travelers are familiar with personal credit cards, but business credit cards are an entirely different segment of the market. These products are generally geared toward those who run small businesses , and as such, they frequently include perks that are valuable to a business owner — including features like no preset spending limit, bonus rewards on shipping or technology purchases, and even statement credits toward software purchases.

Note that you don’t necessarily need a formal business to apply (and get approved) for a business credit card. Many freelancers or sole proprietors can use a business card to separate business-related expenses from their personal ones.

Types of business credit cards

Having a business credit card is important for both small businesses and larger corporations. The primary difference between a small business card and a corporate business card is who is liable for the debt and fees.

Small Business

Small businesses hold the primary cardholder liable for debts and fees and the primary cardholder earns the rewards for small business cards.

Corporate cards hold the company liable for debts and fees and the company generally keeps the rewards for corporate cards.

How to apply for a business credit card

If you own a small business or just do freelance gigs , you could be eligible for a business credit card. You don’t necessarily need a tax ID or an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to qualify for a business credit card ; if you’re a sole proprietor with a small business or side gig, you can usually enter your Social Security number (SSN) instead.

How do Business cards work?

When you’re approved for a business credit card, your company is essentially taking out a loan with the issuing bank. You can then use the card to make purchases, but you need to pay off the loan according to the terms. And each time you swipe it, you’re earning rewards that can be used in a variety of ways — including reinvesting them right back into your business.

Information you’ll need to provide

When filling out an application form for a business credit card, there are some extra pieces of information required in addition to what you might provide for a personal credit card application.

This is likely to include:

The name of your business

When you start your application, you might not be sure what name to put on a business card application . If you’re the sole owner of your small business, you might not even have a designated name for it. If this is the case, don’t worry, you’re allowed to use your own name instead.

Contact information

Similarly, if you don’t have a separate business contact number and mailing address, you can also use your own here too.

A Taxpayer Identification Number

There are two numbers you could use for this, depending on how your business is set up. If you’re the sole business owner, you can use your Social Security number. Or, in the instance that you employ staff or have a more formal business structure, then you should use your business’s Employer Identification Number . You can easily get an EIN on the IRS website .

Your industry

It’s up to you how you want to describe your business; you can either use more rigid categories like travel, food and drink, or retail, or you can describe the exact service you provide should your business type not fall into those categories.

How long you’ve been in business

This one’s pretty self-explanatory.

Revenue and expenses

This is the part where you enter how much money your business makes and how much your outgoings were to run your business.

What you do not need

A specific business type.

Whether you have a structured company, LLC or partnership, or you operate without a formal or legal business structure, you’re still perfectly eligible to apply.

Business credit history

In most cases, your small business credit card would be guaranteed by you personally and not the business itself. This means that you won’t be required to include an existing credit history for your business.

While business credit history is not a requirement for approval, building your business credit could provide better access to a host of benefits, including lower interest rates and cheaper business insurance premiums. 

Check out the following guides to applying for small-business cards for issuer-specific strategies:

• How to fill out an Amex business card application
• How to complete a Chase business credit card application
• How to complete a Capital One business credit card application

Related: 5 ways you might be eligible for a business credit card without realizing it

• 1 Sign-up bonus Find a card that your business can readily meet the minimum spend for its sign-up bonus. A welcome bonus plays a large part in a card’s value as it typically offers more points than can be earned through general business spending.
• 2 Annual fee If your card features an annual fee, it is important to consider if the card’s perks and benefits outweigh the card’s annual fee.
• 3 Bonus categories Choose a business card that features elevated earning rates on your regular business spending.

What's your favorite business credit card — and why?

• Using business credit cards responsibly can help you build your business credit score.
• Business credit cards can earn cash back, points or miles on every dollar you spend.
• Business credit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection.
• Business credit cards provide business-friendly perks like travel insurance, complimentary hotel stays and bonus points on expenses like shipping or software.
• Opening a business credit card can separate personal and business expenses.
• Credit cards can encourage overspending.
• Carrying a balance and using your card irresponsibly can damage your business credit score.
• The cost of borrowing on business credit cards is higher than traditional loans.
• You’re still personally responsible for business credit card debt.
• Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score.

Business and personal credit cards have similar functionalities. Many card issuers allow for personal referrals for business cards . In both cases, you’re extended a line of credit to make purchases, and you agree to pay for those purchases over time based on the cardholder agreement.

However, business credit cards are geared toward small businesses, and depending on the issuer (or specific card product), you may need to produce formal documentation in order to be approved. In addition, business cards typically include bonus categories or benefits that may hold less appeal to the general consumer. This can include bonus rewards on shipping purchases, statement credits for business-related service providers or embedded technology to help with accounting.

Additionally, many personal credit cards pair well with business credit cards. Complementary personal/business card combinations can help you diversify your points earning and bonus categories and can play a part in a responsible spending strategy. 

There’s no single card that would be considered the “best” for every, single small business . Instead, it’s important to consider the type of rewards and selection of benefits that make the most sense for your company. If your company travels internationally often, you would want a business credit card with no foreign transaction fee . If you’re not interested in travel rewards, then a cash-back business card could make the most sense. If your small business spends a bunch of money on client dinners, then a business card with a dining bonus could be the best fit.

While it’s not technically “illegal” to use a business card for personal use , it’s generally against the terms and conditions of most business credit cards. In addition, combining personal and business purchases on a credit card can make it harder to separate legitimate, business-related transactions when tax season rolls around. Finally, business credit cards tend to have fewer protections for cardholders, so using one for personal reasons could backfire.

Sometimes. It all depends on the given issuer , since some will consistently report business card account information to both consumer and commercial credit bureaus, while others won’t. Instead of worrying about this question, though, focus your energy on paying your balance in full and on time each month. This will ensure that any business cards reported to a credit bureau will only impact your score in a positive way.

Plus, your business credit card could provide multiple benefits to your personal score. This could be done by managing your business credit card account responsibly, which demonstrates you’re a reliable borrower, or lowering your personal credit utilization, for instance. 

You certainly can , though each issuer reserves the right to review your application and determine whether you qualify for a business line of credit. In many instances, you can use your Social Security number as a sole proprietor and get approved for a card. Even if you have no business credit history, an issuer will look at your personal credit score and history to determine your eligibility.

It is possible to refer someone to a business card even if you only have personal cards. Every issuer has their own policy regarding rewarding referrals so you will have to check with your specific card issuer to see if you are eligible for a referral bonus. Check out our in-depth guide on earning referral bonuses on both personal and business credit cards .

The best small business credit card will depend on your small business. See what perks and benefits your business is looking for and if the card you're looking at is the best fit for your business spending. You can use our guide above to help you see which card is the best for your business.

There is no limit to the amount of business cards you can have. It is important to know your business and what cards align most with your spending.

While it’s easy and free to check your personal credit score, the process with a business credit report requires jumping through a few more hoops. You can check your business credit score through free services that send alerts when your score or report changes. However, you often have to pay additional fees to view unlimited full reports. 

Tracking your business credit score may be a bit harder, but it’s not any less important than your personal credit report

The wording of these two may be similar, but the features of a business credit card and a business line of credit are very different. 

A business credit card is like a personal credit card because it allows borrowers to spend with a predetermined credit limit at an annual percentage rate (APR). Most business cards are unsecured, and borrowers can be approved for one without proof of assets or collateral. 

A business line of credit is a revolving business loan with a preset credit limit. To be approved for a business LOC, your business’s financial picture and creditworthiness are considered. Sometimes, approval is based on collateral. LOCs are meant to cover day-to-day operative expenses that may exceed a credit limit on a credit card, such as payroll.