Credit card trip delay coverage compared
What trip delay coverage is
Trip delay coverage reimburses certain extra expenses, such as meals, lodging and local transportation, when a covered trip is delayed beyond a threshold. It is a benefit of the card, not a separate insurance policy you buy, and each issuer sets its own terms.
Cards compared
| Card | Annual fee | Delay needed | Maximum | Limit applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Delta Platinum (Consumer) | $350 | 12+ hours | $300 | Per trip |
| American Express Delta Reserve (Consumer) | $650 | 6+ hours | $500 | Per trip |
| American Express Gold Card | $325 | 12+ hours | $300 | Per trip |
| American Express Green Card | $150 | 12+ hours | $300 | Per trip |
| American Express Platinum Card | $895 | 6+ hours | $500 | Per trip |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | $95 | 12+ hours | $500 | Per traveler |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 12+ hours | $500 | Per traveler |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | 6+ hours | $500 | Per traveler |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | 6+ hours | $500 | Per traveler |
Select a card for its full terms, eligibility rules and official claim link.
How to read the table
- Delay needed is how long your trip must be delayed before the benefit applies.
- Maximum is the most the card reimburses.
- Limit applies shows what that maximum is counted against. “Per traveler” means each eligible traveler has their own limit. “Per trip” means one limit is shared across the trip.
Two cards with the same dollar maximum can pay very different amounts for a family, which is why the per-traveler versus per-trip distinction matters.
If your flight is delayed
Having the coverage is only half of it: you still have to claim it within the card's deadlines. Our guide on how to file a trip delay claim walks through the steps and lists each card's notice and paperwork windows.
Headwind Claim is an information tool, not insurance or legal advice. Benefit terms are set by card issuers and can change, so confirm them in your issuer's current guide to benefits before relying on this page.