This thread helped me make a decision. I had been buying Insurance for every trip. Then I read here about yearly policies and Credit Cards. It looked like the top tier credit cards have similar Travel insurance. I didn't realize that my current card had some and I had been wasting insurance on flights. Though the levels on my current card would not cover our trips like the one to Iceland in August. I have fully refundable air fare and a $700 trip cancellation policy with Medical on that trip
Turns out any of the top tier credit cards would have come close to coverage at less $$ short Medical.
I also found out USAA sells travel insurance and they seem to have good products and even stand alone Medical Travel policies for $112 or full coverage with better limits for the same price I paid earlier
I also found out that my current medical (63 years old) covers International care and even has a web site to find places that are covered or ways to file claims if none are available
I am a lifetime Gold Elite on United from all the business travel I did so I always fly them when I can. With that, the United Club card seems to be the best for me vs the United Explorer I currently have.
I am planning on getting the United Club Card (w/80K Bonus miles). I had it when working but canceled it when I thought the primary reason was the Club and I don't travel enough to justify that. However, the Travel Insurance it comes with is less than I would pay for a single trip for equivalent coverage and the club would just be a bonus.
I think the only time I will buy a stand alone full coverage policy in the future is if we have a pre-existing condition for us or my in laws that would impact the cancelation reimbursement.
For Medical, I will need to consider it as a separate policy. It has better evac limits, plus no deductibles as what my insurance would come with. Still, my current Health Insurance will cover and limit risk for any emergencies that may come up while traveling. That may be a case by case basis. From what I can see, will need to revaluate when I go on Medicare in two years as some supplements you can add it, others you can't
I would be interested in learning more about what folks have learned when filing claims against these Travel Cards to see if there is something I need to consider when planning our next trip.
Too late to use this for our Iceland Cruise in August, but there is always the next one
