Insurance for the world trip
When you go on a world trip with the Platinum Card from American Express , you benefit from included insurance coverage.
Everything you need to know at a glance
For a trip around the world, long-term international health insurance is the most important coverage. This is because other types of travel insurance often only apply to shorter trips, and medical treatment abroad can quickly become very expensive.
The American Express Platinum Card already includes key coverage, such as the International Travel Medical Expenses (for illness and accident) - and Trip Cancellation Insurance, as well as medically necessary repatriation. Additionally, coverage for flight or baggage delays, comprehensive rental car insurance, and loss of luggage may be included.
Planning a trip around the world without worries
When planning a trip around the world, you’re quickly faced with a mountain of organizational tasks: flights, hotels, visas, vaccinations. What’s often underestimated is insurance coverage. Lost luggage, illness, or flight delays can result in high costs.
If you book at least 50 percent of your trip with an American Express Platinum Card, many of the most important risks are already covered. Automatically, without forms or additional costs. And that’s before you even set off: If you’re unable to take the trip at all, travel cancellation insurance applies under certain conditions.
In addition to unexpected illnesses, coverage also extends to situations such as a sudden travel warning issued by the FDFA or a government-mandated quarantine. If you miss your train or flight for the outbound journey due to a breakdown, accident, or strike, you will also be reimbursed for the costs of alternative transportation and lost travel services.
Insurance benefits vary depending on the credit card and may differ. For details, please refer to the respective insurance terms and conditions.
Relax at the airport with American Express
Your flight is delayed, your suitcase ends up on the wrong plane—incidents like these are no big deal if you have the right card:
- If your flight is delayed by more than four hours, the Travel Inconvenience Insurance will reimburse you up to CHF 400 for meals, overnight accommodations, or an alternative connection.
- If your luggage is delayed, the insurance will cover the cost of emergency purchases such as clothing and toiletries, up to CHF 2,000, depending on the card type.
In good medical hands – worldwide
Medical emergencies can quickly become a significant expense when traveling the world. You should ensure you have international health insurance coverage in advance.
- If you suffer an acute illness or an accident during your trip, the Platinum Card provides coverage for medical expenses incurred abroad under the terms of the insurance policy at , up to CHF 3,000,000. Please refer to the respective insurance terms and conditions for details.
- In the event of an insured hospital stay, the insurer may issue a guarantee of cost coverage to the hospital, so that you are not required to pay upfront.
- If medically necessary and medically ordered repatriation becomes necessary, the repatriation insurance covers the organization and costs of the repatriation in the insured case. The type of transport depends on medical necessity and is determined by the insurer’s medical service in consultation with the attending physician.
Car Rental Insurance with the Platinum Card
Another useful insurance option for your trip around the world covers rental cars. If you plan to rent a vehicle, you’ll always be asked whether you’d like to purchase comprehensive insurance. With the Platinum Card, you can feel free to decline: The built-in Loss Damage Waiver for Rental Cars from covers the costs of damage, theft, and vandalism in accordance with the insurance terms and conditions.
Interesting fact: If an accident occurs on public transportation, the Transport Accident Insurance —also included with the Platinum Card—will cover the costs in many cases.
Which American Express card will accompany you around the world?
Well-insured on your world trip with American Express
With an American Express credit card, you’re automatically well-insured in many areas while traveling the world: Among other things, flight delays, lost luggage, and medical treatment are already covered. Depending on your card type, you also don’t have to worry about rental cars.
The Gold Card offers a certain level of basic coverage, while the Platinum Card, with its comprehensive benefits, is the top choice for frequent travelers and longer trips, such as a trip around the world. You’ll also enjoy attractive travel benefits with your American Express Card in airport lounges, at elegant hotels worldwide, and when booking rental cars.
Frequently asked questions and answers
For a trip around the world, we recommend an insurance package consisting of several components: First and foremost is international health and assistance insurance, including repatriation. This should be supplemented by trip cancellation and baggage insurance, Accident Insurance, and personal liability insurance. If you rent a car while traveling, you should also ensure you have comprehensive coverage. The American Express Platinum Card automatically covers a large portion of these benefits as long as at least 50 percent of the trip was paid for with the card.
As long as you maintain your residence in Switzerland during your world trip, you remain subject to mandatory health insurance. However, basic insurance has clear limits: Outside the EU, it covers a maximum of twice the amount of costs that would be incurred for the same treatment in Switzerland. In countries such as the U.S., Japan, or Australia, this is often insufficient. Supplementary insurance—or the Travel Medical Insurance included with your American Express Card—can close this gap in accordance with the insurance terms and conditions.
That depends heavily on the scope and duration of the trip. With annual travel insurance, which covers stays of up to twelve consecutive months, you are comprehensively covered. Costs for such policies range from CHF 150 to 300 per year, depending on the scope of coverage and age. Travel insurance usually applies only for the duration of a single booked trip.
