Travel Assistance and Credit Cards
When planning a trip, it is essential to understand the details of the travel assistance services that credit cards offer (or do not offer).
Often, what seems like comprehensive travel assistance coverage can have limitations that go unnoticed and can be cumbersome to understand for those who do not have time to read the fine print. Here are some important key points to keep in mind:
- Card Categories: GOLD category cards no longer include travel assistance services in any case. Therefore, it is important that before traveling, you always acquire a plan suitable for your trip and ensure it covers everything you need. You can get a quote for your ideal plan here.
- Coverage Requirements: Both MASTERCARD and VISA, in the PLATINUM, SIGNATURE, or BLACK categories, require that you purchase the round-trip airline ticket with the corresponding credit card to access the coverage. This is an exclusive condition. And even then, you should know that the coverage you will have is limited.
- Travel Certificate: Some banks require a travel assistance certificate before starting the trip. For this, you must contact your bank or do it online on their website. If you do not have the certificate, they may deny you the service when you need assistance.
- Coverage Limits: There are limits on the number of coverage days per trip, which can vary between 60, 90, and, in exceptional cases, 120 days per trip. What does this mean? That each trip cannot exceed that number of days. For example, if you travel more than 60 days to a destination without returning to your country of residence, you will be without coverage.
- Important Exclusions: Credit card travel assistance services do NOT cover pre-existing conditions, flight cancellations, or lost luggage. These benefits are essential for good coverage during a trip.
- Coverage Limits: The coverage limits can range from USD 50,000 to USD 150,000, which may be insufficient depending on the destination. Additionally, some cards separate medical assistance services (outpatient or hospitalizations) and have a separate amount for medical repatriation with a cap. This means that, for example, if the cap is USD 100,000 for repatriation, and you need repatriation from Europe, it is very likely that this amount will be insufficient.
- Age Restrictions: In all cases, there are coverage limitations for people over 70 years old and a maximum number of days per trip (generally up to 30 days).
- Travel Assistance Provider: The provider of credit card services is AXA ASSISTANCE, a French general insurance company, which has nothing to do with PAX ASSISTANCE. Pax, on the other hand, is a company created from the very genesis of travel assistance since those who founded and manage it have over 35 years of experience in the industry. Therefore, when choosing who will take care of you on your next trip, use your credit card to buy everything you need and choose the best travel assistance company, with the best prices on the market (learn our history).
- You can find here a table that will expand the information of this article more completely.
It is common for travelers to encounter unpleasant surprises when they need assistance and discover that they are not covered as they thought. Before traveling, it is crucial to understand the requirements to access coverage and ensure you are well protected.
Travel assistance has evolved considerably and is now more accessible than ever. At PAX ASSISTANCE, we understand the importance of traveling in PEACE and fully enjoying your trip. Those of us who created PAX, besides having the most experience, are revolutionaries in the industry by offering more human, accessible services with better benefits (our values).
Our network extends to over 190 countries through more than 58,000 providers. With the recent introduction of PAX CASH (learn more by clicking here), we have completely eliminated the hassle of medication reimbursement procedures, something common when you need assistance abroad. This benefit is absolutely unique and disruptive worldwide, and will avoid many inconveniences that were previously common when using the services of any other company. Here are the main differences between PAX ASSISTANCE and another well-known company in the market by clicking here.
Moreover, our app features CUX (Apple or Android), an Artificial Intelligence emotional support platform available 24/7 because at PAX ASSISTANCE, we know that your emotional health is as important as your physical health.
Do not hesitate to get a quote for your Pax here, designed to adapt to your needs and type of travel. Discover why we are the company with the best prices on the market and the highest ratings on Google and Trustpilot.
