What Amex Trip Delay Coverage Paid for After My Canceled Flights

Experienced travelers generally fare better during flight disruptions. Knowledge, miles, points, and status can be advantages that help resolve the situation and expedite the journey to your destination.

Occasionally, the situation can be so dire that all of that experience, miles, points, and status won’t rectify the disruption. Such was the case during one of the worst northern Michigan snowstorms ever, while I was returning from a weekend trip to Florida.

Fortunately, I had paid for my round-trip flight with The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express and was reasonably confident I could recoup some of the trip-delay costs. Here’s exactly how the situation unfolded, how the claim process went, and the result.

Weather Emergency Situation

On my return trip from Tampa International Airport (TPA), I had a quick connection in Chicago O’Hare (ORD) before arriving at my home airport at Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in northern Michigan.

However, my first flight to Chicago was canceled, so I was rerouted through Charlotte (CLT) and had to spend the night there. But even when I made it to ORD the next day, the cancellations continued, as the forecast at home called for 36 inches of snow and 40-mph winds.

It was obvious I wouldn’t make it home anytime soon.

TVC airport was closed, and the roads were impassable for the first 2 days. There were no rental cars available until the third day, and the drive to my home airport could take 7 hours. By then, there were signs that the airport would open.

I went standby on each available flight for 3 days, until each was canceled, mostly at the last minute.

On the fourth day, I was able to fly home on the 42-minute evening flight, but only after 4 days of canceled flights, standing by on several flights each day, and spending 3 nights in hotels.

My Expenses

In total, I paid just over $500 for 3 hotel stays. Due to demand and limited availability, using hotel loyalty points wasn’t an option for 2 of those nights. Also, by paying for the stay with a credit card, I hoped to be reimbursed for the expense, which would not have been possible using hotel loyalty points.

Coverage would also apply to meal expenses, but the cost was minimal as I spent most of my days and evenings waiting for flights in the airport lounges.

How American Express Trip Delay Coverage Works

There are several covered reasons when American Express trip delay coverage could apply to a loss. These include inclement weather, common carrier’s equipment failure, terrorism or hijacking, and lost or stolen passports or travel documents.

However, coverage only applies if you paid for your trip using your card. Here are some of the best American Express cards with trip delay coverage:

BEST LOUNGE CARD

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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NEW OFFER

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.  

As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Generous statement credits on select purchases with your card (including credits for airline incidentals, prepaid hotels, CLEAR, ChatGPT Business, Dell, and Hilton)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• Hotel elite status with Hilton, Marriott, and Leading Hotels of the World upon enrollment

 

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

 

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

 

Payment Requirements

In general, you must pay for the trip with an eligible card for trip delay insurance to apply. Some card issuers require at least partial payment, while others, including American Express, require you to pay for the entire trip with the card:

“You must charge the full amount of a covered trip to your eligible card or in combination with your eligible card and accumulated points on your eligible card or redeemable certificates, vouchers, coupons, or discounts awarded from a frequent flyer or similar program.”

American Express defines a covered trip as a “round-trip period of travel to one or more destinations.” Round-trip travel can consist of “round-trip, one-way, or combinations of round-trip and one-way tickets.”

I typically always purchase one-way tickets, even with 2 different airlines, but in this case I paid for the entire round trip with my Amex Business Platinum card.

Weather Disruption Coverage

If the cause of the trip delay is “inclement weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a covered trip,” Amex trip delay coverage may apply.

Coverage reimburses for “reasonable additional expenses (including but not limited to meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal use items) incurred for a covered Trip that is delayed more than six (6) hours.”

Because my delays were overnight, coverage applied.

Coverage Limits

American Express trip delay coverage on the Amex Business Platinum card is limited to $500 per covered trip and a maximum of 2 trip delay claims per consecutive 12-month period.

Coverage is also secondary to any reimbursement, meals, refunds, or other compensation received from the airlines or other insurance.

Amex Trip Delay Insurance Claim Process

Submitting a trip delay claim with American Express was rather easy, gathering the necessary documentation took more time.

While I was overnighting in Chicago, I obtained the necessary letters from American Airlines stating that the cancellations were due to weather and that the airline was denying reimbursement for hotel expenses.

On March 19, I submitted my claim to American Express with 13 pages of documents, including:

• Boarding passes for canceled flights
• Letters from American Airlines stating that flight cancellations were due to weather, and that American would not provide a hotel
• Copies of hotel folio statements
• Copy of the entire flight itinerary
• My Amex Business Platinum card statement showing the initial flight purchase

AIG Travel Guard handled the claim. On April 24, more than a month after the initial filing, I received a request for missing information: the American Express statement showing the flight purchase. Although I included the statement in the initial claim filing, I quickly resubmitted it and received a confirmation email.

Resolution

On May 13, I received an email that AIG approved my claim for $386.88. The amount was not the full $500 because the total did not include 1 of the 3 hotel nights in the reimbursement. I initially submitted a request for reimbursement for 2 nights because American Airlines said they would cover 1 night, but that didn’t end up being the case.

Unfortunately, the supplemental request for that night did not get addressed.

It took nearly 2 months, but in the end, I received reimbursement for most of my hotel expenses. I could also have included meals, but I mostly ate the hotel’s complimentary breakfast and in the Admirals Clubs.

Although the process took a long time, the outcome was positive, even though it fell short of my actual expenses. I should have submitted all 3 hotel bills initially rather than waiting for American Airlines to decline the request for the 1 hotel night and then adding it to the claim while it was in progress.

Final Thoughts

Trip delay coverage can ease the financial and emotional stress when a flight is disrupted by weather or equipment failure and the airline does not provide accommodations. Knowing you have coverage for lodging and incidentals can ease a stressful situation.

When the first cancellation occurred, I started printing boarding passes, requesting documentation from the airline, and saving hotel folios. It was much easier to gather documentation during the event than it would have been after the fact.

It takes effort and persistence to file a claim for credit card travel insurance, but it can be worth it. It’s good to receive value for the considerable annual fees we pay for our premium travel rewards cards.