The American Express® Platinum Rewards
Credit Card
Summary of changes to your Card
The new insurance Terms and Conditions on your American Express® Platinum Rewards Credit Card will replace your previous Terms and Conditions. The new Terms and Conditions will apply to all claim events occurring on or after 15 March 2022.
Australian Government Restrictions on Travel (including COVID)
You may, in some circumstances, be covered for costs if you need to amend or cancel your trip due to an Australian State or Territory government or the Australian Federal Government or a government agency (such as ‘DFAT’) issuing a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning, or closing borders, after you book your trip. However, no cover is provided:
If the country you’re travelling to is subject to a Government 'Do Not Travel' warning or if borders are closed before your trip starts and you choose to travel anyway. This exclusion applies even if you have an exemption from the Australian government to travel:
For government travel advisories or border closures related to COVID-19 for Domestic Return Trips.
Travel Cover & COVID-19
Cover applies for claim events relating to COVID-19 that occur after 1 November 2021 for certain travel, medical and trip cancellation events. Not all claim events are covered. For full details, please refer to the COVID-19 section within your new Terms and Conditions, which you can find under the New Terms and Conditions tab.
Return Trips Only
You are only eligible for the travel insurance benefits under Sections A – F of this Policy for return Trips i.e. trips that begin and end from Your Home or Work in Australia. It does not cover One-Way Trips where You have no plans to return to Australia.
You may need to provide evidence of Your intention to return to Your Home or Your Work where reasonably possible, for example by providing copies of a return ticket, itinerary or schedule, return transfer or accommodation bookings, confirmation of return to Work dates etc.
Summary Only
Information on this page is a summary of the key changes only. The policy wording has also been updated to make it easier to know exactly what you're covered for and how much you can claim under the policy. For full details of the terms, conditions, exclusions and benefit limits that apply, please refer to the new Terms and Conditions here.
It’s also important for you to share this information with any Additional Card Members, at your earliest opportunity.
For information about when you will and won’t be covered when travelling in relation to COVID-19, see below:
Domestic Travel
Cover is provided:
- If you need to amend or cancel your trip because you or your travelling companion, close relative or a person you’re visiting for the main purpose of your trip are diagnosed with COVID-19.
Cover is not provided for:
- Cancellation or trip changes due to border closures or travel advisory warnings related to COVID-19; or
- Medical expenses related to COVID-19.
International Travel
Cover is provided:
- If you need to amend or cancel your trip because you or your travelling companion, close relative or a person you’re visiting for the main purpose of your trip are diagnosed with COVID-19.
- If you need to amend or cancel your trip as a result of border closures or upgraded travel advisory warnings related to COVID-19 that occur after you have booked your trip.
- For medical expenses you incur if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 during your trip.
Cover is not provided if:
- The country you’re travelling to is subject to a Government 'Do Not Travel' warning or if borders are closed before your trip starts – even if you have an exemption to travel from the Australian government. However, if you need to amend or cancel your trip due to such a situation, the costs of cancellation and amendment are covered if the warning or border closure occurred after you booked and met the eligibility criteria.
Benefit Exclusions
Claims arising from or caused by COVID-19 will not be paid if:
- You're travelling against a treating Doctor's advice.
- You travel after the Australian government has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning or despite borders being closed, even if you have received an exemption from the Australian government to travel.
- You receive a refund, credit note or voucher for the amounts you’re claiming (for example, if an airline or hotel provide you with a credit refund).
Please refer to 'Important things to Know About This Policy'.
More information has been added under 'Important Things To Know About This Policy', to help you understand what benefits you’re eligible for if travelling while pregnant.
What's covered if you’re travelling overseas while pregnant?
If you're pregnant, you'll be covered for unforeseen emergency medical expenses due to an injury or illness, which occurs more than 8 weeks before your estimated date of delivery. However, any medical expenses relating to actual childbirth of your newborn child won’t be covered. Please see ‘Pregnancy and Childbirth Exclusions’ under General Exclusions in your Policy for full details.
Should you suffer a sudden and unexpected injury or an illness, which is unrelated to your pregnancy, (for example a broken wrist), you’re eligible for cover under Medical Emergency Expenses Cover or Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover, subject always to the Policy. Please see 'Important Things To Know About This Policy' for full details.
The following new benefits and amended limits for existing cover have been made. Please refer to the ‘Benefits’ section for a full overview of the cover, terms, conditions and exclusions that apply.
Changes to qualifying travel purchases for Domestic Returns Trips
Your Travel Insurance cover now includes self-drive road trips where you spend $500 or more on accommodation on your American Express Card. A Domestic Return Trip must be over 150kms radius away from Your Home. Please see Eligibility Table section of the Policy for full details.
Personal Accident Cover
Accidental Death or Permanent Disablement due to injury
Accidental Death or Permanent Disablement cover has been added. Should you suffer an injury resulting in death or permanent disablement within 12 months of the injury while doing activities on your trip, such as a walking tour, you’ll now be covered up to $25,000.
Public Transport Accident Cover
The Transport Accident Cover Section now sits under the Personal Accident Cover and is now known as Public Transport Accident Cover.
Medical Emergency Expenses Cover
New cover has been added under Medical Emergency Expenses, up to $50 per 24-hour period to a maximum of $1,200 for your out of pocket expenses such as food and toiletries expenses, which you may incur as a result of being hospitalised.
Additional Travel Inconvenience Cover for extended delays
New cover has been added under this section, up to $1,400 for additional accommodation if you're impacted by an extended delay, cancelled, overbooked or missed flight.
Special Event Cover
If you’re delayed for a Special Event, new cover has been added up to $2,000 under Travel Inconvenience to cover the cost of alternative public transport to help you arrive at the Special Event.
Card Refund Cover
Refund Protection Cover is now known as Card Refund Cover.
Card Purchase Cover
Purchase Protection Cover is now known as Card Purchase Cover. Items left unattended in a public place due to an emergency medical, security or evacuation situation will now be covered.
Please be aware there have also been changes made that may affect your cover when travelling. The below is an outline of some of the exclusions. It is important that you fully understand this policy’s terms, conditions and limitations and that you review the specific details of exclusion, which are set out in the Terms & Conditions here.
No Cover for Competitive Sports
Cover for competitive sporting events where you receive prize money or a fee is now excluded. Please see the definition of Excluded Sports and Activities in the Definitions Section of the Policy for full details.
No Cover while riding a Motorcycle if you’re unlicensed or not wearing a helmet
You're not covered for claims relating to accidents where you’re riding a motorcycle without a valid motorcycle licence, not wearing a helmet, or exceeding the legal alcohol limit. Please see the General Exclusions in the Policy applicable to all sections.
No Cover for Money stored within personal luggage
You’re not covered for the loss of any money within your personal baggage that’s checked in or stowed in the luggage hold of an airplane, ship, bus or train. Please see exclusions under Personal Baggage, Valuables, Money and Travel Documents Cover for full details.
No Cover for travelling companions 91 years of age or older
Changes have been made to the Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover to make it clear that you're not covered for the death, injury or unforeseen illness of your travelling companion if they're 91 years of age or older when you made your booking under Exclusions - Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover.
Additional Card Members will now be covered under Travel Insurance for all our Card products. It’s your responsibility to tell them about the changes to Travel Insurance. If they’re planning to travel, it’s important they review the Policy before they go to ensure they’re fully covered for all the things they intend to do while on holiday.
For claims and general enquiries about the Terms & Conditions, please contact Chubb:
Email:CardmemberSupport.AU@Chubb.com
Telephone: 1800 950 797
(Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST)
This insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687 (Chubb) under a group policy held by American Express Australia Limited ®, ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313 (American Express). Chubb and American Express only provide general advice and do not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before deciding whether this product is right for you, please read the Terms and Conditions. A copy of American Express Financial Services Guide can be found here.
Eligibility criteria applies. Terms, conditions, exclusions, maximum age limits, pre-existing medical condition exclusions and limits apply as set out in the Terms and Conditions.
What changes are taking place, and why?
There have been some changes made to the Insurance Terms and Conditions included with your Card. They include changes to cover, exclusions, benefit limits, as well as adding new benefits to some Cards. The changes to your policy will come into effect on the 15 March 2022.
Please refer to the 'Key Changes’ tab for the list of key changes. Alternatively, you can access the new Terms and Conditions here.
What do I need to be aware of before booking a trip with regards to COVID-19 under the new terms and conditions effective 15 March 2022?
It's always important you review the policy Terms and Conditions before you travel. Are you planning to Travel domestically or internationally?
If domestic: Your policy includes provisions if you need to amend or cancel your trip because you or your travelling companion, close relative, or a person you are visiting as the main purpose of your trip is diagnosed with COVID-19. However, it excludes cancellation or trip changes due to border closures or travel advisory warnings, or medical expenses related to COVID-19.
If international: Your policy includes provisions if you need to amend or cancel your trip because you or your travelling companion, close relative, or a person you are visiting as the main purpose of your trip is diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you need to amend or cancel your trip as a result of border closures that occur after you make your booking.
For more details, please refer to 'Important Things To Know About This Policy' within the new Terms and Conditions effective 15 March 2022.
Do these changes affect existing travel bookings?
If you have travel booked that is due to conclude before 15 March 2022, your coverage remains unaffected by this change. Any travel or claim events occurring on or after this date will be subject to the new Terms and Conditions.
I have a refund, credit note, or voucher (for example, if an airline or hotel provided you with a refund) from a previous booking. Will these changes apply if I use the travel refund, credit note, or voucher to book a new trip?
Yes, these changes will apply to a new trip when:
- No claim has been paid by us with respect to the original trip under your American Express policy; and
- The original trip and the new trip to be booked, for which the travel refund, credit note, or voucher was received, had fulfilled the eligibility or activation requirements for your American Express Card at the time of booking that trip; and
- The full value of the new trip was paid in full:
- with the travel refund, credit note, or voucher from the original trip; or
- with a combination of travel refund, credit note, or voucher from the original trip and any other eligible payment method, as applicable.
- Provided that all other Terms and Conditions continue to apply.
Who can I contact for more information on these changes?
For claims and general enquiries about the Insurance Terms and Conditions, please contact Chubb:
- Email:CardmemberSupport.AU@Chubb.com
- Telephone: 1800 950 797
- Overseas Telephone: +61 2 8912 4595
View the new Terms and Conditions here