Flight Delay Insurance: How to Make a Successful Insurance Claim

Flight delay insurance is a type of credit card insurance coverage that reimburses you for out-of-pocket costs you encounter due to a delayed flight. This can include meals, accommodations, and transportation.

There are limitations and guidelines, of course, such as which types of purchases are eligible. Various cards have specific dollar limits too.

This article explains how the guidelines for flight delay insurance work, how to file a flight delay insurance claim, which credit cards offer this coverage, and more.

What is flight delay insurance?

Flight delay insurance is a common type of credit card insurance that reimburses you for costs you incur when your flight is delayed for any reason. Most credit cards specify how many hours your flight must be delayed by before you can file a claim. It's typically a minimum of 4 hours.

Premium credit cards with flight delay insurance also specify the reimbursement limit, usually $500.

As long as you charged your flights in full to your credit card, you can be reimbursed for costs incurred as a result of the delay.

How flight delay insurance works

When a flight is delayed, the question of whether the airline owes you assistance depends on whether the delay was within its control. But if you have a credit card with flight delay insurance, it doesn't matter what caused the delay.

As long as your flight with a "common carrier" is delayed by more than a set amount of time, you can get reimbursed for any costs you incurred, up to a specified amount.

The exact process for filing a claim depends on your credit card issuer, but most issuers require you to charge the full cost of the flight to the card with the insurance coverage.

Read your credit card's terms and conditions carefully if you plan to book a flight using your credit card reward points. Typically, you'll have to pay any fees or taxes that aren't included in the reward for coverage to kick in.

What flight delay insurance covers

While there are plenty of things you may spend money on, flight delay insurance only covers the costs of reasonable living expenses. These include:

• Meals
• Accommodations
• Necessary toiletries
• Local taxi fare or ridesharing services

Note that coverage doesn't apply if you decide to book a different way to travel to your destination. Say you were flying from Toronto to Ottawa, and your flight is delayed. If you decide to rent a car or take the train to Ottawa, you won't get reimbursed for your costs.

Remember, coverage is only provided up to a specific amount. Most credit cards cap flight delay insurance at $500, but many others offer up to $1000.

How to make a flight delay insurance claim

We'll walk you through an example scenario and show you how you could file a successful flight delay insurance claim. But first, remember that you have to charge the flight to a credit card that provides flight delay coverage.

1. Track the delay length and hang onto your receipts: Your credit card's insurance certificate will tell you how many hours the flight has to be delayed in order to qualify for coverage, so pay attention to how long you're delayed. While you're waiting, keep receipts for purchases like meals and drinks. If you have to book a hotel because of the delay, get a copy of that receipt, too.
2. Get proof of the delay from the airline: Head to the customer service desk at the airport and ask for written proof of the delay. You can contact the airline later to request documentation, but it's quicker and easier to get it while you're still at the airport.
3. Locate your credit card's insurance claim form. Once you get to your destination, check your credit card's terms and conditions to find the right form to fill out. This is usually available online, but if you can't find it, contact your credit card company's customer service for help.
4. Complete the claim within the window of eligibility: Credit card issuers place strict deadlines on when you can file a travel insurance claim, so try to submit the flight delay claim as soon as possible. Provide any documentation, like receipts and proof of delay, when you make the claim.
5. Wait for a decision: This might seem like the hardest part. But if you've submitted all the required documentation, the process is faster. The credit card issuer will verify your coverage and the expenses you'd like to be reimbursed for. You should receive a decision within a few weeks.
6. Receive reimbursement if approved: Depending on your credit card issuer, they might mail a reimbursement cheque. You may also have the option to request direct deposit or Interac e-Transfer.

Top credit cards for flight delay insurance

There are quite a few credit cards that include flight delay insurance, but here are our top picks across all 3 credit card networks:

Card name	Annual fee	Rewards	Insurance Coverage	Welcome Bonus	Learn More
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card	$120	* 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo and more * 5 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment * 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent on gas, select streaming services, and transit * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on all other purchases	12 types	$150 GC Boost + Up to 50,000 bonus points (terms)	Learn more
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard	$150	* 5 points per $1 spent on travel* * 3 points per $1 spent on dining, entertainment, and recurring bills* * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases*	12 types	$150 GeniusCash + Up to 100,000 bonus points, first year free (terms)	Learn more
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card	$599	* 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, groceries, dining, and travel * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases	12 types	Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms)	Learn more
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard	$120	* 5 points for every $1 spent on restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills (up to $50,000 spent annually per category) * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases	12 types	$40 GeniusCash + Up to 30,000 bonus points (terms)	Learn more
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege	$399	* 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases	12 types	Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms)	Learn more
Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card	$399	* 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on all purchases	12 types	Up to 60,000 100,000 bonus points (terms)	Learn more
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card	$599	* 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases	12 types	Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms)	Learn more

American Express

American Express offers quite a few credit cards that provide flight delay coverage, including the best credit card in Canada: the American Express Cobalt Card.

BMO

A few BMO credit cards offer this coverage, including the new Blue Rewards credit cards.

CIBC

CIBC Aventura and Aeroplan credit cards with annual fees all include flight delay insurance.

MBNA

There's 1 MBNA Mastercard that offers flight delay insurance: the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard, which gives $500 in coverage.

RBC

RBC offers an extensive lineup of credit cards with flight delay insurance, included as part of Avion and WestJet credit cards.

Scotiabank

If you collect Scene+ points, Scotiabank has 3 cards that would offer this coverage for you, as well as a cash back card.

TD

TD's Aeroplan and Rewards Visa Infinite cards include flight delay coverage.

National Bank

All 3 of National Bank's travel credit cards include flight delay coverage.

FAQ

What is flight delay insurance?

Flight delay insurance is a benefit included with some premium travel credit cards. If you use the credit card to pay for the flight and your flight is delayed by a set number of hours, the credit card issuer will reimburse you for costs like meals and accommodations that you pay for while you wait.

What is Amex flight delay insurance?

Amex flight delay insurance is simply coverage provided by American Express credit cards. It operates the same way as credit cards issued by Mastercard or Visa. Still, take time to read your credit card's terms and conditions carefully to find exact coverage requirements.

What kind of compensation can I get if my flight is delayed?

You can be reimbursed up to your card's coverage limit for purchases you made while delayed – usually up to a limit of $500 or $1,000. Eligible purchases can include meals, necessary toiletries, accommodations, and local taxi or rideshare services to your hotel. It doesn't include alternative travel to your destination.

Is flight delay insurance worth it?

Since flight delay insurance is a benefit of premium credit cards and not something that you pay separately for, it's definitely worth it. All you have to do is charge the flight to the card that has the coverage, and you'll enjoy peace of mind that flight delay costs are covered.