Most credit cards that offer emergency medical travel insurance only provide coverage up to the age of 65; cards that offer coverage into your senior years can be hard to find and provide insurance for a more limited period.
Our top-ranked card for travel insurance for seniors is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, which provides 15 days of emergency medical insurance to those over 65 – but there are a handful of other options that provide limited coverage, too.
Key Takeaways
- Most credit card insurance only covers emergency medical for travellers up to the age of 65.
- Among the cards that offer medical insurance to those over 65, the coverage is typically for a reduced period.
- The best credit card for emergency medical for seniors is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, which provides 15 days of coverage up to the age of 75.
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Best credit cards for travel insurance over 65
Even with the exclusions and conditions, complimentary emergency medical travel insurance for seniors is still valuable for many people. Thankfully, there are a few cards that will keep you covered past the age of 65.
| Credit card | Days of coverage | Income requirements | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | 15 | $80K personal or $150K household | $150 |
| National Bank World Mastercard | 15 | $60K personal or $100K household | $115 |
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | 10 | $12K personal | $399 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 10 | $150K personal or $200K household | $599 |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | 7 | $150K personal or $200K household | $399 |
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
The
Pros:
- Up to 5 points per $1 spent on purchases
- $150 in annual travel fee reimbursements
- Includes 10 types of insurance
Cons:
- High income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
- No welcome bonus
- Annual fee of $150
National Bank World Mastercard
Both National Bank credit cards offer up to 15 days of travel coverage for senior cardholders until the age of 75, but it’s easier to qualify for the National Bank World Mastercard. You’ll still get great rewards, but you won’t earn them as quickly with this card. Naturally, you’ll also pay a lower annual fee.
Pros:
- Up to 2 points per $1 spent on purchases
- Bonus points on flight bookings made through National Bank Rewards
- Includes 9 types of insurance
Cons:
- High income requirements of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
- Complicated tier structure for earning rewards
- Annual fee of $115
Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card
If you’re looking for a card that offers a substantial insurance package and the opportunity to earn Scene+ rewards, you might be interested in the Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card. This card offers 10 days of travel insurance for seniors over the age of 65. That said, it makes for a great travel card: you’ll earn steady rewards, enjoy airport lounge passes, and skip the foreign exchange fees when you’re shopping abroad.
Pros:
- Up to 60,000 80,000 bonus points
- 2 points per $1 spent on all purchases
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
- 10 airport lounge passes per year
- 12 types of insurance
- No foreign exchange fees
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
- High annual fee of $399
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
If you’re a frequent flyer with Air Canada the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card offers 10 days of travel insurance for seniors plus plenty of perks. In exchange for a hefty annual fee, you’ll enjoy Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards, unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges, free checked bags when traveling with Air Canada, bonus points, and more.
Pros:
- Up to 85,000 bonus Aeroplan points
- Up to 2 points per $1 spent on purchases
- Free first checked bags on Air Canada
- Preferred Pricing on Aeroplan flight rewards
- Unlimited Maple Leaf lounge access
Cons:
- High income requirements of $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
- High annual fee of $599
- Only high value rewards are redeemed for Air Canada flights
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
Another Visa Infinite Privilege card, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege ranks a little lower on our list with just 7 days of emergency medical coverage for seniors over 65. That said, it’s our top-ranked credit card for insurance thanks to the generous overall package. It’ll earn you Avion Rewards that you can redeem for the highest value through the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule – but you’ll need to meet the steep income requirements to qualify.
Pros:
- Up to 70,000 bonus points
- High point value of up to 2.33 cents
- Includes 12 types of insurance
- Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada
Cons:
- Only earns 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases
- Poor rewards if not redeemed through the Air Travel Redemption Schedule
- High income requirements of $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
×1 Award winner 
What does senior travel insurance cover?
Emergency medical coverage typically reimburses you up to a certain amount if you are injured or have a medical emergency while you’re travelling. Coverage kicks in once you leave your home province and is valid within Canada and internationally.
Seniors’ travel insurance is typically valid for a shorter duration than standard travel insurance – up to 15 days with certain credit cards. If your trip extends beyond this (or you exceed the coverage age limit), you will no longer be covered.
Important note: If you have a pre-existing condition, you probably won’t be covered if your medical emergency is directly or indirectly related to that condition. Check with your card issuer about coverage terms so that you can decide whether you need to purchase supplementary coverage.
How to activate travel insurance
You don’t have to 'activate' your travel insurance, per se, but you typically need to pay for the trip on your card. Most require you to pay 100% of the cost on the card, though some only require 75%.
Emergency medical coverage activates once you leave your province or territory of residence.
If you’re using rewards to pay for your trip, you may still be eligible for insurance coverage. Check with your card issuer to confirm.
FAQ
Is there an age limit on credit card travel insurance?
Several cards offer senior travel insurance but typically end coverage at 75 years old. To find out if there’s an age limit on your credit card travel insurance, read your certificate of insurance.
How do I know if my credit card has travel insurance?
To find out if your credit card offers travel insurance, review the terms and conditions or read the certificate of insurance. This document will break down every type of insurance your card includes, explain what’s covered, and detail any exclusions.
Do credit cards automatically have travel insurance?
Not all credit cards include travel insurance. If this coverage is important to you, it’s a good idea to do your research to compare insurance packages before getting a new credit card.
What does travel insurance not cover?
Travel insurance does not cover pre-existing medical conditions. While each card is different, most cards won’t cover continued medical treatment you receive while on your trip, non-emergency medical treatment, invasive testing or surgery without approval, self-inflicted injuries, and acts of war.
Do you have to activate credit card travel insurance?
You don’t need to activate credit card travel insurance, but you typically need to pay for 75% or 100% of the trip on your card. Issuers and card requirements vary. If you’re planning a trip and want to ensure you have sufficient coverage, review the insurance certificate or call your card issuer for more details.
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