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 credit card travel insurance, too.
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.
Key Takeaways
- The National Bank World Elite Mastercard, National Bank World Mastercard, and Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard all provide up to 15 days of emergency medical coverage to seniors.
- Credit cards with senior travel insurance typically have high income requirements.
- To get travel insurance for your trip, you must book travel using the credit card that offers insurance coverage.
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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 | * $80,000 personal or * $150,000 household | $150 |
| National Bank World Mastercard | 15 | * $50,000 personal or * $80,000 household | $115 |
| Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard | 15 | * $80,000 personal or * $150,000 household | $130 |
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | 10 | * $12,000 personal | $399 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 10 | * $150,000 personal or * $200,000 household | $599 |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | 7 | * $200,000 personal or * $200,000 household | $399 |
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers the most extensive travel coverage for seniors – 15 days of coverage. You'll also get perks like an annual travel fee reimbursement, concierge access, airport lounge access for international departures at the Montreal Airport, and more. Note that the coverage ends once you reach the age of 75.
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
- 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 $50,000 personal or $80,000 household
- Complicated tier structure for earning rewards
- No welcome bonus
- Annual fee of $115
Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard
The last card to offer a generous 15 days of travel coverage for senior cardholders is the Desjardins Odyssey World Elite Mastercard. Not only is it a great travel card, but you'll also earn steady cash back on everyday spending. Plus, Desjardins credit union members can take advantage of the fact that they can put their reward dollars toward financial products and services.
Pros:
- Earns up to 3% back on purchases
- Includes Desjardins concierge and access to the Desjardins Odyssey Lounge
- Includes 9 types of insurance
Cons:
- High income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
- No welcome bonus
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. All in all, 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
×1 Award winner 
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 travelling 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
- Air Canada flights are the only high-value redemption option
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 $200,000 (personal or household)
What does senior travel insurance cover?
Emergency medical coverage typically reimburses you up to a specific 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.
Credit card travel insurance does not cover medical expenses if you specifically booked travel to receive medical care. For instance, if you're travelling to another country for a hip replacement, your credit card will not cover the expenses.
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.
Be aware that your credit card's travel insurance is only valid if you use that card to book your travel. Some credit card issuers require you to charge either the entire trip or at least a percentage of your travel, so read the fine print carefully and don't assume you're automatically 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
What is the best credit card for travel insurance for those over 65?
The best credit card for senior travel insurance largely depends on your income level, since these premium cards have steep requirements. The best card for you also depends on what annual fee you're willing to pay. That said, National Bank and Desjardins issue cards with excellent coverage.
Who offers the best travel insurance for seniors?
Of the 3 credit cards with the most extensive travel medical insurance for seniors, 2 are issued by National Bank and the other by Desjardins. CIBC, Scotiabank, and RBC also offer credit cards with travel insurance for seniors, but the coverage isn't quite as good as that offered by National Bank and/or Desjardins.
Which credit cards give travel insurance?
Many credit cards offer travel insurance, though some no-fee or prepaid cards don't provide coverage. Whether credit cards offer travel insurance for seniors depends on the specific card and issuer, so read the terms and conditions carefully before applying for a new travel card.
How much does travel insurance cost for seniors?
If you don't get travel insurance through your credit card, you can purchase a travel insurance policy specifically for your trip. The price you pay depends on your age, health, destination, travel dates, and the coverage you want (along with the coverage limits you select).
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