Which card has better travel insurance: Aerogold Visa or Amex Gold?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
Which card has better travel insurance: Aerogold Visa or Amex Gold?
I know there's been other threads that have touched on this topic before when asking about travel insurance for Aeroplan redemptions on CIBC Aerogold/Infinite Visa. I was really hoping to have a direct insurance comparison to Amex here, since I think it's the next best card for insurance (or better).
I have both cards, and I am always at a loss to know which card to use for travel. Of course, if I book flights using Aeroplan points, I figure it's safer to use the Aerogold Visa, since it's stipulated in writing that insurance covers Aeroplan redemption, but I am going to be cancelling the card soon. I am hoping that my Amex will be fine. So far, this is what I know off the top of my head - hopefully I am remembering correctly!:
Baggage: Amex is better (covers more than the $500 that CIBC Aerogold does)?
Car rental: Both are good (no deductibles) - but I've heard Amex is quicker for claims and can be billed directly within a certain time frame. Also - Amex covers anything that is stolen from your car, correct?
Air Travel: Aerogold Visa is better if redeeming Aeroplans; Amex is better if MR redemption; What about cash purchases?
Hotel: Amex covers you if anything is stolen from your room.
Another note outside the insurance discussion - Points Earning: Amex gives you 2x the MRs for travel purchases - even if out of country. CIBC does not give bonus points for travel (unless CIBC partner) or any bonus points outside of Canada.
Would love it if anyone could add to this/correct this - thanks in advance!
I have both cards, and I am always at a loss to know which card to use for travel. Of course, if I book flights using Aeroplan points, I figure it's safer to use the Aerogold Visa, since it's stipulated in writing that insurance covers Aeroplan redemption, but I am going to be cancelling the card soon. I am hoping that my Amex will be fine. So far, this is what I know off the top of my head - hopefully I am remembering correctly!:
Baggage: Amex is better (covers more than the $500 that CIBC Aerogold does)?
Car rental: Both are good (no deductibles) - but I've heard Amex is quicker for claims and can be billed directly within a certain time frame. Also - Amex covers anything that is stolen from your car, correct?
Air Travel: Aerogold Visa is better if redeeming Aeroplans; Amex is better if MR redemption; What about cash purchases?
Hotel: Amex covers you if anything is stolen from your room.
Another note outside the insurance discussion - Points Earning: Amex gives you 2x the MRs for travel purchases - even if out of country. CIBC does not give bonus points for travel (unless CIBC partner) or any bonus points outside of Canada.
Would love it if anyone could add to this/correct this - thanks in advance!
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: AC E, BA Bronze, HHonors Gold
Posts: 208
Which card has better travel insurance: Aerogold Visa or Amex Gold?
I recently booked a reward flight and charged it to my Amex. Later I learned about insurance and rewards flights. I called Amex and they told me my booking is covered. I called again to double check and got the sane answer. So I guess mI am indeed covered. I really like Amex product. Never had a problem when claiming insurance .
#5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YYZ (YUL/LHR)
Programs: AC - E50, CX - G, Accor Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 903
I recently booked a reward flight and charged it to my Amex. Later I learned about insurance and rewards flights. I called Amex and they told me my booking is covered. I called again to double check and got the sane answer. So I guess mI am indeed covered. I really like Amex product. Never had a problem when claiming insurance .
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ontario, CAN
Posts: 5,813
Assume my windshield is cracked while driving rental. Am I correct in assuming my personal insurance would never know a thing if charged to Aero Visa, but Amex would simply cover the deductible of my personal insurance if charged to AMex.
This is a very big deal if true and why I always charge cars to Aero Visa
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
More importantly, I believe Visa coverage on rental is PRIMARY (i.e., before your personal insurance). That's a major benefit over Amex if I understand correctly.
Assume my windshield is cracked while driving rental. Am I correct in assuming my personal insurance would never know a thing if charged to Aero Visa, but Amex would simply cover the deductible of my personal insurance if charged to AMex.
This is a very big deal if true and why I always charge cars to Aero Visa
Assume my windshield is cracked while driving rental. Am I correct in assuming my personal insurance would never know a thing if charged to Aero Visa, but Amex would simply cover the deductible of my personal insurance if charged to AMex.
This is a very big deal if true and why I always charge cars to Aero Visa
#8
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
I recently booked a reward flight and charged it to my Amex. Later I learned about insurance and rewards flights. I called Amex and they told me my booking is covered. I called again to double check and got the sane answer. So I guess mI am indeed covered. I really like Amex product. Never had a problem when claiming insurance .
Bottom line, you're covered on reward flights for sure when using Aerogold. You could be covered (or not) when using Amex and the separate insurance agency isn't going to rely on a conversation with a Amex phone rep.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ontario, CAN
Posts: 5,813
Don't know as I've always had car insurance. Would assume /amex is 2nd insurance except when you don't have primary - like their lost/stolen goods protection
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
- I can find no wording that says CANADIAN AMEX car insurance is secondary. For US-issued cards, the basic coverage is secondary and they have optional primary insurance at additional cost.
- With Visa (most if not all Canadian Visa cards, including Aerogold) coverage, drivers authorized by the renter are also covered for LDW/CDW, even though such drivers are not authorized by the rental company (for example you did not pay additional driver's fee). These drivers must of course have their own 3rd party liability insurance in order to drive the rental car legally.
- With Visa (most if not all Canadian Visa cards, including Aerogold) coverage, drivers authorized by the renter are also covered for LDW/CDW, even though such drivers are not authorized by the rental company (for example you did not pay additional driver's fee). These drivers must of course have their own 3rd party liability insurance in order to drive the rental car legally.
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Location: YYZ, but my heart is in Asia
Programs: AC-SE, CX-DM, DL-G, Hyatt-DM, Hilton-DM, Fairmont-Plt, Marriott-S, Accor-Plt, SPG-G, IHG-Plt
Posts: 4,396
When I made any car insurance claim through AX, they're always Primary, because at no time I was asked about my other insurance information.
#12
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: Non-status bottomfeeder
Posts: 827
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
Dang...I am never gonna get rid of that card, am I?!
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
- I can find no wording that says CANADIAN AMEX car insurance is secondary. For US-issued cards, the basic coverage is secondary and they have optional primary insurance at additional cost.
- With Visa (most if not all Canadian Visa cards, including Aerogold) coverage, drivers authorized by the renter are also covered for LDW/CDW, even though such drivers are not authorized by the rental company (for example you did not pay additional driver's fee). These drivers must of course have their own 3rd party liability insurance in order to drive the rental car legally.
- With Visa (most if not all Canadian Visa cards, including Aerogold) coverage, drivers authorized by the renter are also covered for LDW/CDW, even though such drivers are not authorized by the rental company (for example you did not pay additional driver's fee). These drivers must of course have their own 3rd party liability insurance in order to drive the rental car legally.