Experience / Questions with United's Trip Insurance (Allianz)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: HGP/SPG: Apprentice Kettle; UA/AA/DL: Journeyman Kettle
Posts: 866
UA selling Travel Insurance for Reward Tickets
Has anyone bought the Rewards Trip Protector from Allianz Global Assistance that is offered on the United Website when redeeming miles for an award ticket?
Is this insurance/firm any good or would you recommend another firm? For me, all I need is trip cancellation insurance. All of my other insurance needs (medical/evacuation) are covered by another policy.
Is this insurance/firm any good or would you recommend another firm? For me, all I need is trip cancellation insurance. All of my other insurance needs (medical/evacuation) are covered by another policy.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Has anyone bought the Rewards Trip Protector from Allianz Global Assistance that is offered on the United Website when redeeming miles for an award ticket?
Is this insurance/firm any good or would you recommend another firm? For me, all I need is trip cancellation insurance. All of my other insurance needs (medical/evacuation) are covered by another policy.
Is this insurance/firm any good or would you recommend another firm? For me, all I need is trip cancellation insurance. All of my other insurance needs (medical/evacuation) are covered by another policy.
Travel insurance often offers other coverages besides just protecting the value of your ticket (I don't know the terms of the Allianz offer specifically).. but if you're just concerned about the airline ticket itself don't waste your money on insurance.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
And if you're 1K, you can cancel for free. It would be nice if the website had the smarts not to offer travel insurance to 1Ks on award tickets. For me having a simple, easy to use, and uncluttered website is really important.
I'm very busy most of the time. Not being able to make reservations easily and quickly is usually more of an impediment to travel than the cost of the ticket.
I'm very busy most of the time. Not being able to make reservations easily and quickly is usually more of an impediment to travel than the cost of the ticket.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,782
I have it offered on my reward ticket as well and it is listed at $25.
I would be more interested in the emergency medical / dental coverage and the $150/day travel delay coverage. With my long itin it might pay off.
I would be more interested in the emergency medical / dental coverage and the $150/day travel delay coverage. With my long itin it might pay off.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: HGP/SPG: Apprentice Kettle; UA/AA/DL: Journeyman Kettle
Posts: 866
Thanks for the replies.
I am thinking about more than just canceling the trip or changing dates. The coverage "summary" says it will cover the following:
Trip Cancellation Provides reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable expenses, up to the amount of coverage purchased related to trip cancellation caused by a covered reason. $300
Pay $25.00 to cover potential $150.00 [cancel/redeposit fee] +$150.00 [one night hotel] loss. Not such a good value but it is part of the package.
Trip Interruption Offers reimbursement for the unused, non-refundable portion of your trip and increased transportation costs for you to return home due to a covered reason. $1,500
Meh, might be useful if a family member becomes terminally ill or dies unexpectedly, but doesn't cover pre-existing conditions. So, traveling home early won't be covered for that heart attack your mother has because she had a pre-existing heart condition, right??
Travel Delay Provides reimbursement for meals and accommodations if your travel is delayed for 6 or more consecutive hours. $500 (max $150/day)
Change Fee Coverage Provides reimbursement for change fees in addition to Trip Cancellation/interruption expenses. $300
These might be of use if the flight is delayed and I miss checking into the hotel. It might cover the one room night non-refundable fee. [I will be traveling internationally so won't be able to cancel 24 hrs in advance.] And the cost of alternative arrangements.
Plus medical and dental coverage except for pre-existing conditions.
I guess my real question is: Should one's trip actually be delayed or interrupted, will this company be reasonable and pay "fairly" up to the policy limits or will this be like pulling hens teeth?
Last edited by MIT_SBM; Mar 30, 2012 at 12:18 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
I have had it offered before (never used it). However, you can try some of the other travel insurance companies out there, the rates seem to be more competetive (even check with the company you already use for evacuation/medical).
#7
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: xLAS
Posts: 1,362
has anybody else been charged for the Allianz trip insurance after purchasing a ticket on united.com when they are absolutely sure they didn't select the option to purchase it?
just happened to me on my most recent itin. wondering what pain-in-the-... hoops i'll need to jump through to avoid the charge.
just happened to me on my most recent itin. wondering what pain-in-the-... hoops i'll need to jump through to avoid the charge.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: HGP/SPG: Apprentice Kettle; UA/AA/DL: Journeyman Kettle
Posts: 866
Originally Posted by ajc1970:18490824
has anybody else been charged for the Allianz trip insurance after purchasing a ticket on united.com when they are absolutely sure they didn't select the option to purchase it?
just happened to me on my most recent itin. wondering what pain-in-the-... hoops i'll need to jump through to avoid the charge.
just happened to me on my most recent itin. wondering what pain-in-the-... hoops i'll need to jump through to avoid the charge.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: xLAS
Posts: 1,362
Fortunately, I replied to Allianz' "thank you for purchasing..." email, saying I didn't purchase it, and didn't want it, and they cancelled the policy and reversed the charge. At least it was an easy fix.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,933
Trip Cancellation Provides reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable expenses, up to the amount of coverage purchased related to trip cancellation caused by a covered reason.
I guess my real question is: Should one's trip actually be delayed or interrupted, will this company be reasonable and pay "fairly" up to the policy limits or will this be like pulling hens teeth?
I guess my real question is: Should one's trip actually be delayed or interrupted, will this company be reasonable and pay "fairly" up to the policy limits or will this be like pulling hens teeth?
#11
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MHT/BOS
Programs: Airline FF: UA 1K, DL, US, AA, NW,
Posts: 219
Refund - Trip Protector (re: Insurance) not selected
I'm having an issue with United on refunding a Trip Protector charge for my flights in June. It seems that United.com passed to Allianz that I want the Trip Protector (travel insurance) for this ticket. I have the screen capture that I took where I did not select Yes, but also didn't select No - So no choice was made.
I've submitted a refund request thru United.com Refunds link with the screen captures and fare basis. They requested a copy of my Credit Card Statement with the charges and today stated I should Dispute the charge with my credit card company. Which I have as of today.
As I pointed out to United (in 30 years of flying them) I've never bought travel insurance for flights (especially Business Travel).
My questions
1) Should I press further with United.com since it really seems like their website made a mistake passing along the "request for insurance" or,
2) Should I just continue along the lines of the Chase Credit Card dispute?
I've submitted a refund request thru United.com Refunds link with the screen captures and fare basis. They requested a copy of my Credit Card Statement with the charges and today stated I should Dispute the charge with my credit card company. Which I have as of today.
As I pointed out to United (in 30 years of flying them) I've never bought travel insurance for flights (especially Business Travel).
My questions
1) Should I press further with United.com since it really seems like their website made a mistake passing along the "request for insurance" or,
2) Should I just continue along the lines of the Chase Credit Card dispute?
Last edited by hhmorgan; Jul 19, 2012 at 10:32 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
Unused Ticket Credit & United Travel Insurance
As I am the FF of the family (and even I'm not enjoying status this year ), my MIL has asked me to look into getting whatever $$$ I can for her on an itinerary she booked but does not now wish to fly. She has decided to drive instead. Her tickets cost $550 and are non-refundable. She also purchased the Allianz Travel insurance UA offers when you purchase. Two questions:
- Can she recoup the full $550 through the travel insurance?
- Assuming the answer to #1 is no, how does she go about getting back whatever she can? Will she be issued an electronic voucher for $400 ($550 minus the $150 change fee) if she cancels online?
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
As far as the insurance goes, the question is WHY is she not flying? If it's just simply because she decided she no longer wants to, then the insurance will almost certainly not apply. However if it's because (say) she's under medical advise not to fly then it may. Basically you'll need to read the rules/policy of the insurance and see what it covers.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
As far as the insurance goes, the question is WHY is she not flying? If it's just simply because she decided she no longer wants to, then the insurance will almost certainly not apply. However if it's because (say) she's under medical advise not to fly then it may. Basically you'll need to read the rules/policy of the insurance and see what it covers.
I guess what it comes down to is whether we can recoup some of her ticket by cancelling online or if someone needs to call UA (and whether that someone would need to be her).
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
Unused Ticket Credit & United Travel Insurance
Travel insurance won't do anything if she just decided she wanted to drive instead.
You can cancel the ticket. You'll get the full value of the ticket back - can be used for one year from the date of issue - but you'll have to pay whatever the change fee is when rebooking. Since she is driving - ill assume the ticket is domestic, so the fee is likely $150. Thats assuming the fare isn't something that can't be changed - which happens with some usually unpublished fare - like Priceline name your own price et al.
Funds can only be used by her, but if the new ticket value is less than the old, the balance after rebooking will come in an electronic voucher which can be used by anyone.
Only hope of getting actual dollars back is hoping for irrops, etc. and flight gets canceled or severely delayed.
You can cancel the ticket. You'll get the full value of the ticket back - can be used for one year from the date of issue - but you'll have to pay whatever the change fee is when rebooking. Since she is driving - ill assume the ticket is domestic, so the fee is likely $150. Thats assuming the fare isn't something that can't be changed - which happens with some usually unpublished fare - like Priceline name your own price et al.
Funds can only be used by her, but if the new ticket value is less than the old, the balance after rebooking will come in an electronic voucher which can be used by anyone.
Only hope of getting actual dollars back is hoping for irrops, etc. and flight gets canceled or severely delayed.