AMEX My Travel Insurance Review 2024: Ideal For Frequent Flyers

SingSaver team

SingSaver team

Last updated 18 May, 2021

With protection against loss of frequent flyer points and unique add-ons like golf and winter sports coverage, American Express My VoyageGuard aims to safeguard you against any situation.

 

American Express (AMEX), is a globally recognised financial institution renowned for its exceptional credit card services and rewards programmes, making it a popular choice for many consumers. But one might wonder, does AMEX have travel insurance?

As customers often enquire if they do get travel insurance with AMEX, well, the good news is yes, AMEX provides comprehensive travel insurance, offering extensive coverage and perks for its diverse clientele.

If you're a serious miles chaser, you'd know that most travel insurance policies do not cover the loss of frequent flyer points. Fortunately, American Express' My travel insurance has that benefit built in from the get-go. Additionally, there are optional add-ons that you can purchase if you enjoy your fair share of winter sports or golf.

However, that doesn't mean it skimps out on essential protection such as medical and personal accident coverage. This policy underwritten by Chubb aims to cover you as thoroughly as possible after all.

Here's everything you need to know about the American Express My travel insurance policy:

Summary of AMEX My travel insurance

  • Provides exceptional value with coverage that exceeds the industry standard for the premiums charged
  • Benefits focuses on more conventional travel needs
  • Offers competitively priced one-week coverage plans
  • Includes optional add-ons including coverage for winter sports or golf equipment at an additional cost
  • Features extra coverage for rental vehicle excess and pet care in Standard and Superior plans

Read our full AMEX My travel insurance review below for a detailed evaluation of the features, benefits, and potential limitations of this policy:


Table of contents


Comparing AMEX My travel insurance to other plans

Review the table below to compare travel insurance plans and see whether AMEX My travel insurance is worth it, based on how its benefits and coverage options stack up against those offered by other providers.

Travel insurance plans
Medical expenses overseas
Accidental death and disability 
Baggage loss/damage
Travel delay
Trip cancellation
Loss of home contents due to burglary
Rental car excess
AMEX My Travel Insurance Essential Plan
Up to S$500,000
Up to S$125,000
Up to S$3,500 (S$500 per item and up to S$1,000 for laptop)
Up to S$800 ($200 per six consecutive hours)
Up to S$5,000
Not applicable
Not applicable
Allianz Single Trip Basic
Up to S$$200,000
Not applicable
Up to S$1,000
Not applicable
Up to S$1,500
Not applicable
Not applicable
AIG Travel Guard® Direct Basic
Up to S$50,000
Not applicable
Up to S$3,000
Up to S$200
Up to S$2,500
Not applicable
Not applicable
Direct Asia Voyager 150
Up to S$150,000
Up to S$100,000
Up to S$1,000
Up to S$1,000
Up to S$3,000
Not applicable
Up to S$1,500
FWD Travel Insurance Premium
Up to S$200,000
Up to S$200,000
Up to S$3,000
Up to S$300
Up to S$7,500
Up to S$6,000
Not applicable
Great Eastern TravelSmart Premier Classic
Up to S$300,000
Up to S$250,000
Up to a maximum of SGD 5,000 for all items
S$100 per insured person for every six-hour period while overseas, up to a maximum of S$1,200
Up to S$1,000
S$7,500 in total 
S$750
HL Assurance COVIDSafe Travel Protect360 Superior
Up to S$500,000
Up to S$300,00
Up to S$7,000
Up to S$1,000
Up to S$12,000
Up to S$2,000
Up to S$1,000
MSIG TravelEasy® Standard
Up to S$250,000
Up to S$150,000
Up to S$3,000 (Limit: S$500 per article, pair or set of items and S$1,000 for one unit laptop computer)
S$100 Max S$500
Up to S$5,000
Not applicable
Not applicable
Singlife Travel Lite
Up to S$250,000 (up to S$100,000 of Overseas Medical Expenses for Adult above 70 years old)
Up to S$50,000
Up to S$3,000 (Up to S$500 for any article or set of articles if grouped together)
Up to S$500 (S$100 for each consecutive six-hour delay)
Up to S$5,000
Not applicable
Up to S$500
Seedly Travel Safe
Up to S$200,000 (including COVID-19)
Up to S$3,000
Up to S$5,000
Up to S$1,000
Up to S$3,000 (Limit: S$500 per article)
Not applicable
Not applicable
Starr TraveLead Bronze
Up to S$200,000
Up to S$150,000
Up to S$3,000
S$100/six hours, max S$500
Up to S$5,000
Up to S$1, 500
Up to S$500
SOMPO Essential
Up to S$200,000
Up to S$200,000
Up to S$1,000
Up to S$800
Up to S$5,000
Not applicable
Up to S$2,000
Tiq by Etiqa Entry Plan
Up to S$200,000
Up to S$150,000
Up to S$2,000
Up to S$300 (S$50/ three hours)
Up to S$5,000
Not applicable
Up to S$300
Tokio Marine TM XPLORA PLUS Classic
Up to S$300,000
Up to S$200,000
Up to S$5,000
S$100/six hours of delay in Singapore (Limit: S$100)
S$100/six hours of delay overseas (Limit: S$1,200)
Up to S$5,000
Not applicable
Up to S$700

AMEX My travel insurance plans review

AMEX My VoyageGuard travel insurance offers you three choices with its Essential, Standard and Superior plans. Each plan is offered for Single Trip or Annual Coverage. For more details, please review the full list of benefits and exclusions in the policy wording.

Plan Type
Travel Cancellation
Medical Coverage (Overseas)
Loss of Bags/Belongings
Essential
S$5,000
S$500,000
S$3,500
Standard
S$10,000
S$1 million
S$5,000
Superior
S$20,000
S$2 million
S$8,000

Add-ons/ Optional Cover: (1) Winter Sports, (2) Golf

Essential plan

As AMEX My’s entry-level travel insurance option, the Essential Plan still offers a reassuring array of coverage. It includes up to S$500,000 for Medical Coverage and Emergency Medical Evacuation, ensuring a good enough support for health emergencies abroad despite being a basic plan. 

Additionally, Trip cancellation benefit is capped at S$5,000 and Baggage Delay compensation of S$200 for every six hours of delay overseas, capped at S$800. 

While, loss of frequent flyer points offers up to a coverage of S$5,000. However, do note that Lifestyle cover (Home Guard, Rental Vehicle Excess, Rental Vehicle Return and Pet Cover) is not available for the Essential Plan.

Standard plan

The Standard Plan enhances coverage significantly for those requiring more comprehensive protection. It features a Trip Cancellation limit of S$10,000 and increases Baggage Delay compensation to S$200 for every six hours of delay overseas, with a total cap of S$1,200.

Furthermore, this plan stands out particularly for its generous health support, offering a S$1 million benefit limit for both Medical Coverage and Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation. Additionally, it includes a S$10,000 coverage for the loss of frequent flyer points, capped at S$10,000. 

To further enhance your coverage, Lifestyle Cover (Home Guard, Rental Vehicle Excess, Rental Vehicle Return and Pet Cover) is provided in the Standard Plan.

Superior plan

As the top-shelf plan in AMEX My travel insurance options, the Superior Plan provides the highest level of coverage. It offers a Trip Cancellation coverage capped at S$20,000 and Baggage Delay compensation of S$200 for every six hours of delay, with a generous benefit of up to S$2,400. 

Additionally, this plan offers unlimited coverage for Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation, ensuring no limits on potentially life-saving medical transport and care. 

Furthermore, the loss of frequent flyer points benefit is capped at S$20,000, providing substantial protection for your travel investments. Lastly, there is provision of Lifestyle Cover (Home Guard, Rental Vehicle Excess, Rental Vehicle Return and Pet Cover) as well.


AMEX My travel insurance plans and pricing

Now, we look at prices across various plans (basic/mid-tier/top shelf) for both Single Trips and Annual Trips. American Express My VoyageGuard may not be the cheapest in the market but it compensates with above industry average coverage for the premiums paid. These benefits include coverage for loss of frequent flyer points, high overseas medical coverage, and terrorism cover.

Given these comprehensive benefits, we recommend American Express My travel insurance for air miles redemption travellers as well as for individuals who want more comprehensive coverage!

See our AMEX My travel insurance review below to compare how it measures up against industry averages for various coverage levels and destinations:

Basic plan

Trip Type
American Express My VoyageGuard Essential Plan
Industry Basic Plan Average
1 week ASEAN
S$37
S$26
1 week Asia
S$47
S$32
1 week Worldwide
S$86
S$46
Annual ASEAN
S$205
S$149
Annual Asia
S$220
S$208
Annual Worldwide
S$299
S$282

 

Mid-tier plan

Trip Type
American Express My VoyageGuard Standard Plan
Industry Mid-Tier Plan Average
1 week ASEAN
S$59
S$33
1 week Asia
S$64
S$41
1 week Worldwide
S$105
S$59
Annual ASEAN
S$255
S$206
Annual Asia
S$295
S$242
Annual Worldwide
S$399
S$332

Top-shelf plan

Trip Type
American Express My VoyageGuard Superior Plan
Industry Top-Shelf Plan Average
1 week ASEAN
S$74
S$47
1 week Asia
S$96
S$58
1 week Worldwide
S$142
S$80
Annual ASEAN
S$405
S$269
Annual Asia
S$435
S$310
Annual Worldwide
S$625
S$430

Benefits: Is AMEX My travel insurance worth it?

To help you determine if AMEX My travel insurance is worth it, we've outlined the key benefits below:

1. Loss of frequent flyer points
For travellers who use frequent flyer points or similar rewards to book airline tickets or other travel accommodations, AMEX My travel insurance provides essential protection if these bookings are cancelled and the points cannot be recovered from any other source. 

In such cases, the company will indemnify the insured person the retail price for the ticket or other travel expenses. Coverage amounts start at S$5,000 for the Essential Plan, S$10,000 for the Standard Plan, and can reach up to S$20,000 for the Superior Plans.

2. Emergency medical evacuation/ repatriation
Should an emergency arise that requires medical evacuation or repatriation, American Express provides varying levels of coverage to ensure that you are adequately supported. For the Essential Plan, the coverage is capped at S$500,000, a substantial amount that addresses most emergency situations. The Standard Plan extends this coverage to S$1,000,000, offering additional peace of mind for more extensive medical needs. For those opting for the Superior Plan, the coverage is unlimited, ensuring that no matter the cost, the necessary medical transport and care are accessible without any financial constraints.

3. Alternative travel due to infectious disease
In situations where you are forced to cancel or reroute your journey due to public health advisories or travel alerts following an infectious disease outbreak, American Express provides coverage for the additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred. 

The coverage limits vary by plan to accommodate different needs: S$2,500 for the Essential Plan, S$5,000 for the Standard Plan, and up to S$10,000 for the Superior Plan. This ensures that you can make necessary adjustments to your travel plans without bearing the full financial burden.

4. Home guard
While you are away on your journey, American Express ensures the protection of your home. Should there be any loss of or damage to the contents of your residence due to insured perils, coverage is provided under select plans. 

Please note that Home Guard coverage is not available with the Essential Plan. However, the Standard Plan provides up to S$5,000 in protection, while the Superior Plan offers an enhanced limit of up to S$10,000. Knowing that your home and its contents are safeguarded allows you to focus on enjoying your journey without worry.

5. Rental vehicle excess cover
American Express will reimburse the insured person for any excess or deductible which becomes legally liable to pay in respect of loss or damage to the rental vehicle caused by an accident during the rental period. This means you won't be out of pocket for these expenses. 

Specifically, the AMEX My travel insurance Standard Plan offers excess car insurance coverage of up to S$500, while the Superior Plan increases this protection to up to S$1,000, ensuring greater financial security during your travels.

6. Winter sports option
While travelling, if the insured person sustains loss or damage to their ski equipment, American Express provides coverage to offset these costs. 

The Standard Plan covers up to S$3,000, with a limit of S$1,000 per item. For even greater protection, the Superior Plan offers coverage up to S$5,000, maintaining the S$1,000 per item limit. This ensures your ski equipment is safeguarded against unexpected mishaps during your winter sports activities.

7. COVID-19 cover 

AMEX My also offers travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, with the Essential and Standard plans covering up to S$150,000, and the Superior plan providing up to S$200,000. For an in-depth review of these benefits and their application, you can refer to their detailed policy wording.


List of AMEX My travel insurance exclusions

To ensure you know all the details, review the list of exclusions for AMEX My travel insurance plans below:

  • Pre-existing conditions 
  • Travelling when medically unfit/ Travelling against Medical Practitioner’s advice
  • Complication of pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage (except miscarriage due to Bodily Injury) or abortion
  • Intoxication by alcohol or drugs not prescribed by a Physician
  • Any condition, which is or results from or is a complication of infection with Human Deficiency Syndrome (‘HIV’)
  • COVID-19 exclusion
  • Declared or undeclared war or any act of war, invasion, foreign enemy, civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power
  • Travelling against advice of regulatory authorities/ Travelling to a country at war
  • Claims covered by other insurance
  • Items taken/ destructed by customs or other officials
  • Loss, destruction or damage to any property arising from or any consequential loss directly or indirectly caused or contributed by or arising from ionising radiations or contamination by radio activity from any nuclear fuel or from any nuclear waste from the combustion of nuclear fuel

The full list of exclusions is available in the American Express travel insurance policy documents.


Pros & cons of AMEX My travel insurance

When reviewing the AMEX travel insurance plan, it's essential to weigh both the benefits and drawbacks. To assist you in making an informed decision, we’ve outlined the AMEX My travel insurance pros, as well as the AMEX My travel insurance cons below:

Pros
Cons
Benefit payable for loss of frequent flyer points
 
Winter sports and golf option
 
Benefit payable for alternative travel due to infectious disease
 
Overseas medical expenses (women’s benefit)
 
24-hour travel advice etc. telephone medical advice, medical arrangements during emergencies
 
Ski equipment must be owned by the insured person to qualify for winter sports benefit payout
 
All golf equipment must belong, on loan, or entrusted to the insured person, and not hired or rented for payout under golf cover

AMEX My travel insurance claim

To make a claim with AMEX My travel insurance, review the following steps:

Step 1: Immediate notification

To initiate your claim, report the incident to AMEX as soon as possible. This quick action facilitates a smoother claims process. You can initiate this step online through the Chubb online claims centre or you can email them at travel.sg@chubb.com for more information.

Step 2: Detailed documentation

Collect all necessary documentation pertinent to your claim. This includes medical records if you're filing a health-related claim, police reports for thefts or losses, and any receipts for emergency purchases or repairs. 

Step 3: Submit your claim

With your documentation ready, proceed to submit your claim via the Chubb Claims Centre. 

Step 4: Claim assessment

They will assess your claim based on the documentation and forms submitted. During this phase, the Chubb claims team might reach out to you for additional information or clarification to thoroughly evaluate your claim under the terms of your policy.

Step 5: Resolution and Payment

Once your claim is approved, the approved amount will be processed and disbursed promptly, ensuring you receive the support you need without significant delays.


Detailed review of best travel insurance in AMEX 

Before we conclude our review of AMEX My travel insurance plans, delve into our analysis below to better understand which option might best suit your travel needs.

Essential plan

The AMEX My Essential plan strikes a balance by providing core travel insurance coverage at a cost-effective rate, making it suitable for budget-conscious travellers and those on shorter trips. While it offers fundamental protections, it does have lower coverage for baggage delays and travel cancellations, which might not fully accommodate those with high-value gear or complex travel plans. 

However, despite lacking higher coverage and extra perks like home guard, pet cover, and rental vehicle excess, this plan is a good choice if you are seeking essential, straightforward insurance, combining affordability with the basics of travel protection.

Standard plan

For those in need of more than just the essentials yet still at a reasonable cost, the Standard plan emerges as a solid option. It increases coverage significantly, particularly in medical and emergency services, which is ideal for travellers venturing further from home or into regions with potential health risks. Additionally, the Standard plan incorporates protections like home guard and pet cover, which are beneficial for those leaving significant assets behind. 

Overall, this plan is particularly appealing for its thorough coverage that doesn't compromise on affordability, offering a practical solution for more demanding travel needs.

Superior plan

For global travellers and those who demand premium protection, the Superior plan is AMEX's most inclusive offering. It is designed for those who do not compromise on their insurance needs, providing extensive coverage across a multitude of scenarios including high medical caps and comprehensive emergency services. 

This plan is not only robust in terms of health and emergency benefits but also enriches the travel experience with high limits on travel inconvenience coverages such as travel delays/cancellations, and baggage loss/delays. While the cost is higher compared to other plans, it justifies the expense with unmatched coverage and peace of mind, making it suitable for those who prioritise a complete safety net while travelling. 

This plan is a top-tier choice, ensuring that no matter the complexity or destination of your travels, you are well-protected.


Other travel insurance provider reviews

If you’re interested in checking out other travel insurance options besides AMEX My’s travel insurance, you can read SingSaver’s other reviews below to compare the best coverage and prices, and explore any available promos:


Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.

Note: This is only product information provided. You may wish to seek advice from a qualified adviser before buying the product. If you choose not to seek advice from a qualified adviser, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you. Buying an insurance product that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs.

If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and the insurer may recover from you any expense incurred by the insurer in underwriting the policy.


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