Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Insurance: How does credit card flight delay insurance work?

  • Credit Card Insurance
Insurance: How does credit card flight delay insurance work?
Share

Flight delay insurance

Credit cards can offer flight delay insurance.

With this coverage, you may get a refund for some of your expenses arising from a delayed flight.

Insurance: How does credit card flight delay insurance work? - IMG 8862

Insured people

The flight delay insurance from credit cards protects:

  • credit card holder
  • Close family travelling with the credit card holder (will vary depending on each credit card)

As a general rule, insurance may apply to the principal holder, their spouse and their dependent child or children.

To be covered by your credit card’sflight delay insurance, you must have paid for your flight in full with your credit card(except for certain cards such as the National Bank World Elite Mastercard®, which requires partial payment, or the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, which requires 75% of the cost of the flight to be charged to the card).

Insurance: How does credit card flight delay insurance work? - 747 380 lufthansa emirates

Covered by flight delay insurance

The flight delay insurance offered by credit cards usually COVER the following situations:

  • A strike by airline staff
  • Forty
  • Civil unrest
  • A hijacking
  • A natural disaster
  • Bad weather
  • A mechanical failure
  • Refusal to board due to overbooking
Insurance: How does credit card flight delay insurance work? - IMG 9533

Not covered by flight delay insurance

Credit cards flight delay insurance WILL NOT:

  • A criminal or fraudulent act perpetrated by the insured person
  • War, declared or not, civil war, insurrection, rebellion or revolution
  • Any act of war by a government or military forces
Insurance: How does credit card flight delay insurance work? - IMG 8905

Refunds

The coverage offered by your credit card will vary depending on each card.

Generally, credit cards flight delay insurance will reimburse the card for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred within 48 hours of the delay or denied boarding for:

  • Accommodation in a hotel
  • meals at the restaurant
  • drinks
  • essential items
  • various articles (magazines, paperbacks and various small articles)

Compensation will vary depending on credit cards

  • $500 to $2,500 per insured person
  • with a maximum amount for the whole family
Insurance: How does credit card flight delay insurance work? - IMG 7717

Make a claim

Is your flight delayed? Our first tip is to check your credit card brochure to find out what you are entitled to. If you can, call the issuer at the number on the back of your card.

When you return home, open a claim procedure. Make sure you have all supporting documents on hand:

  • Flight tickets
  • Hotel reservations
  • Taxi invoices / Uber
  • Restaurant notes
  • Purchase bills (prefer airport purchases)
  • credit card bank statement
United States: Disney World with points | Testimonial - IMG 6822

Not all credit cards are equal to flight delayinsurance.

As a general rule, credit cards offering flight delay insurance will stand out in three areas:

  • Coverage (types of purchases allowed)
  • The amount covered (per person, per trip)
  • Booking conditions (total or partial amount on the card)

Here are 3 credit cards we recommend for flight delay insurance, based on different income levels:

Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card

The main advantage of the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is that it charges no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions. So you can charge your travel purchases like car rentals or airline tickets abroad without paying the 2.5% conversion fee charged by most credit cards!

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card requires an income of only $12,000. This card is part of the one offering the widest coverage by repaying « reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for hotel accommodation, restaurant meals, beverages, essential items and various items (such as magazines, paperbacks and various small items). »

SpecificitiesDetails
Amountup to $1,000 per insuredperson
Length of delayMore than 4 hours
Booking conditionsThe coverage will reimburse the following costs if at least 75% of the total cost of the delayed flight has been
paid to your account and/or get with
Scene+ points
Annual fee
$399
Our valuation
$1,000
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Total$1,000Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

Terms of the offer

  • Earn 30,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points upon first purchase◊
  • Earn 4x Scotia Rewards points for every $1 you spend at gas stations, grocery stores, on dining and entertainment
  • Earn one point on all other eligible everyday purchases
  • Complimentary membership to Priority Pass Airport Lounges Worldwide
  • Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2020. Subject to change.
   

For a limited time, by signing up for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you can earn up to 100,000 Scene+ points, worth up to $3,000 in value over the first 14 months (including about $1,000 in travel rewards from the bonus points).

With the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, you earn 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases. These points can be used against any travel purchase (plane tickets, hotels, all-inclusives, and even Airbnb), and you can also use them for other rewards in the Scene+ program, like cash back.

Plus, with this card, you pay no foreign transaction fees, and you get 10 free accesses to VIP airport lounges (Priority Pass).

And you benefit from excellent insurance for your trips and purchases, premium concierge service, and exclusive American Express Invitations offers.

Annual fee

Primary card$399
Additional card$99

Annual income required

Individual$12,000
Household$12,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,141
2nd Year Value$481

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 10 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard® is one of the only credit cards to offer partial payment coverage. This is handy for those who use points!

Its special feature is to be valid, even if only part of the trip has been taken to account. Reimbursable expenses arereasonable additional expenses incurred for Your accommodation and travel. However, these costs must be incurred as a result of the delay.« .

SpecificitiesDetails
Amountup to $500 per insured person
Length of delayMore than 4 hours
Booking conditionsThe coverage will reimburse the following costs if at least part of the cost has been charged to the account:
Exclusive
Annual fee
$0 $150
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$150
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
First Year Annual Fee Rebate
$150 annual fee rebated
Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now

on National Bank's website

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

  • Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

  • 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
  • 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
  • 1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

  • Airport parking
  • Baggage fees
  • Seat selection
  • Access to airport lounges
  • Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xBills & recurring payments
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778
2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card charges no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions. This means you can charge your travel purchases such as car rentals and flight tickets abroad without paying the 2.5% conversion fee charged by most credit cards!

In addition, you get six complimentary visits to VIP airport lounges. Enough to wait comfortably for your plane in the event of a flight delay.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card requires an income of $60,000. This card is part of the one offering the widest coverage by repaying « reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for hotel accommodation, restaurant meals, beverages, essential items and various items (such as magazines, paperbacks and various small items).« 

SpecificitiesDetails
Amountup to $500 per insuredperson
Length of delayMore than 4 hours
Booking conditionsThe coverage will reimburse the following costs if at least 75% of the total cost of the delayed flight has been
paid to your account and/or get with
Scene+ points
Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Bottom Line

By choosing the right credit card you could improve your comfort during a flight delay: hotel room, restaurant, miscellaneous items… Don’t let a flight delay ruin your trip!

In any case, remember to consult the insurance booklet supplied with your credit card BEFORE booking your trip.

Our featured card

Exclusive
Annual fee
$0 $150
No annual fee the first year
Our valuation
$150
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
First Year Annual Fee Rebate
$150 annual fee rebated
Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now

on National Bank's website

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

  • Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

  • 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
  • 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
  • 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
  • 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
  • 1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

  • Airport parking
  • Baggage fees
  • Seat selection
  • Access to airport lounges
  • Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000
Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xRestaurants
  • 5xGroceries
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xBills & recurring payments
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778
2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.