Think Your Credit Card Comes With Travel Insurance? Check Before You Fly

Your credit card promised travel insurance. So what happens when the fine print changes after you've booked? We're looking at what the surcharge ban means for credit card benefits like travel insurance.

You might have booked your next holiday months ago, knowing your credit card came with complimentary travel insurance. It felt like one less thing to organise, pack, book flights, and let the card do the rest.

Since the ban on card surcharges took effect on 1 October, several card providers have announced or started rolling out cuts to card perks.. These include higher annual fees, fewer points per dollar spent, and reduced travel insurance among them. So, the catch is, the free travel insurance you were counting on when you booked your trip might not be there in the same form by the time you actually fly.

Before travelling, it’s worth checking:

Is travel insurance still included with your credit card?

All 4 of the major banks (ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac) in Australia, have changed their travel insurance cover, so the terms you signed up for may not be the terms you're covered by now.

Have the benefits or eligibility requirements changed?

Even if insurance is included, you may not automatically qualify, some cards require you to pay a minimum portion of your trip on the card or activate the cover within a set window before you leave.

Does your cover apply to everyone travelling with you?

Complimentary policies don't always extend to a partner, children, or other family members, even if they're travelling on the same itinerary.

What are the limits and exclusions?

Check the sub-limits for things like medical expenses, luggage, and personal items, they can be lower than you'd expect, and some situations may not be covered at all.

Is cancellation cover included?

Not all complimentary policies cover trip cancellation or interruption, which can be one of the most valuable parts of a policy if your plans change unexpectedly.

Are your planned activities covered?

If your trip includes higher-risk activities like snow sports, hiking, or watersports, check whether these are included as standard or need to be added.

When do the changes to your card's insurance take effect?

Some changes have already taken effect, while others start on later dates or only affect certain cards, so check the exact timing for your card and travel dates.

A quick check now could save you from a nasty surprise later, like finding out mid-emergency, on the other side of the world, that the cover you were counting on isn't there.

Prefer to arrange your travel insurance separately?

insurance.com.au has partnered with battleface to offer travel insurance with options to suit different types of trips.

Learn more

FAQs

Some credit cards include complimentary travel insurance, but not all do, and eligibility conditions often apply. These can include paying a minimum portion of your trip costs on the card. Make sure to check your card provider's current insurance terms and conditions
The ban on card surcharges took effect on 1 October 2026, alongside lower interchange fees. Several card providers have announced changes to card features, including higher fees, fewer points and reduced travel insurance. Reasons and timing vary by provider, so check your provider's official communications for details about your card.
You can look at a standalone policy. insurance.com.au has partnered with battleface to provide you with comprehensive travel insurance, that you can tailor to your unique travel requirements!
Learn more

This article has been prepared by insurance.com.au Pty Ltd (insurance.com.au) ABN 27 163 909 073, an Authorised Representative (AR Number 443422) of Community Broker Network Pty Ltd ABN 60 096 916 184 AFSL 233750.

The information in this article is of a general nature and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision based on any of the information, you should consider whether it is appropriate to your particular circumstances. You should also obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and, where available, Target Market Determination (TMD) before making any decision to acquire a financial product. These are available at https://www.insurance.com.au/important-documents.

The information is current at the time of publication. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information, insurance.com.au, its officers, representatives, employees and agents disclaim all liability (except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded), for any error, inaccuracy in, or omission from the information contained in this material for any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on the information.

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