American Express Platinum card improves its travel insurance

Over the last year, there have been rumbles of discontent in our comments section about the travel insurance policy provided with The Platinum Card by American Express.

On paper this is a strong offer.  Subject to enrolment, Platinum cardholders receive coverage for themselves and their immediate family.  Even better, anyone who is given a free supplementary card on the account also receives coverage for themselves and their immediate family.  Until she hit the cut-off age of 70, my Mum had a supplementary card on my account purely for this reason.

American Express has a strong track record – at least in my personal experience – of paying claims.  I have had claims paid where we did not stick to the rules in the policy, by using unapproved doctors or not seeking approval before getting treatment.

There were some notable holes.  The main one was over the lack of coverage for pre-existing conditions.  In theory, anyone with raised cholesterol – for example – was disqualified from medical cover under the policy.  Given that The Platinum Card customer base skews older than many cards, this was not ideal.

American Express has now changed its rules over pre-existing conditions.  It has published a long list of conditions – download a PDF here – for which you are now covered as long as you are not receiving treatment.  Having had constipation in the past no longer stops you from making a claim if you suffer an exceptionally bad case whilst on holiday!

Amex has also expanded the list of winter and summer sports covered by the Platinum travel insurance.  You are now insured for playing badminton, rounders or bowling.  More usefully, horse riding, ballooning, scuba diving, paintball, wind surfing and standard surfing are also covered, along with a range of riskier winter sports options.

If you were previously paying high insurance premiums to cover your family against certain sports, or because you had a particular pre-existing condition, you may want to take another look at The Platinum Card.

Our full review of Amex Platinum is here.  The sign-up bonus, if you qualify, is 30,000 Membership Rewards points.  You can apply here.

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – December 2021 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit or charge card, here are our November 2021 recommendations based on the current sign-up bonus. 

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the top current deals:

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers.

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and free for a year Read our full review

American Express Business Platinum

40,000 points sign-up bonus and a long list of travel benefits Read our full review

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

For a non-American Express option, we also recommend the Barclaycard Select Cashback card for sole traders and small businesses. It is FREE and you receive 1% cashback on your spending:

Barclaycard Select Cashback Credit Card

1% cashback and no annual fee Read our full review