American Express Expands Trip Cancel Guard, Adding More Flexibility For Flight Cancellations – Forbes Advisor

American Express is expanding its optional benefit, Trip Cancel Guard, giving eligible cardholders the ability to purchase coverage that enables them to cancel or change a flight for any reason and still obtain reimbursement for up to 75% of nonrefundable airfare.

Previously, cardholders had to book flights through the Amex Travel portal to take advantage of the benefit. Under the new rules, card members may purchase Trip Cancel Guard when booking through AmexTravel.com or—provided certain timing conditions are met—after booking directly with airlines or on third-party platforms.

How Trip Cancel Guard Works

To take full advantage of the perks of Trip Cancel Guard, cardholders should take note of the fine print:

• If a flight was booked outside the Amex Travel portal, Trip Cancel Guard must be purchased within 30 days after the flight purchase. Trip Cancel Guard must also be purchased at least five days prior to the flight’s departure date.
• Cardholders can request reimbursement if they cancel an eligible flight at least two full calendar days before departure.
• The benefit is available for itineraries costing between $300 and $20,000 per traveler, inclusive of taxes and fees, and for itineraries of 10 or fewer travelers.
• Eligible U.S. American Express consumer, small business and corporate card members can purchase Trip Cancel Guard.
• The Trip Cancel Guard benefit is not a traditional travel insurance product, which may cover illness, injury or other insured events that disrupt your travel plans. It is an optional, add-on benefit that essentially provides a cancellation fee waiver.

While travel disruptions can be due to weather, health issues, scheduling conflicts or surprise events, this optional flexibility gives cardholders more confidence when booking nonrefundable flights.

Amex Cards That Complement Trip Cancel Guard

If the Trip Cancel Guard perk piques your interest, here are two of Forbes Advisor’s picks for the best American Express cards, which offer further travel protections and benefits to take advantage of if you fly frequently.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Terms apply, rates & fees) is one of Amex’s co-branded airline cards, offered in partnership with Delta Air Lines. Key features of the card include:

• A $650 annual fee.
• New cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership, offer ends 10/29/2025.
• Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
• Access to Delta Sky Clubs (15 day passes per year) and The Centurion Lounge locations when flying with Delta.
• A Companion Certificate each year after card renewal, redeemable for a round-trip flight in Delta First, Delta Comfort or Delta Main to select destinations.
• A Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQD) boost, helping cardholders earn elite status with Delta quickly through spending on their card.
• An up to $240 Resy Credit, issued as $20 monthly statement credits for use at U.S. Resy restaurants or when making other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment is required.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Trip delay insurance¹, trip cancellation and interruption insurance¹, a secondary car rental collision damage waiver² and coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage³.

Since its annual fee is on the higher end for airline credit cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card appeals most to those who fly Delta often and value airline-specific elite status and lounge access.

American Express Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum Card® (Terms apply, rates & fees) is a luxury card geared toward those who travel frequently, desire elite status with multiple hotel and car rental brands and do not mind tracking a variety of statement credits to offset the card’s hefty annual fee.

Its features and travel protections include:

• An $895 annual fee.
• New cardholders can earn a personalized offer as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership (approval required, welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer). 
• Earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel® and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
• Broad lounge access, including Centurion Lounges, partner lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass locations.
• Complimentary elite status with hotel loyalty programs such as Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. 
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Secondary car rental loss and damage insurance², trip delay insurance¹ and trip cancellation and interruption insurance¹.

Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Bottom Line

Amex’s expanded Trip Cancel Guard benefit provides increased flexibility to card members booking nonrefundable airfare outside of Amex’s Travel portal.

When paired with high-end travel cards, this type of benefit allows consumers to maximize earning potential while also staying covered in the case of unexpected disruptions, thanks to their card.

To view rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.

To view rates and fees for the American Express Platinum Card® please visit this page.

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

³Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company