The Costco Anywhere Visa card includes trip cancellation and trip delay insurance, but not medical coverage or lost luggage protection
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by American Express covers you if you need to cancel a prepaid trip or face a delay of more than 12 hours. It does not cover medical emergencies abroad, lost or damaged baggage, or emergency evacuation. The coverage applies when you book and pay for the trip using the card, and the limits are modest — typically $1,500 to $2,500 per person depending on the specific benefit.
This matters because many cardholders assume a credit card travel benefit means comprehensive travel protection. It does not. You are getting two specific protections: money back if your trip falls apart before you leave, and reimbursement for meals and lodging if your flight is delayed. Everything else — medical care, lost bags, emergency transport — is your responsibility or your travel insurance policy's responsibility.
Key Takeaways
- The Costco card covers trip cancellation up to $1,500 per person if you cancel for a covered reason before departure.
- Trip delay coverage reimburses meals and lodging if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours, up to $200 per day for up to three days.
- The card does not include medical coverage, emergency evacuation, baggage protection, or rental car damage coverage.
- Coverage only applies when you book the entire trip with the Costco card, not when you use it for part of the booking.
- You must file a claim with American Express within 90 days of the event, with receipts and proof of the covered loss.
What Trip Cancellation Insurance Covers
Trip cancellation pays you back if you cancel a prepaid trip for a reason the card considers covered. Covered reasons typically include illness or injury to you or an when ready family member, death of a family member, or involuntary job loss. The payout is up to $1,500 per person, which means if you booked a $3,000 flight and hotel and had to cancel, you would recover $1,500 of that cost.
The coverage applies only to the portion of the trip you paid for with the Costco card. If you booked the flight on the card but paid for the hotel separately with another card or cash, only the flight portion is covered. You also cannot have already departed — the trip must be cancelled before you leave home. If you get sick mid-trip and need to fly home early, that is not covered by trip cancellation insurance.
To claim, you need to contact American Express with proof of the cancellation reason (a doctor's note, death certificate, or termination letter) and proof of the cost (the booking confirmation and receipt). American Express has 90 days to review and pay or deny the claim.
What Trip Delay Insurance Covers
Trip delay insurance reimburses you for meals and lodging if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours. The coverage pays up to $200 per day for up to three days, meaning a maximum of $600 per trip. This is meant to cover hotel rooms, meals, and ground transportation while you wait for the next available flight.
The delay must be caused by weather, mechanical failure, or other reasons within the airline's control. A delay caused by your own mistake — arriving late to the airport, for example — is not covered. You must have booked the entire trip with the Costco card for the coverage to explore. If you booked only the flight with the card, the coverage may not extend to hotel costs.
Keep all receipts for meals, lodging, and transportation during the delay. When you file the claim, you will need the original booking confirmation, proof of the delay (the airline's written statement or your boarding pass showing the delay), and itemized receipts for what you spent.
What the Costco Card Does Not Cover
The Costco card does not include medical or dental coverage for emergencies abroad. If you become ill or injured while traveling internationally, you are responsible for all medical costs. Many travel insurance policies sold separately do cover this, but the credit card benefit does not.
There is no baggage coverage — if your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, the card will not reimburse you. There is no emergency evacuation coverage if you need to be airlifted or transported home due to a medical emergency. There is no rental car damage coverage, no emergency cash advance, and no coverage for travel documents like passports.
The card also does not cover pre-existing medical conditions, travel to countries under government travel warnings, or trips booked more than a certain number of days in advance (check your cardholder agreement for the exact window). If you are traveling with a chronic health condition or to a remote location, a standalone travel insurance policy is worth the cost.
How to File a Claim
Contact American Express as soon as the covered event occurs. For trip cancellation, call the number on the back of your card and ask for the travel services team. For trip delay, contact them while you are still delayed, if possible, so they can help you understand what expenses are covered before you incur them.
You will need to submit your claim within 90 days of the event. Gather the original booking confirmation, proof of payment with the Costco card, and documentation of the loss — a cancellation reason (medical records, death certificate), proof of delay (airline statement), or receipts for expenses incurred. Send these by mail or upload them through your American Express account online.
American Express will review the claim and either approve it, deny it, or ask for more information. The review typically takes two to four weeks. If denied, you can appeal with additional documentation, but the card's terms are final — American Express does not negotiate coverage.
When You Need More Than the Card Offers
If you are traveling internationally, especially to a remote area or a country with limited medical infrastructure, buy a separate travel insurance policy. A comprehensive policy covers medical emergencies, evacuation, baggage loss, and trip cancellation — all things the credit card does not. The cost is usually $50 to $200 depending on trip length and destination.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, travel insurance is essential. The Costco card excludes pre-existing conditions entirely. If you are traveling with expensive equipment, cameras, or jewelry, travel insurance often covers baggage better than a credit card benefit.
If you are booking a very expensive trip — a multi-week international vacation or a cruise — the $1,500 trip cancellation limit on the card may not be enough. A standalone policy lets you cover the full cost. Compare the cost of the policy against the risk: if you are unlikely to cancel, the card benefit may be sufficient. If you have health issues or are traveling during flu season, the policy is worth buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Costco card cover medical emergencies while traveling?
No. The card covers trip cancellation and trip delay only. Medical coverage is not included. If you become ill or injured abroad, you pay out of pocket or through your health insurance. Many health plans do not cover care outside the United States, so check your policy before traveling internationally.
What if I book part of my trip with the Costco card and part with another card?
Coverage applies only to the portion booked with the Costco card. If you book the flight with the Costco card but pay for the hotel separately, only the flight is covered under trip cancellation. For the best protection, book the entire trip with one card.
Can I claim trip cancellation if I get sick during my trip and need to go home early?
No. Trip cancellation covers cancellation before departure. If you cancel before you leave home, you are covered. If you depart and then cut the trip short, that is not covered by this benefit. Some travel insurance policies do cover early return, but the credit card does not.
How long do I have to file a claim after a delay or cancellation?
You have 90 days from the date of the event to file a claim with American Express. After 90 days, the claim is denied. File as soon as possible and keep all receipts and documentation in case American Express asks for more information.
Is the $1,500 trip cancellation limit per person or per trip?
It is per person. If you are traveling with a spouse and both cancel for a covered reason, each of you can claim up to $1,500, for a total of $3,000. The limit resets for each trip you book with the card.