When many travelers consider adding a credit card, some of their first thoughts revolve around the points and miles they may collect to see the world for free. While a combination of flexible points and branded points can help travelers see the world at a low cost, credit cards can also offer protections in the event of an emergency.

Many travel credit cards do not just offer points and miles with every dollar spent. When those cards are used to pay for trips, travelers on the same itinerary are also extended valuable travel insurance benefits. These bonuses go beyond covering incidental coverage when luggage is lost, providing a deeper level of aid in the event of an unforeseen event, accident, or serious illness.

Before making your next travel plans, take a moment to consider what is in your wallet. The following six credit cards offer some of the best travel insurance benefits.

Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Launched in 2017, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most popular cards among frequent international travelers. Individuals who hold this card can find many ways to justify the $450 annual fee, especially if they need to file a travel insurance claim.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with numerous travel insurance benefits when travelers use their card to pay for their itinerary. Those who are forced to cancel their trip can be reimbursed for up to $10,000 in non-refundable expenses per covered trip. The card also includes $500 of trip delay benefits, baggage delay benefits after luggage is lost for over six hours, and the customary auto rental collision damage waiver.

What makes this card the most beneficial is that benefits are extended to the cardholder or immediate family members, even if the primary cardholder is not traveling. However, to ensure these benefits are valid, the trip must be paid for with either the card or directly through Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card.

Best for Trip Cancellation: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Gaining valuable credit card travel insurance benefits does not have to come with a high annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of the most popular credit cards in the United States, and offers a number of valuable benefits for a $95 annual fee.

Much like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred also comes with a $10,000 trip cancellation or trip interruption benefit. This benefit offers coverage for pre-paid tours, trips, or vacations purchased either using the credit card or directly using Ultimate Rewards points. Covered incidents include death, illness, jury duty of the traveler, or catastrophic events such as severe weather, terrorism, hijacking, and bankruptcy of a travel provider.

Additionally, the Chase Sapphire Preferred also provides several other credit card benefits for those who use the card to purchase their trips, including baggage delay coverage and emergency assistance while traveling.

Best for Baggage Delay: Citi Prestige Card

In most situations, baggage delay benefits from either a credit card travel insurance policy or a third-party travel insurance benefit require the traveler to have their items misplaced for a certain amount of time. Most policies in the industry require luggage to be lost between six and 12 hours before benefits apply.

This is what makes the Citi Prestige Card one of the best cards for travelers who frequently check their luggage to their final destination. The Citi Prestige Card offers up to $500 in baggage delay benefits per traveler, per trip, if luggage does not arrive to the traveler within three hours. To activate this benefit, travelers must purchase their trip using their Citi Prestige Card or directly with ThankYou Points earned from spending on the card.

However, before going on a spending spree when luggage is lost, be sure to understand the benefit limitations. The benefit will not cover purchases of anything that was not in the lost luggage, and will not cover lost luggage on trips returning to the traveler’s primary residence.

Best for Baggage Loss: Chase Ink Business Preferred

Although business credit cards are considered to be only for actively operating companies, individuals with good credit who are starting a small business may qualify for a business credit card, too. Consequently, many people can benefit from a small business card.

The best business credit card with travel insurance benefits is the Chase Ink Business Preferred, which offers multiple protections for cardholders. One of the most valuable benefits that comes with this card is the baggage loss protection. In the event a common carrier (such as an airline, train operator, or cruise line) loses a traveler’s luggage, the Chase Ink Business Preferred offers up to $3,000 in reimbursement.

Additionally, another benefit offered only through the Chase Ink Business Preferred includes cell phone coverage. If a traveler accidentally damages a cell phone, loses a cell phone, or has their phone stolen, the Chase Ink Business Preferred card may provide benefits towards a new phone.

Best for Travel Accidents: Chase JP Morgan Reserve

For luxury travelers who have a relationship with Chase Private Banking services, high-end credit cards can offer elite protection levels. This is true with the Chase JP Morgan Reserve credit card, designed for preferred customers of one of America’s largest banks.

Travelers who purchase their travel itinerary with the JP Morgan Reserve card gain access to a number of emergency benefits in case of an accident. Travelers who are over 100 miles away from their primary home can receive reimbursement for up to $2,500 in emergency medical and dental costs as a result of an injury, while those who require emergency evacuation or transportation can receive up to $100,000 in coverage. Furthermore, if those same travelers experience an accident that results in death or dismemberment, they can receive up to $1 million in coverage after an emergency.

While the benefits align with the high-end clientele who hold this card, applying for and obtaining approval for this card is quite selective. To be considered, travelers must have a relationship with a Chase Private Client banker, who must submit their application on their behalf.

Best for Medical Evacuation: The American Express Platinum Card

One of the biggest fears of international travelers is experiencing an accident which necessitates medical evacuation. Traveling aboard an air ambulance to a qualified medical facility can incur substantial costs before even considering treatment expenses.

For frequent travelers, The Platinum Card from American Express offers evacuation benefits while far from home. In the event a traveler requires medical attention and a medical professional determines that evacuation is necessary, the Premium Global Assistance Hotline (available to all Platinum card holders) can coordinate medical evacuation from the site of illness or injury. To activate this benefit, the travel must be coordinated through American Express—and when performed correctly, it may incur no additional costs to the traveler.

However, while this benefit may be one of the most valuable, it does come with specific limitations. First, the card has a $550 annual fee, which is less than medical evacuation costs but more than many other cards. Second, benefits may only apply due to genuine accidents. Self-inflicted injuries or those due to acts of war may not qualify.

Limitations of Credit Card Travel Insurance Policies

As with any travel insurance plan, there are a number of limitations to understand before benefiting from the coverage. In some situations, the benefits may only apply as secondary coverage. Consequently, the travel insurance provider may require travelers to seek compensation from other sources, including primary insurance providers or common carriers. Another common pitfall travelers might overlook involves the terms and conditions of each benefit. For instance, a trip cancellation plan differs from a “Cancel for Any Reason” plan, meaning travelers who attempt to cancel their trip for a non-covered reason could be left responsible for their trip expenses.

Before leveraging any travel insurance benefit, be sure to thoroughly understand all of the governing terms and conditions. It is crucial to keep a copy of the card benefit guide with a travel emergency kit and consult with the credit card provider to comprehend how the claim process operates.

While travel insurance is always recommended for international trips, many travelers may not realize they already possess a level of coverage. By recognizing the benefits associated with readily available credit cards, international travelers can ensure their safety, security, and protection while exploring the globe.