Flight canceled and cruise missed

[lazydayz]

6 hours ago, BND said:

Does it cover evacuation?  A lot of people forget that part.  If you need to be flown back via medical transport, that isn't covered by health/medical insurance and it's not cheap.  

 

That is where the credit card protections come into play. 

[mugtech]

I love the Woody Allen movie in which instead of going into solitary confinement the prison makes him spend an evening with an insurance salesman.

[SRF]

5 hours ago, lazydayz said:

 

That is where the credit card protections come into play. 

 

How much to they cover?

 

My Mother was med evac flown from Halifax to DC.  $29,000

 

Most credit card coverages are not into the 5 figures.

[BNBR]

Amex platinum is $100k for medevac and also $20k in medical services. Plus they will even cover $1,000 in dental. Just make sure you pay for the trip with the card. 

[Keksie]

I like to go in at least a day early.  Sometimes earlier because it is fun.  Some of the ports we cruise from are very interesting and have a lot to do in that city. Even when we drive to Galveston I like to go a day or two earlier just to go the beach, eat some wonderful seafood etc.  I do get the insurance too.  I also insure my car and my home.

[BND]

We've all seen the posts from people who come on here complaining that they missed their flight or had to cancel due to illness or death in family and invariably they want the cruiseline to reimburse them what they paid for the cruise because "it's not their fault".  Well, gee, that's what insurance is for, things that aren't necessarily your fault.  What irks me is the ones that manage to get something back (usually future cruise credit) without having insurance and those of us that are responsible enough to do so, continue to buy it,  just in case.  I'm sure some people say, "what's the point in buying insurance if I can get a future credit?"  Now, obviously it's not all who don't buy it, but we do hear enough stories.  We'll never regret buying it just like car and home insurance.  

[asalligo]

I was so hoping the OP would come back and let us know what happened. I know that I always fly early enough that I could still drive if they cancel my flight. I was hoping that they had found another option to make it. 

[charlielinda]

Everyone has different opinions reasons for flying in early or not  or having trip insurance or not.  It’s a personal decision.  Over the years we’ve had to cancel two cruises due to medical reasons when we were in our 50’s — will have now because we’re in our 60’s.  

 

I will always fly in the day before and have insurance — because I like my vacation start off not worried ... I sleep better at night knowing my chances of missing the cruise are low and if something happens before or during the cruise I’m covered.  Just me ... 

[GUT2407]

3 minutes ago, charlielinda said:

Everyone has different opinions reasons for flying in early or not  or having trip insurance or not.  It’s a personal decision.  Over the years we’ve had to cancel two cruises due to medical reasons when we were in our 50’s — will have now because we’re in our 60’s.  

 

I will always fly in the day before and have insurance — because I like my vacation start off not worried ... I sleep better at night knowing my chances of missing the cruise are low and if something happens before or during the cruise I’m covered.  Just me ... 

No issue wth that’s issue is with those who choose to self insure and then complain when worst case happens

[Charles4515]

3 hours ago, BNBR said:

Amex platinum is $100k for medevac and also $20k in medical services. Plus they will even cover $1,000 in dental. Just make sure you pay for the trip with the card. 

 

You don't have to pay for the trip with the AMEX Platnium card to be covered. 

[BNBR]

27 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

 

You don't have to pay for the trip with the AMEX Platnium card to be covered. 

 

For travel assist, no. For travel accident insurance, you do have to pay for the ticket/fare with the card. 

[Charles4515]

21 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

For travel assist, no. For travel accident insurance, you do have to pay for the ticket/fare with the card. 

 

You don’t have to pay with the Platinum card for the medical evacuation coverage. It does not cover medical costs. 

 

I pay with my  Chase Resrve Card. That has both evacuation and travel accident insurance if you pay some portion of the trip with the Chase card. 

Edited December 27, 2018 by Charles4515

[BNBR]

4 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

 

You don’t have to pay with the Platinum card for the medical evacuation coverage. It does not cover medical costs. 

 

I pay with my  Chase Resrve Card. That has both evacuation and travel accident insurance if you pay some portion of the trip with the Chase card. 

 

 

Amex platinum covers $20,000 in emergency medical services as well as evac. Plus $500,000 in accident insurance if you pay with the card. 

 

I'm sure the benefits are similar between the cards. 

Edited December 27, 2018 by BNBR

[dwayneb236]

my evacuation coverage on my current trip insurance plan is $1,000,000. i can ride in style

 

[xpcdoojk]

3 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

You don't have to pay for the trip with the AMEX Platnium card to be covered. 

 

Why would the card pay for insurance if you don’t let them make money on the transaction?  I am, actually, not arguing with you.  I just don’t understand why they would feel any obligation to pay?

 

jc

Edited December 27, 2018 by xpcdoojk

[Clarea]

12 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

 

Why would the card pay for insurance if you don’t let them make money on the transaction?  I am, actually, not arguing with you.  I just don’t understand why they would feel any obligation to pay?

 

jc

 

Just a guess,but maybe part of the perks from the annual fee?

[Charles4515]

34 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

 

Why would the card pay for insurance if you don’t let them make money on the transaction?  I am, actually, not arguing with you.  I just don’t understand why they would feel any obligation to pay?

 

jc

 

The Platnium Card is a premium charge card with a high annual fee. It is not a credit card. The card only has value for travelers. Also AMEX charges merchants higher transaction fees than Visa and Master Card. So it is not accepted every where. The medical evacuation coverage is one of the perks. Definitely have to meditate every year on whether the fee is worth the perks that come with the AMEX Platnuim card. The Evacuation coverage without using the card is one reason I keep the card. Also Roadside assistance. And some other perks.The Chase Reserve Card where you have to use the card is in my opinion a better all around card for most people because it includes trip delay and medical coverage. I have been putting my travel charges except airfare on the Chase card. Since the Platnium Card gives 5X points for air, air goes on AMEX. 

Edited December 27, 2018 by Charles4515

[xpcdoojk]

Just now, Charles4515 said:

 

The Platnium Card is a premium charge card with a high annual fee. The card only has value for travelers. Also AMEX charges merchants higher transaction fees than Visa and Master Card. The medical evacuation coverage is one of the perks. Definitely have to meditate every year on whether the fee is worth the perks that come with the AMEX Platnuim card. The Evacuation coverage without using the card is one reason I keep the card. Also Roadside assistance. And some other perks.The Chase Reserve Card where you have to use the card is in my opinion a better all around card for most people because it includes trip delay and medical coverage. I have been putting my travel charges except airfare on the Chase card. Since the Platnium Card gives 5X points for air, air goes on AMEX. 

 

I have the card, and I usually use it for booking cruises.  Sometimes I even get the additional OBC from them.  Although, the last cruise I booked, I booked with the airline and their card because the price was way better than I could find otherwise.  I usually book airfare with airline cards because the money saved on checked bags.  That said, it would never have occurred to me to contact them to pay for my helicopter rescue if I had booked with an airline card. (No I have nor my wife have never been hele-evacuated)

 

I guess, I need to peruse the Amex web page to see if I can find supporting documentation for this exceptional perk.  

 

JC

[Pratique]

I am curious if anyone here has ever made an insurance claim for missing a cruise due to travel delays, and if so what was your experience with the insurance company?

Edited December 27, 2018 by Pratique

[Charles4515]

3 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

 

I have the card, and I usually use it for booking cruises.  Sometimes I even get the additional OBC from them.  Although, the last cruise I booked, I booked with the airline and their card because the price was way better than I could find otherwise.  I usually book airfare with airline cards because the money saved on checked bags.  That said, it would never have occurred to me to contact them to pay for my helicopter rescue if I had booked with an airline card. (No I have nor my wife have never been hele-evacuated)

 

I guess, I need to peruse the Amex web page to see if I can find supporting documentation for this exceptional perk.  

 

JC

 

I only check bags for cruises. Otherwise carry on. From here that only means American, Southwest and Jet Blue for domestic travel to Florida. Southwest has no bag fees.  I have the AA card so I don’t have to pay bag fees but also AA does not require the use of the card for the bags fees. I also have the Jet Blue Plus Card which does require using the card but since AMEX and Chase are both transfer partners I never charge the airfare, I transfer points to Jet Blue and book on their site. Kind of neat being able to transfer from two programs. I never pay cash for Jet Blue. 

[Sotermarler]

I’ve only cruised 5 times so far.  On our 4 th cruise we ended up using insurance to cover our lost bags after the port lost them on embarkation into the harbor.  So for us it was a win to have the insurance reimbursement and not a loss.  

[xpcdoojk]

I am currently perusing my American Express Platinum Card, and after following several links they all had the caveat of if you booked entire trip with the card... I went to the Premium Global Assist Hotline link which took me to a PDF I am currently reading.  

 

Here are some quotes from the 9 page document....

 

1 W hile the Premium Global Assist® Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Premium Global Assist Hotline may provide emergency medical transportation assistance at no cost if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline. For full Terms and Conditions call 1-800-345-AMEX or see americanexpress.com/GAterms.

 

which lead me to ...

 

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
4/9
Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance
In the event that the Card Member or another covered family member (your spouse or domestic partner, dependent up to age 23, or age 26 if full-time student) traveling on the same trip itinerary as the Card Member becomes injured or ill while traveling and is seeking or has sought medical treatment, the Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department can assess the medical need for transportation and provide the service.
A medical evacuation may be provided at no cost to the Card Member or covered family member from point of illness or injury (when the Card Member or covered family member is under the care of a local medical service provider or facility) to a more appropriate medical facility or to a hospital near the person’s home as determined by the Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician. The Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician, in consultation with the local medical service provider or facility, will determine whether such transport is medically necessary and advisable. The event must be within the first 90 days of the trip and cannot be a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition is any sickness, illness, or injury that has manifested itself, become acute, or was being treated in the 60 day period immediately prior to the start of a trip. The person needing evacuation may need to complete a medical information release as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (a “HIPAA Release”), or provide authorization for next of kin to complete the release. Emergency transportation services in connection with the medical emergency may also be provided to a covered family member pursuant to the full Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance Terms and Conditions at the end of this document. Subject to additional important terms, conditions and exclusions. Please see full Terms and Conditions at the end of this document.
Very Important: Any costs for medical transport not authorized and arranged through the Premium Global Assist Hotline Program are solely the responsibility of the Card Member and such costs will not be reimbursed. Premium Global Assist Hotline does not cover medical expenses (with the exception of cost incurred during the transport) nor transportation of personal possessions including luggage.

 

I will continue in another post to keep from having too large a posting.

 

jc

[xpcdoojk]

More from Amex Platinum Global Assist....

 

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (CONTINUED)
Medical Monitoring
Premium Global Assist Hotline can provide you with the monitoring of medical care while traveling. You may need to complete a HIPAA Release or provide authorization for next of kin to complete the release if you are not able.
Medical Prescription Replacement Assistance
If medications are lost or forgotten and you are in the United States, Premium Global Assist Hotline can help you by arranging a transfer of the prescription from your home pharmacy to a pharmacy near your location if refills are available. If you are outside the United States, Premium Global Assist Hotline can provide a medical referral to help with obtaining a new prescription. Take note that FDA regulations state that United States prescriptions cannot be transferred overseas. You may need to participate on the call or authorize an agent to speak on your behalf and in some cases you may need to visit a doctor. You may need to complete a HIPAA Release or provide authorization for next of kin to complete the release if you are not able. The Card Member is responsible for all costs associated with the purchase of prescribed medication.
Physician/Dental Referral
Premium Global Assist Hotline can provide you with a list of physicians and dentists in the area where you are traveling. Premium Global Assist Hotline does not provide medical advice; but rather provides a list of available physicians. The ultimate choice to seek medical care is your responsibility. You are also responsible for the payment of any costs associated with medical care.
Repatriation of Mortal Remains
In case of death of a covered Card Member or covered family member (your spouse, dependent up to age 23, or age 26 if full-time student) while traveling with the Card Member, the Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department can provide the necessary administrative services to effect the transportation of the mortal remains back to the person’s principal place of residence or place of burial, whichever is closer. As an additional benefit, Premium Global Assist Hotline can pay for the cost of the transport and, subject to approval, the cost of a coffin or other encasement of the remains suitable for travel.

 

 

and the next section....

 

 

Premium Global Assist Hotline - Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance
Description
The following emergency services are provided to Card Members (including Additional Card Members) with Cards providing Premium Global Assist Hotline, where (a) such Card is on an Account that has not been suspended or canceled, (b) Premium Global Assist Hotline was an existing benefit of the Card Account at the beginning of the trip, (c) the Card Member is traveling on a trip of 90 days or less, and (d) the Card Member is 100 miles or more from the Card Member’s American Express U.S. billing address. Additionally, coverage is extended to each of the following members of the Card Member’s family who are traveling on the same trip itinerary as the Card Member: the Card Member’s spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children under the age of 23 or under the age of 26 if enrolled in school on a full-time basis.
Access
Access to the following services is available 24 hours a day within the United States and Canada, via toll-free telephone call to 1-800-345-AMEX (1-800-345-2639), and from outside the United States and Canada via a collect telephone call to 1-715-343-7979 or via fax to 1-715-345-1219.
Please note that any assistance provided by this benefit cannot be in violation of U.S. economic or trade sanctions. In addition, assistance is not provided for travel to Cuba.
Services
Premium Global Assist Hotline (“PGA”) shall provide, at no cost except as specifically noted herein, the following emergency services to covered Card Members and family members:
A. Emergency information will be provided via telephone by a PGA-designated physician or assistance coordinator on the PGA staff, when the Card Member is unable to get assistance locally. Information will include the names, local addresses and local telephone numbers of the nearest medical service provider, such as hospitals and clinics; attorneys; or other providers of emergency services such as U.S. consulates or embassies, as appropriate and as dictated by the resources available in each country or location. Wherever possible, such information will be provided on two or more emergency services providers. No guarantee is made as to the quality of the emergency service provided, and the final selection of the provider, and any risk, shall be the sole responsibility of the Card Member.
B. Medical transport and evacuation will be provided, at no cost, to the covered Card Member or family member, to another, more appropriate medical facility, or from point of origin back to a hospital near their home, when the covered Card Member or family member is under the care of a local medical service provider or facility and when the PGA designated physician, in consultation with the local medical service provider or facility, determines that such transport is medically necessary and advisable due to inadequacy of local facilities. Eligibility for medical transport is contingent upon the covered Card Member or family member not 1) traveling against physician’s advice, 2) traveling with a pre-existing condition*, or 3) traveling to seek medical treatment. Decisions made by the PGA-designated physician and the local medical service provider as to 1) the medical need for evacuation, transportation and/or repatriation services, 2) the means and/or timing of any transportation, medical equipment and supplies and medical personnel to be used in connection therewith and 3) the selection of the Card Member’s final destination, are medical decisions based on medical factors, and as such, are beyond the control of the PGA Program and shall be conclusive in determining the need for such services.

[xpcdoojk]

And finally....

 

 

Very Important: Any risks and costs for medical transport not authorized and arranged through the PGA Program are solely the responsibility of the Card Member and such costs will not be reimbursed. PGA does not cover medical expenses (with the exception of approved costs incurred during transport) nor transportation of personal possessions including luggage.
C. Medical assessment, coordination and monitoring of treatment of the covered Card Member or family member will continue, by all reasonable means, where medically advisable, until the Card Member or family member is released from treatment or is sent home. These steps will include an initial follow up by the PGA-designated physician with the local medical service provider or facility to discuss the preliminary diagnosis and evaluate the recommended treatment, and a contact by the PGA-designated physician or coordinator with the local medical service provider or facility, and/or the Card Member, as frequently as every other day throughout the hospital treatment period to monitor the Card Member’s or family member’s progress for the purpose of determining the adequacy and necessity of the treatment being provided.
D. PGA will handle billing for medical care (outside of approved costs of transport) as follows:
1. When the Card Member has indicated to the PGA administrative coordinator that he/she has health insurance that would cover the services in question, the administrative coordinator on staff will first ask the local medical service provider or facility to bill the Card Member’s insurance company and, if the local medical service provider or facility is unwilling to do that, will ask them to bill the Card Member directly, rather than requiring the Card Member to pay on site.
2. When a local medical service provider or facility refuses to provide needed medical services to a covered Card Member or family member without being guaranteed an advanced payment for such services, the PGA Program will, with the Card Member’s authorization, endeavor to obtain such payment from the Card Member’s family or other individuals indicated by the Card Member, or, with the authorization of the Card Member, will guarantee such payment and, if necessary, advance such payment up to a limit of U.S. $5,000 and charge the Card Member’s Account for the payment amount, subject to charge authorization by American Express.
E. Other emergency transportation services will be provided to covered Card Members in a medical emergency:
1. If a Card Member is traveling alone or with a child 16 years old or younger, or if a traveling companion who is not a family member has been required to leave the Card Member, the PGA Program will arrange and pay for round-trip, economy-class transportation for a member of the Card Member’s family to travel to the place of treatment, if it is reasonably anticipated that the covered Card Member will be hospitalized for ten consecutive days or more. The PGA Program will not be responsible for the cost of the family member’s meals or accommodations.
2. If any covered children who are 16 years old or younger are left unattended by the Card Member’s injury or sickness, PGA will arrange and pay for one-way economy class transportation to return them to their principal residence. (Any additional costs are the responsibility of the Card Member.) Should it be necessary for an attendant to accompany the children, PGA will make arrangements for a qualified escort to accompany the children at no cost to the Card Member.

 

and utterly finally.....

 

 

3. If a decision is made to evacuate a Card Member to another medical service facility, PGA will arrange and pay for one-way, economy-class transportation for one other covered family member traveling with the Card Member to the Card Member’s principal residence, provided that the other family member’s ticket has become invalid as a result of the Card Member’s illness or injury.
F. Emergency message transmission will be made through the best efforts of PGA on behalf of, and at the request of, the sick or injured Card Member to the Card Member’s immediate family, next of kin, and a reasonable number of business associates.
G. In case of death of a covered Card Member or family member while traveling, PGA will provide the necessary administrative services to effect the transportation of the mortal remains of the covered individual back to the Card Member’s principal place of residence or place of burial, whichever is closer, and will pay all administrative and transportation expenses, and, subject to PGA’s approval, the cost of a coffin or other encasement of the remains suitable for travel.
Note: The above services may be limited or prevented by act of God, war, civil commotion, labor disputes, unavailability of goods or services, or refusal of permission by local authorities. If you have questions about Premium Global Assist Hotline, please call the Customer Service number on the back of your Card.
Important Instructions
• Always have your Account number ready when calling PGA.
• Please note that PGA must arrange all medical and covered family member’s transportation. PGA will not reimburse you for expenses you incur on your own.
• Whenever possible, call collect from overseas. In some countries, long distance calls may require operator assistance, and collect calls may not be possible in some countries.
• When dialing direct, give a phone number and exact location (hotel, city, street, etc.) where you can be reached.
*A pre-existing condition is any sickness, illness, or injury that has manifested itself, become acute, or was being treated in the 60-day period immediately prior to the start of a trip.

[xpcdoojk]

So, in conclusion after reading the terms and conditions of the coverage, and not being a lawyer, it appears that Amex, might pay for evacuation, if they approve it, and if they don’t believe it is because of a pre-existing condition.  However, I would not bet the house on them covering anything (and ultimately that is why people buy insurance so they don’t lose the farm/house / life’s earnings), I am not sure that my Platinum card qualifies as insurance.  However, if I ever need evacuation I will try to use it.

 

I have another reason the next time my DW asks me why I am paying over $500 a year to use a credit card.....  She hasn’t bought any of the other reasons, although she does enjoy the Centurion lounge when we fly through airports that have one.  

 

JC