When Global Events Cancel Your Flight

Question:  I was traveling in the Caribbean when flights were suddenly canceled after the recent situation involving Venezuela. My airline says it’s not their fault, my travel insurance is “reviewing,” and I’m stuck paying for hotels and meals. What are my rights, and what should I do right now?

Answer: You’re not alone. Recent airspace restrictions and flight cancellations linked to international events involving Venezuela left many travelers unexpectedly stranded. When this happens, it’s frustrating — and expensive. Here’s how to protect yourself and your rights.

Airlines often claim that cancellations caused by government or military action are “extraordinary circumstances.” That does not mean you have no rights.

You should still ask for:

• A refund for any flight the airline canceled and did not rebook 
• Free rebooking on the next available flight 
• Reimbursement for hotels and meals if the delay lasted more than 24 hours
   

Even if the airline initially refuses, submit the claim in writing and keep copies. Airlines sometimes reimburse later, especially when delays last several days.

Many travelers are surprised to learn that some travel insurance policies exclude: acts of war, military action, and political unrest.
 

However, coverage depends on:

• When you bought the policy
• The specific language in your plan
• Whether your delay is classified as a trip interruption or trip delay
   

Important: Always file the claim. Insurers do not automatically deny these claims, and partial reimbursements are common.

Many travelers don’t realize their credit card includes built-in travel insurance, which can cover hotel stays, meals, baggage issues, and even canceled trips.

If you paid for your trip (or even part of it) with a travel credit card, you may be covered for:

• Trip delays (often 6–12 hours or overnight)
• Trip cancellation or interruption
• Lost or delayed baggage
• Rental car damage or theft
• Travel accident insurance
   

This is why many frequent travelers skip buying separate travel insurance.

Credit Card Travel Insurance: What You’re Already Covered For

When things go wrong on a trip, travel insurance can help get your money back — but many travelers don’t realize they already have travel insurance through their credit cards. If you paid for your trip with the right card, you may not need to buy a separate policy at all.

That’s why many frequent travelers rely on cards like Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture X, and American Express Platinum instead of standalone insurance.

The Catch?

You usually must:

• Pay for the trip (or at least part of it) with the card
• Follow strict claim rules and deadlines
• Have a covered reason for the disruption
   

What Credit Card Travel Insurance Typically Covers

Coverage varies by card, but higher-tier travel cards usually include several of the following:

Common Covered Problems

• Trip delay – Reimbursement for hotels, meals, and transportation if your flight is delayed (often 6–12+ hours or overnight)
• Trip cancellation – Refunds for prepaid, nonrefundable trips canceled for covered reasons
• Trip interruption – Reimbursement if your trip is cut short
• Baggage delay – Money to buy clothes and essentials while waiting for bags
• Lost or damaged luggage – Compensation if baggage is lost, stolen, or damaged
• Rental car damage/theft – Coverage for damage or theft of a rental ca
• Travel accident insurance – Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment
   

Some premium cards also include:

• Emergency medical coverage
• Medical evacuation

Cards With the Strongest Travel Insurance Coverage

🥇 Best Overall Coverage (Transferable Rewards Cards)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• High annual fee, very strong protections
• Trip cancellation/interruption up to $10,000 per person
• Trip delay after 6 hours
• Primary rental car insurance
• Travel accident coverage up to $1 million
   

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

• Much lower annual fee
• Similar cancellation/interruption limits
• Trip delay after 12 hours
• Primary rental car insurance
   

Capital One Venture X

• Lower fee than many premium cards
• Trip delay after 6 hours
• Solid cancellation/interruption coverage
• Primary rental car insurance
• Very strong for frequent travelers
   

American Express Platinum®

• Excellent trip delay coverage
• Strong cancellation/interruption benefits
• Rental car coverage is secondary
• High annual fee, but popular with frequent flyers
   

Airline Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

If you frequently fly a specific airline, these cards may be enough:

United Explorer Card

• Trip delay, cancellation, baggage delay
• Primary rental car insurance
• Lower annual fee than premium cards
   

Delta SkyMiles® Gold AmEx

• More limited coverage 
• Focuses mainly on lost luggage and rental cars
• Best used as a supplement, not primary protection
   

Hotel Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

Hotel cards often include solid travel protections plus loyalty perks:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® AmEx
• Hilton Honors Aspire AmEx
• World of Hyatt Credit Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier
   

These cards typically offer:

• Trip delay and cancellation coverage
• Lost luggage protection
• Rental car insurance (often secondary domestically, primary abroad)
   

Do I Still Need Separate Travel Insurance?

Sometimes — yes. You may want additional travel insurance if:

• Your trip cost exceeds your card’s coverage limits
• Your card does not include trip cancellation/interruption
• You want Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage
• You’re traveling somewhere with high medical or evacuation risks
   

A good rule of thumb: If losing the cost of the trip would seriously hurt, buy extra insurance.
 

Key Takeaways for Travelers

• Many credit cards already include valuable travel insurance 
• Premium cards usually offer broader and faster coverage
• You must follow claim rules carefully
• Coverage only applies for covered reasons
• Separate travel insurance may still make sense for expensive or high-risk trips

Documentation is critical. Save:

• Airline cancellation notices 
• Emails or texts from the airline 
• Hotel and meal receipts
• News articles or government advisories explaining the airspace disruption
   

This evidence helps support both insurance and credit card claims.

Governments may provide:

• Travel alerts
• Emergency guidance
• Information about evacuation options
   

But governments do not reimburse travel costs, and consular help may be limited depending on the country.

Talk to a lawyer if:

• Your expenses are significant
• An airline or insurer denies your claim without explanation
• You’re being passed back and forth with no resolution

A consumer rights attorney can review whether the denial is lawful and help you push back.

Bottom Line: Even when airlines and insurers say a disruption is “out of their control,” you still have options. File claims, document everything, and don’t take the first “no” as the final answer.

Need Help? Reach out to Ginsburg Law Group - just fill out our Travel Disruption Claim Form for a free case assessment (link below).

Have a consumer question? That’s what Ask the Barista is for!

This response is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.