American Express Platinum card improves its travel insurance

Over the last year, there have been rumbles of discontent in our comments section about the travel insurance policy provided with The Platinum Card by American Express.

On paper this is a strong offer.  Subject to enrolment, Platinum cardholders receive coverage for themselves and their immediate family.

Even better, anyone who is given a free supplementary card on the account also receives coverage for themselves and their immediate family.  Until she hit the cut-off age of 70, my Mum had a supplementary card on my account purely for this reason.

American Express has a strong track record – at least in my personal experience – of paying claims.  I have had claims paid where we did not stick to the rules in the policy, by using unapproved doctors or not seeking approval before getting treatment.

There were some notable holes.  The main one was over the lack of coverage for pre-existing conditions.  In theory, anyone with raised cholesterol – for example – was disqualified from medical cover under the policy.  Given that The Platinum Card customer base skews older than many cards, this was not ideal.

American Express has now changed its rules over pre-existing conditions.  It has published a long list of conditions – download a PDF here – for which you are now covered as long as you are not receiving treatment.  Having had constipation in the past no longer stops you from making a claim if you suffer an exceptionally bad case whilst on holiday!

Amex has also expanded the list of winter and summer sports covered by the Platinum travel insurance.  You are now insured for playing badminton, rounders or bowling.  More usefully, horse riding, ballooning, scuba diving, paintball, wind surfing and standard surfing are also covered, along with a range of riskier winter sports options.

If you were previously paying high insurance premiums to cover your family against certain sports, or because you had a particular pre-existing condition, you may want to take another look at The Platinum Card.

Our full review of Amex Platinum is here.  The sign-up bonus, if you qualify, is 30,000 Membership Rewards points.  You can apply here.

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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2025 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review