Category: airline best practices

Is Travel Insurance Really Necessary?

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, airline best practices, flying, France, Paris, Travel, travel apps, travel essentials, travel hacks, travel insurance, Travel medical care, Travel technology, travel tips, Travel tips-money, travelling, trip insurance, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Do you REALLY need travel insurance to cover your trips?? I never thought so. In all my years travelling the world for business and pleasure, I was lucky enough to experience very few cancellations or trip delays, so I never bought it. Now, after having to cancel our two-week trip to Nice, France earlier this year because of my brain tumor surgeries in January, I am reconsidering if I need to protect our trips from now on. So, I am doing the research for myself but thought I would put together a post with the details to help others who might also be wondering if they need travel insurance. We are headed to Paris in December to see the holiday lights and do a little Christmas shopping. While we have enjoyed Paris many times, we have never experienced the holiday spirit there. Oh là là!

When I booked our flights through La Compagnie to Nice in 2025 to travel in April 2026, I did not purchase the option that included free cancellations/rebooking. This all-business-class flight has just 80 full flat-bed seats and serves gourmet French cuisine. It is a wonderful experience, flying out of Newark to Paris, Milan and seasonally to Nice. Even though I knew I hadn’t purchased the refundable tickets, it was a sizable chunk of money, so after my surgeries when I knew I couldn’t travel for months during my recovery, I reached out to their customer service and, after getting a note from my wonderfully supportive surgeon stating I could not travel for the trip dates booked, the airline kindly gave us a credit for the ticket prices. They didn’t have to do that at all, so I really appreciated the consideration. Now, we are off to use that credit before it expires at the end of the year.

This time I was considering buying trip insurance especially with my medical issues and the fact that my primary Medicare insurance doesn’t cover me in Europe. However, I did discover that my supplemental policy, Plan G, does cover me for emergency medical care outside the US up to 80% after a $250 deductible, with a $50,000 lifetime cap. Tip of the hat to my sister who clued me in on this!

There are many companies offering trip insurance covering medical care if you do determine you need it. Below are the top ones I could find online. Most sites offer immediate quotes based on the following trip details:

  1. Destination
  2. Trip cost
  3. Dates
  4. Age of travelers (the cost goes up the older you are!)
  5. Whether you want CFAR (Cover For Any Reason)
  6. Any medical concerns or pre‑existing conditions (they may not cover you if you have these and I definitely do)

The policy costs vary based on the above factors. To give you an idea, to cover Thom and I through Allianz for a $10,000 trip, it was $1,000 and didn’t cover medical expenses for any pre-existing conditions, which is not ideal for me with my medical history. The cheapest quote I got was from Travelex and it was $600. Here are some more details if you want to look into this option:

Travelex • Best For: Overall value • Medical Coverage: Up to ~$50K • CFAR*: Yes • Notes: Fast claims; top overall ratings

Allianz • Best For: Families & groups • Medical Coverage: Up to ~$25K • CFAR: Limited • Notes: Great annual plans

Seven Corners • Best For: Cancellation flexibility • Medical Coverage: Up to ~$250K • CFAR: Yes • Notes: Strong international coverage

Berkshire Hathaway • Best For: Budget + fast claims • Medical Coverage: Varies • CFAR: No • Notes: Very affordable

Trawick International • Best For: Cheapest • Medical Coverage: Moderate–High • CFAR: Some plans • Notes: Best budget pick • Link: Best Travel Insurance for 2026 | Trawick International

Faye • Best For: App-based claims • Medical Coverage: Up to ~$100K • CFAR: Yes • Notes: Modern digital experience

*Cover For Any Reason, which means you don’t have to have a specific reason, i.e. illness, death, etc. to cancel and get reimbursed.  Having this feature is the best coverage possible because having CFAR coverage gives you the flexibility to easily cancel your trip for any given reason, even if it’s not listed in the standard policy. For instance, you could decide not to go anymore just because you don’t feel like it. However, it’s good to know that reimbursement for CFAR claims is usually around 75% of the total cost of your trip, not the full 100% like with the typical trip cancellation coverage.

I had originally thought that my Marriott Bonvoy AMEX, that I had used to book our Nice trip included trip protection, but it only had trip delay coverage. I was lucky that the ARBNB that we had booked (overlooking the ocean in Nice-sigh!) had a great cancel policy so I got all my money back from that. I had got burned in the past with a trip cancel on an ARBNB in NYC when Thom had heart surgery and we had to cancel, so ever since I have looked to only rent properties that you can cancel right before the trip with no fees. Now, most ARBNB properties don’t offer that flexibility, so it does make finding the right place harder for sure. If you book hotels, you usually can cancel days before the trip depending on if you book through a third-party online like Hotels.com or directly with the hotel. Check all the cancel policies before you book a trip!

After crowd sourcing opinions on travel insurance through the travel community on Threads, some nice person suggested I get a credit card that offers travel protection, so I researched that option too. If you do plan on travelling often, getting a credit card that gives you trip protection AND lounge access is very nice but these cards charge higher fees. I don’t think we will be travelling much going forward so I probably don’t need that feature though in the past I did love those lounges!

Final decision for me: I believe the Chase Sapphire Preferred card would offer the best protection for the price of $95 annual fee, especially since my Plan G medical insurance covers emergency treatment outside the US. This card has the emergency medical evacuation coverage that my Plan G doesn’t cover. Between the Chase card and my Plan G medical insurance, I feel like we will be well covered for our trip to Paris. Because I am SO ready to travel again. Paris, here we come!

CREDIT CARD OPTIONS OUT THERE:

Chase Sapphire Reserve • Max Cancellation: $10k/person • Annual Fee: $550 • Best For: Frequent travelers • Lounge Access: Priority Pass • Notes: Best overall protection

Chase Sapphire Preferred • Max Cancellation: $5k/trip • Annual Fee: $95 • Best For: Most travelers • Lounge Access: None • Notes: Great value

Venture X • Max Cancellation: $2k/person • Annual Fee: $395 • Best For: Occasional travelers • Lounge Access: Capital One + Priority Pass + Plaza Premium • Notes: Best mid‑tier

Amex Platinum • Max Cancellation: $10k/trip • Annual Fee: $695 • Best For: Premium travel • Lounge Access: Centurion + Sky Club + PP + Plaza Premium • Notes: Must book round trip; best lounges

Altitude Reserve • Max Cancellation: $2k/trip • Annual Fee: $400 • Best For: Domestic travel • Lounge Access: Priority Pass • Notes: Good for domestic travel

Note: special offers often change the annual fees

CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED TRIP PROTECTION:

Auto Rental Coverage  Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance  If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.

Trip Delay Reimbursement  If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per covered traveler.

Travel Accident Insurance  When you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your card, you are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in accidental death or d

Lost Luggage Reimbursement  Provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during a covered trip.

Baggage Delay Insurance  Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to 5 days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.

 Emergency Evacuation and Transportation  If you or a covered traveler are injured or become sick during a trip 100 miles or more from home that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000.

Travel and Emergency Assistance  If you run into a problem while traveling away from home, this benefit provides legal and medical referrals and access to other travel and emergency assistance services. (You will be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.)

Roadside Assistance  If you have a roadside emergency, call the service provider to dispatch the help you need. Roadside service fees will be billed to your card at time of dispatch.

Fraud Protection  Get fraud protection all day, every day.

Zero Liability Protection  You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.

Fraud Alerts  Round-the-clock, real-time monitoring for unusual account activity.

Purchase Protection  Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.

Extended Warranty Protection  Extends the time period of the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from the date of purchase.

Chip-Enabled Protection  Enjoy enhanced security and wider acceptance when you make purchases at chip-enabled card readers in the U.S. and abroad.

Card features that are good for travelers:

  • $0 foreign transaction fees
  • No blackout dates or travel restrictions

You get 100,000 points (special offer that may change) when you get the card and they can be transferred to the following travel programs:

  • Aer Lingus
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM
  • Iberia Plus
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
  • United MileagePlus®
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • IHG® Rewards Club
  • Marriott Bonvoy™
  • World of Hyatt®
  • Wyndham Rewards®

Top 10 travel tips for flying

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, airline best practices, flying, Indiana, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling1 Comment

As I head out tomorrow on my 5:30 am (boarding at 4:50 am) flight, I am thinking to myself, “WTF WAS I THINKING!!!” It always seems like a good idea at the time you book, but these AM flights are killer even if they do get you from the West Coast to the East Coast before dark. I would just caution you to really think through your flight times as well as your layover times before you book. If you are going to arrive tired and cranky or have to run through a crowded airport to make a tight connection, maybe rethink your flight plans.

If you haven’t already, download the airline app on your phone for whatever carrier you are flying on. Use the boarding pass on your app to get through security and onto the plane. Set up push notifications to your phone within the app for any change to your travel plans. Gates change, flights are delayed or cancelled, and you need to be the first to know. Heads up-more and more airports are not making overhead announcements so the notification on your phone from your airline might be your only warning. If you have a flight cancel or are delayed too long that you will miss connections, jump on the airline’s app immediately while walking to the customer service desk to rebook. If you are travelling with a companion, have them call the airlines customer service at the same time. You never know where you’ll get the fastest service, so you have to try several options simultaneously because everyone else on that delayed flight is also trying to reschedule. Below are my top 10 travel tips for flying, accumulated from personally travelling all over the world. Enjoy the journey!

  1. Try to get on the first flight out in the morning even if it means getting up early (but maybe not as early as I’m getting up tomorrow!). These flights are far less likely to cancel. Later flights are subject to weather issues and cascading flight cancels as delays cause flight crews to take breaks every 16 hours they work. Getting TSA Pre-check for US travel is worth the time and $78 expense. I would never consider travelling without it as I typically get through TSA much faster and without taking liquids out or shoes off. For frequent global trips, get Global Entry for $100 that includes TSA Pre-check. More info on these programs here: Official Trusted Traveler Program Website | Department of Homeland Security (dhs.gov)
  2. If you have a major event to attend like a wedding, funeral or perhaps a concert, try to arrive at least a day or two in advance to allow for flight delays/cancels. Delays happen! If they do, try to buy a day pass to one of the airline member lounges if you don’t already have a membership. They offer comfortable seating (and even beds at some airports-see pic above of Thom reclining at Delta club in Paris!) and free food/alcohol. I spend extra to have this luxury (look at those big seats in pic above!) because it makes delays and long connections bearable when travelling. Tomorrow, I have a 3-hour layover in Minneapolis, and I’ll be checking out the new Delta club that I hear is fabulous.
  3. When booking, allow for several hours between connections. You may think that the airlines sites are showing connections that are 30 minutes when you do searches so it must be alright but that is not the case. Especially at large, busy airports and those in other countries that may require you to go through customs, you need three hours minimum between flights. Really anywhere for both foreign and domestic flights, allow 90 minutes at least between connecting flights.
  4. Always check out carefully where you are sitting on the plane. Don’t be near the bathrooms or in seats that don’t recline. Speaking of awful seats-see pic above of weird wall that was in front of my husband’s seat instead of a video screen on the seat back in front of him. This wall wasn’t showing when on the map when seats were booked. On overnight flights, try to be halfway between bathrooms and galley so that it is quieter. If you need to get up frequently, get an aisle seat. Want to lean while you sleep, then get a window seat and hug the wall.
  5. Being drunk on a plane is a federal offense so don’t overdo it. Jet lag is bad enough but jet lag+hangover will negatively impact your trip. If another passenger gets drunk and rowdy, discretely go to the flight attendant and let them handle it-they are trained and will be better equipped than you are to take care of any situation.
  6. If flights are full and people have to get bumped (yes, it happens and it’s not fair if you have a ticket, but it happens), the first people to get bumped are those who paid for the tickets not directly from the airline site. So, for example, you book your ticket through a third-party site like Expedia vs. a person who bought through the Delta site, then you, as the Expedia customer, will probably be bumped. Even better, if you are a loyal frequent flyer on one airline and get status, you have the edge over others with no status. Be loyal! Sign up for the frequent flyer program at the airline you will use most often. For me, it’s Alaska for regional travel and Delta for everything else. As far as the low-cost carriers like Southwest, you get what you pay for. Southwest has had multiple systemwide issue failures causing travel havoc. Save up and fly on a better airline.
  7. Don’t bring stinky food to eat on the plane. Not only will those around you hate you but the flight attendants will too. Don’t be that person eating the taco or tuna fish or a hardboiled egg. Yuck! P.S. Also bring along Lysol wipes and thoroughly clean off your tray table and armrests-you know the plane crew doesn’t probably have time to do a good job on every single tray table for every flight. I have a vivid memory of seeing a mother bounce her baby (clad only in a diaper) on the tray table to get them to calm down. Think about that-the residue left behind from that bouncing diaper-clad bottom….and clean, clean, clean before touching your tray table.
  8. Drink water to stay hydrated. Don’t get ice in your water or drink. Various studies show ice can be contaminated with bacteria. I don’t chance it. Your choice.
  9. Bring noise cancelling headphones OR listen to the guy next to you snoring or telling you conspiracy theories or the baby crying for hours. Also, some airplane still use the headphones with jacks to watch free movies. Carry a spare pair just in case.
  10. Dress in layers to fly. I always wear pants (shorts on a plane are just stupid-sorry), a l/s top, jacket and scarf. BTW, keep your shoes on while you fly. Please for the love of God. Wear compression socks to increase circulation and reduce swelling in your legs and feet. P.S. That’s not water on the bathroom floor on the plane in case you take your shoes off and decide to use the facilities.

I’m off to go to bed at 8 pm so that I can rise at 3 am and get to the airport for my unholy early morning flight tomorrow. The good news is that I probably won’t have a travel delay and I’ll get to Indianapolis for my family visit before it gets dark. I’m homeward bound to walk down memory lane.