Travel insurance with the Westpac Altitude Platinum credit card
Westpac’s Altitude Platinum is a generous credit card that permits users to earn up to three points per dollar spent. A number of different perks are included, such as the ability to earn unlimited points and a gift of thousands of bonus points upon the first transaction, but for travellers one of the greatest perks is definitely the complimentary travel insurance that offers peace of mind and permits shoppers to fully enjoy their holidays.
As is standard with the majority of credit card insurance policies, travellers must finance 100% of their tickets with the issuing lender’s credit card. However, once fully activated the insurance may be worthwhile. If card users were to run into any misfortune and need to use their policy, it would only cost them the first $200 of their claims, and there are no additional deductibles.
The insurance policy is first class, with medical coverage unlimited permitting the medical treatment is equivalent (in cost and quality) to care received in Australia. Furthermore, the policy also offers up to $100 a day as cash in hospital reimbursements for up to six months. Emergency dental treatment is limited to $1,250. Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions are required to inform the provider before departure; furthermore, an assessment will be conducted at the cost of an assessment fee and possibly an additional premium fee to activate the insurance for that individual.
In the case of death while in transit, the policy provides $500,000 cash for the cardholder, spouse, or children. Accidental deaths that are non-transient related is relatively low, as the policy only pays $17,500 for the cardholder, $12,500 for the spouse, and no compensation for the loss of life of a minor.
Though the card does not compensate for lost items, the reimbursements for stolen and damaged items are rather generous, with $20,000 for the cardholder and a maximum of $30,000 for the entire family. Cash, emergency clothing, and toiletries are capped at $550 each per person, or $1,250 for the whole family, plus $5,500 for a laptop and related products, $2,500 for items left in a car, and a limit of $3,500 for any other single product.
Unlike other credit card travel insurance policies, Westpac’s offers up to $5,000 for rental vehicles. Travellers will be compensated $500 per person or $1,000 for an entire family for travel delays exceeding six hours.
The Westpac Altitude Platinum has a quality insurance policy; however, some exclusions, such as no compensation for lost items, may make some credit card users reconsider the card. All in all, for a $295 annual fee and a 19.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases, the card does provide essential coverage and deserves consideration by travellers.