American Express insurance and benefit disclaimers

American Express cards come in a variety of versions -- from rewards cards to small business cards to premium travel cards and so much more. In many cases, those cards offer some nice "fine print" benefits or protections that cardholders could find useful or even money-saving.

Trip Delay Insurance

What it is: If you travel by air, it's almost certain you've run into a flight cancellation or long delay. Trip Delay Insurance ensures you won't have to absorb the cost of food, lodging and other reasonable expenses associated with this type of inconvenience. You will have to pay the cost up front, but with this insurance, you'll be able to reimbursed by the credit card company.

There are numerous AmEx cards that include this benefit, but some of the details change depending on the card.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

What it is: You want your trips to go off without a hitch, but sometimes things happen that force you to cancel your trip at the last minute or cut it short. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance ensures you won't be forced to eat the costs of non-refundable expenses associated with your trip as the result of a covered event.

Again, there are several AmEx cards that can help you out.

Global Assist Hotline

What it is: If you or someone you love has a significant medical/health event while traveling (especially out of the country), Global Assist Hotline is an invaluable benefit. Global Assist Hotline can monitor the medical care that person receives, until such time as the person is released from the hospital and is able to return home.

Premium Global Assist Hotline

Sometimes, when confronted with a medical emergency while traveling, there are also unforeseen expenses associated with it. Premium Global Assist Hotline not only monitors the medical care you or your loved one is receiving, it will also send you a wire transfer to help pay for any related expenses.

Cell Phone Protection

What is it: Cell phone protection is exactly what it sounds like. If you have cell phone protection through your credit card company and meet the requirements, you will be protected against covered damage or theft. If you've ever paid a hefty bill to fix or replace a damaged or stolen cell phone, you know what a valuable benefit this is.

Extended Warranty

What is it: Extended Warrant is exactly what it sounds like. If you have that benefit with your credit card, and make a purchase that is covered under a manufacturer's warranty, the coverage period for replacement due to damage is extended. The length of the extension depends on the card but in some cases, the warranty period can be doubled. This can come in handy if a product stops working days after the manufacturer's warranty expires.

Return Protection

What is it: Return protection can accomplish one of two things. It can extend the time period that a seller gives a buyer to return a purchased product for a refund. However, in some cases, it can also create a return period for a product with no return period. Essentially, this is a perk that is beneficial if you ever get "buyer's remorse" and decide you no longer want the item that you purchased. It can save you big bucks depending on the item.

Purchase Protection

What is it: Purchase Protection is one of the most common perks among credit cards. With Purchase Protection, a cardholder can file a claim with the issuer of the credit card to receive repair, replacement or reimbursement for any eligible items that have been stolen or damaged. Different credit card companies have different Purchase Protection time limits and restrictions. This is a great way to save money if your expensive purchase is damaged or stolen.

Baggage Insurance Plan

What is it: There may be no worse feeling when you fly than having your baggage lost or redirected halfway around the world. A baggage insurance plan reimburses you for the cost of lost luggage, as well as the contents of that luggage. There is also a separate insurance that will cover "baggage delays" in case your baggage has been misdirected and you have to wait for it at your destination. This type of insurance is covering you not only for your tangible losses but also for your inconvenience.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

What is it: Every car rental agency will ask you if you want to purchase insurance when you rent a car. They tell you, quite accurately, that your personal insurance might not cover loss, theft, damage of the vehicle you're renting. You're in luck if you have Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance free, as a perk, with your credit card. You will be able to tell the car rental agent with much more confidence, that you are covered and won't need to purchases the added insurance.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this article, please see the following: The Platinum Card® from American Express (Annual fee: $695, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); American Express® Gold Card (Annual Fee: $250, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Amazon Business American Express Card (Annual fee: No annual fee, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Amazon Business Prime American Express Card (Annual fee: No annual fee, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (Annual fee: No annual fee, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); American Express® Business Gold Card (Annual fee: $295, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (Annual fee: $0, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95., See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Annual fee: $250, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (Annual fee: $0, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99., See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Annual fee: $250, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Annual fee: $550, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Annual fee: $450, ); Hilton Honors American Express Card (Annual fee: $0, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Annual fee: $450, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (Annual fee: $125, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Annual fee: No annual fee, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Annual fee: $695, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); The Plum Card® from American Express (Annual fee: $250, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Annual fee: $550, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Annual fee: $95, See Rates and Fees; terms apply); The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Annual fee: $95, See Rates and Fees; terms apply)