SoFi

With flight disruptions, natural disasters, and other issues, travel insurance has become a popular option for travelers. While you can purchase travel insurance through third-party providers (and get specific insurance when booking flights, hotels, and rental cars), you may already have credit card travel insurance at your disposal.

So, should you choose a credit card specifically because it offers travel insurance? Below, we’ll take a closer look at what credit card travel insurance is, how it works, what it covers, and why you might want a credit card with travel insurance ahead of your next adventure.

What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance protects consumers against financial losses when traveling domestically or internationally. It can cover everything from lost luggage to new hotel arrangements because of canceled flights to medical emergencies while on vacation.

Travel insurance can also protect you before your trip. If something changes, like a family emergency, that will keep you from traveling as planned, travel insurance might get you a refund for your expenses.

You can find travel insurance through insurance companies, travel agents, and insurance comparison sites. Your car insurance policy may insure you even in a rental car, and certain hotel booking sites may allow you to make refundable accommodations for a fee. But did you know that your credit card may also already cover portions of your trip?

How Does Credit Card Travel Insurance Work?

Credit card travel insurance is a set of coverages offered by select credit cards to protect you when traveling on qualified trips. How credit card travel insurance works varies by card, however. It’s important to read the fine print of your credit card to understand what may and may not be covered.

The main thing to remember is that you typically need to use the credit card when booking your major travel expenses (airfare, lodging, and transportation) for those costs to be covered should something happen.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Types of Travel Covered by Travel Insurance

Each travel credit card will have its own inclusions and exclusions for travel insurance. But generally, credit cards with travel insurance may offer trip protection and coverage for unexpected medical expenses.

Trip Protection

Trip protection covers a wide range of potential insurances your credit card might offer when traveling:

•   Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: If you prepaid for a trip and have to cancel it, or are on a trip and need to end it early, your credit card may cover this. Read your credit card’s policy closely to understand how your credit card works and what qualifies as a covered trip cancellation or trip interruption. Unexpected injuries or illness, inclement weather, terrorist action, a change in military orders, and jury duty are examples of reasons a trip may be canceled or end early — and be covered by credit card travel insurance.

•   Trip delay insurance: If your flight, bus, cruise, or other transportation (called a common carrier) is delayed or canceled and you miss activities or lodgings that you’ve already paid for, your credit card may cover this. In addition, such policies might cover your expenses as you scramble to find new lodging, meals, and transportation.

•   Rental car insurance: Check with your car insurance provider before booking a rental to understand if your coverage extends to rentals. If it does not (or if you do not want to make a claim with your car insurance provider), your credit card might also serve as an insurance option in the event of an accident. Read the fine print carefully; many credit cards require that you decline the insurance from the rental company for the credit card travel insurance to apply. Some credit cards only offer secondary car insurance, meaning they require you to file a claim through your personal car insurance first.

•   Delayed or lost baggage insurance: If an airline loses or damages your baggage, you can make a claim for the (depreciated) contents of the bag. Some credit cards may even cover delayed baggage since it can put a dent in your plans. Just check your policy: You may have to put in a claim with the airline before your travel credit card will step in.

Medical Coverage

Travel insurance through credit cards may cover medical expenses as well, including:

•   Medical insurance: If your health insurance doesn’t cover medical costs incurred abroad, travel medical insurance might cover qualified expenses. In most cases, Medicare does not cover health costs incurred outside of the U.S., so travel insurance can be helpful for seniors relying on a government health plan.

•   Accident insurance: While we don’t want to assume the worst can happen, this insurance sometimes offered through credit cards offers a payout if you are killed or seriously injured (such as dismemberment or loss of sight, hearing, or speech). This applies while traveling on a common carrier or on a covered trip paid for with the card. In this way, accident insurance can operate like life insurance while traveling.

•   Emergency evacuation: If you fall ill or are injured while traveling and need to be evacuated, including through emergency airlift, this coverage will pay for associated expenses. This also may cover emergency evacuations due to extreme weather or political unrest.

Recommended: Preparing Financially for Travel

Benefits of Credit Card Travel Insurance

Credit cards offering travel insurance have multiple benefits. Not all credit cards offer travel insurance, however, so it’s a good idea for consumers to weigh these benefits against benefits of other credit cards to determine which card is right for them.

Among the benefits of credit card insurance are:

•   Financial security: Travel can be a big expense. When unplanned events cut trips short or leave you stranded, travel insurance can protect the money you have spent.

•   Emergency coverage: Whether you encounter dangerous weather, a terrorist incident, or a medical emergency during travel, having travel insurance can make it easier to deal with crises while on vacation.

•   A sense of comfort: Ultimately, insurance policies can ease consumers’ worries when traveling. Knowing that there is a Plan B when your best-laid travel plans go awry can be comforting, especially when facing an emergency in an unfamiliar place.

Recommended: Tips for Finding Travel Deals

Picking a Credit Card for Travel Insurance

When looking for a new credit card, you can search specifically for cards that offer travel insurance among ​​different credit card rewards. Note that many of these can have annual fees, so they might only be a good choice if you’re a frequent traveler.

Before applying for a credit card, check your credit score to ensure you can qualify.

If travel insurance is not your top priority for choosing a credit card, you can consider other incentives, like credit card bonuses for new customers or cash back rewards.

Recommended: What Is a Charge Card?

Filing a Travel Insurance Claim

If you experience an unexpected event, like a delayed flight, during your trip, calling your credit card company to ensure your emergency expenses will be covered can be a smart idea. This might keep you incurring credit card payments for meals or lodging that won’t actually be covered.

Look at the back of your credit card to find the phone number for a benefits administrator. They can help you as you begin your claim process.

As explained previously, certain credit cards may require you to file a claim with another entity before they get involved. For example, a credit card offering secondary auto insurance requires that you file with your personal car insurance company first. Likewise, if an airline loses your luggage, a credit card’s travel insurance policy may stipulate that you file first with the airline.

When you know you will be filing a claim, saving your receipts (and taking photos of them as you go) can be a smart way to stay organized. Filing as soon as you’re home (or even while still traveling) may expedite the process. In fact, some credit card insurance policies might have deadlines for filing claims.

The Takeaway

Some credit cards include travel insurance among their perks. Insurance coverage can vary, but it might cover delayed flights, trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, and lost luggage. Travel cards with such coverage often have annual fees, so it’s a good idea for consumers to weigh multiple options when selecting a credit card and insurance policies.

Whether you’re looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it’s important to understand the options that are best for you.

SoFi Travel has teamed up with Expedia to bring even more to your one-stop finance app, helping you book reservations — for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more — all in one place. SoFi Members also have exclusive access to premium savings, with 10% or more off on select hotels. Plus, earn unlimited 3%** cash back rewards when you book with your SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card through SoFi Travel.

FAQ

How do I know if my trip is covered?

Not every credit card offers travel insurance. Always read the fine print of your credit card before making travel insurance decisions ahead of and during your trip. If the legal jargon is confusing, you can typically contact a benefits administrator for clarification. Look at the back of your credit card to find the number.

What does travel insurance cover?

Every credit card travel insurance policy is different. Common coverages include trip cancellation or interruption, accident and medical, lost luggage, and even rental car insurance. Research your card’s policy ahead of your next vacation.

Will the expenses not charged to my card be covered?

Some credit cards with travel insurance require that you use those cards on travel expenses for the insurance to apply. Others may automatically apply certain types of coverage, like medical coverage, regardless of what card you used to book your trip. Reach out to your card’s benefits administrator before travel if you need help interpreting the travel insurance policy.

Photo credit: iStock/Atstock Productions

**Terms, and conditions apply: This SoFi member benefit is provided by Expedia, not by SoFi or its affiliates. SoFi may be compensated by the benefit provider. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions, please review the benefit provider's terms: Travel Services Terms & Conditions.
The SoFi Travel Portal is operated by Expedia. To learn more about Expedia, click https://www.expediagroup.com/home/default.aspx.

When you use your SoFi Credit Card to make a purchase on the SoFi Travel Portal, you will earn a number of SoFi Member Rewards points equal to 3% of the total amount you spend on the SoFi Travel Portal. Members can save up to 10% or more on eligible bookings.

SOTL-Q224-1883199-V1

The term “growth savings account” or “grow savings account” generally refers to a savings account that earns more than the average interest rate for a savings account. This allows your money to grow faster, just for sitting in the bank.

But are these accounts always a good bet? Important points to consider are:

•   What is a growth savings account?

•   How do growth savings accounts work?

•   The pros and cons of a growth savings account

•   How to open a growth savings account.

What Is a Growth Savings Account?

Growth savings accounts are similar to regular savings accounts, except that they tend to pay a higher annual percentage yield (APY), which represents how much an account holder will earn in interest over the course of a year.

More commonly referred to as a high-yield savings account, these accounts can pay 10 to 20 times more than the average APY for a savings account, while keeping those funds safe and accessible.

You may get the best interest rate on a growth savings account at an online bank or credit union versus a traditional, brick-and-mortar, bank. However, even at their best, the APYs on these savings accounts generally lag behind what you could earn by investing in the market over time. That makes growth savings accounts best suited for your emergency fund and money you’re saving for a short-term goal, like a vacation or large purchase.

How Do Growth Savings Accounts Work?

Growth savings accounts work in the same way as regular savings accounts. You open the account at a bank or credit union, deposit money into the account, and begin to earn interest on your balance. You can continue adding money to the account, either by making a deposit at a branch or ATM, transferring money from a linked account, or via mobile check deposit or direct deposit.

Savings accounts are typically insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) at banks and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) at credit unions. So you can’t lose your money (up to certain limits) even if the bank were to go out of business.

Savings accounts allow easy access to your money when you need it, though some institutions may limit the number of withdrawals or transfers you can make to six or nine per month.

Recommended: How High-Yield Savings Accounts Work

Pros of a Growth Savings Account

Here’s a look at some of the advantages that come with opening a growth or high-yield savings account.

Higher Interest Rates

Because these savings accounts can offer higher interest rates, the money held in the account tends to grow faster than money held in traditional savings accounts. When determining what is a good interest rate, it’s a good idea to also look into minimum balance requirements. You may see that you need to keep your balance above a certain threshold to earn the highest available rate.

Accessible Form of Growth

Putting money in a savings account can be a great way to earn interest while keeping that money liquid, meaning you can access it as soon as you need it. You don’t need to sell off investments or wait until a particular maturity date to withdraw the money.

Recommended: CDs vs Savings Accounts Compared

Good Way to Build an Emergency Fund

Because these funds are fairly accessible, a growth savings account can be a great place to build an emergency fund. That way, the emergency fund can continue to grow until it might be needed.

Cons of a Growth Savings Account

There are also some downsides to growth savings accounts worth keeping in mind before opening one.

Limited Growth Opportunity

Yes, growth savings accounts typically earn more interest than traditional savings accounts. However, when considering your long-term savings options, there may be more strategic investments that can enhance growth over time. If, for instance, you’re saving for retirement, which is a few decades away, you might take a look at the stock market for growth.

Withdrawal Limits

Growth savings accounts generally provide easier access to funds than keeping money in investments. That said, you may only be able to make a certain number of withdrawals or transfers per month (such as six or nine) or risk running into fees. While the Federal Reserve withdrew this rule during the pandemic, banks are allowed to continue imposing those limits, so it’s a good idea to check.

Earnings Are Taxable Income

The interest earned in a growth savings account can count as taxable income. By contrast, the money you put into a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) grows tax-free.

Recommended: What is a Roth IRA and How Does it Work?

Choosing a Growth Savings Account

When you’re looking for ways to earn more interest on your money, a growth or high-yield savings account might be a good option. It’s a good idea to shop around to find the best fit for your needs. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when looking for a new savings account:

•   APYs

•   Minimum balance requirements

•   Fees

•   Account features

•   Mobile app

•   Other product and service offerings

How to Open a Growth Savings Account

While each banking institution will have its own process, opening a growth savings account typically includes the following steps:

•   Fill out the application. When filling out a savings account application, you’ll usually provide details like your name, Social Security number, proof of address (say, from a utility bill), and government-issued photo ID.

•   Choose the account type. There may be different savings account types, such as an individual account or a joint account (to share with a spouse or family member). Select the kind that’s right for your needs.

•   Designate beneficiaries. It’s important to choose a beneficiary for your growth savings account, just as you might select a beneficiary for a 401(k) plan. This is the person who would receive the account’s funds if you were to become incapacitated or pass away.

•   Deposit funds. Some banks require a minimum initial deposit, so you may need to make that deposit to open the account.

•   Create login information. To set up your online account, you’ll need to create login information such as a username and password. Be sure to create a unique and complex password with at least one capital letter, number, and symbol.

While there may be another step or two in some situations, that’s how to open a bank account.

The Takeaway

Growth savings accounts generally offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, which can help your money grow faster. In some cases, however, these accounts may come with monthly fees and/or require you to maintain a certain minimum balance to earn the higher rate, so it pays to shop around.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

How do growth savings accounts work?

Growth savings accounts function similarly to traditional savings accounts. The only difference between these account types is that growth savings accounts tend to have higher interest rates.

What does “growth account” mean?

A growth account — also known as a high-yield account — typically offers a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account. This higher interest rate leads to more growth on deposited funds.

How much interest does a growth savings account earn?

These days, a growth or high-yield savings account can earn as much as 5% APY.

Photo credit: iStock/Eoneren

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Separately, SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days can also earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. For additional details, see the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2025 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.