Changes to complimentary credit card travel insurance could affect Australians relying on their card for cover, with travellers urged to check their policy.
Australians who rely on complimentary travel insurance attached to their credit card are being urged to check their cover before travelling, with several major banks changing the insurance benefits available on some cards.
The changes come ahead of 1 October 2026, when new Reserve Bank of Australia reforms will remove card payment surcharges and reduce the interchange fees banks can earn from card transactions. Several banks have announced changes to the complimentary travel insurance and other benefits attached to some credit cards.
NAB, for example, removed complimentary international and domestic travel insurance from a number of cards from 15 May 2026, while some other NAB cards now offer a shorter period of international travel cover.
Westpac is also scaling back complimentary cover from 1 October, removing benefits including trip cancellation, travel delay and luggage cover from its international travel insurance.
ANZ has increased the excess on eligible international travel insurance claims from $350 to $500, while CommBank is restructuring its credit card and rewards offering from 1 October.
Natalie Smith, Marketing Director at Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, says the changes are a timely reminder that travellers should not assume their credit card insurance will remain unchanged.
“For many travellers, complimentary travel insurance is a highly appealing credit card benefit, but that cover can change over time. If you’re relying on your credit card insurance for an upcoming trip, don’t assume you’re still eligible for the same benefits.
“Check your current policy carefully, including what is covered, the limits and excesses that apply, and whether you need to meet any conditions to activate your cover.”
Don’t assume your credit card travel insurance is automatically active
Even if a credit card continues to offer complimentary travel insurance, travellers may need to meet specific eligibility requirements before they are covered.
Depending on the card and insurer, this can include paying for a minimum amount of the trip using the eligible card, activating the insurance before departure and meeting other conditions.
Travellers should also check whether bookings made using reward points qualify for cover and whether their particular card level is eligible.
“Complimentary doesn’t necessarily mean automatic,” says Smith.
“Travellers need to know exactly what they need to do to activate their cover and make sure they’ve met those conditions. For example, while cover may previously have been activated automatically, some providers now require travellers to manually activate their cover.
“Always check the details of your credit card cover before you travel to avoid any surprises.”
What should travellers check?
Before relying on credit card travel insurance, Comparetravelinsurance.com.au recommends checking:
- Eligibility: Is your specific card still eligible for complimentary travel insurance?
- Level of cover: Has the scope or level of cover changed?
- Medical cover: What is the maximum amount of overseas medical cover?
- Excess: How much would you need to pay if you make a claim?
- Trip cancellation: Is cancellation still covered, and what are the limits?
- Luggage and delays: Are luggage, travel delay and other disruption benefits still included?
- Activation: Do you need to activate the insurance before travelling? Is the process automatic or manual?
- Minimum spend: Do you need to pay a minimum amount of your trip using the card?
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Are they covered, and do you need to declare them?
- Journey length: How long can you be covered for on a single trip?
When might standalone travel insurance be worth considering?
Credit card travel insurance can provide valuable cover, but the benefits, limits and eligibility requirements vary between cards and insurers.
For travellers whose existing credit card cover no longer meets their needs, a standalone travel insurance policy may offer broader or more suitable benefits.
“A credit card policy can provide valuable cover, but travellers need to understand what they are actually getting,” says Smith.
If credit card cover no longer meets your needs, a standalone travel insurance policy may provide more comprehensive benefits that you can often compare before you buy.”
Sources: Reserve Bank of Australia payments reforms and publicly available credit card travel insurance and rewards program updates published by NAB, Westpac, ANZ and CommBank. Information accessed September 2026.