Credit Card Protections and Insurance for 2026

Credit Card Travel Protection Trends in 2026

Travel protections can help cover travel-related costs. However, you typically need to book your trip, lodging or other service with the card that offers these protections to be eligible. Alternatively, you can use points from the card's rewards program to pay for the trip.

For example, credit cards travel purchase and insurance benefits may include:

• Trip accident insurance: This offers coverage for when a traveler is killed or seriously injured during a trip. Serious injuries may include loss of speech, sight, hearing or a limb.
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: It may reimburse you if your trip is canceled or cut short due to a covered event, such as covered illnesses or severe weather.
• Trip delay insurance: This can cover expenses, including meals, transportation and lodging, if your planned trip is delayed or canceled.
• Baggage delay insurance: This can reimburse you for necessary purchases, such as clothing and toiletries, while you wait for your bags to arrive.
• Roadside dispatch or assistance: This coverage could either help connect you with nearby roadside help while you're on the road or help cover the cost of certain services.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver: This is primary or secondary coverage for when a rental car is damaged or stolen.

The benefits and coverage details can depend on the type of credit card you have, which is one reason that you want to compare the top travel credit cards before applying.

Earn rewards for hotel stays and flights

1Sign up for free

See personalized offers based on your credit profile.

2Get the best travel card for you

Compare cards that offer intro bonuses, rewards and travel perks.

3Start planning your next trip

Earn rewards to help offset your next vacation.

See your offers

Here's a close look at some of the current trends for travel-related benefits.

Delay, Cancellation and Interruption Remain Popular Benefits

Of all the travel benefits, trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance benefits have been especially popular since the pandemic.

In recent years, claims increased as airlines dealt with systemwide computer issues, travelers got held up by long airport security lines and severe weather events led to delays and cancellations.

Nearly 1 in 4 flights (22.5%) were delayed in the first half of 2025, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation. Canceled flights are slightly higher than in 2024, though that number is likely to rise even more in the second half of 2025 given the government shutdown that canceled many flights.

Card Issuers Highlight Travel Benefits

Credit card issuers are increasingly focused on travel as a selling point. Some issuers have their own travel portals and incentivize booking travel through their website or app. Card rewards programs even have branded airport lounges for cardholders.

Although card issuers have to pay for benefits and insurance coverage, these perks are also a selling point that gets people to sign up for and use a credit card. With this in mind, you might see more marketing material and reminders about your card's benefits in the coming year.

Credit Card Purchase Protection Trends in 2026

Most credit cards include zero liability protection for unauthorized purchases, and many offer additional protections on products and services you pay for with your credit card:

• Return protection: Allows you to return a product and get a refund when the original retailer doesn't accept the return.
• Purchase protection (or purchase security): Get reimbursed for products that are damaged, lost or stolen.
• Extended warranties: Extends the manufacturer's warranty on a product.
• Price protection: Can cover the difference between your purchase price and a lower advertised price after you make a purchase.
• Cellphone protection: Reimburses you if your phone is stolen or damaged.

As helpful as these card benefits can be, it's important to remember they all have requirements and limits.

For example, return and purchase protections usually only last a few months from the purchase date, and there may be per-claim and annual limits. Or, the extended warranty benefit may only apply to purchases when the original manufacturer's warranty was for one or two years.

But many of the benefits, even cellphone protection, are available on cards that don't have an annual fee.

Learn more: How Do I Check My Credit Card Benefits?

New Credit Card Benefits in 2026

There really aren't any noteworthy new credit card benefits announced for 2026. Rather, some card issuers have recently revamped their premium credit card offerings. New changes to select cards include increased hotel and dining credits, enhanced status with travel loyalty programs and deeper partnerships with lifestyle brands. Additionally, some credit cards have devalued their rewards points, providing less benefit to users in the coming year.

Start Looking for Your Next Credit Card

Looking for a credit card that has all the benefits you want? Some of the best ones are only available with premium cards, which tend to require good credit. But Experian can match you to credit cards based on your credit profile. Review the results and compare the cards' fees, features and benefits to see which one might be the best fit.