Travel credit cards 2025: benefits, insurance and protection in the event of service disruptions

Nov, 13 2025 by DelayFlight24

✈️ Travel Credit Cards: Benefits, Insurance, and Built-In Protections

In 2025, smart travel means choosing carefully not only your destination but also your payment tools. Travel credit cards are no longer just a practical way to pay abroad — today, they’re a complete package of benefits that can make a difference at every stage of your journey. From included insurance to airport lounge access, from trip cancellation reimbursements to loyalty programs that turn your purchases into free flights — the right card can transform an ordinary trip into a safer, smoother, and even cheaper experience.

Many travellers are unaware of the automatic protections that some cards offer in cases such as baggage loss or flight delays. Others rely on standard cards and miss out on savings and protection opportunities. With millions of Italians traveling in the summer of 2025, understanding how travel credit cards can simplify and protect every step of the journey has never been more relevant.

Let’s take a closer look at why travel cards are worth considering, which are the most popular, and what to do when even the best banking benefits aren’t enough.

Why Choose a Travel Credit Card?

A travel card is designed for those who move frequently, whether for leisure or business. In addition to contactless payments and no foreign transaction fees, it offers a variety of benefits tailored to travellers:

Travel insurance (illness, accidents, early return)
Coverage for delays and cancellations
Legal and medical assistance abroad
Airport lounge access
Reward points for flights, hotels, and upgrades
Discounts on car rentals and hotel bookings

Each card, of course, has its own conditions, coverage limits, and deductibles, so it’s essential to read the fine print before you travel.

When a Card Isn’t Enough: Your Passenger Rights

Even with premium travel card protection, there are cases where you must claim directly from the airline to obtain compensation. This applies to delays over three hours, last-minute cancellations, or denied boarding due to overbooking, all covered by EU Regulation 261/2004.

If your card doesn’t provide automatic reimbursement, you can rely on services like DelayFlight24. The platform checks for free whether you’re entitled to compensation of up to €600, handling the entire legal process with no upfront costs — you pay only if successful. This is especially useful if the airline is uncooperative or you want to avoid bureaucratic headaches. Verify if you are entitled to compensation

How to Choose the Right Travel Card

There’s no one-size-fits-all travel card: it depends on your travel style and needs.

Frequent international flyers may benefit from cards offering lounge access, global insurance, and zero FX fees.
Occasional travellers within Europe might prefer lower-cost options with basic protections.
Loyalty lovers should look for cards that earn points and offer hotel or flight discounts.
Family travellers should prioritize cards that extend coverage to dependents or minors.

In all cases, carefully evaluate annual fees, commissions, and insurance limits to ensure your card offers real value — not just marketing appeal.

Conclusion: The Right Credit Card Makes a Difference

Investing in a good travel credit card is a smart move, especially if you fly often or are planning a major trip. It allows you to travel lighter, safer, and with built-in protections that activate when you need them most. But even with the best cards, knowing your rights remains essential — airline disruptions are more common than you think.

When in doubt, carry a reliable card — and let DelayFlight24 handle the rest. You’ll be covered in every scenario, from a surprise upgrade to a last-minute cancellation.

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Compensation for flight delay or cancellation.