Travel Insurance that covers your FF points.

[iangoodwin]

I have managed to find an Australian travel insurance policy that covers flights booked using miles/points against cancellation for reasons of illness etc.

They will refund you the value of your otherwise wasted points in this event (not sure exactly how though)

I'm interested to know if there are any other competing policies around as it took me a fair while to hunt down this one down.

Here's the link...
Travel Insurance Policy Booklets - NRMA Insurance

Go straight to Page 17 (or thereabouts).

 

[JohnK]

From memory your options are limited. This discussion has been on AFF before and it is a tricky situation.

I believe there are some Platinum credit cards that cover FF points but some have the restriction that the points used had to come from their reward program (i.e Citibank is one from memory) and that the taxes and surcharges were paid using the credit card.

If you found a travel insurance policy that covers you for FF points then go ahead with it.

Personally I would not worry about insuring FF points redemptions as I can cancel the bookings prior to departure and incur a small FF points cancellation fee.

If I get ill overseas then travel insurance will (should?) cover me as if it was a revenue ticket including resumption of trip.

And if I miss a connetion then the airline will more than likely cover me unless I have done something idiotic which is not likely to happen.

 

[iangoodwin]

"I believe there are some Platinum credit cards that cover FF points but some have the restriction that the points used had to come from their reward program"

Thanks for the advice JohnK.

I have a WestPac Amex/Visa Platinum card/s and also CBA Amex/M'card Platinum.
I switch between using cards to direct points into either QF or SQ whichever needs the top up more. That means I sometimes find myself redeeming a QF longhaul upgrade but paying for the entire trip on the SIA card/s rendering the complimentary insurance cover ineffective, hence the need for a better form of cover.

At other times it's the upgrade I am trying to protect, where I've purchased full fare Y and using points for C.

 

[markis10]

I have managed to find an Australian travel insurance policy that covers flights booked using miles/points against cancellation for reasons of illness etc.

They will refund you the value of your otherwise wasted points in this event (not sure exactly how though)

I'm interested to know if there are any other competing policies around as it took me a fair while to hunt down this one down.

Here's the link...
Travel Insurance Policy Booklets - NRMA Insurance

Go straight to Page 17 (or thereabouts).

The Qantas policies cover FF point use (QBE) but are not cheap:

Frequent Flyer - Earning Points - Travel & Travel Services - Travel Insurance

The TID Allianz policy also covers it and is cheaper

Travel Insurance Direct Policy Wording

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Use TID.

They also cover getting new flights if you have to change. ie say for medical reasons.

 

[serfty]

TID works for this - If your situation is covered:

http://www.travelinsurancedirect.com.au/wording/TIDAUS_PRIMARY_PDS_0408.pdf

Frequent Flyer Points
Cover extends to pay the equivalent if you lose frequent flyer or equivalent points which you used to purchase your travel.

We will pay you for loss of frequent flyer or similar air travel points you used to purchase an airline ticket following cancellation of your air ticket and you cannot recover the lost points from any other source. The cancellation must be due to unforeseen or unforeseeable circumstances outside of your control. We calculate the amount we pay you by multiplying:
• the cost of an equivalent class airline ticket based on the quoted retail price at the time the ticket was issued, less your financial contribution;
• by the total value of points lost divided by the total value of points used to obtain the ticket.