For example, whether there’s a pandemic or a natural disaster out of your control, trip cancellation insurance doesn’t cover cancellation under every possible circumstance: To qualify for those, you must purchase a “cancel for any reason” add-on.

If there’s ever a time to read the fine print, purchasing travel insurance is it. Don’t take my word for any of the following, or the word of the person selling you the policy, or the sales page of the insurance company’s website—read the contract for yourself. It will be an enlightening experience.

The old adage “you get what you pay for” tends to apply here. Less expensive insurance packages typically include less comprehensive coverage.

Below are 18 things travel insurance coverage usually doesn’t include. For purposes of clarity, most apply to the highest tiers offered by most insurance companies; that is, most of these travel insurance exclusions apply to even the most comprehensive policies. In some cases you can purchase special add-ons to cover these exclusions. Ask when purchasing.

Health Crises (Like Pandemics) That Begin Before You Purchase

As with natural disasters, trip insurance may generally cover losses due to global health emergencies, but you must make the purchase before the crisis is a “known event.” The date from which the event is “known” varies depending on the insurance company; for example in 2020 with COVID-19 it was largely January 21 through 27. Most travel insurance policies won’t cover cancellation due to fear of a pandemic, so if you want to use insurance to protect your payments—particularly nonrefundable airfares—make sure it’s a “cancel for any reason” policy.

With nonrefundable air tickets, your recourse is either to rely on the airline’s generosity (some do waive fees in times of emergency) or buying cancel-for-any-reason insurance. Most policies exclude “foreseeable” contingencies, or existing threats like already-known pandemics.

Losses Due to Pre-Existing Conditions

Travel insurance coverage does not extend to most pre-existing medical conditions, and the definition of “pre-existing” often depends on the timing of when you are diagnosed and when you purchase your travel insurance—with a so-called “look-back period” that is usually 60, 90, or 180 days prior to the day you purchase your insurance.

In short, your travel insurance does not cover losses due to conditions for which there were either symptoms or treatment during the look-back period. You will be covered for losses due to so-called “stable” conditions for which no change in treatment or symptoms has occurred.

Say you’ve had arthritis for several years, with no major flare-ups or medication changes in the past six months. In this case you would likely be covered if you had an intense, debilitating flare-up during your trip. But if you had been having trouble with the condition in the months leading up to your vacation, your trip insurance would be unlikely to cover any losses related to your arthritis unless you purchased a specific add-on.

Natural Disasters That Begin Before You Purchase Insurance

Trip insurance generally covers losses due to hurricanes or tropical storms, but you must make the purchase before the storm is named. Similar conditions typically apply to other natural disasters; if you buy a policy after a volcano starts erupting, for example, you won’t be covered for any losses related to that volcano’s activity.

Dental Care

Routine dental care is not included in travel insurance coverage, although dental trauma may be under some circumstances. One policy I reviewed provides coverage only for damage to “sound natural teeth,” for example.

Losses Due to Mental or Emotional Disorders

Most travel insurance policies do not cover claims involving psychiatric or emotional disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. (In rare cases policies may cover these conditions if hospitalization is required.)

Travel for Medical Procedures

Most trip insurance will not cover issues that arise for those traveling specifically to get medical treatment (such as procedures available overseas that are not available or are too expensive at home).

Pregnancy and Childbirth

If you are pregnant and give birth while traveling, your travel insurance coverage generally will not include childbirth expenses. You might, however, have coverage for complications associated with pregnancy or childbirth. This is one to check carefully in advance if you’re planning to travel while pregnant.

Risky Activities and Sports

Active travelers, take note: Many travel insurance policies exclude losses due to adventure sports such as bungee jumping, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, rafting, caving, sky diving, scuba diving … you get the idea. Some policies take this even further, applying exemptions for any sports involving bodily contact. (That means your kid’s football tournament might not be covered.) If you’re planning an active vacation, carefully check the terms of your policy before committing.

Some of Your Favorite Stuff

Baggage delay, damage, and loss policies don’t cover everything in your bags. Common travel insurance exclusions include glasses, hearing aids, dental bridges, tickets, passports, keys, cash, and cell phones. In some cases these items are covered but only up to a certain dollar limit, so if you have multiple expensive electronic items (such as a laptop, a tablet, and a cell phone), you might not have enough coverage to pay for the loss of all such items.

Bad Weather

Travel insurance tends not to cover weather that limits your activities on a trip. For example, you’re covered if the weather is bad enough to delay or cancel your flight, but not if it pours during a jungle hike. And unless you bought a “cancel for any reason” rider, you can’t call off your beach vacation just because the forecast calls for rain and clouds.

Flights Purchased with Miles

Most policies do not cover flights purchased with miles or points. They may cover associated fees if you decide to cancel or change an award fare, however.

Security Delays or Overbooked Flights

According to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth, your policy typically won’t protect you if you miss a flight due to long airport security lines, or if you’re bumped from an overbooked flight and miss a subsequent connection or cruise departure.

Lost Reservations or Double-Booked Accommodations

It’s also important to note that travel insurance coverage doesn’t include certain lodging snafus. A lost hotel reservation will have to be taken up with the company or travel agent that lost it. And if you find someone else in the vacation rental you reserved, you’ll have to take it up with the site through which you booked.

Accommodations That Aren’t as Expected

An accommodation that’s a lot less desirable when you arrive than it looked to be online generally isn’t covered by travel insurance. Researching accommodations on review sites like Tripadvisor falls on you. The exception is if your hotel or vacation rental is uninhabitable due to a natural disaster, structural damage, or the like.

Ticket Scams

If you find your event or sightseeing excursion ticket turns out to be fake, typical travel insurance won’t cover you, says Squaremouth. Make sure you’re using a trusted ticket or tour outlet.

Last-Minute Changes

If your cruise line or tour operator makes a last-minute itinerary or excursion change, travel insurance typically won’t cover any travel issues caused by it, unless it involves complete curtailment. You can try contacting the operator responsible for the changes about compensation.

Anything for Which You Lack Documentation

If you don’t have a solid paper trail for all causes and costs involved in your claim, your chances of reimbursement plummet. Keep records like your wallet depends on it.

Anything NOT in the List of Covered Items

Travel insurance works largely by inclusion of items specifically noted to be covered, and anything not mentioned is likely not covered. If you have a concern that you don’t see listed in the fine print, contact the travel insurance company to see if you can purchase an appropriate add-on.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Ed Perkins contributed to this story.

The post Travel Insurance Coverage: 18 Things Your Policy Won’t Cover appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Here’s what travelers need to know.

Jamaica Travel Advisory Raised to Level 3: Reconsider Travel

The U.S. State Department just changed their travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 3: Reconsider Travel, due to crime and concerns over medical services available in the country. The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica explained the decision in a statement warning, “Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.” The new warning comes after Jamaica reported 65 homicides between January 1 and January 27, some of which had occurred in public settings in broad daylight. 

Concerns over the availability and quality of medical services in the country also contributed to the increased warning. “Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards,” said the embassy. “Public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high level or specialized care. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always readily available, especially in rural areas, and are not always staffed by trained personnel.”

If you decide to travel to Jamaica, the State Department recommends avoiding walking or driving at night, avoiding public buses, staying away from secluded areas, and remaining aware of your surroundings. If you are involved in a robbery attempt, do not resist and hand over your belongings immediately. 

The Bahamas Travel Advisory Raised to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

The U.S. State Department also recently raised the travel advisory for The Bahamas to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to increased crime. According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, “18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024.  Murders have occurred at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets.  Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders.”

The travel advisory specifically warns about violence on Nassau and Grand Bahama islands, stating, “Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.”

In addition, the government warns against tourists renting commercial recreational watercraft, such as jet skis, or participating in water tours in The Bahamas, saying, “Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications.  Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities. Commercial watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred.”

If you decide to travel to The Bahamas, The State Department recommends remaining vigilant. Do not answer the door at your hotel or vacation rental unless you know who it is, and never physically resist any robbery attempt.

The post US Government Raises Travel Warning for Two Popular Spring Break Destinations appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Read this list before your next flight, and remember to put them into practice every time you board a plane.

Keep Your Seatbelt Fastened at All Times

Just because the seatbelt sign is off doesn’t mean your seatbelt should be. Although pilots can often see when turbulence is approaching, “clear air turbulence” can occur unexpectedly, sending passengers flying if they aren’t belted in. 

Only unbuckle your seatbelt when you’re getting up to move about the cabin, and only do so when the captain has indicated that it’s safe to do so.

Always Listen to the Pre-Flight Safety Briefing

If you’re a frequent flyer, it’s easy to tune out the pre-flight safety briefing from the flight attendants. However, the safety briefing changes based on the type of plane you’re flying, and it’s important to learn the location of exits and other crucial safety information for every flight. 

Likewise, give the safety briefing card in your seatback a quick study, as it will present important safety tips in an easy-to-remember pictorial format. This is especially key if you’re seated in an emergency exit row and could be called upon to open the exit door—you don’t want to waste precious time in an emergency trying to read the directions and figure out how to do it.

Use an Approved Child Seat for Kids

You wouldn’t let your child ride in a car without a seatbelt, so why would you let them fly without one? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends buying kids their own seats and utilizing an approved safety device.

The FAA states, “The safest place for your child under the age of two on a U.S. airplane is in approved child restraint system (CRS) or device, not in your lap. Your arms aren’t capable of holding your in-lap child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence, which is the number one cause of pediatric injuries on an airplane.” 

The FAA strongly recommends, “Buying a ticket for your child is the only way to guarantee that you will be able to use a CRS. It’s the smart and right thing to do so that everyone in your family arrives safely at your destination.”

To find an FAA-approved CRS device, visit KidsFlySafe.com, which has links to purchase these systems directly. 

Count the Rows to the Emergency Exit

Once you’ve taken your seat, take a moment and count the rows to the closest emergency exit, keeping in mind that it might be behind you. In the event of an emergency, the cabin could be dark and filled with smoke, making it hard to see where you can get out. 

If you know how many rows stand between you and the exit, you can feel your way out of the plane, even if visibility is nonexistent. 

Keep Your Shoes on

If you have to evacuate a plane in an emergency, you may have to run across a hot tarmac that’s littered with sharp objects. Keeping your shoes on during a flight helps you stay prepared in case you have to flee. 

When you fly, opt for slip-on or lace-up shoes that will remain securely on your feet if you’re running, and don’t wear high heels—sharp stilettos can puncture the inflatable slides. 

The post 5 Important Safety Tips for Flying appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The new process will allow travelers to complete the screening process with “minimal to no assistance” from TSA officers. 

“Like self-ordering kiosks at fast food and sit-down restaurants, self-service screening allows passengers in the Trusted Traveler Program to complete the security screening process on their own,” said Screening at Speed Program Manager Dr. John Fortune. “Travelers will use passenger and carry-on screening systems at individual consoles or screening lanes themselves, reducing the number of pat-downs and bag inspection.”

Travelers will be directed to screening stations where a video monitor will walk them through step-by-step instructions. Passengers will place their belongings on a conveyor belt for inspection and enter a screening portal with automated entry and exit doors. If a passenger requires additional screening, they will be directed back through the entry door. If they are cleared, the automatic exit door will open, and they can collect their belongings and head to their flight without interacting with an officer.

The video monitors will feature a help button to connect passengers to a live officer if they need help. 

A spokesperson for the TSA told SmarterTravel that the pilot is scheduled to begin “early next year” at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and that “additional airports will be added to the pilot” at a later date. The Screening at Speed lanes will initially only be available for TSA PreCheck passengers. 

The post TSA to Test Self-Service Screening Lanes appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Whether you want to embrace the snow and head to the mountains or seek the sun in a tropical destination, there are plenty of good options. These are the best places to travel in January. 

Barbados

If you need a dose of sunshine to make it through the rest of the winter, head to Barbados, one of the warmest destinations in the Caribbean in January. Average temperatures hover around 82 degrees, and the seawater is nearly as balmy. January is also one of the drier months in this tropical destination so you can soak in lots of sun without a rain cloud in sight.

Where to Stay: For a boutique escape, stay at Cobblers Cove, an intimate hotel with just 40 suites. Cobblers Cove sources all its furniture and fittings from local craftworkers and does not serve food that has to be flown in; instead, it focuses on utilizing locally grown items in its on-site restaurant. 

Book Now

Thailand

Warm without being too hot and with minimal rain—January is one of the best times of the year to visit Thailand. If you’re looking to island-hop through Thailand’s stunning beaches, stick to the Phuket and Krabi areas, which experience mostly sunshine during January. Avoid the southeastern coast, where it’s rainier this time of year.

Where to Stay: The luxurious Peninsula Bangkok offers a quiet escape from the busy city. The three-tiered outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Chao Phraya River is a highlight of the property. 

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Canary Islands

Going for a swim on January 1st is a New Year’s tradition on the beach of Las Canteras in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. With water temperatures around 70 degrees, this is a much more pleasant experience than the polar plunge rituals found elsewhere around the world. 

The Canary Islands see over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, so if you want to replenish your Vitamin D stores for the winter, this is the perfect vacation spot.

Where to Stay: For a unique stay, book a room at the Hotel Cordial Morgan Playa, which is built on the site of an ancient necropolis and features an on-site archeological park. Hotel staff wear traditional Canarian attire as their uniforms, adding to the authentic feel. 

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Belize

Located a relatively short nonstop flight from many American hubs, Belize is one of the closest and most affordable destinations for hot weather.  Daytime temperatures in January are usually around 80 degrees and nighttime temperatures generally don’t dip below 70 degrees.

This tropical destination is relatively cheap, even in peak season, and you can often find great flight deals.

Where to Stay: Set on a peaceful private island 30 miles southeast of Belize City, Turneffe Island Resort offers all-inclusive luxury. 

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Key West, Florida

You don’t have to venture outside the United States to find warm temperatures in January. Head south to Key West, Florida, where temperatures average 75 degrees even in the dead of winter.

January is also when the annual Mile 0 Festival is held, a lively five-day musical event featuring concerts, themed cruises, and pool parties.

Where to Stay: The Southernmost Beach Resort’s central location on Duval Street will put you in the heart of all the action, plus has a private beach (a rarity in Key West).

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Hokkaido, Japan

Japan’s ski season typically peaks from mid-January to late February, when there’s an incredible amount of snowfall in the mountains. Hokkaido is one of the best snowsports destinations in Japan, and is a bucket list destination for serious skiers. 

Ski resorts tend to be pricier (and more crowded) over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, so January is a good time to find deals and fewer lift lines. In Hokkaido, you’ll also find plenty of Onsens, or hot springs, to warm up in after a day on the slopes.

Where to Stay: Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower is a ski-in ski-out hotel and has its own on-site onsen, so you never have to leave the property.

Book Now

The post The 6 Best Places to Travel in January 2024 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The Details

• The discounted price is good for domestic flights departing December 8 through December 25, with returns from December 8 through January 14. 

• Only one round-trip ticket per student will be bookable. 

• Prime Student memberships cost $69/year. 

• Itineraries over $500 will cost $25 plus the amount over $500.

If you’re a student who has waited til the last minute to figure out a way to get home, this may be your best chance at getting a fare that won’t cost you most of your savings. 

The post Amazon Prime Offers $25 Flights to Students This Holiday Season appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation aims to ease the minds of holiday travelers this season with their Travel SOS (Sonesta Overnight Stay) service.

“With easy access by phone or online to the latest information on Sonesta’s more than 1,200 properties, this service gives travelers peace of mind so they can rest and enjoy this holiday season to the fullest,” says  Chris Trick, Chief Marketing Officer at Sonesta.

Festive travelers who find themselves stranded at the airport can send an SOS one of two ways:

• By dialing 1-844-STAY-SOS to be connected with an agent that will book you into the nearest available Sonesta property.
• By accessing the service online (here or here) using promo code STAYSOS to be connected with the best rates across all 17 brands in the Sonesta portfolio.

While this program doesn’t guarantee you a spot for the night, it does lift the burden of stress off of travelers who would otherwise find themselves scouring the internet for the a nearby vacancy or paying a hefty price for the last open suite at the airport hotel.

The post This SOS Hotline Helps Stranded Holiday Travelers Book Hotels appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Qantas’ “neighbor-free” seating option is now available on domestic and international flights when space is available. If eligible, passengers will receive an email invitation to reserve two seats together 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure time.

The price to purchase the empty seat varies by route but will typically range from $20-$40 for domestic flights and around $140 for international flights.

According to Qanta, “Neighbor-free seats are subject to availability and may need to be changed for operational, safety or security reasons, even after boarding the aircraft.” If you pay for an empty seat and the seat ends up being occupied, you will automatically receive a full refund of the fee. 

Reserving the additional seat will only give you access to extra space—it does not include additional baggage allowance or meals. You also won’t earn Qantas points on the purchase of an extra seat. 

Neighbor-free seats cannot be used for infant seating or to store carry-on baggage or musical instruments. 

The post This Airline Will Let Passengers Pay to Have an Empty Seat Next to Them appeared first on SmarterTravel.

We signed up, got our cards in the mail, and have used them exclusively for six months. I’m here to tell you what it’s like to be a Venture X cardholder, what perks are great, and if it is worth it. 

Why I Chose the Venture X Card 

Everyone has reasons for getting a credit card, whether you want miles for flying, points to make purchases, or other benefits many credit cards offer. I will tell you that Venture X has it all. And while the yearly fee may seem steep at $395, you can quickly get it back with all the incentives with the card. We immediately got the $395 back when we signed up for Priority Pass and Global Entry. 

Airport Lounge Access 

Have you ever walked past the door of an airport lounge and looked longingly in, wishing you could join? With a Venture X card, you’ll have access to hundreds of airport lounges across the globe. When you sign up for Priority Pass with your Venture X card, you will automatically get it refunded to your account. It gives you access to you and one guest, and if you have a joint card with someone, you each get it, so if you are traveling with friends, you can all get in. 

Global Entry/TSA Precheck Fee

Have you wanted to apply for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, but the application fee was putting you off? Well, you’re in luck – the price will be reimbursed when you apply using your Venture X card. 

$300 Travel Credit

You will get a $300 credit when you book travel (hotel, flights, etc.) through Capital One Travel. 

75,000 Extra Miles in The First 3 Months

You can get 75,000 extra miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of getting your card. While this may seem like a lot, it doesn’t take long when you use your card for everything. I put my groceries, kid’s clothes, diapers, and everything we needed each week on the card, and we got to the $4,000 easily. The 75,000 translates to $750 towards travel. 

10,000 Bonus Miles Every Year

Each year, on your anniversary of becoming a Venture X cardholder, you’ll automatically get 10,000 miles or $100 in travel. 

Other Venture X Highlights

While the above incentives are my favorite part of the card, other perks come with it that I either just haven’t used yet or weren’t as important as the others. 

Transferring Miles to Airline Partners 

Capital One has partnered with some airline partners, and you can transfer your miles to them for flights. 

Cancel and Change Without Hassle or Fees

When you book a trip with your Venture X card, it comes with cancellation and interruption coverage. You’ll be able to change your dates without penalty under qualifying circumstances.

Car Rental Insurance

When you rent a car using your Venture X card, the card acts as primary rental insurance for up to $75,000, so you can waive any coverage offered by the rental company you choose. 

Elite Status With Hertz

While we are on the subject of car rentals, Venture X holders can sign up for Hertz’s President’s Circle, which comes with perks like not having to go to the check-in counter, free car upgrades, and more. 

Visa Infinite Concierge

Want to impress? Use the concierge service to book restaurant reservations and tickets to concerts and sporting events. 

Cell Phone Protection

You automatically get protection when you use your Venture X card to pay your cell phone bill. If your phone is stolen or damaged, they’ll cover it up to $800. 

Bottom Line

While the yearly fee may seem steep, it is worth it. If you travel a lot, it will be repaid quickly. For anyone who is looking for a card with fantastic points, special perks, and travel benefits, Venture X is top-notch. Apply today. 

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Is The Venture X Credit Card Worth It? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

J.D. Power just released its Annual North America Airport Satisfaction Study to find the best and worst airports to fly through. The study surveyed passengers on six factors:

1. Terminal facilities
2. Airport arrival/departure
3. Baggage claim
4. Security check
5. Check-in/Baggage check
6. Food, beverage, and retail

For the survey, airports were broken down into three categories: Mega airports (33 million or more passengers per year), large airports (10 to 32.9 million passengers per year), and medium airports (4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year. 

Flyers’ overall satisfaction with the airport experience increased slightly this year compared to 2022. “It has not been an easy year for North American airports, but major capital improvements they’ve made over the last several years and new investments in getting food, beverage and retail operations back up and running at full capacity have helped them manage the crush of passengers,” said Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power. 

Next time you fly, you might want to consider avoiding the lowest-ranked airports if you can. 

The Worst Mega Airports

1. Newark Liberty International Airport
2. Toronto Pearson International Airport
3. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
4. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
5. Boston Logan International Airport

The Worst Large Airports

1. Philadelphia International Airport
2. Honolulu International Airport
3. Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport
4. Oakland International Airport
5. San Diego International Airport

The Worst Medium Airports

1. Kahului Airport
2. Hollywood Burbank Airport
3. Bradley International Airport
4. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
5. Eppley Airfield

For an easier trip, try to plan your travels to take you through one of these top-rated airports.

The Best Mega Airports

1. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
2. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
3. Harry Reid International Airport
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
5. Miami International Airport

The Best Large Airports

1. Tampa International Airport
2. John Wayne Airport, Orange County
3. Salt Lake International Airport
4. Raleigh Durham-International Airport
5. Sacramento International Airport

The Best Medium Airports

1. Indianapolis International Airport
2. Southwest Florida International Airport
3. Ontario International Airport
4. Palm Beach International Airport
5. Albuquerque International Airport

The post The Best and Worst Airports in North America appeared first on SmarterTravel.