Yes, you may be able to claim for eligible costs associated with a trip booked using Avios, air miles or other reward points.
However, the policy does not automatically reimburse the advertised cash value of points.
For costs paid using a reward scheme to be considered, you must be able to provide evidence of a specific monetary value.
Any claim must also result from an event covered by your policy and be subject to the applicable benefit limits and exclusions.
If you booked travel or accommodation using a combination of points and money, eligible non-refundable cash costs may be considered.
For example, this could include:
A cash contribution towards a flight or hotel.
Eligible non-refundable booking charges.
Other documented cash payments forming part of the booking.
You must first establish whether these amounts can be refunded by the airline, accommodation provider, booking agent or another provider.
Costs paid using a reward scheme may be considered where you can provide evidence of their specific monetary value.
This means you should provide documentation showing the value of the points or rewards you are claiming for.
The policy does not simply use the normal cash selling price of the flight, hotel or holiday as the value of your points.
If you paid money to buy Avios, air miles or other reward points, proof of that purchase may help demonstrate their specific monetary value.
Keep evidence such as:
The receipt or confirmation showing how much you paid for the points.
Your reward booking confirmation.
The number of points used.
Confirmation of whether the points have been refunded or returned.
Any payment will still depend on the circumstances of the claim and the policy terms.
If your airline, hotel or loyalty programme allows your points to be returned but charges a non-refundable cancellation or administration fee, that financial loss may be considered as part of an eligible cancellation claim.
You should obtain written confirmation of:
The amount charged.
Any points returned to you.
Any cash refund received.
Any remaining amount that cannot be recovered.
Not automatically.
For example, if you used Avios to book a flight that would normally cost £500, this does not mean you can claim £500 simply because that was the equivalent cash fare.
You need to provide evidence of a specific monetary value for costs paid using the reward scheme.
The amount considered will also be reduced by anything that has been refunded, returned or can be recovered elsewhere.
Eligible non-refundable cash charges may be considered as part of a covered cancellation claim.
However, Air Passenger Duty (APD) is specifically excluded, even where it is irrecoverable.
You should therefore obtain a breakdown from the airline or booking provider showing:
What was paid in cash.
What each tax or fee relates to.
What has been refunded.
What remains non-refundable.
You cannot claim for points or costs that have already been returned or refunded.
Before making a claim, contact the relevant:
Airline.
Hotel or accommodation provider.
Booking agent.
Tour operator.
Loyalty programme.
You should establish what they can refund or reinstate first.
The policy does not cover unused or additional costs that are recoverable from another provider, compensation scheme, credit or debit card provider, or PayPal.
If you need to claim for a booking made using rewards:
Contact the travel provider or loyalty programme and request any available refund.
Keep your original booking confirmation showing the points and cash used.
Obtain confirmation of any points that have been returned.
Keep receipts or statements showing any money paid to purchase points.
Obtain a breakdown of any taxes, fees or cash contributions.
Keep written confirmation of any cancellation or administration charges.
Obtain confirmation of any amount that cannot be recovered.
You can then submit a claim for eligible losses arising from an insured event.
Find out how to make a travel insurance claim
Cost | Can it be considered? |
|---|---|
Non-refundable cash contribution to a reward booking | Yes, subject to the policy |
Eligible non-refundable taxes or fees | Yes, subject to the policy |
Air Passenger Duty (APD) | No |
Purchased reward points with evidence of monetary value | May be considered |
Other Avios, air miles or reward points | May be considered if a specific monetary value can be evidenced |
Advertised cash price of a flight instead of the points used | No, not automatically |
Points or money already refunded or recoverable elsewhere | No |
Important: All cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions, cover limits and any applicable excess.
