Notes on travel credit cards | Credit card reward programs | Discussion forum

Here is something else to bear in mind, as many forum members are seniors. With all of the credit cards that offer "free" travel health insurance, as far as I know, the cut-off age is 65. You can sometimes get it up to age 70 with some of them, but this is variable and always costs extra, so is not really included. Also, it can be hard to find out this information. It is often hidden.

Ultimately, you are most likely paying, one way or another, for something you can't use, if you are over 65th birthday, if your card offers "free" travel health insurance.

I think that all the fee-based cards that offer this ought to offer a discount for seniors on the cost of the card. It would be an excellent competitive advantage for the card issuer that wanted to target the senior traveller. Most people, when asked what they want to do when they retire, include "travel" on their list. We like a bargain and we like to know that the businesses we patronize understand our needs.

Here's another thing seniors like. (Indeed, I think everyone might like this.) We want to know ALL the terms and conditions before we sign up. Just telling us you'll send us something in the mail after we're approved doesn't satisfy us - especially as the print is often insufferably small for seniors and you've just done a hard hit on our pristine credit reports. We'd like it nice and clear and accessible on the internet in adjustable font size without password access restrictions. Some do this, but many do not or make it very difficult to find. Make it easier for us to know the truth and we'll be more likely to sign up - unless, of course, your truth is very unpleasant, in which case you ought to be ashamed of yourselves and do a better job.

Any credit card companies listening out there?? Hey, I'll give you a cashback if you sign up for my plan... it's called "business". Win-win.

Your agent sounds like a gem, GS.

I think the Capital One plan does exist for 65+ for short trips, but excludes any pre-existing condition for which there has been any change or recommended test etc in the last 6 months through age 74, or one year if you are over 74 http://www.capitalone.ca/media.....nefits.pdf . That would be very restrictive for most people, but will help some. Underwriter is American Bankers Life Assurance co of Florida. However, one would need to read the actual certificate for complete details.

I am very leery of bank policies. I was once shopping for a policy when well under 65, and had someone at a bank read out to me the conditions over the phone. This was one of the Big 5. It contained an exclusion for any pre-existing condition that you may have had, whether you were aware of it or not! Even the person on the phone had to admit there was not much point in buying it. I hope they've improved, but remain doubtful.