Travel insurance - using air miles

newfoundglory

I have travel insurance with HSBC, as part of my current account. This seems like an okay policy.

I want to book an almost-all-inclusive package trip with a travel agent, which includes everything but international flights. I want to book the flights myself so I can use loyalty miles I have to upgrade.

In the policy summary it says:

There is no cover for:
• the cost of travel or accommodation arranged using air miles or loyalty or ownership schemes or similar promotions

In the policy document it says for general exclusions:

11. Any claim for:
a. unused travel or accommodation arranged by using air miles, loyalty or ownership schemes, or similar promotions

This to me does not seem clear at all.

Presumably I would not be covered for the cost of the flights if I fell sick and had to cancel the holiday. But what would happen if I intended to take the flight, but missed it for some reason. I would also be travelling on a EU airline covered by relevant EU legislation etc for disruptions etc.

What would happen if flights themselves are delayed/cancelled and this causes me to miss the start of a group tour etc?

Is this something I need to be concerned about?

huckster

They won't cover the flights booked using Air Miles, as I suppose they are saying that these would be free.

There are alternative Travel Insurances availble that will cover you. e.g. Columbus Direct ( according to their FAQ's online, but terms apply), world-first.co.uk and probably many others if you phone them.