You read that correctly: rocket ships. Certain US-based credit cards provide exceptional levels of travel protection, like primary coverage insurance for rental cars and trip delay and trip cancellation coverage.
This type of coverage is available on cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, and Citi Prestige.
What the guide says
But I did a double-take when I read the Chase Sapphire Reserve specifics on rocket ships. Page 14 of the Guide to Benefits says the following items are not eligible for coverage:
- being engaged in or participating in a motorized vehicular race or speed contest
- participating in any professional sporting activity for which a salary or prize money is received
- traveling or flying on any aircraft engaged in flight on a rocket propelled or rocket launched aircraft
The whole thing is just interesting. They decided to be clear from the beginning to not cover travel via rocket propelled or rocket launched aircraft.
Space travel implications
That means aspiring cosmonauts won’t be able to seek coverage if their launch day is delayed by weather or other things that happen when you’re planning a trip to space.
The move also puts the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card’s terms of service at direct odds with Richard Branson. Namely, his Virgin Galactic spaceline. But it would be more interesting to see whether CSR purchases with the company would count as travel. Fingers crossed.
Branson started the company in 2010. His dream was to create a “Spaceline for Earth with the goal of democratizing access to space for the benefit of life on earth.”
Fortunately the guide does not exclude supersonic travel, which could be coming back in the next five to seven years.
The company has already sold out of its initial tickets to space, at $250,000 each. But they say they will be opening up more availability in the future. You can register for updates here.
Want to see Virgin Galactic reach space for the first time? Check out this video.
While this article’s topic is a bit humorous, getting to know the finer details of your credit cards can be valuable. This is especially true when dealing with delays, cancellations, and other travel-related issues.
What type of travel credit card coverage comes in handy the most for you? Share your experience in the comments.
Featured image courtesy of Land Rover MENA via Flickr.
