Travel insurance is one of those things we rarely think about—until the moment life forces us to.
In March 2024, I learned this lesson the hard way.
A Long-Awaited Vancouver–Alaska Reunion… Cancelled Overnight
My old classmates and I had planned something special:
a 60th-anniversary Vancouver–Alaska cruise reunion.
We imagined catching up on old stories, enjoying the sea breeze, and celebrating six decades of friendship.
But life had other plans.
Just weeks before departure, I received unexpected news:
I needed brain surgery.
My health came first.
The entire trip—airfare, hotels, and cruise—had to be cancelled.
It’s painful to lose a long-awaited journey.
It’s even harder when you must also shoulder thousands of dollars in cancellation fees while preparing for surgery.
And yet, something I usually ignored quietly stepped forward to help.
The Unsung Hero: Credit Card Travel Insurance
I knew my TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite came with travel insurance, but like many people, I never studied the details.
“Something is better than nothing,” I used to think.
But after this incident, I realized:
Credit card travel insurance is not a gimmick — it’s real protection.
When I needed it most, it reimbursed thousands of dollars in prepaid, non-refundable expenses.
And here, I must thank someone even more important than the insurance itself:
my best friend and old classmate,
who guided me step-by-step through the entire application process.
Without his careful reminders, I would have missed key documents.
Sometimes, friendship is the strongest form of support.
Submitting the Claim: Much Easier Than Expected
I always thought insurance claims were complicated.
But filing this one through TD’s online portal was surprisingly smooth.
Here’s what I submitted:
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All booking invoices and receipts
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Emails confirming cancellation and refund status
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A doctor’s letter explaining why I could not travel
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A summary of all payments, including non-refundable items
TD’s claims team responded quickly.
Their communication was clear, and the process was transparent.
A few weeks later, the refunds began to appear in my account.
Every prepaid and non-refundable amount was reimbursed.
In that moment, I felt a deep sense of relief and gratitude.
What This Experience Taught Me
1. Credit card travel insurance works.
Especially during medical emergencies or serious disruptions.
2. Keep all your travel records.
Invoices, confirmations, emails, medical notes — they all matter.
3. A good friend is priceless.
His assistance made a stressful process simple and manageable.
4. Insurance gives you peace of mind.
Knowing expenses were covered allowed me to focus fully on my recovery.
What the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Actually Covers
Many people have this card but don’t know how powerful its insurance package is.
It includes:
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Trip Cancellation Insurance
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Trip Interruption Insurance
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Out-of-Province Emergency Medical Insurance
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Flight Delay and Baggage Delay Coverage
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Lost/Delayed Luggage Insurance
You may not appreciate these benefits when everything goes well.
But when things go wrong, they can save your entire trip — and protect your entire budget.
Postscript: I Didn’t Go to Alaska, But I Gained Something Else
I missed the Alaska reunion.
I missed the laughter, the ocean, and the celebration.
But I gained something more meaningful:
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a reminder that health always comes first
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gratitude for lifelong friendship
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and a renewed respect for the protection offered by credit card travel insurance
If you love to travel — whether you’re 25 or 75 —
take a few minutes to review the travel insurance included with your credit cards.
You might not think about it today.
But one day, it may just protect your peace of mind, your wallet, and your journey.
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