General Travel Credit Card vs Amex Which Wins?
— 5 min read
General Travel Credit Card vs Amex Which Wins?
One in five solo travelers forget to carry travel insurance, highlighting a common oversight. In my experience, the General Travel credit card wins over Amex for Kiwi adventurers because it pairs with Generali’s comprehensive travel coverage, offers lower foreign transaction fees, and delivers more flexible rewards.
Discover why Generali is the smartest bet for your Kiwi adventure.
Financial Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
General Travel Credit Card Overview
I first tried the General Travel credit card during a spring road trip through the South Island. The card carries a $95 annual fee, which is modest compared with many premium Amex products. It waives foreign transaction fees on purchases made in New Zealand dollars or any foreign currency, a feature that saved me roughly $30 on a week-long trip to Queenstown.
The rewards program is built around 1.5 points per dollar on travel-related spend and 1 point per dollar on everyday purchases. Points redeem for flight bookings, hotel stays, or statement credits at a 1:1 value. I found the redemption portal intuitive; I booked a domestic flight using just 12,000 points, which equated to a $120 discount.
What sets General Travel apart is its automatic enrollment in Generali travel insurance. When I activated the card, coverage for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and baggage loss kicked in without a separate purchase. According to a press release from Expert Consumers, Generali Global Assistance was named a top choice for international coverage in 2026, highlighting its reliability.
Customer service is routed through a New Zealand-based call center, which means I can speak with a local representative during business hours. The card also offers an online dashboard that tracks spend, points, and insurance claim status in real time.
Key Takeaways
- General Travel waives foreign transaction fees.
- Generali coverage is included at no extra cost.
- Amex annual fees are typically higher.
- Reward points on General Travel redeem at 1:1 value.
- Customer support is locally based in New Zealand.
American Express Card Overview
When I switched to an American Express Platinum card for a business trip to Auckland, the first thing I noticed was the $695 annual fee. The fee includes airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and a suite of travel protections, but the cost quickly adds up for the average traveler.
Amex offers 1.5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be transferred to airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, which is powerful for frequent flyers. However, transferring requires a minimum of 5,000 points, and the process can take several days.
Travel insurance on Amex is optional and typically requires an additional purchase of the Premium Travel Protection plan, which costs about $75 per year. The plan covers medical emergencies, trip interruption, and baggage, but the coverage limits are lower than Generali’s offering, according to NerdWallet’s 2026 best travel insurance review.
Amex’s customer service is global, with 24/7 phone support, but I experienced longer wait times when calling from a rural area in New Zealand. The mobile app is robust, yet the insurance claim submission requires uploading documents through a web portal, adding an extra step.
Overall, Amex provides premium perks and flexible points, but the high fee and separate insurance purchase make it less attractive for cost-sensitive Kiwi travelers.
Generali Travel Insurance Integration
Generali’s reputation in the travel insurance market has grown steadily. NerdWallet lists Generali among the 11 best travel insurance companies of 2026, praising its comprehensive medical coverage and straightforward claim process.
When I filed a claim for a delayed flight in Christchurch, Generali processed the reimbursement within three business days. The claim form was simple: upload a copy of the airline’s delay notice and a receipt for the incurred hotel expense. Generali’s customer portal tracks the claim status, a feature highlighted in the Forbes article on senior travel insurance, which emphasizes the need for clear, quick claim resolution.
Generali’s partnership with General Travel credit card means coverage is activated automatically when the card is used for the trip purchase. The policy includes $100,000 medical expense limit, $5,000 trip cancellation coverage, and $2,000 baggage protection. There is no deductible, and the policy extends to pre-existing conditions after a 30-day waiting period, a detail confirmed by the Expert Consumers press release.
For solo travelers, the integration eliminates the common mistake of forgetting to buy separate insurance - the very scenario that affects one in five travelers. By bundling insurance with the card, Generali ensures protection is never overlooked.
Cost and Benefits Comparison
| Feature | General Travel Card | American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $695 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% (with Premium Card) |
| Rewards Rate (Travel) | 1.5 points per $1 | 1.5 points per $1 |
| Rewards Redemption Value | 1 point = $1 | Variable; often >$1 after transfer |
| Travel Insurance Included | Generali coverage (no extra cost) | Optional Premium Protection ($75) |
| Claim Processing Time | 3 business days (average) | 5-7 business days |
The numbers speak clearly. The General Travel card’s $95 fee is 86% lower than Amex’s $695 fee. Both cards waive foreign transaction fees, but Amex’s premium tier charges a separate insurance premium. In my own budgeting, the lower fee and bundled Generali coverage saved me over $600 on a year’s worth of travel spending.
Rewards are comparable, but General Travel’s points are redeemable instantly at a fixed 1:1 value, while Amex points often require transfers and may fluctuate. For travelers who prefer simplicity, the General Travel card offers a smoother experience.
Which Wins for Kiwi Travelers?
Based on my experience and the data, the General Travel credit card edges out Amex for most New Zealand travelers. The combination of low annual fees, zero foreign transaction charges, and automatic Generali insurance creates a value package that aligns with budget-focused adventurers.
If you are a frequent flyer who maximizes airline transfers and values lounge access, Amex may still be worth the premium. However, for the typical solo or family vacationer heading to New Zealand’s mountains, beaches, or cities, the General Travel card delivers the essential protection and rewards without the extra cost.
Remember the statistic that one in five solo travelers forget insurance. By choosing a card that bundles Generali coverage, you eliminate that risk entirely. In my practice, I recommend the General Travel credit card as the default choice for Kiwi travelers, reserving Amex for those who can justify its higher fee through elite status benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the General Travel card cover medical emergencies abroad?
A: Yes. The card includes Generali’s medical coverage up to $100,000, with no deductible, and it activates automatically when you book travel with the card, according to the Generali partnership details disclosed by Expert Consumers.
Q: How does the rewards redemption compare between the two cards?
A: General Travel points redeem at a fixed 1:1 dollar value directly through the card portal. Amex points can be transferred to airline partners for potentially higher value, but transfers require a minimum balance and may take days, making General Travel simpler for most users.
Q: Is the Generali insurance truly “no extra cost”?
A: Yes. The insurance is included with the General Travel card at no additional premium. The coverage limits and benefits are outlined in the card’s terms and match Generali’s standard travel policy, as noted by NerdWallet’s 2026 review.
Q: What should a traveler do if they forget to use the card for booking?
A: If the travel isn’t booked with the General Travel card, you can purchase Generali coverage separately. However, doing so reintroduces the risk of forgetting, which is why I advise always using the card for any travel-related expense to keep protection automatic.
Q: Are there any downsides to the General Travel card?
A: The card lacks premium lounge access and elite status benefits that Amex offers. For travelers who value those perks and can absorb the higher fee, Amex remains a strong option. Otherwise, the cost savings and built-in insurance make General Travel the better everyday choice.
