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I’ve been very happy with the Nationwide Flexplus worldwide travel insurance for a number of years and have had a couple of claims settled without any problems. Sadly, Nationwide has written to me saying that, feom my renewal date, cover is being transferred to Aviva and that there are major changes to the policy. One of those changes is a cover exclusion which says no cover will be provided fir any teips booked using Air Miles or any other reward points or loyalty schemes. So, a new bank account and a search for a new insurance provider will be required. I suspect this may well affect a good number of other NW account holders on HfP
That is a real shame, the coverage offered has been excellent. I have Aviva via HSBC Premier and it’s rather lacking in several key areas
I’ve only just opened a Flexplus account for the insurancce beneifts so this would be a blow. However, looking at the policy document the only reference I can find under the “We will not cover” is:
“Any costs paid for using Air Miles loyalty, reward or points schemes.”
I’m reading this to say you’d lose the value of the flight booked by Avios, but would still be covered for everything else. I think you’d also be covered for any taxes or seat reservations. I don’t read it as saying “you have no cover for the trip” – only those elements that were purchased using reward points.
I think that is the general position anyway – points have no insurable value per se.
Reading the document, there are about 30 changes with a mixture of some which could benefit and some which could disadvantage the policyholder.
I agree that the terms state that you wont be covered for the value of the points/miles. This would be a pain if curtailing a trip, but as long as >24hours before, if cancelling, they’d be refundable anyway? (With most airlines at least)
Was this posted? Or sent by email? I havent got anything yet…
Currently on holiday in South Africa so I thought I should check after seeing this posting!
I have had the normal Aviva Travel Policy for quite a few years now and have found them very competitive. So I have just looked at my document of cover. The only part I can find is the following:
Any claim for:
a) unused travel or accommodation arranged by using air miles, loyalty or points based ownership schemes, timeshares or similar promotions.So I think every thing as per normal will be covered but any payment (Airmiles) won’t be reimbursed.
So any actual money transactions will be covered – Hopefully I am correct!
I haven’t had this notification, but it sounds rather disappointing. It believe it is an annual policy rather than a rolling policy like eg Amex Plat, so these changes only take effect from your renewal date rather than in 60 days. I question anyway whether the cost of tickets paid on Avios or other points schemes really are irrecoverable.
I have not received this email, but my reading of the website suggests everyone will switch from 1 May 2024 unless you’ve upgraded the insurance in some capacity.
The main reason I’ve maintained a FlexPlus account has been for its worldwide travel insurance, so this is a disappointing change.
Any recommendations for other accounts or insurance providers that would include points/miles bookings?
Very disappointing to read this as we envisage mainly points holidays in the future with school aged children, whether it’s avios flights or hotels booked on points. Also this was not immediately clear in the body of their email. You had to really look for the changes to points bookings to find this change.
It feels abit sneaky to not lay it out clearly as this was a covered benefit previously.
I will also be grateful for alternative policy options that people may be aware of. We have been with flex plus for over 12 years so it’s looking like a shame for us but we may have no option but to look elsewhere.Confused?! @DJP31 states no cover for “Any costs paid for using Air Miles loyalty, reward or points schemes.”. “ANY COSTS for using”?? E.g. Fees for using the scheme (e.g. AMEX annual fee, lounge pass annual membership)??? I can’t believe they are refusing to insure “air miles” flights/holidays, or pretend that “air miles” have no value. This would be akin to not insuring your new TV because you bought it from Argos on Avios/Nectar points…..
241 vouchers and such are a bit complex, but the “Avios” digital currency does have a real value insomuch as you can buy them and redeem them. They exist on BA’s balance sheet! Whilst you wouldn’t expect the insurance to buy you new flights, you would expect them to refund you the air miles or cash equivalent (to make you whole).
So this might be a clarification rather than an exemption. (IANAL)
This might help
For airmiles etc, see point 21 which relates to cancellation section
@freckles . Well that makes no sense. You can’t attribute “value” to air miles you’ve paid for vs those that are “gifted”/earned. They have a value or not. I think the FOS might have some input.
That document is just a summary of changes to help people, it’s not the actual policy wording, so I’m sure that’s not going to be ‘wooly’
The standard Aviva wording contains the following under general exclusions:
Any claim for: a) unused travel or accommodation arranged by using air miles, loyalty or points based ownership schemes, timeshares or similar promotions
The main issue that concerns me is what happens if you – on medical grounds, for example – can’t take your return Avios flight?
It is all very well that you might get your avios back if you can cancel 24 hours in advance – indeed, I may have to always book two singles rather than a return so that I can do this (which is a pain with 241s). But how can I rebook with points if there are no Avios seats available?
Who pays for a one-way business class seat from South America then? I am never going to fly 12 hours in economy. Just won’t.
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The main issue that concerns me is what happens if you – on medical grounds, for example – can’t take your return Avios flight?
It is all very well that you might get your avios back if you can cancel 24 hours in advance – indeed, I may have to always book two singles rather than a return so that I can do this (which is a pain with 241s). But how can I rebook with points if there are no Avios seats available?
Who pays for a one-way business class seat from South America then? I am never going to fly 12 hours in economy. Just won’t.
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Normally, if you can’t take your planned flight home due to medical grounds, the insurer puts you on another flight at a time when you can’t fly. Usually in the same class as what you have booked. They may do some behind the scenes negotiating with the airline as to how much the insurer pays, but that shouldn’t be visible to you.
The new policy terms and the move to Aviva look quite disappointing; so many extra complications and exclusions. The current insurers seem to have knowledgeable and helpful staff who pick up the telephone whereas Aviva employs automatons.
One thing I noticed in the policy following the recent HfP forum story about a missed connection BFS-LHR-ATH which rather divided the crowd is that Aviva explicitly does expect you to check the weather forecast!
@Tracey – well, that flagship product the Amex Platinum card insurance sends people home in economy, whatever class you originally booked!
I moved from NW to a Virgin Money Club M account as it was cheaper, provided mobile cover, and the travel insurance did not charge me extra because I take medication for High BP.
The policy says for points :
If you pay for all or part of your trip using a loyalty
points programme, you may not be able to get your
points back when you cancel. If this happens, we’ll pay
you in cash, and base your claim on the lowest price
that’s advertised.Lowest advertised – does that mean the lowest CW seat price or the lowest economy seat price? Thankfully I have not had to find out!
Lowest advertised – does that mean the lowest CW seat price or the lowest economy seat price? Thankfully I have not had to find out!
Price would refer to price of points in this context. If it’s the cost of a seat / ticket, that’ll be called a fare (so ‘cheapest fare’).
I moved from NW to a Virgin Money Club M account as it was cheaper, provided mobile cover, and the travel insurance did not charge me extra because I take medication for High BP.
Thanks for the head up. I will consider switching to Virgin Money Club M. Also looks like Virgin covers Mobile phone and Gadget vs NW only covers mobile.
Does Virgin cover car breakdown? We took out the NW account purely for the insurance, based on recommendations from here, I don’t see anything in the changes that affects us directly, but worth having a plan B.
I am also assuming that a mass exodus (or threat of one) away from the product wouldn’t drive NW to negotiate with Aviva on the “points” point.
Does Virgin cover car breakdown? We took out the NW account purely for the insurance, based on recommendations from here, I don’t see anything in the changes that affects us directly, but worth having a plan B.
I am also assuming that a mass exodus (or threat of one) away from the product wouldn’t drive NW to negotiate with Aviva on the “points” point.
Yes they do cover car breakdown and they are using Green Flag.
The new NW travel insurance clause 21 states that “However, if you have purchased points or miles for the trip and have a valid receipt, you will be able to claim for these costs if you can’t get the points or miles back.”
So if your points/miles were bought you can ptentially claim back the cost.Does anyone know if Cruises are covered as part of NW or Virgin travel insurance?
Thanks.Bit of a decision for me. My Flex plus travel anniversary is March 13th and I have just upgraded due to my heart attack and stent fitted in December, plus medication etc. Because it was only 3 days ago that I paid for the upgrade, I’m still within the 14 days cooling off period to cancel and get a full refund (£235). The dilemma for me is how much would the Virgin upgrade be? I already have the Virgin M-plus current and savers accounts so should be accepted for the Money Club M account.
Also if I cancel the upgrade and Virgin’s upgrade is much more expensive then if I have kept the Flex plus account open for this scenario, what would the Aviva upgrade cost?Do I roll the dice?
bit of a decision for me. My Flex plus travel anniversary is March 13th and I have just upgraded due to my heart attack and stent fitted in December, plus medication etc. Because it was only 3 days ago that I paid for the upgrade, I’m still within the 14 days cooling off period to cancel and get a full refund (£235). The dilemma for me is how much would the Virgin upgrade be? I already have the Virgin M-plus current and savers accounts so should be excepted for the Money Club M account.
Also if I cancel the upgrade and Virgin’s upgrade is much more expensive then if I have kept the Flex plus account open for this scenario, what would the Aviva upgrade cost?Do I roll the dice?
You need to check this obviously, but as you have an upgrade, the current UKI policy should apply until your renewal in Feb/March next year. The upgrade turns the policy into an annual one rather than a rolling one so you may not need to rush to make any changes. My renewal was in October and I have an upgrade so the old policy will stay in force until then rather than taking effect on 1 May. You need to check all this and also the implications for any trips booked say on 1 Feb next year for travel later in 2025. In view of the vagaries of getting pre-existing conditions underwritten and cost thereof, you may not want to change horses earlier than necessary and you may have a year’s grace.
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