A delayed trip can cause headaches, especially if it means missing a connecting flight to your next destination. When a delay happens, having the right credit card can make all the difference in keeping your trip moving along as smoothly as possible.

Chase offers trip delay reimbursement coverage with some of its top travel credit card options. Having this benefit means you could be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses if your trip gets held up. Here's what you need to know.

1. What does Chase trip delay insurance cover?

Chase trip delay insurance offers reimbursement for expenses you pay if your trip is delayed, including meals, lodging, toiletries and medication.

You can use this coverage if:

Your trip is delayed for more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay (with two exceptions; see below).

The trip is away from your city of residence and is less than 365 days in length.

You purchased the fare for your trip with an eligible Chase card or rewards earned with an eligible Chase card.

Chase trip delay insurance covers you up to $500 per ticket, per trip. You're covered for delayed flights, as well as other types of travel that are classified as a “common carrier.” For example, you could still be reimbursed for delays if you booked travel by bus, cruise ship or train (but not taxi or commuter rail/bus).

Note that these benefits kick in after you've exhausted any other trip delay reimbursement benefits you might have through your frequent flyer program or third-party travel insurance coverage.

2. Which Chase cards include trip delay insurance?

The good news is there are several Chase cards that come with built-in trip delay reimbursement. You're covered if you have any of these cards:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

United℠ Explorer Card.

United℠ Business Card.

United Club℠ Infinite Card.

World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Again, most of these cards specify that a delay last 12 hours or more or require you to stay overnight before your reimbursement coverage kicks in. The exception is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which only requires a six-hour or more delay to use your coverage.

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3. Who is covered?

As the cardholder, you're covered — but your coverage can also extend to the people traveling with you. Chase will cover your spouse or partner and any dependent children under the age of 26. The same $500 reimbursement limit per ticket, per trip applies to everyone on your booking.

4. How to file a claim for trip delay reimbursement

Filing a claim means first making sure you have eligible expenses. If you're traveling under a known hazard alert, such as a hurricane warning, then Chase may deny your claim. And prepaid expenses are never covered by trip delay reimbursement.

As the cardholder, you must notify a Chase Benefit Administrator within 60 days following the date of the delay to file a claim. You'll be sent a claim form that you'll need to fill out detailing the circumstances of the delay and your expenses. You have up to within 100 days of the date of the delay to return this form, along with copies of receipts or other supporting documentation to show what your expenses were.

The good news is all of this can be done online through a third-party company called Card Benefit Services. Once you've filled out the form and uploaded your receipts, a representative will review your claim. If asked for any additional documents or if you have questions, you can email them to [email protected].

The bottom line

Ideally, you always arrive on time when traveling, but when a delay happens, having a Chase credit card could save the day. If you're not a Chase cardmember yet, consider applying for a card to take advantage of trip delay reimbursement when you need it.