2 in 3 travellers want a COVID-19 cover option with their travel insurance
For a year-and-a-half overseas travel has been little more than a pipe dream for most Australians, but that dream might soon become a reality in the coming months as our borders reopen for fully vaccinated travellers.
But as would-be jetsetters start tentatively coming up with itineraries and re-familiarising themselves with the idea of packing, many travellers will also be thinking about their options when it comes to securing COVID-19 cover through their travel insurance.
According to a recent survey of 1,670 Australians commissioned by Mozo, 69% of respondents said that they would be willing to pay for ‘COVID cover’ if it came as an option with their travel insurance.
“After almost two years of rolling lockdowns and border closures, many Australians are eager to take off on an international adventure but with COVID still running wild, taking the time to find the right travel insurance policy could really pay off,” says Mozo spokesperson, Tom Godfrey.
At present, COVID cover options differ considerably between travel insurance providers though. For instance, while some travel insurance policies state that they will cover medical, quarantine and cancellation costs for travellers who catch the disease, COVID-related impacts such as border closures or government travel bans are often excluded.
“Even though COVID has been with us for some time, there are currently very few COVID cover options available. It’s clear travel insurance providers will be pedalling hard to offer consumers some level of cover as the pandemic continues to create challenges for the travel industry around the globe,” says Godfrey.
COVID cover isn’t the be all and end all for travellers though, as the survey found that 59% of people would still consider getting travel insurance even if it didn’t cover cancellations caused by an outbreak.
Cashed up and ready to fly
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the survey revealed a real pent up demand for international travel among Australians, with 55% of people saying that they were looking to head overseas when the borders open up again.
It also appears that travellers aiming to get away have been bulking up their savings accounts to do so, as the research found that those planning on travelling internationally in the next 12 months are intending to spend $5,861 on average. In fact, 16% said that they are likely to spend $10,000 or more.
How much do international travellers intend to spend in the next year?
Amount | Travellers (%) |
Up to $5,000 | 51% |
$5,001 - $10,000 | 35% |
$10,001 - $15,000 | 13% |
More than $15,000 | 3% |
According to the Department of Home Affairs , international travel could recommence again as soon as November for fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents.
The exact reopening date is yet to be determined though, and states and territories will only be able to re-open to international travellers once they have hit the double dose vaccination threshold of 80%.
RELATED: Looking at international travel in 2022: What are my best credit card options?
Thinking about organising a trip abroad but not sure what type of payment option you want to take with you? Check out our dedicated travel money hub for a rundown of the options available, as well as a number of handy guides.
Compare reward credit cards
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$45050,0001.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncappedQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, up to 100000 points per year, then
1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 20,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover - Rewards Bonus Points 1.25 points per dollar on everyday purchases. Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.Exclusions apply. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Points per $1 spent.*
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Ultimate Card
G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$29930,0001 point up to 20,000 points/monthPlatinum Visa Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 21.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 50
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Visa, up to 20000 points per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 20,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Concierge
- Rewards Bonus Points 1 bonus point per dollar on eligible Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Platinum Visa Credit Card
NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$295 $195 in the first year70,0000.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/monthQantas Rewards Premium Card
70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.66 points per dollar on Visa, up to $3,000 per month, then
0.33 points per dollar on Visa, up to $6,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 20,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance - Rewards Bonus Points Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Rewards Premium Card
American Express Qantas Premium Card
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$24920,0001 point uncappedQantas Premium Card
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 20,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover - Rewards Bonus Points Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Premium Card
NAB Rewards Signature Card
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
NAB Rewards$295 $145 in the first year180,0001.25 points uncappedRewards Signature Card
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Visa, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- 36 months
- Bonus points
- 180,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 15,600 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 239,200 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 20,410 points
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance - Rewards Bonus Points -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Rewards Signature Card
American Express Qantas Discovery Card
Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee. Redeem your points for Classic Flight Rewards (T&Cs apply).
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$0No current offer0.75 points uncappedQantas Discovery Card
Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services per $1 spent (T&Cs apply). Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee. Get the security of Card Refund and Purchase Cover. Up to four additional Cards at no extra fee. Redeem your points for Classic Flight Rewards (T&Cs apply).
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 0.75 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- No current offer
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 20,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover - Rewards Bonus Points Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 1.75 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Discovery Card
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