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 - rates updated daily
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 23 August 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal). T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$450100,0001.25 points uncappedQantas Ultimate Card
Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 23 August 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal). T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% 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, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 19,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Ultimate Card
Westpac Altitude Platinum
Earn up to 75,000 bonus Qantas Points ($4k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 1% BT fee applies. $49 First Year Annual fee and Rewards fee. New cards only. T&C's and exclusions apply.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$200 $99 in the first year70,0000.5 points up to $100,000/yearAltitude Platinum
Earn up to 75,000 bonus Qantas Points ($4k min. spend in the first 90 days on eligible purchases). 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 1% BT fee applies. $49 First Year Annual fee and Rewards fee. New cards only. T&C's and exclusions apply.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.49% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 45
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.5 points per dollar on Mastercard, up to $100,000 per year
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 19,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Altitude Platinum
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Receive a $200 credit on your Card when you spend $200 or more at Amazon.com.au within the first 3 months plus get 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 27 July 2022, are approved and spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Membership Rewards$19530,0001 point uncappedPlatinum Edge Credit Card
Receive a $200 credit on your Card when you spend $200 or more at Amazon.com.au within the first 3 months plus get 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 27 July 2022, are approved and spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 30,000
- Rewards
- Points
- N/A (excluding taxes and charges)
- 212,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 20,000 points
- Card Benefits
- Extended Warranty,
Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Platinum Edge Credit Card
American Express Qantas Premium Card
Receive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021^.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$24930,0001 point uncappedQantas Premium Card
Receive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021^.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% 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
- 30,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 19,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Premium Card
St.George Amplify Qantas Platinum
Earn 60,000 bonus Qantas Points (min $3,000 spend in the first 3 months). New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$9960,0000.5 points up to $100,000/yearAmplify Qantas Platinum
Earn 60,000 bonus Qantas Points (min $3,000 spend in the first 3 months). New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.49% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.49% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.5 points per dollar on Visa, up to $100,000 per year
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Rewards
- Points
- 8,000 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 110,400 points (excluding taxes and charges)
- 19,010 points
- Card Benefits
- Travel Insurance,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Amplify Qantas Platinum
David Jones American Express Card
Enjoy $200 back when you apply online by 13 July 2022, are approved and spend $1,500 outside David Jones on your new Card within the first 3 months. Available to new David Jones American Express Card Members only.
Rewards program
Annual fee
Bonus points
Earn rate per $1
Qantas Frequent Flyer$99No current offer0.5 points uncappedAmerican Express Card
Enjoy $200 back when you apply online by 13 July 2022, are approved and spend $1,500 outside David Jones on your new Card within the first 3 months. Available to new David Jones American Express Card Members only.
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.74% 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
- 0.5 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)
- 19,060 points
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Card
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