How to Get Paid Immediately for Delayed Flights and Bags With Allianz SmartBenefits

As I’ve written many times before, I have an annual plan with and am a brand ambassador for Allianz Global Assistance. Fortunately, I’ve only had to file a claim with them a couple times over minor issues like my son’s NYC emergency room bill while we were visiting the Big Apple. I also love to travel with it because it gives me peace of mind knowing that I have great coverage if I’m away from home.

Since I’ve never written about it before, today I thought I’d outline one really great part of Allianz coverage, which is how Allianz SmartBenefits can protect you in the event of a delayed flight or delayed baggage.

What are Allianz SmartBenefits?

Since July of 2018, SmartBenefits have been included with a number of Allianz plans, including the popular OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier plans. The term refers to three main updates to the way it handles benefits:

1. Proactive $100/person payouts when a flight is delayed
This is the coolest one, if you ask me. Every travel insurance plan (with Allianz or not) covers flight delays in different ways, though typically benefits kick in after a delay reaches 3-5 hours. As long as you have delay coverage of some kind, you’ll be eligible for automatically processing payouts of $100 per traveler. All you have to do is input your flight information on the Allianz website or in the TravelSmart app before you go. If your flight (or any one flight that’s part of a multi-stop routing) is then delayed by the number of hours your policy requires, Allianz will register the delay. You’ll get an alert in real time via your choice of text or email or both saying that every traveler on the booking will be getting $100. If you do nothing, that money will be sent to you by check in 5-10 business days. If you want it faster, you can click through to select:

• Payment by debit card, which will go through almost instantaneously
• Payment by direct deposit, which will go through in 2-5 business days

If the expenses that result from the delay exceed $100, you can submit a claim later with receipts to get the difference. The first $100 is still processed automatically, no receipts needed.

2. $100/person payouts without receipts when a flight is delayed
The above benefit works only if you log your flight info with Allianz in advance. If you don’t do that, that’s okay. If your flight is delayed the number of hours required by your plan, you can manually file a claim on the Allianz website, in the TravelSmart app or over the phone. No receipts of expenses are needed. With only proof of the delay (an email from the airline, for example), $100/person will be approved right away. For payment, you can again select:

• Payment by check, which you’ll receive in 5-10 business days (default option)
• Payment by debit card, which will go through almost instantaneously
• Payment by direct deposit, which will go through in 2-5 business days

Again, if the expenses that result from the delay exceed $100, you can submit a claim later with receipts to get the difference.

3. $100/person payouts without receipts when a bag is delayed 12 hours
If your plan covers bag delays, Allianz SmartBenefits offers the same easy way to claim reimbursement, which again starts with $100 per person with a delayed bag, no receipts needed. Any bag that is delayed 12 hours or more and is returned (lost bags are treated differently and pay out more) can be filed on the Allianz website, in the TravelSmart app or over the phone. No receipts of expenses are needed. With proof of the delay and eventual return, $100/person will be approved right away. For payment, you can again select:

• Payment by check, which you’ll receive in 5-10 business days (default option)
• Payment by debit card, which will go through almost instantaneously
• Payment by direct deposit, which will go through in 2-5 business days

How Allianz SmartBenefits covers travel delays, in an infographic

That’s pretty much it. In total, Allianz SmartBenefits make it easier to claim benefits when things don’t go as planned. For another look at how it works, see the infographic below:

Disclaimer: Johnny Jet works as an ambassador for Allianz Global Assistance (AGA Service Company) and receives financial compensation.

For more information about Allianz Global, visit AllianzTravelInsurance.com.