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ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Credit Card - 60K Velocity Points + Complimentary Virgin Flights and 2 Lounge Pass $225 Annual Fee

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The ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures card could take you across Australia with a complimentary return domestic flight with Virgin Australia each year you hold the card, when you spend $500 on eligible purchases in the first three months of approval. Plus, as an introductory offer, you could earn a bonus 60,000 Velocity Points when you spend your $500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of approval.

Same as previous offer in November but different promo code.

Useful info from @illumination

Key info (mostly about the flight):
Must be booked 60 days prior to departure (quite a significant limitation)
Must be booked in your own name (unlike Platinum Edge/Velocity Platinum)
Free flight includes East Coast cities to Perth return (unlike Platinum Edge/Velocity, which includes PER-East Coast return but not vice versa) - these fares often go for $500+
Flight is on Virgin Australia and includes food/baggage
The 2 free VA lounge passes that this card comes with the free domestic flight
The flight is actually free. No taxes/surcharges need to be paid as long as there is availability
I think there is a $107 change fee just like with the Platinum Edge/Velocity Platinum (but not sure how this works in relation to the 60 day minimum booking period rule)
Approximate availability can be found by looking for the same flight on VA's website and if they are selling the fare as a Saver fare, it is likely to be available for redemption
This card is the only AMEX card in the Australian market that both waives overseas transaction fees/forex fees. As an added bonus, you'll earn rewards points on these expenses (there are a few non-AMEX alternatives)
This card comes with a Visa card too. Use AMEX where it's accepted & not ridiculously surcharged to maximise points earn.

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closed Comments

        • @puffinfresh: Yay! Good to hear ^_^ persistence pays off

        • +1

          @elliebargain:

          60k points got posted to my account a couple of days ago (met spend criteria in early Feb - a week after getting the card).

          I didn't end up ringing them to give my Velocity number so they worked it out themselves. I did try once but needed my visa card which I had left at home.

          Still need to call them to get the lounge passes sent to me

        • @Shadowsfury: That's awesome :) They should be good with giving you the passes. I only rang once for that with my VISA card seers and they sent them out quite quickly :)

  • What could you sell the lounge passes for?

    • just use them when you use your complimentary flight.

      • Happy to take a packed lunch if I can get some $$ instead. (If we are talking $10-20 bucks then I might just splash out but if its around 30-40, I would prefer to sell :D )

        • Just check classifieds but they usually go for around $40-$50.

        • @dust:

          $40-$50 for 2 passes or for one?

        • @dust:

          Wouldn't pay that much myself, unless you plan to stay there for 3 hours chugging down as much alcohol as you can.

          The food is worth $15 retail max. Choice is severely limited.

    • $50 easy

  • -1

    Any restrictions on having been an Amex customer already? I still have my Amex Platinum Express which I'm thinking of letting go of.

    Also, anyone know if we can use the free flight for Melbourne to Perth return? I know with my Amex Platinum Express I can't (although the reverse trip is apparently fine).

  • Are there limitations the domestic flights can be from or to? Or is it if Virgin fly there, you can do it? Another card previously didn't allow me to fly MEL - CNS even though they flew there.

  • +4

    If you're someone who knows you will realistically use the flight anyway, this is an absolutely brilliant card and hands down the best travel card to replace 28 Degrees/Bankwest Zero Platinum even without getting the 60k Velocity points.

    • Seems like the only one offering a free flight and no foreign transaction fees. Have you taken this one up?
      Interesting: "flights will need to be booked at least sixty days in advance." Not sure if this was also for the case of the Amex Edge.
      I wonder how the ANZ points for purchases compares with Amex Edge points. All I got to so far was 2 points for every $1 spent (using ANZ Amex) and that a $100 Westfield voucher costs 22,225 points.

      • +1

        I haven't because I know I won't be able to use the flight and get reasonable value out of it, but that is the only reason. Although it's a really good card it's very dependent on you using the flight.

        There was no 60 days min booking restriction on the Platinum Edge.

        The ANZ points are definitely not as good as Platinum Edge, but there are not many cards in the market that earn you points and waive currency conversion fees:

        • ANZ Travel Adventures ($225)
        • Coles Mastercard Rewards ($89)
        • Bankwest Qantas Mastercard Platinum (~$150)
        • Bankwest More Mastercard Platinum (~$150)

        The main reason why the ANZ Travel Adventures is so attractive is because of the flight. It's also the only AMEX card in the market that waives currency conversion fees. I would say Coles Mastercard is a second.

        • The ANZ points are definitely not as good as Platinum Edge

          Yeah OK, looks like you have to spend double as much on the ANZ Amex to achieve the same voucher received with Amex Edge. The Qantas Amex Ultimate deal is a worthy contender with its 100k QP upon sign up. The point to $ value is up there with Amex Edge. But you lose after the first year with the annual fee making the Edge still a great card even with the $200 voucher instead of a free flight.

          Some calcs purely on points to $ purposes:

          ANZ Amex:
          - $225 fee
          + 60k V points ~ $333
          = $108 ahead

          Qantas Amex:
          - $450 fee
          + 100k Q points ~ $667
          = $217 ahead

          Look reasonable?

        • +1

          @OldBugger:

          Yep I do agree

          I don't mean to say this is the best card for initial sign up bonus. I'm saying this is actually a great long-term, ongoing card and now it's an even better time to get it because of the 60k bonus.

          From a pure bonus points pov, the ANZ Black FF is probably the best because the annual fee is waived for a year.

          AMEX Explorer with its 100k bonus (110k with referral) is also a really good option right now.

        • +5

          @illumination: Yep, understood. Just been playing around with my excel spreadsheet comparing cards over the last few days. Forgetting sign up points, it's a shame this card can't deliver the same point-dollar as the Amex Edge. If I plug in a modest $28k spend split across retail, petrol and bills I get:

          Coles Fee Free MC Coles Rewards MC Amex Edge NAB Qantas Amex ANZ FF Black ANZ Rewards Travel Amex
          After $28k spend 28000 flybuy points = ~$140 56000 flybuy points = ~$280 59000 Ascent points = ~$436 42000 Q points = ~$280 42000 Q points = ~$280 56000 points = ~$252
          Annual Fee $0 $89 $195 $250 (or $0 with Home Loan) $425 $225
          Actual saving after fee $140 $191 $242 $30 (or $280 with Home Loan) -$145 $27
          Notes Best Price Protection (2 years - includes internet purchases); Best Merchandise Protection (6 months) Same as fee free but with no transaction fees/forex fees Best return (points-$) for supermarket and petrol purchases; $200 travel voucher; Merchandise protection $50 excess (only 3 months); Travel insurance ($250 excess); Extended warranty Best return (points-$) for retail and bills; Low Travel Insurance excess ($200); Merchandise protection with $0 excess (only 3 months); Price protection (must be from a printed catalogue and store within 25 kms from original) only 21 days; Extended warranty Insurances same as ANZ Rewards (right) Travel insurance ($250 excess); Merchandise protection with $0 excess (only 3 months); Price protection (must be from a printed catalogue and store within 25kms of the original store) only 21 days; Extended warranty; Free domestic return flight; Lounge pass No transaction fees/forex and cash advance fee

          Grabbing this card with the 60K points (easily offsetting the annual fee) seems a no brainer. If I knew wanted a return domestic flight every year, I could be tempted to keep this card. With my spending it's a free CC with a free return flight. Although, there is a good possibility that another similar offer with free first annual fee or a bunch of points arise by the time this card is due for renewal. The trick with keeping these cards past the first year, paying another annual fee with no bonus points, is that you need to keep up with the spending to make it all worthwhile.

          As my Edge is now up for renewal, I think in my circumstances I'll be best to swap all my purchasing to my free NAB card with the flexibility of the Qantas points. For the odd major purchase I'll use Coles fee free card for its outstanding price protection benefits. I got rid of my 28 degrees but find the 3% foreign tx fees not a major issue.

          That all look reasonable?

        • @OldBugger:

          F&!#% what a bloody write up lol nice one.

          I will come back and have a look at this!!

        • +2

          @OldBugger:

          Ok I've had a look at your comment.

          Some points:

          • Coles Free MC would earn you 14k FlyBuys after $28k spend, not 28k FlyBuys (it's 1 pt/$2, not 1pt/$1)
          • With the Plat Edge, NAB Qantas AMEX, ANZ FF Black and ANZ Travel Rewards AMEX columns, you've calculated points earnt based on the assumption that you can use AMEX everywhere. This is probably not realistic. It's obviously hard to quantify how many places you can/can't use AMEX, and you would obviously know your own spending habits better than me, but I would think that you might want to give yourself maybe a minus 20% variance for occasions where you can't pay with AMEX
          • Plat Edge at 59k Ascent points - how did you get to this figure? I am assuming you did your own calculations on your own expenditure to get to that? Because it seems to be a ~2.1pt/$ earn rate to get to that lol
          • Will you actually practically use the free flight every year? Practically here is key, because if you would just use it to simply use up the flight, then you are actually not being particularly efficient with it (i.e. similar to telling yourself you're saving $20k buying a Toyota instead of a Mercedes, when you never had the intention to buy the Mercedes in the first place) - also consider if you do use it on something like a SYD-MEL departing Wed returning one week later on a Wed, you are probably getting <$225 value because those flights are cheap
          • Keep in mind this flight can't be sold because it has to be booked in the name of the cardholder. I'd have applied for this ages ago if you could "sell" the flight
          • You've done all "reward" calculations based on the assumption that you will be redeeming the points on gift cards/cash (it seems) - are you open to, or would you consider any other ways to use your points, maybe on flights? Or do you never fly? The other option is to sell the points but there is an element of risk. If you do fly, you should strongly consider using your points on some flights - but this will complicate the valuation of the points greatly.
          • FlyBuys points can also be seen as Etihad Guest & Velocity Points. However, if you plan to redeem your points for cash, I have a feeling you might be better off keeping them as FlyBuys.

          To be frank with you, given that you get the NAB Qantas AMEX for free I would keep that anyway. The Platinum Edge to be replaced by the ANZ Travel Adventures - I would only recommend this if you will practically use the flight every year, otherwise I think the AMEX Explorer is the better option (or just keep both the Platinum Edge and get the Explorer as well). However, both the Platinum Edge and AMEX Explorer cards are only practical if you will either realistically use the credit yourself, or are willing to sell the credit at a discounted price.

          What other cards do you have? I can try and "break it down" for you based on your situation

        • +1

          @illumination:

          • Nice pickup. That happened when I hastily copy and pasted the rewards card cell formula over.
          • Yep, agree. The $28k is just a rough figure and sadly it is much higher than this for me.
          • 2.1 points on average is about right. Remember that the Edge has the 3,2,1,0.5 point spread which has been placed in my spreadsheet ($15k major supermarkets (3 pt), $6k small retail (1pt), $4k bills (0.5pt) and $3k petrol (2pt).
          • I don't know. I could. What I liked about the Edge free flight was that it pushed me to get away every year. Or a great present for someone else. I agree with you. Which is why I think staying with the NAB and banking Q points is a better plan as I have the option to convert them into gift cards or travel/flight… or just not use them and save them up for a rainy day.
          • Yeah, that sux. Again, reminding me of how awesome a card that Edge was.
          • As I said, the Q points gives me flexibility to change to gift cards or flights. I never looked into selling the points, may have to do that.
          • Agreed.

          As long as I'm with the NAB loan, I will keep the NAB cards. Looks like I'll use them too. I checked out the Amex Explorer but my calculations show that a $28k spending gets 50k gateway points which equal 37500 velocity points which equal $210 in gift cards (compared to $436 with the Edge). Take off the annual fee and I'm down $185. Factor in the $400 travel credit if I used it and I'm up $215. Again, a no brainer card for the first year with the bonus though. But after that, the ANZ Travel Card fairs better.

          The cards I have at the moment are Coles free, Amex edge (on first free year and near expiring, just need to book the last free trip and it will be gone), NAB Q Amex & Visa, ANZ Black (just waiting on the 75k points) and a Commbank low rate MC (just received the $250 cashback so will now close it).

          I'm thinking I'll get this card. If I don't use the flight and don't touch the card, I'll still be up after the bonus points are cashed. I may wait till I get rid of the Commbank and ANZ black though.

          Muchas gracias for the feedback!

    • Does it have currency conversion fees?

      • No

        • Wow sounds like a pretty good card!!

  • +1

    You only need a minimum annual income of $35000? This is incredible!

  • Sounds like a great card,
    Couldn't find anything in the T&Cs about restrictions if you've held another ANZ card before

    Good way to get Apple Pay back after cancelling my Black

    • I cancelled my ANZ Rewards Black prior to applying for this one. No issues with approval.

      • Although Krish didn't make it clear I think they're thinking about the bonus points aspect which is normally what the 12 month restriction is usually about (i.e. you won't get bonus points if you currently hold, or have held the same type of card in the last 12 months)

        • so are you saying if someone has recently (last month) cancelled their premium ANZ Rewards black card (different product tho) they cannot get the bonus on this new card (Travel Adventures).?

        • @rensman: No that's not what I am saying because it's not the same type of card.

        • @illumination:

          thx looks like im good to go then! need those velocity points
          thx for the reply

  • +1

    Interesting. Maybe it's time to change my 28 Degrees Card.

    • +2

      Just be mindful that there's a $225 annual fee attached to this card.

  • When you do the overseas shopping or use ATM ( taken you have credit amount in your card), are the rates better compared to Visa or City Visa Debit card?

    • -1

      Or compared to MasterCard 28 degrees? No fees is fine but doesn't matter if the rate they use is crap.

      • True. I always find International TT rates pretty bad for NAB or ANZ compared to Citibank. So fee becomes useless if rates are bad for a bigger amounts.

  • The only problem with this card is that it seems ANZ points are worth 0.5 velocity points. High Flyer is still 1 for 1. I'm yet to find a card similar to that level of conversion :(

    • +3

      You're only looking at it from a points earning point of view..

      • Only card that waives international fees and earns you Velocity points
      • Only AMEX card that waives international fees
      • Cheapest card on the market that includes a free flight
      • You know what, I just realised I lied and completely forgot about a deal that I posted not too long ago which also includes a free flight and is even cheaper.

        [Jetstar Platinum Mastercard] for $169 annual fee - only thing is it doesn't seem like it's an ongoing free flight… and Virgin > Jetstar.

    • Im 99% sure its $1 spend = 1 Velocity Point(on the amex anyway)

      ANZ to VELOCITY is 2:1 https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Info/ANZReward…

      ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures
      2 Reward Points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases
      with your ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures American Express® Card
      SO FOR EVERY $1 SPENT YOUR 2 ANZ POINTS CONVERT TO 1 VELOCITY

      1 Reward Point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases
      with your ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Visa Card
      FOR EVERY $1 SPENT ON "VISA" WILL CONVERT TO .5 VELOCITY

      1 for $1 is standard for Bank Issued AMEX ,.5 is the usual for VISA.
      In saying that i signed up to the NAB 60k offer a while back and the Amex is 1.5 velocity per $1 spent on the AMEX which is a pretty good deal.

      There are PRO's and CON's for the ANZ vs NAB cards, free flights vs no flights, foreign exchange waivers etc

      • I'm confused, so how many points do you get for supermarkets like woolies etc? with the platinum edge its 3 points. Is it only 2 points with this one?

        • +1

          Seems fixed, so 2 points at a 0.5 exchange or in other worlds 1 point per dollar.

          To me it seems like Platinum Edge is best for groceries (3 points per dollar) + petrol (2 velocity points per dollar). For most other things both cards are equal except no international surcharge would make ANZ appealing for overseas purchases.

  • Can the lounge passes be used at international Virgin lounges too?

    Also do you get 2 cards after successfully applying? If so why 2 cards and not just the one? Sorry if these are stupid questions, I have very little experience with credit cards

    • One is Visa and one Amex. Amex is not accepted widely and many merchants have extra charges if you use it. So that is the reason Banks mostly give 2 to my knowledge.
      - For lounge passes, if you are travelling with family, are all allowed or you need to pay extra?
      - Also for Complimentary tickets, how to purchase extra for other family members. what if they are real expensive for domestic flights? We can get additional card for partner, but for kids?

      • I find AMEX these days has wide acceptance, and no surcharges at many of the establishments I visit.

    • The lounge passes cannot be use at International lounges.

      1. Offer available to ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures accountholders who have made $500 of net eligible purchases within three months of approval. The accountholder is entitled to two single entry lounge passes each year until the card is cancelled. Lounge passes provide access to the Virgin Australia domestic Lounge when travelling on a Virgin Australia domestic flight. Lounge Passes cannot be used in international lounges, partner airlines or associated lounges. Lounge Passes expire 12 months after request. Please allow 4 weeks for delivery of passes. Lounge entry is subject to space availability and is permitted a maximum of 2 hours before the flight.
  • Anyone know if the free flight can be used by someone else other than the primary cardholder? My work travel needs to remain flexible whereas we can plan my wife's trips 60 days out.

    • +1

      Nope, has to be booked in the cardholder's name, which is a significant limitation.

    • As per OP, "Must be booked in your own name (unlike Platinum Edge/Velocity Platinum)"

      • +4

        the amex plat edge has gone to the sh*tters, replacing free flights with measly travel credits to the value of the cost of membership, so 'significant limitation' no longer has a point of comparison.

    • +2

      Cardholder's name only.

      Note that someone else could probably get away with flying under your name if they checked-in at a kiosk (ie: never talked to a human who might ask for ID), but if they get sprung there'll be trouble and zero recourse (eg: if you get stranded in Perth).

      I have done this in the past (had someone else fly as me) with QANTAS to meet minimum segment requirements for status, but it is very much against the rules and probably the law, so by no means consider this a recommendation.

  • can I redeem flights over Easter? would be cheaper to pay the annual fee than to purchase the flights

    • Best you probably call up and find out before applying. You might also want to consider the possibility of flight availability drying out between the time you apply and the time you are ready to book, so might be worth asking if they can "hold" you a ticket for a short time. I doubt they can do that though.

    • depends on availability. i've booked 2 trips with this card for syd-per for a long weekend on aus day. book early!

  • damn, my suburb and postcode don't come up on their online form… suburb has been around for at least 7 or 8 years and they send me spam all the time

  • +1

    As someone tossing up the AMEX Explorer and being completely overwhelmed with the rewards systems, how does this compare?

    • +1

      I think the most important question which will probably help you decide is whether you think you can use the free return flight on this card? Ideally you don't want it to be an impulse holiday, but more like, you know that you actually fly (as an example) MEL-PER return once a year because you have friends/family there.

      Even if you can/will use it as an impulse holiday, if you're actually likely to be able to use it on a flight which would otherwise cost ~$225, then that's effectively covered/offset your annual fee.

      You have to book your flight 60 days in advance of travel which is a significant limitation.

      Other considerations:

      • The AMEX Explorer points are a lot more versatile as they can be converted to a much larger variety of rewards programs
      • The ANZ Travel Adventures waives currency conversion/forex fees, so if you don't already have a card like this (28 Degrees/Citibank/Coles MC/Bankwest Plat MC) then this will be your primary travel card

      TLDR: Both really good cards for slightly different purposes. Consider which benefits of both cards are more valuable to you.

      • Thanks.
        Wife and two kids will travel Mel-Gold Coast each year for family, so that cover off some of that.
        Only issue I have with the Explorer is the need to get a rewards Visa of some sort for the non Amex purchases, whereas this comes with both.

        • Keep in mind the flight needs to be booked in the name of the cardholder.

          Agree with you on the Visa consideration, but I don't think it should be a deciding factor.

      • hi thanks for response, when does the year start and end actually? calendar year or joining up year.

  • So is this a direct 60k point transfer to Virgin?

    Or does this only net like 30k points?

    • +6

      ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Credit Card - 60K Velocity Points + Complimentary Virgin Flights and 2 Lounge Pass $225 Annual Fee

      Sometimes people don't read the comments/description and I think it's ok, partially forgiveable, but if you don't read the title.. then… =/

      • -1

        Yep read the title - wanted 100% confirmation they weren't ANZ rewards points which only convert to like 30k points.

        • +3

          I don't know how much clearer you can get though when it actually says "60K Velocity Points".

          You're probably thinking of ANZ Rewards Points, in which case it should say ANZ Rewards Points.

    • 60k Velocity points will be transferred directly to your Velocity account. I received my points just one week after spent $500 on eligible purchases.

      • At which stage of the application were you asked for your Velocity number? I didn't see it when filling in the online application form.

        • +1

          I didn't fill my Velocity number. ANZ knows your Velocity account automatically, probably they match your name and dob with Velocity membership system.

  • When does the free flight become available? Is it based on billing cycle or calendar year?

    Do you need to wait for one full year to pass from commencement before you can book the flight?

    • +1

      I don't see any explicit qualifying criteria but I think it will be based on a calendar year like other cards

      You definitely wouldn't need to wait for a whole year before being able to book your flight.

  • $225 annual fee mmmmmmm, Anyone knows if the second card holder also get free flights ?

    • +2

      Very much doubt it. 2nd card holder is $55 extra btw.

  • Screw dealing with ANZ. Got the run around majorly on the last deal at the end of the year. Provided sufficient evidence of my pay with payslips and deposits and they still wanted more. Had to deal with a useless Indian call centre who were impossible to understand so I just gave up.

  • Where on the page does it mention the 60k points? I can only see the free flights.

    • Right above the 2 cards in the picture…

      • Also

        Plus, as an introductory offer, you could earn a bonus 60,000 Velocity Frequent Flyer Points when you spend your $500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of approval2.

        • Thanks. Turned out the mobile page didn't redirect me to the right offer. Works on desktop.

  • Bugger. The online form will not recognise my suburb.

  • +2

    Goodbye AMEX Platinum Edge, hello ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures AMEX.

    • Hmm is it worth cancelling platinum edge though if you get 3 points per dollar spent at supermarkets? Isn't the ANZ Rewards Travel only 2 points per $1 spent for everything?

      Why not keep edge for when you shop at supermarkets and use ANZ Rewards Travel for everything else?

      • I don't think the extra 1 point per dollar that I would accrue would make up for the $195pa fee, would it?

        Being generous say $150pw, $7800pa = 7800 extra points, I've been told 1c per points? So like $78 or something?

        Does that sounds about right? I'm not an educated on this as I've never redeemed any points, I've been meaning to research the most effective way before I did so.

        • +1

          Would you use the $200 travel credit, keeping in mind it can be used for things other than flights such as accomodation? If so that's the big item that'll determine the cards value and make any points earn a bonus.

          Also what are you buying to accumulate the points? The ANZ exchange rate is 0.5 Velocity points per ANZ point, of which you earn two if you use Amex. That equates to 1 point per $1. Amex Platinum Edge has a 1:1 ratio. If the majority of your purchasing is groceries (3 points per dollar) then you are earning two extra points, not one. On Petrol you get one extra point and most other things you end up the same.

        • @Smigit:

          Why not use both? Free flight with the ANZ rewards travel and use the amex planinum edge $200 credit for hotel while you're there?

        • @ISTJ: yeah that's what I was alluding too. The cards may compliment one another if you are using them for travel. I think the Amex is also good for car hire from memory (don't quote me on that, but it'll be easy enough to check) or if you need to fly with a non ANZ card holder you could use the $200 towards their seat since unlike the ANZ, Amex let's you book in other people's names.

        • Speaking with Amex Re waiving the Plat edge annual fee, which they don't do
          He suggested I cancel my plat edge with a downgrade to gold (no annual fee). Then apply for an upgrade to plat edge. Worked for me.

        • +1

          @tunzafun001:

          can you explain what this means a bit more? sounds great

  • It is a real shame that they are only allowing the complimentary flights to be booked in the cardholder name only. I was thinking of signing up on this but we normally need 3 tickets each year to fly from Perth to the east coast cities, and one free ticket won't be good enough if I can't buy the other two tickets for cheap from others not using their complimentary tickets. :(

    • Tell these other travellers to also get cards?

      • wife and son don't earn income so I am afraid they can't :P

        • You could still buy 2 additional seats, it just won't be from an ANZ member. Might luck out with someone on the Amex Platinum Velocity card or something. As long as you're flying with them it's probably still one discounted ticket in the worst case.

    • Apply for this, platinum Edge and platinum reserve. 3 free sorted.

  • +1

    Is this a legitimate alternative to purchasing travel insurance? i.e. Are the conditions basically, book your flights with us and you qualify?

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