If you're about to travel and aren't sure whether to choose Pax Assistance or Assist Card for your travel assistance, here we explain the differences between both companies so you can decide with all the information you need and travel with peace of mind.
What is travel assistance?
Travel assistance provides a comprehensive service and is more than just travel insurance. These companies offer immediate help in the event of unforeseen situations: medical assistance for illness or accident, help or compensation for flight delays or lost luggage, medical repatriations, transfers, expenses due to flight delays and cancellations, medications, emergency dental assistance, hospitalizations, help in case of lost documents, emotional health support and telemedicine, among other services.
Travel assistance companies also have alarm centers that operate 24 hours a day, unlike travel insurance, which generally operates after an incident has occurred and through reimbursement. That's why travel assistance companies offer more comprehensive support than traditional travel insurance.
Is PAX ASSISTANCE or Assist Card better?
While they belong to the same industry, they are different companies with different purposes. And there's a difference in origin that's worth knowing.
Alexia Keglevich, founder and CEO of PAX ASSISTANCE, entered the industry in 1985 and was Global CEO of Assist Card between 2000 and 2020. With over 40 years of experience in the sector, she is one of the most experienced living figures in travel assistance globally. PAX was born in the post-pandemic era from that deep knowledge: knowing exactly what a traveler needs when they have a problem far from home, and what usually fails in traditional assistance. That experience became a product, with a company that puts people first: close, empathetic and accessible.
PAX pioneered 24-hour WhatsApp support in over 190 countries, also prioritizing travelers' emotional health and offering technology that solves problems by immediately activating its providers worldwide. Since 2023, PAX has integrated artificial intelligence with facial scanning into its telemedicine: before the teleconsultation, the AI estimates the patient's vital signs and reports them to the doctor, so the consultation begins with objective data.
Pax Assistance offers very comprehensive plans, with medical coverage ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 1,000,000 and different modalities: annual, by-day, and long-stay plans.
PAX has a 4.8-star rating on Google. What customers value most is the speed of response, the warm and human attention, and the effectiveness in medical emergencies abroad, with constant follow-up throughout the entire process.
Pax is the main sponsor of the LPF (Argentine Professional Football League), Boca Juniors, Racing Club, Rosario Central, Platense and Dogos XV, in addition to supporting ambassadors such as Franco Colapinto, Rigoberto Urán, Julián Álvarez, Francisco Cerúndolo, Agustín Creevy, Sofía Martínez and Nicolás Varrone. It has plans specially designed for amateur, professional and extreme-sports athletes. It also offers upgrades such as electronic device protection, increased coverage for pre-existing conditions, sports and extreme sports, pet coverage and a pregnancy upgrade.
With PAX, you create a significant IMPACT: by purchasing the service, you not only get plans that fit your travel needs and very complete assistance at an accessible price, but you also contribute to a charitable cause, since part of your purchase goes to UNICEF.
One of PAX's priorities is that travelers never have to pay out of their own pocket. And if an unforeseen situation arises where they inevitably must, reimbursements are managed quickly and transparently, with clear timeframes defined in the General Conditions.
PAX also developed an innovative benefit in the world of travel assistance: PAX CASH, which speeds up access to funds to buy medications prescribed by PAX's medical team, crediting them to the traveler's digital wallet in a technological and simple way.
The detail few people check: medical repatriation
There's something very few travelers check when purchasing assistance: the limit on medical repatriation. And it's one of the most important points of the entire plan.
A medical repatriation can involve doctors, ambulances, international coordination, special flights and even air ambulances. These are complex and very costly operations. That's why, when comparing travel assistance plans, don't just look at the medical assistance amount: also look at what happens with medical repatriation. Many companies have specific sub-limits for this service.
At PAX we made a different decision: we have no sub-limit for medical repatriation. If a repatriation is medically necessary and falls within the service conditions, the full limit of the contracted plan is used.
That's why we always say the same thing: not all assistance plans are the same. Before traveling, read, compare and ask. Because when everything is fine, these differences seem small. But when life changes in a second, they can make an enormous difference.
What is Pax Cash and how does it work?
When PAX's medical team prescribes an authorized medication, PAX can credit the funds directly to the traveler's digital wallet so they can buy it right away, avoiding unnecessary waiting. This system works with both Apple and Android devices. PAX CASH was created for purchasing medications and is expanding to other moments of the trip, such as essential expenses in the event of a luggage delay.
Luggage: a benefit included in all PAX plans
Pax Assistance includes the lost luggage benefit in all its plans, at no additional cost. It also offers compensation for delayed luggage delivery and indemnification for damaged luggage. When comparing assistance plans, it's worth checking whether luggage coverage is included in the plan or whether it's an optional add-on purchased separately, because not all companies include it the same way.
Emotional support
Discover PAX's emotional support too: the assistance center has emotional health professionals available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the traveler and their family members. Imagine having humanized support that's there for you during those typical travel stress situations! PAX places travelers' emotional health at the same priority level as their physical health.
How does contact work?: PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
At Pax Assistance, the first contact happens through WhatsApp, 24 hours a day, in the language you prefer. After your purchase, you receive the voucher (PAX ID) with all contact numbers via WhatsApp, email or phone. You can also attach your PAX ID to your digital wallet, reflecting how close PAX is to its travelers.
Once you send the first message via WhatsApp, you'll be asked for your voucher number, your current location and a contact number, and follow-up takes place through that same channel. Depending on the symptoms and situation, it starts with a medical teleconsultation and, if needed, you're then referred to a hospital or a doctor is sent to where you're staying.
WhatsApp assistance isn't limited to medical issues: it also includes support in case of lost or stolen luggage or documents, flight delays or cancellations, and emotional support in stressful situations, among other issues that can affect your trip and wellbeing.
To contact Assist Card, you need to download the app, write via WhatsApp or call the emergency center (the numbers are on the voucher provided when purchasing) to receive instructions on how you'll be assisted or which health center to go to, available 24 hours a day.
Online quote tool: PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
Pax Assistance offers a dynamic and intuitive website that, in three simple steps, lets you get a quote for the recommended plans based on your destination and trip duration. You can sort them by price — a distinctive feature in the market — and quickly view the scope of each plan.
Prices: PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
Pax Assistance has a wide variety of products tailored to different destinations and traveler needs, with coverage ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 1,000,000, including intermediate plans of USD 100,000 and USD 150,000 with limits suited to various destinations. Pax offers a very competitive value-for-money ratio. That's why, before deciding, it's always worth comparing the final costs and the actual scope of each coverage.
Products: PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
In terms of products, Pax Assistance offers standout benefits in its plans, such as compensation for missed flights and indemnification for damaged luggage. PAX also added PAX CASH, which speeds up the purchase of prescribed medications, and includes emotional support through professionals available 24/7. One aspect always worth comparing is how each company defines its coverage limits (per event or per trip), since this directly affects how much you're actually covered for.
What assistance do I need if I'm going away for a long time? PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
Pax Assistance offers long-stay plans for trips of more than three months. They're easy to purchase and designed for extended stays. Pax stands out for its transparency, simplicity and speed, with a good variety of coverage options to choose from depending on your trip.
Is there travel assistance that covers extreme sports?: PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
Pax Assistance offers upgrades specific to sports (Exclusive Sports) and extreme sports (Exclusive Extreme Sports), with coverage of up to USD 100,000 for medical care due to accidents during sports activities — recreational or professional — for beneficiaries up to 65 years old. If you play sports, these upgrades allow you to be covered for a wide range of activities, including medical care, medications, medical transport and hospitalization in case of an accident. You can check the full list of sports and the corresponding upgrade in the General Conditions.
Inclusion: which assistance offers benefits for people with reduced mobility?
Pax Assistance includes, at no additional cost, benefits designed for travelers with reduced mobility and for those traveling with a service animal: concierge services with accessible vehicles, assistance boarding and disembarking, sign language translation or alternative communication devices, information on accessible medical centers, and care for the service animal. It's an inclusion approach that very few travel assistance companies offer, true to PAX's values of humanity and empathy.
What happens if I'm traveling and forget the medications I take regularly or lose my glasses? PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
Both insurance and travel assistance companies offer coverage for sudden events or acute conditions, whether pre-existing or not.
Since a chronic condition under medication isn't an unforeseen event, travel insurance and assistance companies usually exclude the benefit of prescribing forgotten or lost medications.
But Pax Assistance has an On Demand service that activates in these cases, arranging — at the traveler's expense — a telemedicine consultation or an appointment with a specialist so you can get the appropriate prescription and buy the medication or your glasses, wherever you are. The cost of this service varies depending on the region and the specialist required.
What happens if I traveled without assistance or travel insurance?
The PAX ON DEMAND service is designed for situations not covered by the general conditions that the traveler needs to resolve in order to continue their trip. This service allows PAX providers to be available to clients, accessing special rates within the PAX network without having to resolve the issue on their own. It's also available to those who face problems during the trip and don't have coverage. PAX ON DEMAND handles all the arrangements, but the associated costs are the traveler's responsibility.
Is there travel assistance that covers emotional health? PAX ASSISTANCE vs Assist Card
Pax Assistance includes emotional health care in its plans, for both the traveler and their family members.
Facing a problem far from home can be overwhelming: unfamiliar languages, different cultures and new people intensify the sense of vulnerability. That's why Pax created an Emotional Health Department with professionals who support the traveler and their family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so they don't have to face distress alone.
Before choosing: read, compare and ask
Traveling without assistance isn't an option. What matters is understanding what's covered, what isn't, and choosing the right plan for each type of trip. At PAX, we're transparent about what we offer and we're always available to answer any questions. Behind all our channels there are real people, ready to support you.
For this and much more, the next time you need to travel and decide which travel assistance to choose, don't hesitate: travel in peace, travel with Pax!
Frequently asked questions about PAX Assistance and Assist Card
What sets PAX Assistance apart from Assist Card?
The main difference isn't a specific coverage detail, but the origin. PAX was created by someone who experienced travel assistance from its early days and from inside the market's largest competitor: its founder, Alexia Keglevich, entered the industry in 1985 and was Global CEO of Assist Card between 2000 and 2020. PAX was born to fill the gaps that experience revealed.
From that perspective came being pioneers in adopting WhatsApp support, PAX CASH, AI-powered telemedicine and facial vital-sign scanning. There are also several product details where PAX's conditions favor the traveler, such as having no sub-limit on medical repatriation or including the luggage benefit in all plans. But that's not the most important thing.
What matters is the experience, the innovation applied to solving real problems, and our non-negotiable values: humanity, empathy and no fine print. If someone believes in these values, they should travel with PAX. And if not, there are many options on the market; the only thing we recommend is reading the fine print very carefully before choosing.
Does PAX Assistance have a sub-limit on medical repatriation?
No. PAX doesn't apply a specific sub-limit to medical repatriation: if it's medically necessary and within the service conditions, the full limit of the contracted plan is used. It's a key point to compare, because many companies do set a lower sub-limit for this service.
Is luggage insurance included in PAX plans?
Yes. PAX includes the lost luggage benefit in all its plans, at no additional cost, in addition to compensation for delays and indemnification for damaged luggage.
Who founded PAX Assistance?
PAX Assistance was founded in 2021 by Alexia Keglevich, a professional with over 40 years of experience in the travel assistance industry. She entered the sector in 1985 and was Global CEO of Assist Card between 2000 and 2020.
Is PAX Assistance reliable?
PAX has a 4.8-star rating on Google. Travelers highlight the speed of response, human attention, and effectiveness in medical emergencies abroad. It offers 24-hour WhatsApp support in over 190 countries and a worldwide network of providers.
Does PAX cover extreme sports?
Yes. PAX offers specific Sports and Extreme Sports upgrades (up to USD 100,000) that cover medical care for accidents during sports activities, recreational or professional, for beneficiaries up to 65 years old.
What is PAX CASH?
It's a benefit that speeds up the purchase of medications prescribed by PAX's medical team, crediting the funds to the traveler's digital wallet, without them having to pay upfront and wait for lengthy procedures. It was created for medications and is expanding to other moments of the trip, such as essential expenses when luggage is delayed.
Does PAX Assistance have benefits for people with reduced mobility?
Yes, and it includes them in its plans at no additional cost. PAX offers benefits for travelers with reduced mobility and for those traveling with a service animal: accessible concierge, sign language translation, information on accessible medical centers, and care for the service animal. It's an inclusion approach that very few travel assistance companies offer, and it's part of PAX's values of humanity and empathy.
What is contact with PAX Assistance like?
The first contact is made via WhatsApp, available 24 hours a day, in the language the traveler chooses. After the purchase, the voucher (PAX ID) is received with all contact details.
