Travel Assistance
Is Global Rescue worth it? It’s a solid choice for adventure travelers who want protection against emergencies. However, leisure and frequent travelers may get a better value with alternatives that assist with lost documents, medical emergencies and transportation support at a lower cost.
Bryanna Moore, Senior Product Manager
·Published on September 30th, 2025
Global Rescue has carved out a strong reputation with its high-end emergency evacuation services, but it’s not for every traveler. It’s a popular choice for adventurers, but if you aren’t trekking through the Amazon or climbing Mount Everest, there may be a better membership out there.
These Global Rescue alternatives may give you more flexibility and broader protection options. Here’s a side-by-side comparison that can help you find the right fit.
Global Rescue is a well-known membership-based service that provides travelers with medical evacuation, security, and field rescue support. It caters to remote environments with field rescue services and is therefore a popular choice with adventure travelers. The organization’s expert team consists of former military personnel and critical care paramedics, providing a specialized network ready to address any emergency.
Plans and key features include:
Global Rescue receives mixed reviews, with some members mentioning a lack of transparency around transportation and medical services. However, one customer provided a positive account of working with Global Rescue’s support team:
“There was a bit of a turbulent situation in 2017 or 18, but it was quickly and satisfactorily resolved. Global Rescue’s response was quick, simple, and friendly, for this I would use and recommend Global Rescue for anyone traveling.”
Take time to read reviews and even reach out to Global Rescue’s customer service team before committing to a membership, because Global Rescue may not be the best choice depending on a traveler’s unique needs and plans.
While Global Rescue is a popular choice for travelers, it’s important to weigh it against other options. Look for a provider that offers comprehensive services, clear terms, and a good value.
These eight Global Rescue alternatives have their own pricing, protection and add-ons. Note which travel assistance plan features work best for you before moving forward.
| Brand | Best For | Notable Features | Cost | Plan Structure |
| Emergency Assistance Plus | Robust travel protection | 24/7 support, medical transport, travel assistance, medical repatriation | ~$229/year | Membership-based |
| Medjet | Alternative option for medical transport | Medical evacuation, hospital transfers, worldwide network | ~$315/year | Membership-based |
| SkyMed | Snowbirds and cross-border travelers | Emergency transport, repatriation, seasonal memberships | ~$795/year | Membership-based, regional & seasonal plans |
| International SOS | Global corporate travel support | Security & medical assistance, risk management, global network | Quote-only (varies per trip) | Corporate subscription or membership plans |
| Seven Corners | Flexible international protection | Travel insurance, emergency assistance, trip cancellation | ~$100-$250/per trip | Insurance-based, customizable plans |
| Allianz Global Assistance | Worldwide emergency support | 24/7 emergency assistance, travel insurance, medical support | Quote-only (per-trip and annual options) | Insurance-based, plan options vary by traveler |
| AIG Travel Guard | Customizable insurance plans with assistance benefits | Travel insurance, concierge services, trip protection | Quote-only (varies per trip and plan tier) | Insurance-based, customizable plans |
| Assist America | Emergency medical referrals and transport | Medical referrals, evacuation, repatriation services | Included with group benefits (not sold publicly) | Membership-based, emergency assistance focus |
Emergency Assistance Plus is a well-known emergency assistance service that has been in business since 1996 and has provided protection to over 2 million travelers, placing it as one of the best Global Rescue alternatives, especially for field rescue.
Essential plans offer medical evacuation, home transport, vehicle relocation, and support with a return for a companion. The premier plan includes hotel stays, multi-companion returns, and pet care services. The EA+ team can also field translation needs, lost documents, and prescription replacements.
You don’t need a medical exam to qualify for services, and there are no age limits, so memberships are highly accessible for older travelers. And with worldwide protection, you can feel protected on every vacation.
EA+ is designed to handle any unpredictable moments during travel, no matter where you are. Protection extends worldwide, including emergency evacuation, relocation to the nearest suitable hospital, and companion flights and care as needed.
Certain services, such as an evacuation, may only be deemed necessary in the case of hospitalization. And members must be a minimum of 100 miles away from their home address for services to activate, unlike Global Rescue, which doesn’t have a distance restriction. It’s also important to note that EA+ is not insurance, and therefore may not pay for all medical expenses.
EA+ is a BBB Accredited Business and has an A+ rating, with several positive reviews. The business notably personally responds to each review, showing an appreciation for members’ feedback.
Many users report that they find the service to be an excellent value given the accommodations provided, and one user shared:
“The EA+ medical staff […] put us up in a beautiful hotel for [three] days so that I did not travel for [10] days post-accident. They also took care of arranging for our trip home in business class, where I was able to comfortably sleep most of the flight home.”
EA+ offers simple plans that are easy to compare and more affordable than Global Rescue, although they don’t include field rescue support. These four annual plans suit most travelers’ needs:
With no “per-trip” surcharge, members can enjoy support for multiple trips throughout the year.
Medjet claims to be the first company to implement an air-medical transport membership in 1991, and offers various medical and evacuation services. The company notably lets members pick their hospital of choice in an emergency. Therefore, Medjet is best for those who prefer complete control over where they receive care.
MedjetAssist services activate when you’re more than 150 miles from your home. You can expect bedside-to-bedside white glove support from your current location to any hospital of choice in your home country. Global Rescue, in contrast, only brings members to the nearest hospital.
Members under 75 are granted as many as two transports per year, while members 75-84 are allowed a single transport. Keep in mind that medical expenses and procedures aren’t included and that you need to be admitted as an inpatient for your transportation benefit. And unlike Global Rescue, Medjet doesn’t offer field rescue services.
Medjet has generally positive reviews on peer forums, with members mentioning that services were sufficient and also noting that plans are relatively affordable.
The company shares several video testimonials on its website alongside written reviews. One member mentions that Medjet is “an ideal choice for widespread coverage.”
MedjetAssist’s annual membership starts at:
A broad set of plans allows members to tailor their membership to their travel needs more specifically.
SkyMed International offers both ground and air transport for members in need, and can manage the process from your arrival at a foreign hospital to your journey home. With comprehensive ground support, it’s an ideal choice for road trip adventures and RVers. SkyMed services 32 countries total, including Canada, Mexico, the U.S., and several Caribbean destinations.
While SkyMed offers emergency evacuation services, they are not an insurance company, so they don’t pay for medical bills, transportation expenses, or any liabilities. Members must be more than 100 air miles from home for services to activate.
SkyMed’s services aren’t offered worldwide but rather within the “SkyMed Universe”, including Mexico, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, and the U.S. The geographical scope is much smaller than Global Rescue’s and, therefore, may not be ideal for travelers visiting other continents.
SkyMed International is listed on the BBB and holds an A+ rating. There are plenty of positive reviews, with many referencing positive support team conversations. However, a few users mention a lack of clarity around what’s included.
Longtime members are happy with the service, which highlights its reputation:
“I bought mine in 2001 and would never travel without it. I have the 5-year Ultimate membership […] which offers global protection and is price-guaranteed for up to 10 years. It’s also guaranteed renewable regardless of advancing age or declining health.”
SkyMed’s costs are higher than many other Global Rescue alternatives, but the company offers 25% or 34% discounts, which help to bring the fee down.
You can choose between an annual membership or a per-day plan, priced based on your trip’s length of time and the number of rooms in your accommodation.
International SOS services more than 1,200 locations in 90 countries, offering an extensive global footprint for travelers. The company provides both medical and security assistance, with a team of 13,000 worldwide experts ready to assist.
Members receive up to $1 million in medical evacuation support, medical supervision, and repatriation. They also receive up to $100,000 in protection for crisis or security evacuations.
The International SOS app offers security and travel guides for more than 853 cities worldwide and can send real-time alerts to keep travelers aware while abroad. However, unlike Global Rescue, there is no guarantee that you will be transferred to your home hospital of choice, as this is decided based on medical necessity.
International SOS is not BBB accredited and has mixed reviews on Trustpilot. Issues include long wait times on calls and confusion over what’s included. However, one member shares a positive experience with the call center:
“I was on a business trip and got a bad chest infection. Called the assistance center, spoke with a nurse who found an appointment with a doctor the same day. Very reactive.”
International SOS doesn’t offer flat-rate memberships — instead, it quotes each membership based on the traveler’s specific criteria. There is a quote form on the site that lets you review available plans and prices, and for an exact quote, you’ll need to share your:
Pricing is less straightforward than Global Rescue, but may be more customizable to your specific trip.
Seven Corners offers a medical evacuation plan called Liaison Travel Plus, and notably provides flexible protection for international travelers with pre-existing conditions. It’s a customizable alternative to Global Rescue, underwritten by a major global insurance company, offering comprehensive options.
To qualify for all available travel assistance benefits, travelers need to purchase a Seven Corners plan right after booking their trip (usually within 20 days). You’ll receive emergency evacuations and hospitalization support in any region outside your home country, and U.S. residents can choose a membership that includes the states if needed.
Seven Corners offers more traditional benefits, and therefore doesn’t include field rescue services, like Global Rescue.
Be sure to mind their exclusions, which include elective treatments, routine checkups, and any other non-urgent services. Additionally, Liaison Travel Plus brings you to the nearest adequate hospital, unlike Global Rescue, which brings you to a hospital near your home.
Seven Corners, Inc. is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating and has a roster of over 6,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with the majority being 5-star reviews. Complaints mostly cite customer service or claim issues. One member shares her streamlined experience:
“I had an accident in Switzerland while on vacation. Seven Corners stepped in immediately while I was hospitalized. Not only did they work with the hospital, and my husband, but they made sure I returned to the U.S. safely and in comfort. They reimbursed us as they said they would.”
Seven Corners provides protection on a per-trip basis as well as annual multi-trip protection, so pricing will vary depending on your:
You can customize your plan by choosing between four different levels of protection for any nonrefundable travel expenses, so you don’t have to pay for what you don’t need. However, this more nuanced, quote-based pricing system is less straightforward than Global Rescue’s memberships.
Allianz Global Assistance offers global evacuation services within its travel insurance plan, and provides global support to travelers who experience travel interruptions, need emergency evacuations, or are experiencing a medical emergency.
It’s best for those seeking a well-rounded protection package with multiple benefits under one policy. And since Allianz Global Assistance offers worldwide support, it’s a strong choice for anyone traveling to less popular destinations.
As a full-service travel insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance covers a broad scope of services. You can have your trip cancellations, delays, lost baggage or documents, services that aren’t offered by Global Rescue. Medical emergencies are also handled 24/7. Higher plan tiers, such as OneTrip Premier, offer higher benefit limits, and additional perks that may be useful for business travelers.
Keep in mind that routine medical check-ups and any elective treatments aren’t covered under a membership. You will also need to make sure you cover your trip within 15 days of purchasing it to qualify for support.
Allianz Global Assistance has a BBB rating of A+ and a 4.44 overall review rating. Most negative reviews discuss confusion over policy terms or cancellation windows, so make sure to review these details thoroughly when choosing a plan.
Positive reviews frequently mention ease of use with the Allianz app, as well as quick claim turnaround times. A current member mentions a smooth experience they had from the emergency to resolve:
“Sadly I had to use their services but it could not have gone better. Easy to use the website and upload documents. The response was beyond timely . An overall good experience.”
Allianz offers both single-trip and annual plans, each containing its own unique tiers for detailed protection options. When you submit a quote, you will be asked to provide your:
Travel Guard is a widely recognized travel insurance service nestled under the global insurance company American International Group (AIG). With worldwide support and insurance-backed protection, it’s best for travelers who want every protection for any situation.
Travelers can opt into the Travel Guard MedEvac Plan, a policy that covers air evacuation and medical emergencies.
With support in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America, Travel Guard is a comprehensive choice. Policies include evacuation support, trip disruption services, medical care, and baggage issues, a scope far beyond Global Rescue’s evacuation services.
If you don’t purchase your plan within 15 days of your trip purchase, medical conditions are excluded. For high-risk sports and other rigorous activities, you may need to buy an add-on for protection.
Travel Guard has earned an A+ on the BBB, but received mixed reviews from users on Trustpilot. Some members mention slow response times on claims, while others mention fast resolutions. One Travel Guard member provided a review reflecting both ends of the spectrum:
“Coverage is decent, and they provided assistance when I was stuck overseas. Could be faster on reimbursements.”
The Travel Guard website doesn’t directly list pricing, so interested travelers should fill out a form with travel details for rates. Travel Guard will reply with a personalized quote. Although pricing varies, there are five different plans available:
Assist America differs from Global Rescue in that it offers emergency evacuation services through group insurance providers or alumni associations, which means travelers can’t purchase it directly. This makes it best for employees or professionals who have access to the membership, unlike Global Rescue’s publicly available plans. If it is an included benefit under your plan, it may be complimentary, making it an outsized value.
Your Assist America membership activates when you’re 100 miles or more away from home, unlike Global Rescue’s more expansive regional scope. You can expect emergency evacuation services, assistance with hospital admissions, prescription filling, and repatriation home once stable.
Protection does not extend to non-emergency care, routine services or any medical services you organize on your own. Trips must be 90 days or less, although you can activate the expat plan to mitigate this.
Assist America isn’t accredited by the BBB, but has a roster of positive testimonials, including one from celebrity chef Jacques Pépin. He shared his experience in a video testimonial:
“A few years ago, I was in Mexico and I had a medical problem. My wife called Assist America. I was amazed at the speed at which they came, how thorough they were, how organized they were, how cultured they were, and in no time at all I was back in Connecticut […] If it hadn’t been for Assist America, I may not be here today […]”
Assist America isn’t public-facing and therefore doesn’t have public pricing or quotes as Global Rescue does. Third-party organizations negotiate a price, and sometimes offer the service as a complimentary add-on. Thus, this is a substantial value if it’s available to you, but it may not be an accessible option for most.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose an emergency assistance plan that suits your travel style:
Not all plans are open for all travelers. A standard limitation is an age gap, where protection may vary for older travelers. You will also need to consider certain distance thresholds. For instance, if you travel 50 miles away from home, but a membership that only activates within 100 miles of your residence isn’t a good fit.
Life happens, and your travel plans may change. It’s best to find a provider that is flexible and can change with you. If you have specific trips in mind or rarely travel, consider opting for a per-trip option. If you regularly travel or don’t have precise dates or destinations yet set, it may be best to sign up for an annual membership.
Select Global Rescue competitors that offer a well-trained staff and 24/7 logistics coordination, as tragedy can strike at any moment.
Alternatives like EA+ have global centers that can directly field your questions and requests at any time of the day. Ensure your provider supports you with document recovery, direct hospital payments, and translation services, as these can significantly speed up the process.
Value is a personalized balance of cost, offerings and relevance. Each person’s value uniquely depends on their travel style. However, more robust plans, or companies that provide add-on services, tend to be the best investment.
Weigh out flexibility, accessibility, support, and value when considering each global rescue service. Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+) balances each factor, without age limits, alongside clear plan offerings. So when it comes down to Emergency Assistance Plus vs. Global Rescue, EA+ offers broader protection.
EA+ makes emergencies manageable with fully-assisted transportation to your home hospital, dependents, and pet support along the way. You can let go of logistics and rest assured that a trained team is arranging everything behind the scenes.
Browse EA+ plans today to secure your next trip, with straightforward annual plans starting at $229. For a modest investment, you can avoid the high cost of medical evacuation and air ambulance costs in an emergency.
Enroll nowGlobal Rescue is a worthy option for many travelers. Consider Global Rescue if you regularly travel to high-risk, remote regions and want field rescue services. Frequent travelers may find EA+ to be a better alternative, with robust annual plans that provide hospital-to-home support.
Global Rescue’s fee for a single trip starts at $139, while annual plans begin at $615. Members can also add on a security evacuation package for an additional cost.
No, Global Rescue is not considered travel insurance. One of the biggest myths about travel assistance is that it’s the same as travel insurance, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Global Rescue is a membership-based program that provides evacuation services, but does not reimburse for hospital, trip cancellation, or lost baggage expenses.
If you’re traveling more than 100 miles from your residence and are injured or seriously ill, Global Rescue will evacuate you to a sufficient medical facility. Global Rescue also offers field rescue services in remote environments, as well as security evacuations.
Medical evacuation costs can add up fast if you’re not covered by a membership or travel insurance, sometimes reaching up to $80,000. Therefore, it’s best to invest in support to reduce the cost in the event of an emergency significantly.
Bryanna has been with Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+) for nearly 20 years, starting in customer service and now, as Senior Product Manager, she is responsible for member experience – including ensuring that the services EA+ provides continues to meet the evolving needs of EA+ members. Bryanna is passionate about EA+ members and making sure that Emergency Assistance Plus delivers on its brand promise to get members home safely in their time of need.
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