I spent years confused, thinking my “Chase Sapphire” card covered me. Then I met a guy who got airlifted from a safari in Botswana straight to his home hospital in Boston. He didn’t use travel insurance; he used a “Membership.” I decided to pit the two giants—Medjet and Global Rescue—against each other to see who really owns the crisis space in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Not Insurance: These are membership programs. They do not pay your hospital bills. They only handle the transport. You still need health insurance.
- The “Trigger”:
- Medjet: Triggers if you are hospitalized as an inpatient 150+ miles from home.
- Global Rescue: Triggers if you have a medical emergency requiring evacuation (Field Rescue).
- Field Rescue: This is the main difference. Global Rescue will come get you off the side of a mountain (Point of Injury). Medjet generally only moves you hospital-to-hospital.
- Cost: Both cost roughly
300−300−600/year. A bargain compared to a $100k charter.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Getting to the Hospital.”
If you break your leg on Everest:
- Medjet says: “Call us when you get to a hospital in Kathmandu. We will fly you home from there.”
- Global Rescue says: “We will send a helicopter to Base Camp to pick you up.”
If you are an adventure traveler, you need Field Rescue. If you are a luxury traveler (“City to City”), you just need Hospital Transfer.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- Medjet Horizon: I asked, “If I’m in a hospital in Paris with a stroke, will you fly me to Johns Hopkins?” Answer: “Yes, as long as you are stable and inpatient. You choose the hospital.”
- Global Rescue: “If I’m hiking in Patagonia and break a leg, will you pick me up?” Answer: “Yes, we have field rescue assets. We get you to the local hospital first, then we can discuss repatriation.”
- Travel Insurance: “We will fly you to the nearest suitable facility.” (The trap from Article 1).
Comparison Table: Membership Showdown
| Feature | Medjet (Horizon) | Global Rescue | Standard Travel Insurance |
| Transport to Home Hospital | YES (Core Feature) | YES (If warranted) | NO (Nearest Suitable) |
| Field Rescue (Mountain) | NO (Hospital to Hospital) | YES (Point of Injury) | Varies (Often excluded) |
| Security Evac (Riots) | YES (Horizon edition) | YES (Upgrade) | NO |
| Medical Bills | NO (Transport Only) | NO (Transport Only) | YES |
[IMAGE: Venn diagram. Left circle ‘Travel Insurance’ (Bills). Right circle ‘Memberships’ (Jets). Center overlap ‘Peace of Mind’]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Assess Your Trip Style:
- Hiking/Remote? Get Global Rescue.
- Urban/Resort? Get Medjet.
- Stack It: Do not cancel your travel insurance. You need insurance to pay the $50,000 Thai hospital bill. You need the Membership to get you home after the surgery.
- Read the “150 Mile” Rule: Memberships don’t work if you are just a standard distance from home (e.g., a weekend road trip).
- Check Age Limits: Medjet gets strict after age 75 (requires a doctor’s sign-off). Global Rescue has similar tiers.
FAQ
Can I buy it after I get hurt?
No. You must be a member before the incident.
Does it cover COVID?
Medjet now covers COVID transport (unlike in 2020), but check the specific “transport of infectious disease” safety rules.
Is it per trip?
You can buy “Short Term” or “Annual.” Annual is usually better value if you take >2 trips a year.