This happened to a friend of ours who has an American Express Platinum card.

He and his wife were visiting family on the opposite coast from where they live when he had a very serious stroke. He was hospitalized for a month before he could travel, and then they had to figure out how to transport him, since he was still in precarious condition.

The hospital social worker suggested that since they had an American Express card, AE might be able to help. They called, and this is what happened:

American Express booked a private jet for them. They were taken by limo to the airport, along with a private-duty nurse who accompanied them home. They were met in their home town by another limo that picked them up and drove them home.

They told us this story with voices full of wonder. For several years, they have paid $300 per year for the card, but compared to what this trip would have cost them if they had had to pay for it out of pocket, the annual fee is cheap, even for several years.

Most of us don't have $300 per year to spend for a credit card, but if you are in wobbly health and don't want to be stuck at home, it might be worth it. This story, combined with my own experiences (posted at the AE Green and Gold sites) explain my undying loyalty to American Express.



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