A friend called my wife asking for help. She had elderly, frail, likely dying, relatives trapped on the 18th floor of a New Orleans hotel without food, water or medical supplies. She had a Lear Jet nearby waiting to fly them to safety. She was a 1,000 miles away. She called her congressman and senators but no one could help. My wife was at a loss.

An hour or two, maybe three, later the friend called back. She had called AMEX Global Assist for help. Within the hour a young man climbed the 18 stories with food and water, then carried the woman down and came back and carried the man down. Transportation was arranged to the waiting jet. The relatives are recovering.

Wow. Premium Global Assist comes with the Platinum and Centurion Card. Where I hope to never use it, it is good to know that it is there.