So after parking the car I walked past the gate with the attendant booth and said, "I hope someday you are in a similar situation, but I hope you receive the help you need." The attendants shrugged their shoulders and ignored me. I walked outside the garage onto the street and had absolutely no idea what to do.
After walking around for about twenty minutes I called American Express knowing that I didn't have cash access as part of my plan. I asked them if they could give me the pin # so I could pull out cash and they said it wasn't part of my account program. The account representative was so nice and I had nothing better to do....so I proceeded to tell him my story. He laughed at parts, sighed at parts, and at the end said, "That's really messed up....I'm so sorry to hear that."
He then said, "Let me place you on hold....I have an idea that might work." After waiting for a moment he came back on the line and said, "We're not supposed to do this..but I've received special permission to help you due to your circumstances." He then went on to explain to me that he would wire me the cash I need but I would have to pick it up at a Western Union or or Moneygram location. I thanked him profusely but then laughed and said, "I have no idea how to find a location...and the cabs won't take anything but cash."
He then responded, "That's okay...just tell me your street location and I'll lead you to the nearest location to you." At this point I said, "This totally sounds like an American Express commercial." He laughed and said, "I'm just doing my job." The agent then proceeded to find a location that was only 6 blocks from where I was standing. He stayed on the line for the entire time while I walked to the Moneygram location. He even stayed on the line and walked me through filling out the form. To top it off he called the Moneygram office to make sure they gave me the money. If this doesn't convince you that need an American Express...nothing will.
I left the office and truly couldn't believe that they bailed me out in such a tough situation. I walked the six blocks back to the parking garage and got into my car. I pulled the car down to the gate where the two ladies were waiting for me. I handed over my ticket and a $20 bill and the lady leaned across before handing me my change and asked, "So...I thought you had no money....how did you get the cash?" "I smiled and said, "This is Miami, I sold my body." The lady looked at me cross-eyed not knowing whether I was serious or not and I said, "Now please, open the gate."
Thus ended one of the most unbelievable stories of my life....but a great story for a blog....
After walking around for about twenty minutes I called American Express knowing that I didn't have cash access as part of my plan. I asked them if they could give me the pin # so I could pull out cash and they said it wasn't part of my account program. The account representative was so nice and I had nothing better to do....so I proceeded to tell him my story. He laughed at parts, sighed at parts, and at the end said, "That's really messed up....I'm so sorry to hear that."
He then said, "Let me place you on hold....I have an idea that might work." After waiting for a moment he came back on the line and said, "We're not supposed to do this..but I've received special permission to help you due to your circumstances." He then went on to explain to me that he would wire me the cash I need but I would have to pick it up at a Western Union or or Moneygram location. I thanked him profusely but then laughed and said, "I have no idea how to find a location...and the cabs won't take anything but cash."
He then responded, "That's okay...just tell me your street location and I'll lead you to the nearest location to you." At this point I said, "This totally sounds like an American Express commercial." He laughed and said, "I'm just doing my job." The agent then proceeded to find a location that was only 6 blocks from where I was standing. He stayed on the line for the entire time while I walked to the Moneygram location. He even stayed on the line and walked me through filling out the form. To top it off he called the Moneygram office to make sure they gave me the money. If this doesn't convince you that need an American Express...nothing will.
I left the office and truly couldn't believe that they bailed me out in such a tough situation. I walked the six blocks back to the parking garage and got into my car. I pulled the car down to the gate where the two ladies were waiting for me. I handed over my ticket and a $20 bill and the lady leaned across before handing me my change and asked, "So...I thought you had no money....how did you get the cash?" "I smiled and said, "This is Miami, I sold my body." The lady looked at me cross-eyed not knowing whether I was serious or not and I said, "Now please, open the gate."
Thus ended one of the most unbelievable stories of my life....but a great story for a blog....