I had my wallet nicked in Padstow on the last day of a trip there and was just about take the 3.5 hour drive home. Problem was I didn't have enough fuel to make it. My CC providers took ages to even answer the phone and cancel the cards. Amex dealt with it a just a few mins, arranged to courier a replacement card to me by the next day and authorised a fuelling stop for me on my way home. I'll never be without one, ever.

I had a similar experience in Washington. Amex had an international courier deliver a new card within days. In the UK, the three companies that won't lose my custom (unless things go very downhill) are Amex, NFU Mutual and firstdirect. In my dealings with each, their staff come across as competent and efficient, with a get-stuff-done attitude and evidently empowered to make their own decisions.

Out of curiosity, how did they manage to get you money without you having a physical card?

I went to an agreed petrol station, they'd authorised spend there. From memory, I think I just told them my name and that was all I needed to do: fill up, thank the staff, drive off.

Fair point, I wasn't aware of this feature.

How did they authorize a fueling stop?