Using the "cancer card"

Recently I was approved for a Banana Republic Visa card. I plan to pay the card off in full each month while reaping the discount rewards to all The Gap affiliated stores (Banana, Old Navy, PiperLime, etc.).

Don't worry--I am getting to a story here.

When I received the card in the mail I needed to call an 800-number to have the card activated. After punching in a few numbers I was transferred to a customer service agent who verbally confirmed a few pieces of information. And then she tried to sell to me.

"Ma'am, I would just like to take this opportunity to tell you about a program we offer all our Banana Republic cardholders. If you were to ever end up in the hospital and out of work for 7 or more days we would pay off your card balance in full. If you keep no balance on your card then there is no charge for this program, otherwise the program costs 1% of your monthly balance. So if your balance is $100 you would pay $1 for this program."

"No, thank you," I politely refused. "I will not keep a balance on this card so I do not need to be involved in this program."

She empathized with me. "I understand that is often hard to think about unfortunate events occurring in one's life. Banana Republic Visa offers a program like this to help you plan for the future in case an unfortunate situation were to arise."

WTF? Is she kidding me? Unfortunate event?!

"As a cancer patient, trust me when I say that I understand what it is like to live through an unfortunate event," I explain. "I don't need to be part of your program."

My message was loud and clear. She understood what I was saying and thanked me for my time.

However, this leaves me wondering if I should sign up for the program and run up a huge tab if I am ever to have surgery again.

Hmm...