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Another Question About OBB & 3D Secure Password

Posted by (alameda, ca, usa) on

Rather than add to the other thread started by Nestor re this issue when trying to buy a train ticket online and being stymied by the need for a 3D Secure password, I did try calling Capital One, who confirmed they could see the attempted transaction but that it didn't go through, and they know nothing about being able to set up a 3D Secure password, kept blathering on about the 3 digit code on the card, so not helpful at all. My Citi card wouldn't work, either.

I have 2 questions now:

The other option is pay by bank transfer, is this safe?

Or, can I just buy my ticket in person at the station on the day of travel, or a couple of days ahead? I am travelling from Vienna to Budapest on Friday, April 28 and hoped to take the 8:39 am train, is it likely to sell out?

Posted by
16895 posts

If Capital One doesn't participate in the program, then I'm not surprised that the phone associate wasn't aware of it.

[edited] The bank transfer option that OBB is offering uses a pull-down menu listing only European (and I think only Austrian) banks. It's a common thing in Europe that US banks don't do the same way.

These trains don't require reservations and therefore cannot actually sell out. So the only real issue is not getting the advance discount. If you have the chance to buy the ticket anywhere in Austria or a neighboring country a few days in advance, then you might still get a better price than buying on the day of travel.

Posted by
2695 posts

Actually, this train does allow for reserving a seat, 3 euro extra. I think that I'll make a trip to the station when I arrive that Tuesday or Wednesday and just buy it then; buying it the day of travel, especially early in the morning, would just be cutting it too close for me anyway. Saving a few dollars is always great, the sparschiene was 19 euro, so anything less than 100 would still be fine. Ok, maybe just sort of fine...

Posted by
2284 posts

You always can buy tickets at the train station, even on the day of the travel. You might not get the cheap "Sparschiene" fare anymore, though. Seat reservations are always possible until the day before departure, for some trains even later. Just try online or ask at the counter.

Try to buy your ticket to Budapest as soon as you are at a train station in Vienna. You may also buy your ticket via phone using your credit card (without 3D-Secure) by calling OeBB's service line (+43 51717) and selecting 3 within the (German) voice menu. I have never done that, so I cannot tell how professional (and capable of English) the staff is.

Posted by
2695 posts

I think it will be fine if I buy at the station a few days ahead, just to get a feel for fares, seat availability, etc I checked the same train for next Monday and Friday and can see the sparschiene is still offered. I tend to be a person who wants things like train tickets set up in advance, so this makes me a little anxious.

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