According to this thread, most American credit cards will not work on the OeBB website:
But one person said they succeeded with an American Express card. Does this work for others? And if I use the AmEx card to purchase the tickets, shall I assume I need to take the card along to show when asked? I don't normally take my AmEx card to Europe.
We bought our Rail Jet tickets on the OEBB website and our tickets from Prague to Linz with our Capital One Venture Card with no problem,be sure to call your credit card company before you attempt to buy the tickets.
Mke
One of the problems is that OEBB just recently started requiring 3-D secure. Try registering your Visa with Visa Check-Out or MasterCard with Securecode.
|And if I use the AmEx card to purchase the tickets, shall I assume I need to take the card along to show when asked? |
Answer: Try to buy the ticket and if you are successful the standard practice is that ticket will say what kind of ID (e.g. credit card used to purchase the ticket) is needed to board the train with an e-ticket.
If it does not clarify that, then you should contact the train line if you are not satisfied with any responses you read in this forum.
is needed to board the train with an e-ticket.
Of course, nothing is needed to board a train, just to present when asked by the Conductor during the trip.
Thanks. I had read about the 3-D Secure issue with Visa and Mastercards, which is why I asked about American Express. I do have a Visa card registered with Verified by Visa, but for mileage accumulation would prefer to use the AmEx for this purchase. It is too early to purchase the tickets for September travel, but l would like to know now if the AmEx will work.
German tickets purchased online through DB offer a selection of what type of ID you will bring, and passport is not on the list, so most Americans have to choose the credit card. But OeBB does not have the same requirement/selection. If a conductor wants photo ID, then your passport is what works.
Today(21 Feb) I gave up trying to use Capitol 1 which didn't work even after I contacted them and they assured me it would; Amex sailed through with no problem.
German tickets purchased online through DB offer a selection of what type of ID you will bring, and passport is not on the list, so most Americans have to choose the credit card.
Quoting https://www.bahn.com/en/view/booking-information/booking/online-ticket.shtml :
The following means of identification are accepted during ticket inspection:
• German ID card
• German passport
• Children's passport
• Electronic residence permit
• Asylum registration confirmation (BüMA),
• European ID card
• International passport
• BahnCard (in accordance with the Conditions of Carriage, valid only in conjunction with a photo ID, which may have to be presented on occasion).
Note: driver's licenses are not accepted as a means of identification during ticket inspection.
Nice to learn that news from the boondocks. It's certainly more logical for travelers than the old policy.
When I've done the 92 day discount ticket on-line and it's ticket time, all I presented with the print out ticket with the credit card (MasterCard or Visa) used to purchase, even if the card had since been cancelled by the bank. I tell the conductor that too in case s/hhe has questions. I have the US Passport ready to show in case that's wanted.
Looks like JerryG has answered the question---thanks! I will carry the A Ex card along just in case I need to show it to verify the tickets. Of course I will have my passport too.
(On previous trips with bahn,de I have been asked to show either).
