I have a capital one account and debit card (mastercard) I use exclusively for my foreign travel to avoid foreign transaction fees. My card was denied when booking my delta flight for 2024 and now again for 2025. Traveling from US to Europe. I didn’t keep detailed notes last year but feel like it was denied for a few small purchases as well. Anyone else encounter this same issue with capital one? I called after my transaction for my flight was denied, and still it was denied when I tried to purchase a second time so I wound up purchasing with my card from a different bank that will charge me the fees.
Now in trying to purchase a second flight, this time within Europe on Ryanair has been declined. Starting to rethink if capital one should be my go to but I would prefer to not have yet another account to manage.
Posted by
la la land...
1077 posts
I would never use a debit card for transactions like those. Only for an ATM withdrawal.
Do you have a credit card? What "other" card that you used charged you "fees"?
Posted by
Pennsylvania
313 posts
We use a Capital One credit card to book international flights, tours, etc. it’s never been declined but we usually have to complete an extra verification step before the purchase is completed (they text us a code to input). Are your communication details correct in your Capital One account? Maybe you’re not receiving an extra verification step? Strange you still had problems after calling Capital One about the issue.
We also have a Capital One Mastercard debit card that’s tied to a checking account (used for international travel only). We’ve haven’t had any problems using it in ATM machines in various European countries (no declines, no surprising fees, etc). Haven’t ever used it to make a purchase in a store or online though.
Posted by
West Coast
265 posts
To clarify as your other respondents asked: you have only their debit card, correct?
Until my last trip my Capital One credit card was my backup card (only for travel) because my Delta AMEX isn't as widely accepted.
I was able to easily set up their debit card online (took a week or so to come by mail) and linked it to the same travel-only bank account I use, for payments.
Do you have the option of getting their credit card? Just a thought, if you have time to try it before purchasing plane tickets? It's been very reliable through the app.
Good luck!
Posted by
Los Angeles
1318 posts
I have had 3D Secure authentication applied to foreign purchases when using my Capital One CREDIT card - this includes purchases made while still in the States. It may also be applied to larger online domestic purchases. Depending on how your account is set up, you may not be receiving the authentication prompts.
How much cash do you keep in you Cap One account? A large purchase might be declined if there isn't an excess of cash above the purchase amount.
At any rate, please use a credit card for purchases as save the debit card for cash withdrawals at bank- owned ATMs. Cap One should be happy to issue a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. I've used mine on several recent trips without issue.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1923 posts
As a side note I believe that credit cards may offer additional consumer protection. So for large purchases like international air fare I would suggest using one. If you like or need the discipline of the debit card then just put the CC away after the purchase and pay the balance off promptly from the account linked to the debit card. The credit card also can serve as an emergency back up when traveling. Unless you have multiple debit cards for different accounts I would want at least one back up.
Posted by
OP
California
148 posts
I would never use a debit card for transactions like those. Only for an ATM withdrawal.
Do you have a credit card? What "other" card that you used charged you "fees"?
The “other card” I am referring to is my primary, I use Chase for my day to day banking and I have my credit card with Chase. My accounts through Chase charge foreign transaction fees.
Delta is not charging me the foreign transaction fees but Ryanair will. The point is to avoid transaction fees and charge all travel related booking to the capital one, for ease of tracking trip costs.
We use a Capital One credit card to book international flights, tours, etc. it’s never been declined but we usually have to complete an extra verification step before the purchase is completed (they text us a code to input)
I too have received the extra verification step, and even with that, one of my lodging transactions was declined. I’m not sure the purpose of the extra verification step if only to decline after :-/
This lodging I ended up charging to my day to day credit card and alas foreign transaction fees. I experienced no issues in the past using the ATMs in Europe with the capital one card and I only use bank owned ATMs
To clarify as your other respondents asked: you have only their debit card, correct?
Until my last trip my Capital One credit card was my backup card (only for travel) … Do you have the option of getting their credit card? Just a thought, if you have time to try it before purchasing plane tickets?
I do not have a credit card with capital one. Yes I could always get another credit card but was trying to avoid, and was curious if anyone else here had experienced similar issues.
At this point my flight is booked, and I’m glad I didn’t wait because prices for the Delta flights have since gone up $300/pp
How much cash do you keep in you Cap One account? A large purchase might be declined if there isn't an excess of cash above the purchase amount.
I am sure to keep a decent amount as buffer above the purchases I am making.
Just wanted to save on transaction fees and avoid yet another account but will have to weigh my options.
Thanks everyone for your input.