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Credit Card attempts to purchase Swiss Travel Pass

Even though this relates to Swiss SBB site, I thought the insight gained may be helpful to others nit reading the Switzerland posts.

Attempted to purchase 2 Swiss travel passes directly from SBB site (836CH) using a Capital One card. Tried three times, all said payment failed. My husband called Capital One and they said there was no attempt showing with CO. They did ask if we saw Verified by Visa during the transaction (we did not). The person on the phone told my husband that Capital One does not subscribe to Verified by Visa service, costs too much. With CO on the phone, attempted the purchase two more times. Capital One tried to be helpful and even got someone on the phone with SBB, who suggested we purchase once in Switzerland. While on phone with CO, I tried our Chase Explorer Visa card (also payment failed).

So next I called Chase Visa and talked to them and tried again while on phone. They also said they did not see a purchase attempt. But with Chase visa, there was a Verified by Visa pop up screen before ending up back at the order with payment blocked. So Chase called Visa and talked to someone in the fraud department. They wanted to confirm I was making the purchase. Then they made a note in the account so the next attempt would be authorized. They waited on the phone while I attempted again, and purchase went through.

And we’ve previously purchased SBB tickets (using the Chase card) from their app with no issues. I think in this case the $800+ dollars triggered potential fraud.

But interesting Capital One doesn’t subscribe to Verified by Visa.

Posted by
5837 posts

I bought SBB tickets at the staffed ticket counters in Switzerland without any problem. Is there a pressing need to buy the passes before arriving with feet on the ground?

Posted by
1639 posts

We just didn’t want to pay for the tickets from Domodossola to Brig (32CHF) which would be covered by the passes, then get off the train to buy the passes, then get back on the train an hour later.

Passes purchased, just took an hour and a couple phone calls.

Posted by
1131 posts

You know, I've heard mixed things about this - some people, like you, have a hard time getting the pass to go through, and some people, like us last summer had zero problems. I wonder what triggers the system to go crazy?! (And if I remember correctly, I think we used an AMEX to buy the pass online, which, you would think, would be the most likely card to be rejected!)

Posted by
11744 posts

Cap One often gives me headaches with overseas online reservations and purchases. AMEX is a great option, if you have one. It is my go to for Trenitalia. Only one that works consistently,

Posted by
21098 posts

Yes, somehow, American Express was exempted from 3D Secure procedures, because it is not a "bank" card, it is a "travel" card. What that distinction is in reality, I have no idea.

Posted by
1639 posts

We losr our AX card when Costco dumped them. But at least the Chase visa worked. Have a Citibank as another backup.

Posted by
1221 posts

If anyone USA-based wants an AmEx as a back-up card, the normal silver Everyday card gives double points at grocery stores, and is pretty much the only one of the credit cards that give you multiple airline & hotel redemption options (Member Rewards points in this case) with no annual fee to do so.

There is a forex fee, and AmEx acceptance can be more miss than hit in many places in Europe, but it can be a useful secondary card in many circumstances.

Posted by
21098 posts

I think we are talking about on-line purchases only. Cards work great once you are in Europe. Exception being unattended machines where you may need a 4-digit PIN.