DB tickets

You might be experiencing an issue with 3DS.

For internet transactions in the EU, a security protocol called 3DS is in effect, similar to two party authentication, where you might get a code from your bank to enter, but involves three entities (You, Your card issuer, and the vendor)

You could ask your credit card issuer if they can "turn on" that feature if they offer it.

Thanks Paul I'll call them

I had a similar problem recently with SBB in Switzerland. The website wouldn’t accept my credit card, but the app did.

So, another thing to try is downloading the DB app and purchasing your tickets that way.

https://int.bahn.de/en/booking-information/db-navigator

Some journeys cannot be ticketed in advance. What are your departure and destination towns?

Carrie , I have the app on my phone , so I'll try that . Russ , The trip is Paris to Munich , October 8 . 10:53 Paris Est to Munich Hauptbahnhof , one change at Stuttgart ( both legs , ICE trains ) Bahn shows tickets on sale .

I don't think the problem is the credit card. DB is not that picky, and even allows you to use paypal. Booking on SBB is a problem, and that can often be solved by booking even Swiss tickets with DB.

This is probably another manifestation of "99% of the problems non Europeans encounter when booking tickets are caused by trying to book to early". The seat reservations for the French part of the trip are managed by SNCF, and maybe they haven't loaded inventory yet, leading to weird problems.

Just wait a few days. Trying to book exactly at the booking horizon is not a good idea. It is also not needed. This is a train, not a Taylor Swift concert...

Waiting a few days won't hurt , but it's my nature to act quickly . I'm also looking at booking now for October dates , while not Taylor Swift , Bavarian State Opera and Vienna Musikverein , those being as rare as hen's teeth ;-)