Difficulty buying German rail passes from bahn.de

A tip in the future FYI : People have reported circumventing this problem by using PayPal
https://www.bahn.com/en/view/booking-information/booking/paypal.shtml

I don't know why there should be any difference between buying a SparPreis ticket from the Bahn or buying a German Rail Pass from the Bahn, and I have bought SparPreis ticket many times without problems since 2008, including last Summer.

For reasons not related to this, I fired Chase years ago.

Is this some kind of super rewards card? I theorize that DB has a standing order to it's bank "More than 1% fees involved? Reject it." European credit cards are severely limited on the fees they charge merchants. These US cards have merchant fees of 3% or more, depending on how fat the rewards kick-backs are. Been through it with other German outfits. They hate, hate, hate credit card fees.

The problem will most likely be with Chase and its non participation in 3D-secure.

Many European online purchases will fail for a card issuer not participating, as not being secure enough against fraud.

I had the same problem with bahn.de two years ago. Finally talked to Chase security and they did "something on their end" and I was able to purchase the tickets. The initial Chase representative that handled my call could not resolve, it took someone "in the back" who had "a clue".

You can also buy these in Germany at the larger train stations and airports. That might not solve your Chase problem, but in some ways it is more convenient.

Finally talked to Chase security and they did "something on their end" and I was able to purchase the tickets.

I know that Chase had an odd arrangement where if you got a clued-up person they could somehow turn 3d-secure authentication on for either a single transaction or 24 hours which is maybe what was done in this case.

US banking set-up tends to value speed of transaction (and hence total turnover) over security and are prepared to eat the cost of any additional fraud.

Interesting and good to know for my upcoming trip. Also good to know the price difference. I'd noted that when I was comparing train tickets and found it interesting to have such a large price discrepancy.

OMG. I can sure relate to all these problems with trying to purchase a Bahn card! I practically jumped through hoops and still could not complete the purchase! I need to purchase rail tkts from Berlin to Cologne and having the Bahn card would save me a few euros. Also tried to purchase the senior fare which didn't come up during the purchasing process, but was listed as an option on the Bahn info website. Good to know we can get the card at the airport. Then use it while in Berlin to purchase our train tickets, at least 1 to 2 days before we leave Berlin. Good Luck to us all!

Thanks to this forum, when I went to order my German rail pass from Bahn.de using my Chase card, I was not surprised when I got an email and a text asking if I had initiated the purchase. I answered yes to both, but the purchase was still declined. So I tried again the next day, got the same email from Chase, answered yes again, but this time the purchase went through. I think the fraud department is suspicious of overseas transactions, but if reassured it is you, will complete the transaction. Good luck to everyone else trying to purchase their train tickets!

Not sure about bahn.de and Chase cards, but I used my Chase Reserve card to buy many tickets on Austrian rail ÖBB, no problems.

Brenda, you are aware you do not need the Bahncard when buying discounted tickets? You only need to present the card on the train.

In fact, you don't need one. There is, however, presently a promotional offer of the Bahncard 25 (running till 9th of June), which gives you 25% off all prices and can be cancelled after three months. It costs € 6.50 per month (€ 4.50 if you are older than 60 years) and can be profitable if you plan several long trips. But be careful: you have to cancel the card right away, otherwise it will be extended automatically.

Response to Chris-s: So I don't need the card to purchase the rail ticket in advance? I just need to be sure to buy the Bahn card before I board the train (such as buying it at the airport when we arrive in Berlin?).

Yes. There is no check at the time you buy the ticket.
You get a preliminary Bahncard right away when buying at a counter. It does, however, take a few minutes as they take your address; note that it turns into a subscription if not cancelled in time.
Alternatively, you can buy the Bahncard online beforehand (if your credit card issues have been sorted out), and set the start of validity appropriately. You can then print a preliminary Bahncard yourself. Probably the simplest option.
Finally, note that the "Bahncard Flex" requires a European bank account number (IBAN). I think the others can be paid with credit card.