I used my cc to buy train tickets from Frankfurt to Hamburg. I know I'm to bring the cc used to make the purchase with me to give to the train guy who checks the tickets. Problem is... the number is now obsolete because of the recent Target cc hacking issue. I've been issued a new card (I didn't ask for a new one but my cc company told me I have to have a new one). Will this be a problem for me when I the guy comes around to verify train tickets?
Posted by
Green Bay
21108 posts
Bring the old card, even if it has been cancelled. The conductor will scan it with his portable mag strip reader and see if it matches the info he scans on the tickets QR code. His computer will give him a "green light" that the information matches. This saves him/her a lot of time determining if it is a valid ticket. You might just stop at the ticket office and explain to the agent. He'll get a chuckle out of it, and probably comment "You people really need to change to chip cards."
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2291 posts
George is right. They don't care if it's active, they just want to match the person who bought the ticket with the person using it. It keeps the fraud down.
Posted by
OP
West Coast, California, USA
485 posts
I don't even have it anymore. It was set to expire in February of this year and as I was waiting for the re-newed card, they instead sent me one with a new number. I tossed it and then realized 3 weeks later that I might have an issue with my train tickets :(
Posted by
San Francisco
14931 posts
Hi,
I had a similar problem a couple of years ago but it involved EuroStar tickets from London to Paris. Since you inadvertently tossed the credit card used to buy the Frankfurt-Hamburg ticket, I would suggest going to the Reisezentrum with your passport to explain. I would get this straightened out prior to boarding the train. The staff person at the Reisezentrum will verify your explanation with a DB stamp.
The difference was I had my old credit card used to buy the EuroStar ticket on line but B of A cancelled it, sent me a new card obviously with new account #. I brought along both cards and the passport to the counter to explain....no problems, very helpful.
Posted by
OP
West Coast, California, USA
485 posts
This is all good to know. Fortunately, I went back online and found that I had used a different credit card to make the purchase, so I will be OK. But oh what a hassle to have to change all my online info to reflect the new card. Thanks for all the information.
Posted by
San Francisco
14931 posts
@ Alexandra....good, you're off the hook.