Has anyone had any luck booking Accademia tickets?

Are you using this site? http://www.b-ticket.com/B-Ticket/uffizi/default_eng.aspx.html

That's what I used to book my tickets for my November trip, and I didn't have an issue.

BB, yes that is the exact one. I even tried it again, for the 5th time in 10 days. It takes me all the way to submitting all my info, plus CC then submit. Others have been having the same issue.

It may be caused by the Verified-by-Visa security protocol, or its Mastercard equivalent.

Call your bank, tell them that you are making a purchase overseas and that you need to speak with somebody from their fraud prevention department. Odds are that those answering the phone know nothing about Verified-by-Visa and the 2nd layer security protocols.

Yes, I booked tickets online about 3 weeks ago with no problem. I am sure calling would be fine. But I bet Dario is correct. You might also try turning in a travel notification for your card. Or try using a different credit card.

I just reserved my ticket a few days ago. It wouldn't take my Visa, so I entered my MC. That worked well. I'm not sure why, but I'd read about someone else here having that issue, so I gave it a try and it worked.

I’ve made several other Purchases with the same card with no issue. Those have sent a security code that I have to enter before the purchase goes through. It’s definitely worth calling the bank and asking, or should I call the credit card company instead?

For any sort of problem like this, I call the number on the back of the credit card--the credit card number rather than the airline or other affinity number if you see both listed on the card.

I had a similar problem and finally phoned. There is the option for English. All went well. They were only taking four weeks in advance reservation.

I booked mine online a few days ago — for May 5th, FWIW

We finally called. It cost us $10 to activate the International Calling Option from our cell phone plan, but it was worth saving the time it would have taken to keep logging in and getting that ERROR message.
Booked both Accademia AND Uffizi tickets on the same call.

California, how did you activate the international plan! When I did that for when we traveled several years ago, I called Verizon for a 30 day plan that was offered, then they prorated and refunded the portion not used when we returned. So, not sure how to do it to make one call.

I called Visa this morning. All my error declines aren’t even making it to Visa so there is nothing they can do from their end.

Lulu, I have also used Skype recently. I put $5 on my account, called both England and Italy about reservations, and spent less than 50 cents total. Instead of $10 for one day and one call, I still have $4.68 available for future use.

I also just tried booking the Uffizi and Accademia tickets through my VISA and received a Credit card transaction result that stated Transaction not approved, although it lists an order number, payment Gateway order code and transaction code. Lists the euro amount and Brand: VISA.
I’m confused…..is this not going through? I’m afraid to rebook if this will eventually go through.
Thank you

As discussed in these previous threads.....
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/florence-david-guided-tour
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/trouble-booking-for-uffici

...my hunch is that they're still having some tech issues with their reservation system. I can't even get the b-ticket HOME page to come up, which is a pretty good indication that something is up 'cuz I've never had that happen before. I'm also getting this:

"The site you are trying to view does not currently have a default page. It may be in the process of being upgraded and configured. Please try this site again later ...." and a 404 error message.

Again, just a hunch that they might be in the process of ironing out some bugs. Give it some more time, or call them if too itchy to wait a bit longer.

Re: paying $10 for one days access for international calls. We used ATT.

But as someone suggested, Skype is great. I always travel with about $20 on my Skype account in case I need to make phone calls to the US, not my friends and family who are on WhatsApp but sometimes a business call.
So again my suggestion is to get reservations it is best just to call either through Skype or a one day pass with your phone company if they have it.

Does other party have to have Skype, too?

I've tried multiple times over the last few weeks and cannot get it to work either. I called Visa and it isn't a problem on their end. I am trying to book tickets for June, so maybe that's the issue.

My friend just bought our June 2022 tickets using her Chase Visa and it worked. I was using my Alaska Visa card and it did not work (I tried 3 different computers and my phone). So, try a different type of credit card.

Lulu, re Skype. No, they don’t need to have Skype. You are using Skype via WiFi on your cell phone to make the call (for which you will need to create an account with Skype) and they answer on their regular telephone number. Very cheaply.

Side note: B-ticket main page appears to be up again, although that doesn't mean they've ironed out any ticketing wrinkles. You could give it go and see, though?

http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/default_eng.aspx.html

I tried it again and it didn’t work. I have to call a friend in Canada today, so went ahead and signed up for Verizon’s International plan. $5 a month for unlimited minutes to CA and .36 a minute to Italy using cell (or .07 on landline). Just got off the phone with Italy and my tickets are now reserved.

Here is the phone number to the museum. 011-39-055-294883.

Thank you Kathy and everyone who has been so helpful, proving suggestions, emails and links.

Delighted that you have your tickets now, Lulu! One more thing off on to-do list!

Thanks Kathy! Always a fly in the ointment. She gave me my confirmation no., and said she’d send it to me via email. But I never received it. I like to have something official in my hands,m

Be sure and check your junk mail.

Last week, I got our May tickets to the Uffizi with the 5-day pass that lets you go to Pitti Palace and the Gardens. I didn't have any problem but I did have an account because I bought Accademia tickets three years ago.

Kathy,

I did. I will probably call this week,