Trip is next week! A few questions....

Posted by Angela (Seattle, Wa, USA) on 06/25/18 08:30 PM

Hi everyone! With my family trip to Italy coming up so quick, I suddenly realize that I should have been on these boards getting the info I need much sooner. I'll be in Italy from July 2 to 18. Does anyone know if there are any rail strikes scheduled during this time? I'll be heading from Rome, to Sorrento, Milan, Verona, Venice, and back to Rome.

Also, I bought tickets from the Vatican website for a tour, and they sent me an email "voucher" to pick up my tickets. My husband tells me that the credit card had an issue and didn't pay. Is my voucher going to work? Will they ask for payment when I show up, or will the tickets have been sold to someone else and I will be refused entry? I'm really confused what to do here.

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

06/25/18 08:55 PM

8228 posts

Does anyone know if there are any rail strikes scheduled during this time?

There are currently no rail strikes scheduled in Italy during that time.

Also, I bought tickets from the Vatican website for a tour, and they sent me an email "voucher" to pick up my tickets. My husband tells me that the credit card had an issue and didn't pay. Is my voucher going to work? Will they ask for payment when I show up, or will the tickets have been sold to someone else and I will be refused entry?

What time does it say your tour is for? The tours all have a timed entry.
Also look at your credit card statement to see if they charged you either way.

Posted by Angela OP

Seattle, Wa, USA

06/25/18 09:24 PM

663 posts

The Vatican tour is scheduled for 8:30 on July 3. Husband says the credit card declined the transaction, although the voucher says we paid.

Posted by David from Seattle

Seattle, WA, USA ☔️

06/25/18 09:45 PM

6863 posts

I bought tickets from the Vatican website for a tour, and they sent me an email "voucher" to pick up my tickets. My husband tells me that the credit card had an issue and didn't pay. Is my voucher going to work? Will they ask for payment when I show up, or will the tickets have been sold to someone else and I will be refused entry?

Probably no way to know for sure until you get there. Could go either way.

Here's what I would do: if you are 100% sure that you have not been charged (and won't be because of some weird delayed payment), then look at it this way: you haven't paid yet. You want tickets. Call your credit card company to let them know you're about to do an online transaction in Italy and they should not decline it. Then try the purchase again. Worst case: it fails again and you're no worse off than you are now (in which case I'd try another credit card from a different bank). If the second try does go through, then you're all set.

Buying something online from a foreign country should not freak out your bank (if it does, consider getting a new bank). I bought train tickets from Poland last night, no issues with the credit card at all (just issues with me understanding the Polish rail website and seat assignments on the train...).