We just reserved a ticket on a Norway train. When doing the reservation, we were told that only credit cards with 3D secure protocol. Is this a problem with in-person CC transactions in Norway? Oddly enough, the info said that Am Express was accepted but not Visa or Mastercard.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
500 posts
I have no idea what 3D protocol is. I was in Norway in 2024 and used Amex (Delta card) and Visa (Capital One) but more luck using Visa than Amex.
EDITED: I just searched it up and I guess all my cards are 3DS and I didn't know. From what I read, I think this might be related to online purchases.
Posted by
Chicago
1372 posts
3D secure is a communications protocol used to help insure the security of online
transactions. I believe that it is not just a function of Visa or Master Card, but also
of the bank that issues the card you are using. I've usually had to deal with it in
the exact type of situation OP is involved with; international transactions for purchases
of train tickets, museum passes, lift passes, etc. Usually not a big deal.
You may get a text message from the card issuer during the transaction to confirm
and approve the purchase.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2350 posts
Paul, my experience is from 2023. We had no problems using our Chase Sapphire Visa card while in Norway.
We used PayPal to purchase our rail tickets while in the US. I believe the vy.no website states they do not accept most North American credit/debit cards.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
9409 posts
As the poster above mentioned, 3DS is a security protocol for online transactions. Consider cards in the US, to buy something online all you need to know is the card number, expiry, and the CVC, anyone can use your card. 3DS is like two factor authentication, except there are three factors, you, the vendor, and the card issuer. Basically a code is issued by the card holder to both you and the vendor, if what you enter matches, the vendor accepts the transaction.
It is available as an option on some US cards, you have to ask. It is one of those security features, like a PIN, that US card companies feel is too complicated for US consumers, easier to take the fraud losses than put up with upset customers, or so they say. Just one more reason I love my UNFCU credit card for travel.
Posted by
Paris
11451 posts
Is this a problem with in-person CC transactions in Norway?
No. The 3D safety protocol is only for online transactions. (Most companies in France use it as well, as I am sure do companies in a ton of other European countries.)
By definition, you will never run into it when using your card in person.