Issue adding credit card info in Bolt app for rides

When you say you have the app, did you just download it, or have you actually used it on a prior trip?

I ask because I had a similar issue with the G7 (Paris) app last year, could not load my CC info from home (actually, I think it was worse than that, I could not get an account setup completed, even though I had downloaded the app). Other posters said to wait until I was in France to do all of that, something to do with G7 not being able to text the code to a US phone number. Regardless, I gave up, ditched the app, did not end up using G7 since I already had Uber set up on my phone...

Hopefully someone else will chime in here with advice about Bolt.

I’m thinking the problem is that you are in the U.S. I use Bolt regularly and it’s set up with my U.S. credit card. But, I set it up long after I had moved here. I’m assuming you have Uber as a back up in case it’s still problematic once you get here. Sorry to not have a definitive answer.

I do have the Uber app as well but was hoping to use Bolt as I hear it is cheaper. I have a layover in Paris before arriving in Lisbon so I will try to add my info then.

I used Bolt in four countries in May and June.

My suggestion would be to sign up once you are in Europe.

I also found that Bolt was usually cheaper than Uber.

Yes we had the same issue where we couldn't add a CC until we got to Europe (Hungary for us). No issue adding the CC once we got there.

Have a great trip!

We had a similar issue. We could not receive texts from Bolt here in the US so could not receive the confirmation code to finish setting up the app. You can finish setting it up when you get to Europe but you will need a phone number that can receive texts as they send you a confirmation code, not over wifi. We had a data only eSim card so we couldn't receive the confirmation code. The phone number you use doesn't matter since Bolt is using wifi for everything else. If this is your situation, if there is someone you know nearby you can use their phone number and have them text you the confirmation code. Or you can pre-arrange with someone at home to receive the confirmation code and text it to you immediately. Our granddaughter was studying there and had a regular phone plan so we used her number and she gave us the code. She did say that she sometimes had to use her father's phone number for similar situations and have him text her the code (not appreciated by Dad when there is an 8 hour time difference:). If you have a sim card with phone calls and texts in addition to data you won't have a problem.

Good luck!

Renee,
We had no problems setting up Bolt while still in the US.
We ended up using only Uber anyway. The cost difference is not much when viewed in the context of the vacation and we are very used to the app. We found the drivers used both and THEY found Uber easier to use for finding pickups.

Dennis

Thanks, Dennis. We have used Uber in Europe before and had no issues. Never used Bolt. Just heard they are cheaper. Probably the difference is insignificant.

I was able to install the Bolt app, make a profile, and add my US credit card just now from the US. Instead of confirming my account with a text, I was offered the option to use email.
Perhaps you could try using email instead.

Good thought Ellen. Makes sense, they don't want any texting charges. Thank you.

One problem I had with Bolt was that every time I used it, they had to send an authorization code from my credit card to my phone, which I had to answer and then type in to the Bolt app to schedule a pickup. This was a challenge because you're answering the phone, and then trying to switch screens to type in the code into Bolt while listening for it. If you have to try a couple of times to receive the code, you may lose your selected ride and have to start over again and wait for another driver.

I don't know if this is the same with everyone else. I did not have this problem with Uber, though.

If I have to verify with each ride, I’ll stick with Uber. We used Uber in Spain and had zero issues.

Renee, I was trying to be sure I had a payment option entered for Bolt last week at home and was having no success.Same “try later” message. (I did use it in Ireland in June but couldn’t remember how I had paid.)

I just landed in Helsinki and both my credit card and Apple Pay showed up when I looked (I plan to use it in a few hours in Vilnius). So for some reason they just didn’t show while in the U.S.