Credit card issues on SBB.ch site

I purchase my tickets on the SBB app using apple pay. You may want to try that if you haven't already done so.

Try downloading and using the SBB ap.
What date and route are you trying to buy?

Have you contacted the bank? I have had issues where I am happily making purchases on international websites and all of a sudden my card doesn’t walk. I suspect I’ve hit some fraud warning threshold when this happens. I’ll call the bank and it gets fixed and try again. It used to often happen to me on the third international purchase.

When I have had problems getting a train website to take my card, I have purchased through trainline. They are a reseller, but the fees are low and the website is very easy to use.

It is not a fraud alert, there is no issues on the bank side. I read somewhere SBB.ch uses some authentication that prevents allot of cards to be used, somewhat frustrating. my credit card is widely used in America and cant imagine not working on their site. I saw the trainline, was going to use as last case but wonder if the same thing will happen there, the fees are somewhat high e.g. extra 50ch. I am traveling from Milano to Luzern

Thanks Carrie, I didnt realize you can use apple pay maybe ill give that a try

Question: What train tickets are you trying to buy? If they are standard tickets, you can buy when you are are there. The only tickets you really need to buy in advance are train specific Super Saver Tickets.

Have you tried American Express? They skirt European on-line credit card transaction issues (required 2-factor authentication) because they are a "Travel" card, not a "Bank" card.

Not sure but I think they are regional however its crossing countries Italy to Swiss, I like to buy in advance to ensure I have space for my family. I heard about AMEX too.

You cannot buy international tickets using the app, so apple pay will probably not be an option.

The issue is that SBB has higher security standard for "cardholder not present" transactions than many other websites. And American CC companies are still catching up with the rest of the world in that respect.
So if your card does not support "3D secure" or equivalent it is not accepted on the website.
It will work at the ticket office though, although the ticket clerk may be a but surprised if signature slip gets printed after you insert your card.

Be aware that there are generally two ways to get from Milan to Luzern. One involves the RE80 till Lugano, and an IC or IR from there, the other involves the EC to Arth - Goldau, and a local train from there. You can book these on www.trenitalia.com as well. Trenitalia will however show you a longer travel time as they are not aware of the fact that 4 minute transfers actually do work in Switzerland. Doesn't matter however, as your ticket is for a route, and apart from the EC train (if that is what you book) you are flexible.

Not sure but I think they are regional however its crossing countries
Italy to Swiss, I like to buy in advance to ensure I have space for my
family.

For regional trains buying in advance does not ensure you have space for your family. Regional trains are free seating, and when you bought your ticket does not influence your chances for a seat. You are buying a ticket for a route, not a place in a vehicle.

Yes, I saw somewhere regarding the 3D secure. The train I am looking to take is EC from Milan to Arth - Goldau and then to Luzern., its on Aug 18. Are these considered regional train? Also I need to purchase my train out from here to Paris also on SBB.ch so really wanted to use that site for these purchases

I think WengenK is right - it may be your bank doesn't support 3D secure two factor authentication. Normally when you click 'pay' another window will pop up asking you to authenticate, either by a push notification to your banking app, or a text message. Did you see that when you tried pay? Most banks support it, but not all.

When I purchase for Italio train, I got a push notification and it went through and also same for French sites, its only SBB.ch where no push was sent. I am going to call my credit card but I seen that 3-D secure is mandatory now for US credit cards and BoA looks to have it. So strange

You can buy that EC train for August 18 on Trenitalia. Maybe that will solve the problem?

They offer various options—-EC 316 changes at Zug; EC 150 changes at Lugano to an IC train; EC 318 changes at Arth-Goldau.

thx, I will consider that. I see there is only 5-10 mins between train exchanges, is that something doable?

5 to 10 minute connections in Switzerland are standard and doable. SBB operates on the principle that people want to get to their destination ASAP and prefer not to waste time hanging around train stations.

The EC is a long distance train with compulsory reservation in Italy (but not in Switzerland)/

I see there is only 5-10 mins between train exchanges, is that
something doable?

Isn't it great how a good railway will try not to waste your time? Anyway, in Switzerland most routes have multiple trains per hour, so if you miss a connection you just get on the next one.

The issue is however is that Trenitalia does not appear to believe in efficient transfers, and does not find that short transfer in Arth Goldau for you when you try to book with them. So they make you change trains in Zug in stead, making your trip unnecessarily longer. (Just compare the schedules offered on www.sbb.ch and www.trenitalia.com)

So you should book this on www.sbb.ch, which doesn't help you if your card won't work...

Now here is a suggestion that may be surprising: You can book this on www.bahn.de.
I find their booking site actually quite good, as it clearly shows you the tickets it will sell you, and who is going to issue them, and what the conditions are etc...
And you can pay using paypal, or credit card.

Thanks Wengenk, that was very helpful. Hurray, I was able to book it using a different card yesterday and it went through. It is so strange because its a lesser known bank card and that worked over a major one. I am happy to purchase from SBB.ch since that's direct from the train. thanks again.

Hi WengenK, with your superb knowledge was hoping if you can provide your opinion. My complete trip (Aug 18th) for this leg is from Milano and arriving to Interlaken Ost at 6:55pm. I was looking and saw a hotel in Murren, and there is a train R62 from Interlaken Ost at 7:04 which then switches to cable car 2461 and then another train R66 to Murren arriving at 8:07. Do you think this doable?

Very doable. In fact, it is standard.

that's great to know its normal. The entire day will be train rides which I don't mind, but its also part of the fun as I see it.

I assume you are getting the Berner Oberland pass for the rest of your trip? Other wise booking Milano to Luzern would not make any sense.
Short transfers are perfectly normal here. The railways do not like to waste your time. And those short connections are timed. So for example in Grütschalp the train will only leave once everyone from the Cable car has made the transfer, and vv. Think relay race, and you are the baton.

Yes BO pass for everything inside the BO area. Ok makes sense, so really its a connection between points. This is helpful as a first timer in Switzerland, the train system in America is not great or optimal outside of its major cities.

I'm also having trouble using my card on that site. I called the SBB Customer Service yesterday and they said that I can just purchase my tickets at the SBB desk at the airport when I arrive. I prefer to get my tickets ahead of time, but I guess I'll have to wait. I'm trying to buy the Half Fare Card. I know that Europe has an extra pin code on their credit cards that many US cards don't have and it seems to be a problem with this lack of compatibility. The SBB Customer service number is 24 hours and the person I spoke with was very helpful, so if you need to call them it might be of some help.

Hi Julie713, have you tried using a different card? it worked for me, in fact a it was a lesser know card and worked better then a BoA card. Its weird cause my card even told me they had 3D secure enabled and it still didnt work so there is something else going on, however another bank card worked. its worth a shot cause getting it in advance is better