What is the best way to contact the db bahn from the U.S. with a problem. I booked online tickets which I was able to print out with a bar code. I am supposed to show this with my credit card. The only problem is this particular credit card was stolen and American Express replaced it with another with the same digits except the last 4. I don't want a fine because of this and need to clear it up before I go in June.
Thanks!
You might try calling the German Rail number in Germany at (+49) 1805 996633. Only problem, last time I called, I got a series of very fast voice mail prompts, in German, which I could hardly understand. Maybe if you just press '0'. Eventuallly, I recognized "Auskunft" (German for information) and pushed that number and got a German speaking operator.
If you only speak English, you might try writing to [email protected]. They do speak English.
Paula, my mom had a similar problem.
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm?topic=46097
The number toward the bottom is the one she was finally able to get help with- oh, and she ended up taking her statement with her that showed the charge and that helped. She was able to get corrected tickets at the First Class lounge, but I know when I had to get tickets changed (train numbers changed), there was a DB desk that was able to help me.
Wow! I read the post and can't believe someone had the exact same crazy problem as me. I also have first class tickets. Was she able to get it resolved or did they give her a hard time?
Paula, she said that they were very nice and it was no problem, at all. This was in Frankfurt that they had a First Class lounge. What station are your first tickets from?
We're going from Paris to Munich so I don't think there is a first class lounge there. Thank you so much for the phone number. It was the only one that worked for me and I was able to get an operator who spoke some English. He told me to get a letter from American Express saying the card had been stolen and replaced. Plus he entered the information about the situation in the computer and took my new credit card number. He seemed to think it would be okay. I guess we'll see. I'm also taking me credit card statement along showing the charges. Unfortunately I don't speak one word of German to explain things to the conductor.
Oh, yeah, if you are starting in Paris, there won't be a DB 1st class lounge. I think you will be ok- they can go back and check their computers if you show them the statement. I don't know about the French conductors but a lot of the German conductors speak some English. Maybe you can take a printed out note in German and French explaining the situation. I think a few of our board members speak either and could provide a translation?
I looked at the schedules for Paris-Munich on bahn.de.
All of these services include a connection in western Germany.
The first segment is on the high speed line that is operated with TGV and ICE equipment between Paris and Frankfurt. These services have a team of conductors, both German and French. If you turn up with a DB ticket, the French conductor (w/ a French ticket machine) will send the German conductor (w/ a German ticket machine) to scan your ticket and swipe your card.
Given that it is probably very difficult for an SNCF staffer to correct the credit card number issue (French conductors do not swipe credit cards to verify online tickets) in Paris, I'd give DB a call before you leave.
