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complicated credit card/eurostar issue

Posted by (Macungie, PA, USA) on

i've decided that posting this here will be easier than trying to explain this to customer service, and perhaps someone who has had this issue before can help me...

i need to buy eurostar tickets from london to paris. in order to pick them up at the station--which seems safer than printing them from home, as they could get lost--i will need to use the credit card i used to buy them. however, my credit card expires the month of travel. what can i do about this? i want/need to buy my tickets now, before they go up in price (a round trip right now is $108, which is completely reasonable) but i don't know if i can get a new card before the one i have expires, or if i can use the expired one to retrieve my tickets. ANY input and advice is greatly appreciated! thank you in advance.

Posted by
9363 posts

I've never had a credit card that didn't send the new one before the old one expired, anyway. It will be fine.

Posted by
32228 posts

Tracy,

If you're going to be in Europe at the time your credit card expires, my suggestion would be to call the credit card company and ask them to send your renewal card early. I've done that on a couple of occasions with no problems at all (including this year).

After you've spoken with the credit card firm and have your new card on the way, book your EuroStar tickets using your existing card. In my experience it usually takes 7-10 days for the new card to arrive.

That seems like the easiest solution.

Good luck and happy travels!

Posted by
463 posts

thanks everyone--i feel silly having this question, but this is the first credit card i've ever had (i'm 30, but i didn't use credit at all for a VERY long time--i'm a big non-fan of debt!) i feel much better about it now. thanks!

Posted by
32228 posts

Tracy,

I'm a big fan of "non debt" also, but having a credit card is actually a good idea, as it will establish your credit history with the credit agencies.

I've known a few people that have believed in paying cash for everything and having no credit at all. As a result, they were very "comfortable" financially. However, when it came time for something like a house purchase or whatever, their applications were rejected as they didn't have a "credit history".

Having a credit card also makes it much easier to book flights on the net or rent cars. If you use it wisely, it will be an asset.

Cheers!

Posted by
2749 posts

I have read way to many horror stories on travel boards of poeple being out $$$ when the airline, hotel, rental car etc... went out of business, overcharged etc.

IMHO, a credit card should be used for ALL travel transactions. That allows you to file a dispute with the CC company that often results in getting the money refunded. With debit cards it's much more hit or miss, plus you are out $$ while the bank "thinks about what they want to do"

Posted by
59 posts

Could you print the tickets at home and put them in a safety deposit box or with your travel bag? Store them with something you know that you will be bringing on your trip. I think they would be safe that way.

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