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Problem purchasing online Switzerland train tickets

Hi all - I've been trying to purchase the Swiss half-fare card and Super Saver train tickets on the sbb.ch website. All goes well until I enter my credit card number. I then get a message that says authorization denied...contact credit card company. Called Capital One and they don't show any purchases attempting to be made. Tried it again with different credit card. Same message.

Anyone else have this problem?

Is there another website where you can get the super saver prices? Don't see it when I look on Captaine Train (now called something else).

Thanks for your help.

Posted by
28078 posts

You might also try using PayPal. Others have reported that as a useful work-around on one or two other European rail websites. Or you might try using your debit (ATM) card.

Posted by
550 posts

I filled out the "contact form". Response said they would respond within 24 hours

Will check on pay pal

Thanks for your suggestions

Posted by
995 posts

Sue, I have not tried to buy on the Swiss site but I made a recent train purchase on a British rail site where I was sure my lack of a UK billing address would screw up the whole thing. My AMEX went through immediately, even though I had to use a friend's UK address which was clearly not my own billing address. AMEX seems to have more leeway sometimes. Might be worth trying.

Posted by
7209 posts

My Capital One fails every time at sbb.ch But my AMEX works just great...go figure. Obviously there's a problem somewhere, but try a different card (Amex).

Posted by
550 posts

Thanks Tim. Tried one more time with our Visa - didn't work. Read your response, tried American Express - Bingo!

Got great deal on Super Saver tickets and half fare card. Thanks so much for your advice.