SBB blocks US Chase credit cards
A traveler named BillO is facing trouble purchasing train tickets from SBB using a US Chase credit card, which used to work fine in July 2018. He seeks advice on why this issue is happening now and how to resolve it to buy tickets for an upcoming trip.
- Consider using a VPN set to a Switzerland server, as it may help with payment issues.
- If the SBB app doesn't accept your card, try purchasing tickets at a staffed ticket desk instead.
- Explore other ticket retailers that cater to tourists for more options.
- Look into the Swiss Travel Pass for convenient travel across Switzerland.
AI-generated summary-
Any logic to why the SBB’s credit card payment system has blocked US Chase credit cards from purchasing train tickets? This is a major hassle and Chase is the largest bank in the United States.
My Chase card worked in July 2018 with no issues buying a ticket with the SBB mobile app, but not it does not work at all. Chase agrees my card has no issues and many other people on the internet are reporting the same issue with cards beginning with 4147.
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Hello BillO and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
This has been happening for some time. See http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/cant-buy-ticket-on-ssch-using-us-credit-card
Someone wrote “SBB’s online site requires that “Verified by Visa” be utilized. The name of the mechanism behind the Verified by Visa, Mastercard Secure Code, AmericanExpress SecureKey is “3-D Secure”. Chase (and other major US banks) USED to participate but they pulled out. That is why now everyone has such a hard time buying train tickets from virtually all European national railway systems.” I can’t vouch for the veracity of that statement.
Hi BillO,
In all cases I heard of it’s indeed caused by missing security features as explained by Rockoyster. What kind of tickets are you trying to buy? Nearly all rail products can be purchased elsewhere, through retailers more geared to tourists (the SBB website is mostly designed for residents). You’ll find options on all our pass and ticket pages. For regular point to point tickets, please see http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/switzerland /price, for example.
As for purchases in Switzerland: should your card still not work in the ticketing machines, then you can purchase at a staffed ticket desk.
I was trying to buy the Super Saver Day pass (instead of the now removed Swiss Transfer Tass). With my advance purchase it was actually 30CHF cheaper than the Swiss Transfer Ticket.
In any case. When I used the official SBB app on my Android phone (and set my VPN to a Switzerland router) I was able to purchase the tickets with no issue. Not sure if it was the VPN or the app that made the difference but I did not take the time to experiment.
Great, thanks for the update!
I was there in September/October and used my Chase Sapphire card on the SBB app without issue. I bought tickets (with half fare card) as we traveled.
Kay
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