SBB blocks US Chase credit cards

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    15 January 2019 at 2:00:04 #819490

    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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    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    15 January 2019 at 3:11:30 #902168

    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.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    15 January 2019 at 5:34:06 #902169

    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.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    15 January 2019 at 11:21:13 #902170

    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.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    15 January 2019 at 12:00:06 #902171

    Great, thanks for the update!

    kperigo
    Participant
    52 posts
    16 January 2019 at 20:30:41 #902172

    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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