SBB not accepting my US Visa card, but my bank says the charge is approved.

moreland01 · 2023-07-14T15:42:03+00:00

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moreland01

Is there a US-based phone number for me to contact SBB directly? My bank says that they see the charge attempting to be made; and they have approved any charges from SBB. But the SBB website won’t let me purchase a Flex Pass due to credit card error.

RolandP

Hello moreland01

There is no US-based phone number provided. If you have to reach out to SBB, call +41 51 225 78 00.

Your card has to support 3-D secure to make successful payments. 3D-secure is an official security standard used in Europe for webshops. The money has not been deducted but reserved, and will again be back on your account in a few hours.

→ Try to buy your ticket from the Swiss Travel Center instead, there the webshop is less restrictive: Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Switzerland Travel Centre

However, are you sure the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is the right ticket for you? In my opinion, the Swiss Half Fare Card (combined with Saver Day Passes) is the better offer. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex only grants free travel on the activated travel days; on all other days, you will have to pay full fare tickets. With the Swiss Half Fare Card you can get tickets at reduced costs on all days, and you do not even have to spend the money in advance.

Swiss Half Fare Card | Switzerland Travel Centre

Kind regards,
Roland

moreland01

RolandP Just to follow-up. I did call my VISA provider’s Fraud Department and, after pushing some mysterious buttons, they were able to get SBB to accept my credit card and said that I shouldn’t have this 3D Secure problem with future purchases. Thank you!

RolandP

moreland01

Great to hear, thanks for the follow-up.

Roland