Unable to do identity verification - USA mobile

Dennis_R

My wife has a customer code, I do not. I just created my own Swisspass account, but it did not generate a customer number. Neither of us are able to receive the text messages to verify our mobile numbers (USA) and the same for identity verification. We need to purchase an annual Half Fare Travel card as we will be traveling to CH very often in the coming years. She is able to purchase since she has a customer code, but I cannot. Is there something that we are doing wrong? Thank you.

RolandP

Hello Dennis_R

Welcome to the SBB Community.
We are a customer support forum run by volunteers.

We recommend you to wait with the purchase until you are in Switzerland and you can get the annual Half Fare Card directly at the SBB travel center in the station (e.g. Zurich Airport). You will then receive a temporary card until your SwissPass card is being produced and dispatched to an address in Switzerland.

You can order the annual Half Fare Card, however the card is not sent overseas, and there is no temporary card issued when purchasing it online. You would have to get it from the travel center, too, if needed. The online order process makes sense for residents.

All in all there is no advantage in purchasing the card now; you can still create a customer account without identity verification, and purchase tickets at half fare as the ticketing system does not actively check whether you are eligibile to buy half fare tickets; this is the sole durty of the ticket inspector on board the public transport services.

Does that make sense?

Kind regards,
Roland

Krist

You can just buy the HFC once you are here at the ticket office of the station. They will give you a temporary one, and will send the Red “Swiss Pass” card to the address you give them.

Dennis_R

RolandP Thank you Roland! This is precisely the information I was looking for and extremely helpful. Happy travels!

RolandP

Hello Dennis_R

Thanks for your feedback, I am happy to read that my suggestion does work for you.

I must admit, the online ordering process is not very hands-on and could be improved, so could the mobile phone verification; you are not the only stranger facing issues with it-
Especially the fact that no temporary card is being issued when ordered online and with a validity start date within 10 days, is rather odd. Even when ordered online, you still have to go to the counter to get the temporary card, that’s not 2024 like.

I will see how I can share the feedback with SBB; I am happy that there is a work-around for you as per my instructions above.

Get back to us if you need more help with your further travels.

Kind regards,
Roland

@RomanoS