Card not passing 3-D Secure, can't purchase anything

JuliaSz

Hello, I have been trying all day to purchase the Bernina express and add a credit card in the SBB.ch website. Each time, it’s immediately declined. I’ve used a laptop, desktop and my cell phone. The error I received on my cellphone said it has to do with 3D secure verification, but I’ve called the bank twice and they said I have it turned on and they are not seeing any hits for payments at all. How can I use my credit card to purchase rail tickets? It’s with Bank Of America.

RolandP

Hello JuliaSz

Good day …

Try entering all credit card information in full capital letters.

Using the app, does it work with Google or Apple pay?

Alternatively, you can use Trainline to purchsse tickets, or swissrailways.com (for travel passes).
Unless you want purchasing Saver offers, there is no need to purchase tickets in advance.

Regular tickets are also available the day of travel; Swiss rail tickets do not inlude a seat, thus you will not have any advantage when purchasing them ahead of time.

Kind regards,
Roland

Nicole_B

Hello JuliaSz

JuliaSz How can I use my credit card to purchase rail tickets? It’s with Bank Of America.

According to “Bank of AmericaOne – Time Passcode (OTP) Authentication FAQ”, 3DS should be supported via OTP.
The question therefore is why the Access Control Server (ACS) from the issuer (bank) has not sent an OTP? The issuer (bank) should be able to clarify this or forward it to the responsible (technical) issuer team at the 2nd or 3rd level support.

JuliaSz but I’ve called the bank twice and they said I have it turned on and they are not seeing any hits for payments at all.

It seems that these people in 1st level customer support are unfamiliar with the process flow of 3DS for online transactions.
If an online transaction / card deposit is already rejected in the 3DS flow, the bank can never see a hit for payments (payment authorisation).
If these people were really familiar with online transactions, they should know that technically the 3DS flow is initiated first and only when it is successfully completed will the next technical payment authorisation flow be initiated, which becomes visible to the issuer (bank) for the first time as a payment.

Further background information on 3DS can be found here:

Payment could not be finalized

The two updates from User Buena from the following discussion may also help:

Payment Error

Google Pay / Apple Pay can also be used for ticket purchases via SBB Mobile, so a 3DS flow via the issuer ACS is not necessary.

Kind regards,
Nicole

Krist

The Bernina Express reservation you should buy on www.rhb.ch. Have you tried there. The ticket you do not need to purchase until the day of travel itself. In extremis you could just get it at the station.

JuliaSz

Just an update. After hours of investigation, I could not get past the 3-D security. I spoke with the top supervisors at my bank who assured me my card should work. Yes, I used the rhb.ch website (no other); it didn’t work there, and I couldn’t’ add the card to MyWallet in the SBB app. I tried using my phone, a separate laptop, and my desktop. I tried using my husband’s Visa card (same bank, different account). I ended up calling customer service for Bernina Line and purchased easily through them but over the phone. I also ordered a Mastercard from a separate bank and am waiting for that to arrive. Once it arrives, I will see if I can add this to “MyWallet” on the SBB app, and see if new card/new merchant/new bank works. I’ll update you once this arrives. I might add that I was able to use the card to purchase online tickets for the Lindt Chocolate Factory but for some reason it doesn’t work on the SBB app or the RHB.CH site.

RolandP

Hello JuliaSz

The credit cards from the U.S. (and from the Americas) are literally behind the official security standards. There are still credit cards whose payment receipts need a signature.
It is therefore possible that European webshops do not accept your cards. It all depends on what credit card payment provider the online vendor trusts.

SBB is selling several thousands of tickets every day; it is clear that a strong security is important to avoid credit card fraud; this explains why some vendors are rather picky what concerns credit cards.

Interestingly, we never see similiar complsints from people living in Asia.

Kind regards,
Roland