UpFromHere asked: How can I buy a ticket online from an airline when they only accept credit cards & not my Visa Debit card?
The airline, EVA (evaair) has great online only web fares to Asia. Problem is they only process bookings with a credit card in my name. They will absolutely NOT accept any debit cards, even if they are labeled “Visa” from my bank. I find this amazing, since I am essentially offering them cash, but all the customer service people I spoke with say it’s because they process the transactions at their home-base in Taiwan. Obviously there are technology services to get around that, but I guess they are avoiding paying additional fees and save money. If the discount being offered was not significant, I would buy the ticket elsewhere. However, if I buy on their website I can save around $600! Believe me, I’ve shopped around. I also have frequent flier miles with them through a travel agent before and that gets me deeper discounts than normal, plus two nights free hotel…but only if I buy through the web. My friend offered to put the charge on his credit card and I can pay him cash, but the airline rules say the card has to be presented be in the name of and presented by one of the travelers. Well, I don’t see any option other then buying the ticket from another source and losing the discount. Unless someone brilliant here knows how to buy online with credit in my name within 3 (yes, three) days?
BTW: I tried entering the debit card since I figured it wouldn’t be a problem and processed the same way, etc. It is, in fact, immediately rejected because it’s a debit card. The payment processing system they use seems to able to tell through some instant feedback from a global financial system service.
Charles
