V-Flyer

Does anyone else have issues when booking flights with their Virgin Atlantic Amex card? I am getting extremely irritated with Bank of America and my Virgin Atlantic Amex card. EVERYTIME I have booked a flight in the last year (about 6 I think)the card gets declined because of 'fraud issues'. I then have to get the flights put on hold, call the bank (unless they are calling me first, which has happened) and get them to unblock the card so I can book the flights. The flights are in my name and my name is on the Virgin Atlantic Amex card. I only use this card when booking flights with Virgin Atlantic and for the last 2 flights I even preempted by calling Bank of America first to tell them I would be using the card. It is really frustrating especially when trying to get in and nab those upgradable seats and the card won't go through.....
Having just booked 2 flights in the last few weeks one being this morning I just needed a 'vent' and see if I was alone.
I get the whole fraud thing, in fact having had another card used in fraud (twice!) I really get it but c'mon, please just let me book my flight and get my extra miles without all the stress - please!

I am not aware of many (if any) regular V-Flyer contributors who have the BoA Amex, as this a very much a UK based forum, but I am aware of the strange issues with the card and VS thanks to a thread on Flyertalk a while back.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgin-a ... antic.html

Nick

My UK MBNA Virgin Atlantic Amex was declined on board VS93 earlier this year because it had expired (it hadn't) and although the FA could see this he could not process the card. I complained to VS and were given 2000 miles.

I've not had any problems with mine, although admittedly I did the transaction over the phone rather than online so I could do a miles upgrade at the same time, but no issues. I've used it whilst on holiday too without issue, but that obviously doesn't help you resolve your problem.

However, it does seem you're not the only one with the problem, but as for what to do, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice.

Hope you get it sorted.

I use my card regularly with BOA and have had no problems to date.....I guess this may now become a Mastercard issue when the BOA Amex card ceases in Nov 2013...................?

I too have had similar problems...but it applies to any flight I booked over a certain value. This can be a real problem if trying to book online because there is nothing you can do.

I have this problem when ordering travel money. Was fine when I used my Amex to book flighs on delta though..

I am right there with you. I have this problem every single time. I book over the phone as I can't purchase my son's ticket online (under 2 in his own seat). It is so absolutely frustrating as I call BOA in advance and tell the the approximate amount I am about to spend in tickets and it still gets blocked. Last time the VS agent on the AU number told me it happens all the time.

My parents have the same card and it also happens to them every single time they book. Last booking my mom had to speak to 6 different people, including supervisors, at BOA in order to get it sorted out. It's ridiculous.

I'm hoping the switch to MC sorts it out.

strange. i've had no problems booking VA flights with my bank of america VA amex

toddLAX wrote:strange. i've had no problems booking VA flights with my bank of america VA amex

Someone mentioned "over a certain value" above. Maybe that is the key? I am traveling with husband & 2 kids, so booking 4 tickets at a time.

I have never had a problem booking flights except a rather odd rule that you cannot make more than 3 bookings in the same day on the VS site.

Thanks everyone! I had no idea they were switching to MasterCard. The #1 reason I use it, is for the tier points and miles. I'll hang in there for the switch, I am hoping I have made all my reservations for this year and don't have to make any unexpected ones between now and then! Must admit I have also been told that it happens a lot. I always make my reservations via the call center, I dread to think what a tizzy I would get in doing it online! Wouldn't say no to a few thousand points though.......maybe I'll send another email!

Thanks everyone! I had no idea they were switching to MasterCard. The #1 reason I use it, is for the tier points and miles. I'll hang in there for the switch, I am hoping I have made all my reservations for this year and don't have to make any unexpected ones between now and then! Must admit I have also been told that it happens a lot. I always make my reservations via the call center, I dread to think what a tizzy I would get in doing it online! Wouldn't say no to a few thousand points though.......maybe I'll send another email!

I didn't know they were switching to MasterCard ether, it might be a good thing as there are lots of businesses that don't accept Amex (I don't) because they charge higher processing fees than MasterCard and Visa.

As for 'over a certain limit' I would have thought that as long as you're within your credit limit it shouldn't be a problem. And god knows they know that folks use the cards for flights because they offer double points on VS spending!! (Although as far as I know, to don't earn tier points with the card).

Hey ho...

The BOA Amex is definitely changing but not sure what will happen to the UK AMEX version? Miles and Tier points will still be earned with the BOA Mastercard as they were with the BOA AMEX

Its not very fair that U.S get tier points for spending and we don't !

serenawell wrote:Its not very fair that U.S get tier points for spending and we don't !

Agreed, but it's a different market and presumably if they didn't offer TPs with the BOA card they'd lose custom because other US airlines offer points with their cards.

hales wrote:Thanks everyone! I had no idea they were switching to MasterCard. The #1 reason I use it, is for the tier points and miles. I'll hang in there for the switch, I am hoping I have made all my reservations for this year and don't have to make any unexpected ones between now and then! Must admit I have also been told that it happens a lot. I always make my reservations via the call center, I dread to think what a tizzy I would get in doing it online! Wouldn't say no to a few thousand points though.......maybe I'll send another email!

Hang in there....your going to get another 20000 miles when the account switch takes place y)