Car Hire

Not sure if this sits rightly here or in the Cards forum - no doubt it will be moved if in the wrong place[:w]

Here's a strange one I encountered only this afternoon when booking car hire through Airline Network.

Filled in all the forms and hit the 'submit' button only to get an e-mail advising that there was a problem with my credit card [:I] and, while the booking had been confirmed, I needed to call 0870-10p a minute to pass on my credit card details (VS AMEX). Only then would my rental voucher be despatched.

Feeling rather foolish and, after berating the present Mrs Treelo for spending up to my credit limit (again), I called the number in question. After relaying all the info I had already input (name, address, dates of hire etc etc), I was given a higher price than that detailed on the e-mail. When questioned, the operative advised that AMEX bookings online attracted 1.5% interest, but telephone bookings came out at 1.9% interest [V]

Anyone care to try and explain? The Airlines Network operative couldn't [:?]

BRING BACK VS MASTERCARD

I can't explain the difference in the Amex fee, but on more than one occasion I have booked on line with Airline Network and they have rejected payment when there was nothing wrong with the card.

The second time it happened I complained that I had to make a phone call, which shouldn't have been necessary and they waived the fee altogether, so they do have the flexibility to do this.

Jilly

Originally posted by Treelo
Not sure if this sits rightly here or in the Cards forum - no doubt it will be moved if in the wrong place[:w]

Here's a strange one I encountered only this afternoon when booking car hire through Airline Network.

Filled in all the forms and hit the 'submit' button only to get an e-mail advising that there was a problem with my credit card [:I] and, while the booking had been confirmed, I needed to call 0870-10p a minute to pass on my credit card details (VS AMEX). Only then would my rental voucher be despatched.

Feeling rather foolish and, after berating the present Mrs Treelo for spending up to my credit limit (again), I called the number in question. After relaying all the info I had already input (name, address, dates of hire etc etc), I was given a higher price than that detailed on the e-mail. When questioned, the operative advised that AMEX bookings online attracted 1.5% interest, but telephone bookings came out at 1.9% interest [V]

Anyone care to try and explain? The Airlines Network operative couldn't [:?]

BRING BACK VS MASTERCARD

John I had exactly the same problem last week when I booked a car with them for next weeks trip to San Francisco. All hunky dory until payment details are entered . Then it happens - "computer says no"- ring this 0870 number. It's that wretched card..[}:)]If I hadn't got such a good deal on a SUV I'd have cancelled.
I'm with you (are as a a lot of others)in wishing wistfully that VS would re-align themselves with mastercard but it's simply not going to happen.
Julie

We've just booked a car (2 days ago) through Airline Network web site and paid on line with the VS AMEX. No problems encountered and surcharge was 1.5%.

Maybe we were just lucky, but we've used them for several years and never encountered any problems.

Originally posted by jilly
I can't explain the difference in the Amex fee, but on more than one occasion I have booked on line with Airline Network and they have rejected payment when there was nothing wrong with the card.

The second time it happened I complained that I had to make a phone call, which shouldn't have been necessary and they waived the fee altogether, so they do have the flexibility to do this.

Jilly

I asked the guy on the phone if he could explain why my AMEX wasn't acepted online and he couldn't. However, he was of the opinion that the 4-digit security number on the front of the AMEX (as opposed to the 3-digit one on the magnetic strip of the MasterCard) might have something to do with the rejection. Who knows [?]

Do not think it would be to do with the security 4 digit number as all Amex cards are four digits, and if a company accepts Amex cards their terminal should a accept the 4 digit code we do not have a problem when we enter the 4 digit security code when we put an amex card through, all that comes up on the terminal is enter security code, does not say 3 digit number.

Originally posted by Treelo

[I asked the guy on the phone if he could explain why my AMEX wasn't acepted online and he couldn't. However, he was of the opinion that the 4-digit security number on the front of the AMEX (as opposed to the 3-digit one on the magnetic strip of the MasterCard) [i]might have something to do with the rejection. Who knows [?]

I should have added that the chap on the phone said that it may have been because I'd put the last 3 digits of the security number on the back of the Amex card (as clearly indicated on the Airline Network website)and not the 4 digit number on the front of the card (which he then requested over the phone) but it looks from Johns post that it doesn't like either variation of security code for some customers.

Julie,

We're obviously not one (or two!) of the chosen few [:#]