Credit card verification by CX

[defurax]

I booked a flight for a friend in the UK on CX website using my credit card (LHR-HKG-MEL). The booking confirmation email mentions that the physical credit card must be presented at check in or at CX ticketing office. Can I just drop by CX counter at MEL anytime to show my credit card? Will my friend have any problems at LHR? I really did not think about that when I booked...

 

[Mal]

I'm pretty sure that will work. They need to see the card before the flight, and usually what happens is a staffer just needs to review the PNR and insert some details from the card.

But - you never do know with outsourced checkin staff and the slack attitude of some towards doing anything outside of their daily routine!

In Hong Kong (admittedly at least a year ago), the service desk were able to assist with this task.

 

[oz_mark]

But - you never do know with outsourced checkin staff and the slack attitude of some towards doing anything outside of their daily routine!

OTOH, outsourced staff can also be the biggest sticklers for procedures..

 

[markis10]

I would check with the airline and make prior arrangements to have the card verified as per their terms and conditions:

Otherwise the cardholder must present the physical card used at the nearest Cathay Pacific Ticketing Office for verification prior to the flight departure.

Payment & Ticket Delivery - Cathay Pacific Australia

Address	Level 2, Terminal 2, Melbourne International Airport, Tullamarine, VIC 3045
Reservations	Customer Sales Office: Phone 131 - 747; Email: [email protected]

 

[OATEK]

I had this a couple of years ago when buying a ticket for my daughter LHR-SYD. I had to go to the CX offices at SYD (upstairs in T1) and present ID and the Credit Card, and then they removed the requirement for my daughter to present the card at check-in in LHR.

 

[defurax]

I had this a couple of years ago when buying a ticket for my daughter LHR-SYD. I had to go to the CX offices at SYD (upstairs in T1) and present ID and the Credit Card, and then they removed the requirement for my daughter to present the card at check-in in LHR.

Thanks! Shouldn't be a problem then since I almost live at the airport...

 

[defurax]

Just to update this thread:
So I called CX and they sent me via email an authorization form to sign and email back with scans of my passport ID page and both sides of my credit card.
That was easy!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

In these situations you should book at a TA - either online or in person to avoid the need to do any verification e.g expedia

 

[ftm]

Not that it applies in this case, but if you book through an agent there usually isn't the same restriction on presenting the credit card. Reason being that the airline simply seeks reimbursement from the agent in the event of a chargeback so they don't carry any risk, so no need to check.

 

[maninblack]

This crazy requirement still occurs. At check-in recently the guy at the counter next to me did not have the correct card, it had been lost and he had a new number. I believe they just took details of his new card as security and all was okay. It's certainly a ridiculous requirement to have the matching card from the booking payment when it may well have been lost, stolen or simply no longer the card you use and when bookings are made many months in advance or for a spouse, friend or child. This issue must get dealt with many times every day by the airline check in staff.

 

[zainman]

This crazy requirement still occurs. At check-in recently the guy at the counter next to me did not have the correct card, it had been lost and he had a new number. I believe they just took details of his new card as security and all was okay. It's certainly a ridiculous requirement to have the matching card from the booking payment when it may well have been lost, stolen or simply no longer the card you use and when bookings are made many months in advance or for a spouse, friend or child. This issue must get dealt with many times every day by the airline check in staff.

any specific advantage by booking on CX.com rather than booking with a OTA like expedia etc. It means no CC verification...

 

[OATEK]

any specific advantage by booking on CX.com rather than booking with a OTA like expedia etc. It means no CC verification...

Even with CX site, I have had this happen. There is a line on the eTicket that denotes whether a form of identity is required at the checkin counter. This excerpt below was after I had them change it for my a daughter a while back. Initially it had a CC reference eg xx_X xx_X xx_X 0000.

--------------
TICKET DETAILS
--------------
ELECTRONIC TICKET NUMBER : 160-0000000000
ISSUED BY : CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED
DATE/PLACE OF TICKET ISSUANCE: 16OCTXX/SYDNEY
NAME OF PASSENGER: Bxx_xx_XX/Gxx_xx_ MRS
FORM OF IDENTITY : NONE
--------------

 

[MEL_Traveller]

any specific advantage by booking on CX.com rather than booking with a OTA like expedia etc. It means no CC verification...

not really. Unless you are on one of the eligible flights where you can bid for an upgrade. Those have to be booked directly with KA or CX.

 

[colomboplan]

any specific advantage by booking on CX.com rather than booking with a OTA like expedia etc. It means no CC verification...

Some of CX's sale/promo fares are only bookable on CX.com and aren't more widely available through TA/OTAs; those fares also don't show up on sites like ITA Matrix. Current example is the ex-MLE J saver fare to the US (e.g. ~$1.4k one way in J MLE-HKG-JFK).

 

[NFF]

May be one day they will accept Paypal.

 

[Himeno]

I've booked 2 DONE3's via the online booking tool and issued by CX. Both times the CX MMB said they'd need to see the card at check in.
The first one, starting at ICN, they asked for it. The second one, starting at HND, they didn't.

 

[Archphoto]

Almost been caught out with this when we flew from HKG-PKG; colleague's wife had booked the tickets with her CC, as it was a last minute change to our photoshoot. They requested the card upon checkin - thankfully she was present, as she'd flown in a few days before.

From then on, *any* bookings made online with *any* airline were strictly processed on his card - after all he was there with us 99% of the time (and that 1% - he had to report to the airport with us and then head back to his hotel.)

I've used Expedia once for a CX flight - then found out that the flight wasn't eligible for SCs or points when nothing credited. It's not that difficult, at least you get the choice: nearest airport, office or via email for verification - more of a PITA is having to physically go to an office to verify the booking within 2 days; everyone who has ever booked a flight ex BKK will know exactly what I'm talking about (amongst some other cities).

 

[zainman]

I've used Expedia once for a CX flight - then found out that the flight wasn't eligible for SCs or points when nothing credited.

Was that because you booked through expedia or because the booking class wasn't eligible to earn any miles? I've always earned miles as per normal when I've done bookings through Expedia and others.. It's hotels which don't credit points unless you book through their website IME...

 

[Archphoto]

At the time (not sure if it has changed), you weren't informed what class was being booked (even after getting conformation). As it turned out, I had booked a class that wasn't qualified to earn, but if is known at the time of booking, I wouldn't have booked that particular flight, I would have changed.

So much easier online direct with CX; it gives you all the info you need at the click of a button *before* you complete the booking. Oops, no SCs, let me change it.

And yes, the hotel bookings can catch you out too; booked a room, on the executive floor but found out the class of booking, didn't cover executive floor privileges or earn points. Live and learn . . . .


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

 

[Shan Man]

Some of CX's sale/promo fares are only bookable on CX.com and aren't more widely available through TA/OTAs; those fares also don't show up on sites like ITA Matrix. Current example is the ex-MLE J saver fare to the US (e.g. ~$1.4k one way in J MLE-HKG-JFK).

That would net you about 40 qantas SC's under the new Simpler and Fairer system.

I purchased a TPE-HKG-SIN ticket on CX's Taiwan site and didnt have to present CC card at check-in, even when the ticket said it was needed.