What exactly is meant by verifying your Credit Card

[mannej]

I have booked two tickets ex-HKG for travel at the end of March.

I am aware of the issues of the Credit Card verification, but what exactly is meant by verifying it in HKG?

The only reason I ask is that the Credit Card used has now changed. I am trying to be proactive in getting it verified here, so we don't get stranded in HKG however no one seems to be able to help us with this one.

Has anyone else had similar situations? If so how was it over come?

 

[JohnK]

Verifying the credit card means they want to sight the credit card used to make the bookings.

Last year I was cancelling the Qantas Premium Amex card and then realised I had made some bookings on TG and SG for March/April and could have kept the cancelled card and shown at check-in. Amex offered to continue the card for another 12 months without charging the annual fee as that was the reason I was cancelling.

Do you still have the credit card used to make the bookings?

 

[drmikki]

mannej, I had the same problem after losing my AMEX on arrival into the UK (damn you, Gatwick Express!). After much arguing with Amex 'customer service' they emailed me a confirmation that the card number had changed due to loss, with no fraudulent activity, and I took the new card and email printout to Cathay Offices in Seoul, whereby after a fun game of charades they verified the card and put a note on the account so I didn't have to play charades at the airport ;-)

Incidentally, Tokyo customer service of Sri Lankan airways made a note of the change in card number after a phone call and email, so I didn't have any problems when I checked in at CMB, and the RJ service centre in Japan got utterly confused and put me on hold - whereby I promptly realised I booked that on MC, which I still had, so I hung up

If you still have the older card, I'd verify it at an office, then you can destroy it and not carry 2 cards...
And a tip for young travellers - losing your credit card at the start of a 6 month trip is a little bit annoying and should be avoided! Still, at least I didn't lose it in North Korea....