Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - Expedia and Singapore Airlines

Hello,

I booked a flight from Miami to Tokyo via Los Angeles on expedia, flying on American Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

I don't have a credit card, so I had one friend lend me his credit card for payment on Expedia. I have done this several times in the past flying Airlines such as Etihad, Lufthansa, Thai and Malaysia Airlines, among others.

Recently reading, I found out that SIA seems to be quirky with the credit card at check-in requirement, and I am concerned about this since I will not be carrying my friend's credit card when I fly.

I want to know if this applies mostly for bookings made on their own website, or am I at risk of having trouble because of this even though the flight has been booked via an OTA (Expedia), and booked in conjunction with an American Airlines flight.

Back when I flew Etihad they had the same requirement in their website, but done via Expedia I had absolutely no trouble at check-in.

Thanks a lot!

In my experience, the Asia-based airlines are pickier about this than other airlines. Cathay, Singapore, Philippine Airlines, etc. have all demanded my CC at check in.

But as you mentioned, buying through Expedia might make a difference. Maybe you will slip through the cracks.

I think it will all come down to the Singapore Airlines staff at the Miami airport. You might want to just get it over with and go down there before your flight. Bring your friend and his credit card if you possibly can. If all else fails, try a photocopy and a note from your friend.

You could also try solving it over the phone. Call the CS number until you get someone in the US and just explain your situation. See if they can cancel the flag on your reservation that says "must show CC".

I know you don't want to bring extra attention to this, in case you slip through... but at the same time, it'll really suck if they turn you down on the morning of your flight...

One other thing to check. You should try and pull up your reservation on the Singapore Airlines website and see if it mentions anything about showing the CC. If there is already a note on your reservation then there's probably no way to avoid it.

I think it will all come down to the Singapore Airlines staff at the Miami airport. There isn't any. OP will check in with AA. If AA can issue both segment BPs he should be OK. If not and he has to check in again with SQ @ LAX there could be a hiccup. I would try and check in online in advance, and if that fails carry a photocopy of the CC en route.

Thanks a lot for the replies.
I have thought about the note from my friend and all that, I will carry it just in case (I can't bring him to the Airport).

While I posted this here, I also wrote to both Expedia and Singapore Airlines and fortunately there will be no problem. Expedia was unable to give a definitive answer (don't really blame them though), but Singapore thankfully did. I will paste the answer they gave me here in case someone else finds him/herself in the same situation:

"Dear Mr. Airdres,

Thank you for your email.

In reference to your query, please be informed that credit card
verification applies only to the reservations booked and ticketed through
our Reservations Office or our website.

As your reservation is booked and ticketed through a travel agency, the
credit card verification procedure would not be applicable on your booking.

Please feel free to contact our Reservation Call Centre in USA, at + 1 800
742 3333 (24hours / 07days) for any further clarification or assistance.

Thank you for choosing Singapore Airlines.

Sincerely,

Leena Nathani
SIA USA"

Got to love customer service when it's quick and helpful!

That sounds good to me.

But anyway I would strongly suggest to get a credit card for your journeys.

You don't need an expensice AMEX or anything with a high limit but I think it is your own safety especially if you are on international flights. You never know if you need to pay somethink anywhere on the world.

S.

Thanks a lot for the replies.
I have thought about the note from my friend and all that, I will carry it just in case (I can't bring him to the Airport).

While I posted this here, I also wrote to both Expedia and Singapore Airlines and fortunately there will be no problem. Expedia was unable to give a definitive answer (don't really blame them though), but Singapore thankfully did. I will paste the answer they gave me here in case someone else finds him/herself in the same situation:

"Dear Mr. Airdres,

Thank you for your email.

In reference to your query, please be informed that credit card
verification applies only to the reservations booked and ticketed through
our Reservations Office or our website.

As your reservation is booked and ticketed through a travel agency, the
credit card verification procedure would not be applicable on your booking.

Please feel free to contact our Reservation Call Centre in USA, at + 1 800
742 3333 (24hours / 07days) for any further clarification or assistance.

Thank you for choosing Singapore Airlines.

Sincerely,

Leena Nathani
SIA USA"

Got to love customer service when it's quick and helpful!

Welcome to FT!

This is a good response from SQ.

However, I suggest you carry a photocopy of your friend's credit card with a handwritten note from your friend saying they lent their credit card for you to buy your ticket. It never hurts to do that.

There isn't any. OP will check in with AA. If AA can issue both segment BPs he should be OK. If not and he has to check in again with SQ @ LAX there could be a hiccup. I would try and check in online in advance, and if that fails carry a photocopy of the CC en route.

Oops, what the heck was I thinking? Yep you are right, LAX would be the problem, and that would even suck more than having a problem in Miami.

Anyway, glad to hear it all worked out for OP. Now head over to MilesBuzz! (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz-370/) and find a good credit card offer. :) BTW, if you are nervous about your credit, you can check your own credit score for free at Credit Karma (http://www.creditkarma.com/). They also have credit monitoring for free now, which is pretty awesome. They will email you if anyone opens a new credit account in your name.