Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Online cx.com purchase ID verification

One thing that annoys me with purchasing tickets directly with cathay pacific online, is that they require you to show the credit card you used to purchase the ticket at check-in.

While I understand that they need to verify your ID, it is very common for you to no longer have that credit card if you've purchased your ticket a few months in advance. For example, some banks are now routinely cancelling your credit card after you've used it in Malaysia or Thailand to counter fraud. Or you may have cancelled that account for personal reasons.

This happened to a friend recently. Actually he had a HK Citibank CX Gold card which had been cancelled as he accepted Citibank's new Platinum CX offering. When he went to check-in, he was told he would need to pay for the ticket AGAIN, and then a credit on the original card would go through.

I find this a ridiculous situation considering we are doing cx a favour by booking online and bypassing a travel agent. I think cx needs to review this policy and find some alternative method of IDing people at check-in.

I had the same problem with UA when DC in the USA converted to MC. I still have technically the same card, but with a new MC account number. It was a no go with EasyCheckIn. It took some explanation and a lot of typing for the agent to override it and check me in. I think it is a silly policy when the passenger name is the same as the account holder. :( I can understand it when it is a card from a third party to prevent fraud.

How did CX think they would be able to credit a card that had been cancelled? I don't think I would accept that at all...

But then I have never been asked for my credit card at check-in for online ticket purchases... (Diamond member, F-check-in, gwailo, etc., etc.)

How did CX think they would be able to credit a card that had been cancelled? I don't think I would accept that at all...


It's a little known fact that even after you cancel a credit card, there can still be charges put on the account. As long as the bank can prove you authorised the transaction, then you need to pay for it. Even direct debits can charge to your account as you have a standing order for the vendor to charge you (unless you can prove you told the vendor that the authority is removed).

I imagine in my friend's case that the credit will go on the new account, but we'll see. The problem is if it goes on the old account, some banks charge you a fee to get a refund of an amount owing to you. Normally this isn't a problem as you just spend the credit away, but if don't have the card anymore because the account is closed that can be a problem.

My limited experience is that any debit/credit gets transferred to the new account since those two accounts are linked from conversion. You may need to call them to transfer the balance if they are not linked.

Sorry to rant more....but why does CX care about seeing the credit card anyway? If the bank accepted the charge, and it's not disputed by the credit card holder, what's the problem? Also, isn't it more important that the person flying is the same person that's on the ticket (which I know airlines check)....who cares who actually paid for the ticket as long is the charge is not fradulent?

...Also, isn't it more important that the person flying is the same person that's on the ticket (which I know airlines check)....who cares who actually paid for the ticket as long is the charge is not fradulent?


Ah ha.. .but that's the case see.... CX doesn't know if the card used is actually yours... if you had used someone else's credit card, they require a letter of indemnity from the card holder in order to allow you to fly.

Ah ha.. .but that's the case see.... CX doesn't know if the card used is actually yours... if you had used someone else's credit card, they require a letter of indemnity from the card holder in order to allow you to fly.
Why can every other (well okay maybe not *every*) web retailer sell you stuff with card sight unseen?

I believe that if you purchase a ticket from zuji.com.hk there is no need to produce your card at check in. And although the cx.com site does specifically say the following:

Please note that the carrier reserves the right to deny boarding, or collect a guarantee payment (in cash or from a new credit card) should the card originally used not be presented by the cardholder at check-in, or when collecting the tickets.
It doesn't say that the person travelling has to be the person who pays for the ticket.

sxc, this is interesting. And almost happened to me. Flew on CX last Nov., travelling through China (and Hong Kong, great city you live in!). Before I left I called Citibank to make sure my card was going to last the entire month, because I feared a similar event.

I have mixed emotions - I understand and respect a business' right to try to avoid fraud, but as you said, if the charge went through and you have a passport with the same name and a mugshot that matches, one would think they'd realize you were legit.

FYI - AA has often asked to see my CC on (domestic) check-in too. Of course now that they're introducing kiosks which take an AAdvantage card, they won't be doing the CC check anymore.

What's the big tufaloo? CX just wants to see the card, not charge to it. If the card has been cancelled, what's stopping you from still having it with you and showing it at check-in? Of course, if the card has gone missing or is stolen after the charge, then it does get interesting.

What's the big tufaloo? CX just wants to see the card, not charge to it. If the card has been cancelled, what's stopping you from still having it with you and showing it at check-in? Of course, if the card has gone missing or is stolen after the charge, then it does get interesting.
When a card is cancelled you are instructed by your bank to cut it up.

I don't mind CX asking for my credit card, although I admit I've never had this asked for at checkin. One time, however, I had no baggage, so used CX's Kiosk in HKG to print out the boarding pass (so bypassing the standard checkin counter altogether). At the gate, I got onto the flight without any problem, but then had one of their agents board the plane, come right up to my seat, and ask to verify my credit card. Quite embarrassing to say the least, in front of the other passengers!

Why can every other (well okay maybe not *every*) web retailer sell you stuff with card sight unseen?

I believe that if you purchase a ticket from zuji.com.hk there is no need to produce your card at check in. And although the cx.com site does specifically say the following:


It doesn't say that the person travelling has to be the person who pays for the ticket.


A few years ago Expedia.com got burned for a good chunk of change by processing fraudulent credit card charges. Fraudsters were advertising paid revenue tickets on Ebay (ie, roundtrip USA-New Zealand went for about $1,800ish). I didn't bid but contacted the winner\seller as I tried finding the magical source of these cheap tickets. I looked at the ticket itself and it went back to Expedia and I think the credit card charge was for the F fare which was way more than the $1,800ish ebay price. Couldn't figure out how this was done. In the end, even the ebay seller didn't realize that their source was a credit-card theft ring. (ps-- the traveler did fly, but in the end, someone ate some big bucks).

CX isn't the only one... SQ wants to see the cc used to book your ticket too.

The only way to avoid this is to buy your ticket through a travel agent.

A few years ago Expedia.com got burned for a good chunk of change by processing fraudulent credit card charges.

Looks like it costs Expedia $6mil.

http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20000301S0010

CX isn't the only one... SQ wants to see the cc used to book your ticket too.
Thai Air as well.

very annoying, i agree, especially as many online travel agencies dont allow you to book multi-cities/ or even simple stopovers.

Looks like it costs Expedia $6mil.

http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20000301S0010

One of the main reasons why airlines in this part of the world wants to see your cc is that the main cc verification systems being used right now can only verify your cc against your billing address ONLY if you are in US, Canada, UK and some European countries. It does not have that capability in asia. Hence the need to show your cc upon check-in.

When a card is cancelled you are instructed by your bank to cut it up.

I see. So, knowing that you'll need it to check in for your CX flight, you'll cut it up anyway?

One of the main reasons why airlines in this part of the world wants to see your cc is that the main cc verification systems being used right now can only verify your cc against your billing address ONLY if you are in US, Canada, UK and some European countries. It does not have that capability in asia. Hence the need to show your cc upon check-in.

Can't they us CCIV verification? or even "Verified by Visa"?

You don't need to show CC on zuji because they have a policy of sending the paper ticket to the CC billing address.

You don't need to show CC on zuji because they have a policy of sending the paper ticket to the CC billing address.
What if you buy an e-ticket?

I see. So, knowing that you'll need it to check in for your CX flight, you'll cut it up anyway?
I know what you are saying, but sometimes you buy your ticket months in advance.

I had this happen to me - I bought a CX worldpass 6 months in advance (1 longhaul + 1 shorthaul for a discounted price). In the meantime, I had been to Bangkok, and when I returned Citibank cancelled my card. Of course, not thinking about a flight that I was going to take over 4 mths later, I cut it up as I was told it was used for Fraud in Thailand.

When I went to check-in, I presented my new credit card which was the same account but with a different card number. I had to explain the situation to the check-in staff, and eventually she let it pass. However, I had the feeling that she was just ignoring the situation, rather than it being within their rules.

If my dad has a paper ticket from CX (because his first segment is on AS), will CX check the cc at check in ?

If my dad has a paper ticket from CX (because his first segment is on AS), will CX check the cc at check in ?

No.

Thanks Guy !

BW

Hi all,

just picking up on this thread again. I've just paid online for a flight for my sister & her daughter to fly from AMS to AKL early next year. As I'm London based, I don't really want to fork out for a ticket from LHR to AMS just to present my card at check-in. Is there anyway around this? i.e.
Online CheckIn?
Asking for Paper tickets?

Thanks In Advance

You know what; I would just get a travel agent. Purchasing through CX.com is a joke for all but the simplest itineraries, and on top of that, they are ALWAYS more expensive. Any good travel agent can offer at least 4% off published fares.

Hi all,

just picking up on this thread again. I've just paid online for a flight for my sister & her daughter to fly from AMS to AKL early next year. As I'm London based, I don't really want to fork out for a ticket from LHR to AMS just to present my card at check-in. Is there anyway around this? i.e.
Online CheckIn?
Asking for Paper tickets?

Thanks In Advance

I phoned Cathay Pacific and they have e-mailed thru a "3rd Party CC Authorisation form" which once filled out and returned to them, will hopefully mean that the CC holder is not required to be present at check-in.

So here's my story.

I was a resident in Japan for the last 3 years. My contract was up in July so I was going home. I bought a ticket for Hong Kong to Sydney for July 29th. I bought it in May with my Japanese credit card. The ticket was paid off using my credit card (came out of my bank account in July). Since I was leaving Japan I cancelled my card. They actually required me to cut up the card AND send it back. No problem.

So when I got to Hong Kong they wouldn't let me check-in until I bought the ticket again using another credit card. I had huge issues with this (I had already bought the ticket and paid for it. Isn't the whole point of a credit card that the seller doesn't have to come looking for you fo money? The card company does.lol). So the payment came on my cardr statement on the 31st. No sign of the refund yet.

I'll give them a ring and see what's happening