Cancelling the credit card used during booking
Apr 29, 2016, 1:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
Cancelling the credit card used during booking
I got a new BA Amex back in February for the introductory avios bonus, and booked a few BA flights to hit the spending target. I've now received the bonus in my BAEC account, so would like to cancel the card, but one of the trips I paid for isn't until the end of June. I know that the rules say that you must bring the relevant credit card with you to the airport (although I've never actually had to present it), but I'm not sure what the point of that is.
Is there any risk if I cancel the card that it might cause problems when I turn up for those flights? If it helps, I could keep the physical piece of plastic after the account has been cancelled...
Is there any risk if I cancel the card that it might cause problems when I turn up for those flights? If it helps, I could keep the physical piece of plastic after the account has been cancelled...
Apr 29, 2016, 2:01 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,060
BA regularly check that your card is still valid by applying a USD 1 charge to it about a week before flight date.
Apr 29, 2016, 2:19 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
And yes, for the pedants out there, I obviously meant that the card was used during booking, and I want to cancel it weeks later, not ring up Amex while the cogs are whirring on ba.com!
Apr 29, 2016, 2:27 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
I was once asked at NRT BA check-in to show the card used when booking. I'd cancelled it and disposed of it. The Japanese aren't the sort to shirk bureaucracy, but let us proceed after I'd given name, address, telephone number, etc.
Based on that, I wouldn't worry too much, but the advice above to keep the piece of plastic in a drawer and take it with you when you fly is probably safest.
Based on that, I wouldn't worry too much, but the advice above to keep the piece of plastic in a drawer and take it with you when you fly is probably safest.
Apr 29, 2016, 2:32 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,848
And the purpose would be? I have never heard about any airline doing this. Whilst I understand that you may be required to present the card at check-in for verification (fraud prevention) checking whether the cc is actually functioning seems to be far streched.
Apr 29, 2016, 2:39 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, HH Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,219
The 'threat' of the card being required at check-in is really a fraud prevention issue, to prove that you've purchased the ticket legally, and so if you've cancelled the card (but maybe still have it on you) it can't really be a big issue.
Apr 29, 2016, 6:20 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Lichfield
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 290
I am in a similar position as the OP. But I bought my ticket through AMEX travel (there was a £50 cash back offer). Am I correct in thinking request for credit card at check-in, is only likely to occur, if you booked the flight directly with the airline?