Programs: UA 1K MM <> SPG Plat.100 <> ICH Amb.Plat. <> HH Gold
Posts: 457
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maluku_Flyer
The final step is always the CC verification. I cannot think of any sales platform where that works differently.
But they have an issue with their credit card verification process.
As stated earlier, I tried (several times) a c/c from Chase and another one from Citibank. Both were "declined", but I called both banks and they had no record of a charge attempt by Garuda.
On the other hand, no issue whatsoever with the payment process on the Air Asia website.
I hope that representatives of Garuda read posts on websites like FT, because they certainly do not get their information from emails, as they do not provide an email address, for their customers.
I have never flown Garuda, but, obviously, this experience does not give me a good opinion of the airline.
Today I tried again, and failed again to make a booking on line, the session timed out when confirming the purchase. Last time we had to call to Indonesia to make the booking, which is more expensive thru a call center as they will add service charge. The website is still not good, for your mobile phone number you are obliged to fill out the area code number, which even for Indonesian mobile numbers is not applicable. Off topic: I try to book a trip using garuda frequent flyers miles for my wife. So far we had to come down to the Garuda office 3 times (!), and still they are not able to transfer my miles to my wifes account so she can make the purchase. It is not possible to do this online yourself with Garuda. So disappointing. Wonder why they got the 'most improved airline' award, they are still a badly run stated owned company. Anyway, in the end I took my business to Air Asia. Again.
Garuda has some very cheap fares if you are booking at least 6 months in advance. Our trip is in March 2013. I tried at first with my Chase Sapphire Visa (wanting 2 x UR points) and it was rejected just like the other people in this thread reported. No charge went on my card, it just kicked me out back to the home page.
I tried again with my Aussie NAB Visa and it went through after going through a "Verified by Visa" screen where I had to enter my password.
I still need tickets on Sriwijaya, Batavia and/or Lion Air as we are going to West Papua-SOQ and MKW. It's a bit early to be buying the regional tickets, they may run promos closer in, like in Dec or Jan. Lion Air has a Singapore based website, I was wondering if that one would at least take foreign credit cards?
Programs: LH SEN, BAEC Gold, EK ex-Gold, IC Plat RA
Posts: 844
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiki
I still need tickets on Sriwijaya, Batavia and/or Lion Air as we are going to West Papua-SOQ and MKW. It's a bit early to be buying the regional tickets, they may run promos closer in, like in Dec or Jan. Lion Air has a Singapore based website, I was wondering if that one would at least take foreign credit cards?
Going to Cendrawasih Bay? Have fun with the whale sharks. I'm going to SOQ in December myself.
Programs: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Garuda, Air France
Posts: 40
Quote:
Lion Air has a Singapore based website, I was wondering if that one would at least take foreign credit cards?
As explained here, only AirAsia accepts all credit cards. Garuda accepts selected countries' credit cards, while the other only accept Indonesian credit cards.
Another option for booking Indonesian domestic flights is Mau Ke Mana. They specialise in selling flight tickets to visitors, and use Paypal so can accept all credit cards.
Going to Cendrawasih Bay? Have fun with the whale sharks. I'm going to SOQ in December myself.
Actually we will be looking for Cendrawasih (birds of paradise) up in the trees, not underwater! We are birders, though I know that area is also very popular with divers.
As explained here, only AirAsia accepts all credit cards. Garuda accepts selected countries' credit cards, while the other only accept Indonesian credit cards.
Another option for booking Indonesian domestic flights is Mau Ke Mana. They specialise in selling flight tickets to visitors, and use Paypal so can accept all credit cards.
i just had mau de mana book 2 garuda tickets for me. however, after 3 confirmations, they went ahead and booked the wrong flight.
now they're saying they need copies of passports in order to change the flights. this seems a little sketch to me.
I was advised to use the garuda-indonesia.com website by a family member who booked internal Indonesia online fares from London, using a UK credit card in mid October 2012. After much hesistation on reading about rejection of international credit cards, I then booked the same fare a week later with my Qatar registered card. I selected the flights, took the option of registering a username with password, then entered passenger names and contact details. There was also the option to bypass the new user registration. I then entered credit card billing address (exactly as on my statement) with expiry date and 3-digit security code. On continuing, I was taken to my card issuer authentication site where I entered the password (you should have this password from the first time you use your card online). After several anxious seconds of screens being opened,closed or redirected (just wait in this period) I got the itinerary approval which I was offered to print and did that. An email followed immediately.
Mau Ke Mana were indeed very helpful and prompt though the online fares were somewhat cheaper. At the very least you could say we were fortunate, it is just my experience.
I'm going to SOQ in December myself. 
