Has anyone had problems trying to pay for bookings with credit cards on the EK website? Last year it would not recognise my AMEX; now my VISA gets declined, although I never get taken to the verified by VISA page. In all instances my credit card company says that Emirates has not asked for payment, while when I phone EK they say I have been declined, and then my credit card is locked out with them for at least 48 hours.

How much is the premium to booking over the phone?

On another note, I see that for US bookings it is possible to pay using PayPal. Has anyone tried this? From what the EK website reads, you have to have the funds in your Paypal account; they do not wait for Paypal to transfer funds for your bank account.