Originally Posted by Happy

Chase would not send me the replacement CSP when mine was stolen in Rome.

Overall the experience with Chase is rather disappointing.

First, the Italian pay phone system operators said the Chase number (collect call) BLOCKED collect calls. Since the AU card was not lost, I used the AU card to pay for the call, about $47 charge later I saw online.

Then when we got to the hotel, we tried to call from the hotel. Again, the collect call number was blocked to take collect call! Hilton FCO ended up using the front desk's line to call for me.

When I initially called to report the stolen card, Chase was NOT able to stop the card because the system was in a weekend update mode. The rep who took the call said she would email the security dept which in turn would put a stop on the card when the system was up and running.

It never happened. When I called back on Monday to inquire the situation I was told the card was NEVER blocked. Though the rep did find an email from the previous rep. But nothing has ever been done. And, get this, this rep said since the AU card was not lost, he suggested Not to block the card but had the merchant called for approval on each transaction.

I insisted the card needed to be canceled promptly and a replacement card be sent to the hotel address which we would return after 10 days (on a cruise). The rep refused. No big deal. We have other cards and I really dont want to keep calling Chase on this crap. I asked him to put a note to send the card to our home address at proper time so the card would be waiting when we returned home.

It never happened. When we returned home, there was no card in mail pile. Wait a week, still no card. SMed Chase, was told replacement card was NEVER ordered...

Long story short, compared to AMEX, Chase is worthless in situation like this.

CSP does not worth its $95 fee in our opinion, especially now Chase has pulled out from Verified by Visa program. So now each time if you try to buy a train ticket online from virtually each major European national train system, SNCF, Trenitalia, Renfe, and may be DB, you would need to call and they would give the card a 24 hours "pass" or whatever it is, so your transaction would go thru. Otherwise, you would have to go thru 3rd party sites to buy and pay extra (the 3rd parties commission).

Originally Posted by rgAAFT

Sounds like quite an experience...... ..I don't know but I never really had such issues with them

PS ..., Chase pulled out of verified by visa??? Since when??????? I tried to get renfee tickets through the citi executive concierge, because I was having a hard time understanding Spanish and their website is quite bad
In the end after many attempt on both cards, the AA card ended up working while Chase did not, this may partially explain why? What, I can't believe it??

Originally Posted by Happy

Slightly OT

I have bad news for all of you that use Chase Visa for foreign sites online purchases.

Chase has pulled out Verified by Visa program. I dont know when. Recently the CSP was rejected by SNCF site in the Verification process. It worked fine with Trenitalia earlier this year. It took me a total of 45 min and 4 transfers to finally get the transaction go thru.

I thought once a card was verified, the next time to use it it would be fine especially the card is recognized by SNCF as being registered with the account.

NO. It failed again 2 weeks later. This time I told the Chase front line rep to transfer me to Verified by Visa program liaison. Then I was told I had to call EACH time before a transaction if the merchant requires Verified by Visa - because Chase has pulled out the program. Chase on the other hand, could approve the card for 24 hours period. Unless you are doing multiple transactions within that 24 hours period, otherwise you would need to call again on your next transaction that the merchant uses Verified by Visa.

This would mean virtually ALL European countries national railway system websites would reject Chase cards as IIRC Trenitalia (worked earlier this year), Renfe, SNCF and may be DB, all use the Verified by Visa program on foreign cards.