northeastflyer

Hi.

I've read lots about this, both here and on ba.com. I'd like some further clarification if possible.

I have the all too familiar scenario whereby the debit card used for payment is no longer valid. Actually I still have the original card, which is valid date wise until way after travel. The card was cancelled at my request due to card fraud. So, I have the original card and a new card with different number and expiry date. Do you think I'll have to go to a ticket desk (if I'm not using online check-in) or will the self service machines and check-in staff just check the old card, as I assume they don't actually do anything with it and it's purely for ID purposes?

Thanks.

BA6501

It is purely for ID purposes.

KARFA

To add, it is very very very unlikely you would be asked for the card anyway.

flyingmonkie

Never had this with BA. Have had colleagues in trouble on Silkair and Air India but nobody with BA and we have about 30 people travelling on my credit card each year.

stifle

If you still have the old card, you can show it and you're good. They do not attempt to authorise it or take a payment.

Knickam

What happens if your company has paid for the flights through a travel agent?

KARFA

Then you tell the agent that at check in on the very remote chance they ask to see the card.

thepinkponce

I had the exact same scenario a few years ago. Ticket booked on a MasterCard some weeks before, confirmed and money taken, but the card was then cancelled due to fraud a couple of weeks later.

Fast forward a few weeks, and online check in via the app and website failed and told me to go to the airport. I spoke to CS and they could not tell me what the issue was, but that the flight booking was OK but it was now under Heathrows control so I should go slightly earlier the next day.

When I arrived and tried to check in at the check in desks (not machines) I was told that I had to go to the ticketing desk. I had to produce the new card and explain what had happened to the old card, but also had to show identification.

The ticket was (re)issued and all was ok. I'm not sure whether BA run a secondary check on card details after it's been ticketed or not - especially as it was a domestic flight and hence you could get all the way through to your final destination without showin any ID whatsoever otherwise.

eddy67

I have never been asked to show the credit card I made my reservation with on any airline, it does obviously happen on the rare occasion.

FrancisA

Nothing. This is only for tickets booked on ba.com. If the person paying is not travelling, you can tick that and behind the scenes more thorough cardholder not present security checks will be done.

jeffers

I was asked to show the card once at PHL for a PHL-LHR BA flight. Didn't have it, because the card had long gone.

Explained that, and it was all ok...

Oaxaca

I've seen this twice with BA. Once was for myself, similar situation to the OP, the payment card was replaced by the card issuer (due to possible fraud) between booking and travelling. I couldn't OLCI and had to visit the ticketing desk at LCY for validation and to get the BP issued. I did have the old and new cards.

The other occasion was when a colleague was checking a bag at GOT, the agent asked him for the payment card. There wasn't a card fraud issue, we never found out why it was requested.

That's my experience over many hundreds of BA flights.

scronge

I had a similar experience with a flight paid for with a card that was subsequently cancelled for fraudulent usage. I was not able to check in online, and at the airport I was sent to the ticket desk.

The way it was explained to me was that the payment card is re-authorised a few days before travel as a fraud prevention measure. They proceeded to reissue my ticket using a new payment card, which was a bit of a palaver and took around 30 minutes.

Like everyone else, I have never been asked for the payment card in any normal circumstance.

Slotski

was once asked for my credit card for a BA flight: FCO to LGW.

cysyuen

Just adding more reference:

1. I was once asked by BA about my payment card. I have just received my new credit card and booked a last minute award flight between LHR and EDI. The booking was not ticketed and after i showed them my card upon request it was ticketed and BP issued.

2. I redeemed Avios flights for my parents on CX. No questions asked at HKG check-in.

3. Paid Ryanair flights for my friends on my card. I wasn't travelling and FR didn't ask anything. I booked directly.

4. Paid KLM flights for my friends on my card from Manchester to Lima. Again no questions asked though booked via OTA.