US credit cards only for upgrades
Mar 1, 2019, 1:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonours Gold, AC 35K, Westjet Gold
Posts: 40
US credit cards only for upgrades
Hi - wondering if anyone has experienced this- I am traveling for work and want to upgrade my tickets on my own dime. I get as far as the screen to put in my credit card but I am unable to purchase because I don't have a us credit card.
I called the 1800 number and they said it has been a problem all year and they are unable to do it in the reservation centre either.
Am I stuck?
I called the 1800 number and they said it has been a problem all year and they are unable to do it in the reservation centre either.
Am I stuck?
Mar 1, 2019, 2:26 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,335
How does the system know that it's a non-US credit card?
Have you tried (for kicks) to enter a USA billing address? That sometimes works with United, as their system doesn't [always] check for address verification, and you can "fake" the billing address.
Have you tried (for kicks) to enter a USA billing address? That sometimes works with United, as their system doesn't [always] check for address verification, and you can "fake" the billing address.
Mar 1, 2019, 2:40 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
The first 6 digits indicate the issuer, so they'll know it's a foreign issuer regardless of address.
Mar 1, 2019, 2:46 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,335
Mar 1, 2019, 2:59 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
I guess the question is what's causing the error - is it having a non-US billing address or a non-US card? I don't know the answer, but it may be worth a try for OP to put in a US address and see what happens.
Mar 1, 2019, 5:25 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,107
Mar 1, 2019, 9:12 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,882
I’d guess this is the issue - ticket was paid for in USD so ancillaries are being charged in US. That’s typical. UA also only lets you use a billing address from the country of the website you are purchasing through.
Calling in to purchase this upgrade should work for the OP...if it’s the currency issue, they should still be able to pay the amount in USD but with foreign card.
Since OP mentions it’s for work, do note this can cause issues if originally booked through a corporate TA, where they may not be able to change ticket if necessary going forward. And also, some TAs may notify the employer about this kind of change, and could cause trouble for employee if they are strict about travel policy.
Calling in to purchase this upgrade should work for the OP...if it’s the currency issue, they should still be able to pay the amount in USD but with foreign card.
Since OP mentions it’s for work, do note this can cause issues if originally booked through a corporate TA, where they may not be able to change ticket if necessary going forward. And also, some TAs may notify the employer about this kind of change, and could cause trouble for employee if they are strict about travel policy.
Mar 2, 2019, 7:41 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonours Gold, AC 35K, Westjet Gold
Posts: 40
The site doesn't allow the selection of a country - it has US and the country and no drop down
I’d guess this is the issue - ticket was paid for in USD so ancillaries are being charged in US. That’s typical. UA also only lets you use a billing address from the country of the website you are purchasing through.
Calling in to purchase this upgrade should work for the OP...if it’s the currency issue, they should still be able to pay the amount in USD but with foreign card.
Since OP mentions it’s for work, do note this can cause issues if originally booked through a corporate TA, where they may not be able to change ticket if necessary going forward. And also, some TAs may notify the employer about this kind of change, and could cause trouble for employee if they are strict about travel policy.
No - it was purchased by my corporate travel group in Canadian funds with my canadian corporate credit card.
I tried calling in - there was nothing they could do - the agent said it has been an issue since the beginning of the year. She couldn't process a non us credit card either.
Tried that - didn't work
yes - logged in and canada with canadian $$ selected, it makes no difference
I’d guess this is the issue - ticket was paid for in USD so ancillaries are being charged in US. That’s typical. UA also only lets you use a billing address from the country of the website you are purchasing through.
Calling in to purchase this upgrade should work for the OP...if it’s the currency issue, they should still be able to pay the amount in USD but with foreign card.
Since OP mentions it’s for work, do note this can cause issues if originally booked through a corporate TA, where they may not be able to change ticket if necessary going forward. And also, some TAs may notify the employer about this kind of change, and could cause trouble for employee if they are strict about travel policy.
I tried calling in - there was nothing they could do - the agent said it has been an issue since the beginning of the year. She couldn't process a non us credit card either.
yes - logged in and canada with canadian $$ selected, it makes no difference
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Mar 2, 2019 at 8:53 am Reason: Combine consecutive posts of same member. Suggest using multi-quote feature.
Mar 2, 2019, 8:55 am
#14
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,335
What is stopping you from selecting US if that is the only choice, and using a fictitious US address?
Here's an example address for you:
100 Sample Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07206
Last edited by narvik; Mar 2, 2019 at 2:58 pm Reason: spelling error
Mar 2, 2019, 10:38 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
Anyway, if OP's story is accurate, then this is yet another thing on the UA IT dept list of things that really need addressing.
AVS I assume.