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Can Credit card companies claim back Flights I have bought?

I am approaching a situation where I am about to default on my credit card. I am currently living in America with my fiancee and have to leave the country every 90 days. I have no green card so do not work in America, but am able to work in England.

I recently bought some flights ensuring that I will be back in the UK on 3 occasions in the next 12 months, which will enable me to work. At the end of this month it is very likely I will default (for the first time) on my credit card (the one I used to buy the flights). My concern is that the credit card company will demand back the money for the flights, and so I will lose the flights, be stuck in America in danger of overstaying my visa and unable to return to the UK where I can earn money.

My bank recently took some money back in this way. My skype account is automatically topped up and initially this went through. A week later that money (what was left) got taken back to my UK bank account. I am concerned that credit card companies are able to do the same.

Does anyone have any experience in this area?

Many thanks - this is my first post
Shiva
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Comments

  • woody01
    woody01 Posts: 1,918 Forumite
    Advice on what?
    How to purchase on a credit card, when you have no funds and no intention of paying it back?
  • Shiva
    Shiva Posts: 26 Forumite
    Like I said I am asking for advice.
    I don"t think I expressed my intentions.
    Judgments are not so helpful, but thanks anyway for taking the time.
  • surrey_jim
    surrey_jim Posts: 96 Forumite
    Card companies are able to claim back from the merchant. The process is known as a chargeback. This usally occurs when people take out the card for fraudlent transactions and have no intent on paying back anything rather than defaulting on payments at a later stage.
  • woody01
    woody01 Posts: 1,918 Forumite
    edited 20 July 2010 at 8:05AM
    Shiva wrote: »
    Like I said I am asking for advice.
    I don"t think I expressed my intentions.
    Judgments are not so helpful, but thanks anyway for taking the time.

    It's not a judgement.
    It's a fact......you are asking how you can purchase tickets, without the CC company reclaiming them, whilst having no intention of paying for them.
    At the end of this month it is very likely I will default (for the first time) on my credit card
    By your own admission in this quote, you are buying tickets knowing full well you cannot afford to do so.

    Advice
    Don't spend money that isn't yours, and then ask for advice on how to get away with it.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 29,998 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    you are asking how you can purchase tickets

    Well that's not the way I read it.
    I read it that the tickets are already purchsed.
    At the end of this month it is very likely I will default (for the first time) on my credit card

    Can you get a loan from family or friends?
    Could you get more work?
    This hasn't happened yet.
    Why are you in America not working if you can't afford it?
    be stuck in America in danger of overstaying my visa and unable to return to the UK

    I would doubt they will let you stay.
  • Fiddlestick
    Fiddlestick Posts: 2,339 Forumite
    Shiva wrote: »
    I am approaching a situation where I am about to default on my credit card. I am currently living in America with my fiancee and have to leave the country every 90 days. I have no green card so do not work in America, but am able to work in England.

    I recently bought some flights ensuring that I will be back in the UK on 3 occasions in the next 12 months, which will enable me to work.

    Possibly unrelated, but I hope you are on a B visa rather than a visa waiver.

    If you are using the VWP then the US authorities take a very dim view of foreigners leaving and re-entering every 90 days - they see this as an attempt to illegally immigrate and may eventually deny entry.

    Just a bit of friendly advice from someone who has previously been in your situation with a US citizen partner.
  • researcher
    researcher Posts: 1,539 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you were to marry your fiancee would you then be able to work?
  • Shiva
    Shiva Posts: 26 Forumite
    Many thanks for the replies - all very useful. Even Woody"s....

    I was asking for those who had experience,Woody.

    The flights are already bought - you are correct

    I am in America writing a children"s book - the illustrator lives in the same town. This is a longer-term project. I also support my fiancee in her work, as an EFT practitioner. I am able to make money by playing poker online. I have been a successful player for over 6 years. This week I have banked $800. My work in the UK is seasonal and I am less busy in the summer months.

    I am on the standard visa (90 days) and so far no hassle at customs - I have been back and forth a fair few times in the year and a bit we have known each other. It is possible we might get married ahead of the intended ceremony in June 2011, which may expedite proceedings.

    Yes, I think a loan may be a sensible idea, although if the money continues to come in from the online poker, all should be well.

    Thank you for the constructive advice. My faith in humanity has been restored. Woody was my first ever response on this site, and I take his point too. I have a lot of judgment in me too - I am working on it.

    Chargeback sounds exactly right. My concern is that should I default in 5 months (this month is more hopeful) will a flight that I am due to take in 8 months be cancelled and the money reclaimed through chargeback.

    Thank you again
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 29,998 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As explained above
    Card companies are able to claim back from the merchant.
    So chargeback would be used (for example) if you ordered a product that never arrived and then if you failed to get a response from the retailer you ask you card company to claim from the retailer.
    So I don't think this applies here.

    If you have a bank account with the same company as you credit cards then yes, generally the terms and conditions state that they can "raid" one account to pay debts on another.
    So they can raid a current account or savings to pay a mortgage, loan or credit card.
    This can work within groups e.g. rbs & nat west as they'd treat it as the same company.
    So yes your money can be taken if you have money with the SAME bank within the group of companies.
  • Shiva
    Shiva Posts: 26 Forumite
    Thanks Lisyloo,
    My flights are with Virgin. The credit card is HiltonHonours Platinum Visa, and the direct debit comes out of a Barclays account. How would this work?

    Thank you again - perhaps you could also let me know with what degree of certainty/experience you have - there is quite a lot at stake for me on this.
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