Buying a flight with your credit card?: WARNING!!

budgetflyer

No its just fraud protection.
Banks spend millions trying to get us to spend on credit cards as opposed to debit cards.
Credit cards are big money generators

JoseChungsDoomsday

it's happened this time but probably never again - there are systems in place that records your spending patterns so should you ever do it again it will pick it up!

littlereddevil

Not entirely true!
My daughter has lived in Hong Kong for 2 years and uses her cards there all the time. Her card regularly gets rejected and when she phones the bank they always say "an unusual transaction has taken place". When she asks what they always say " a transaction in Hong Kong" !!!!

wrapper2007

It is the banks way of protecting us and is inconvenient but I prefer it to having to sort out an unauthorised transaction. Your card actions provide the bank with a user profile. If you don't use a card and then make a big purchase the banks see it as being possibly fraudulent.

I once had a retailer in Lanzorate charge my credit card for £800. We were basically looking in the window of an electrical store and saw a video camera that was offered to us for £80. When we decided to buy it we handed over the card. After a transaction had taken place the store owner said that I needed to purchase editing equipment to be able to view the footage we would take. He told us this was £720 and showed me the device. It was basically a cheap box and I said that we didn't need it so I wouldn't buy it. He then refused to give me the camera. After a much heated debate and a few extra bodies appearing from the back, he allowed me to take the camera.
After leaving the store, I called the credit card company and said that I had only authorised £80 and that the store may try to charge more an to keep a eye on my account. I also said that I wouldn't use the card again on the holiday so that they could easily pin point any fraudulent activity. I was told that there was nothing they could do and the store keeper did take the money. It took ages to sort out. I hardly used this card either so it seems that the banks systems are not quite right anyway.

N9eav

I did call American Express once to tell them I was going on holiday in the USA and was going to give my card a hammering. They appreciated that and made a note on the account, as unusual transactions can flag up warnings with some companies.

hollydays

I thought it was because purchasing of flights is a common purchase of credit card thieves.I recently booked two sets of flights. When I booked a third set within afew more days,my card was refused. THey were not massive amount either.
Strangely,I wasquite happy with this,as i was pleased they were keeping an eye on my card habits,so increasing my safety.

Martin (i think) gives advice to telll your bank /cc COMPANY IF YOU ARE GOING AWAY.
pERHAPS IF YOU DO THIS BEFORE YOU BOOK THE FLIGHTS,THERE IS LESS CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING? OOPS sorry capitals. Well i am trying this infuture.