Booking on GOL from US?
 

It seems GOL only accepts American Express credit cards online, and I don't have one. Short of using a travel agent or calling Brazil, does anyone know of a way to book a flight on GOL from the US? Doing either of these will make an inexpensive ticket ($50US) not so inexpensive. Thanks!

Why not get a pre-paid American Express card?

I believe I have seen the cards at 7-11s. There is a small load fee so make sure you get in the correct amount. You can reload the card or just throw it out after 1 use.

One more thing. I remeber reading on a different forum that there are 2 kinds of AX cards. A gift card can be used at any retailer that accepts AX including the internet, while the Internet card can only be used on the internet.

Thanks! What a great idea...I'll give it a try.

Found out the prepaid Amex gift card is for use in the US only, and Amex no longer offers their prepaid credit card. Back to plan B... pay more and use a travel agent.

ovenbird,

Am rather confused... just did a test booking on the Gol website, and they accept almost any kind of plastic: Amex, Visa, Mastercard, Diners and various Brazilian cards!

Make sure you're using the Gol site:
http://www.voegol.com.br/int/Paginas/home.aspx

Hope this helps
Andre

Andre, you're right and I misspoke. I don't have Amex, Visa, or Diners cards. I do have a Mastercard issued by Citibank, but in a quick online search it seems Citibank doesn't participate in the Mastercard SecureCard system. Since GOL deals exclusively with MC SecureCard participants, I can't use my MC credit card. I have to investigate this SecureCard more...haven't heard of it till I went to the GOL website. Thanks for the clarification.

Hi ovenbird,

That's interesting - it seems that the correct name for the Programe is MasterCard SecureCode, and indeed you are apparently out of luck...
http://www.voegol.com.br/int/Informa.../HowtoPay.aspx
http://www.mastercard.com/us/persona...ode/index.html

There are prepaid Visa cards available however - that might be your best option, aside from applying for a 2nd credit card from another bank, which I would strongly recommend in any event if you are travelling abroad:
http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/index.html

Hope this helps,
Andre