Using Obb website
 

I'm trying to purchase tickets on this site but it keeps rejecting my payment when I try to pay by credit card. I only have a debit card and this is not an option you can slect on obb. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do?

Does your debit card have a MC or Visa logo?

Yes it's a visa card

Should work, then. Could be that your bank is rejecting the transaction, sometimes happens with foreign purchases. Suggest you contact the bank and let them know you will be doing an international purchase online, ask what you need to do to be sure it is not rejected by them. Helps if you are able to tell them the amount of the transaction and the vendor.

Thanks Seamus. I have already rung the bank and they said the Obb website and verified by visa are not compatible! I looked on the trip advisor forum and found another Aussie who had a similar problem with a MasterCard. Now I have to decide if I take the verified by visa off so I can do the transaction.

jenmorg, the "verified by VISA" is very common here. I have a Bank Austria card and have to provide the verification PIN even when I pay for pizza delivery online. I would be surprised if that feature can be waived.

If the tickets you are purchasing are not SparScheine, buying them once you are in Austria will be easier.

OBB never used to reject overseas cards - nobody ever reported any problems with oebb.at!

But recently there's been a spate of 'my card didn't work' reports.

It could be people trying to use cards not signed up for the 3D secure (or its MasterCard equivalent). Oebb.at requires this, I think. It's so common here, I guess 60% of the online transactions I make require it.

I'm hoping it's NOT a general change in OBB's card processing anti-fraud protocols, with the effect of blocking some overseas cards, like Renfe.com and the Swedes at sj.se both of which are notorious.

Of course there are alternatives - but it depends which route you're booking. Where are you going?

I used my Visa (debit) card for all my Deutschbahn purchases online from Australia, but did not work on Oebb website so used a NAB credit card instead.

Thanks for all the replies! i'm about to try obb again as the "verified by visa" has been taken off temporarily by the bank. I have never heard of 3D secure.
I'm trying to book Vienna to Venice on the day train. I've read "Man in seat 61" extensively and have found the advice invaluable. I've bought many tickets on Trenitalia and helped friends use it too.
Wish me luck everyone.

I have just successfully purchased my ticket. Now I will ring the bank and get Verified by Visa reinstated.

Sadly, I am having OBB credit card issues as well. I'm attempting to pay for Salzburg to Ljubljana. I've tried both a debit card with Verified by Visa protection and a Chase Visa without Verified by Visa. My cards were rejected in both instances. Also, both my bank and Chase have been notified of International purchases. It's a little frustrating because I can see 78 Euro fares on OBB, but loco2 and Bahn both ask for 110 Euro. Man in Seat 61,do you know of a workaround? Great website by the way...it's been a lifesaver for us.