Where to book/buy tickets for Indian railways?

Post by **x9200** » Wed, 09 Dec 2009 8:37 pm

The online system:

http://www.irctc.co.in/

offers Amex as the only CC option but it looks our Amex from DBS is not accepted (no clear info - it produces a vague message about communication error)
Is there any agency in SG that can provide such service?

metroguy · Post by **metroguy** » Thu, 10 Dec 2009 9:39 am

Expect a call from Amex in a few days saying that they blocked the transaction pending verification. Once you have verified that it was indeed you who tried that transaction, they will temporarily allow your card to be used on this site to book tickets on Indian Railways and also let you use the card in India for the duration of your trip.

This is a security measure, which irritates amex customers like you and me, but we know it is for our befinit.

So, hang in there and good luck with your train ticket booking and trip to India.

Post by **x9200** » Thu, 10 Dec 2009 9:51 am

Hmm. Something like you have described happened to me a few times before but it was always DBS that called me, it was practically instant (hardly took my hands off the keyboard) but the transaction was approved before the call (or so it seemed - no errors). Anyway, I have no better idea for the moment so I will wait. Thanks!

metroguy · Post by **metroguy** » Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:02 am

I use the amex card directly issued by Americal Express. That explains the delay in the verification.

You are right, you should be contacted by DBS as it is the issuing bank and in my experience DBS is much quicker and trouble free. But I still faced the same 'communication error' even when I used DBS Black Amex card.

Hope DBS will call you sooner than later.

blue_thunder · Post by **blue_thunder** » Thu, 10 Dec 2009 6:01 pm

metroguy wrote:they will temporarily allow your card to be used on this site to book tickets on Indian Railways and also let you use the card in India for the duration of your trip.

I used my amex platinum card issued by amex directly in other countries and I have not faced these issues..

metroguy · Post by **metroguy** » Fri, 11 Dec 2009 9:24 am

May be Amex Sg is more stringent in their checks..not sure mate

blue_thunder · Post by **blue_thunder** » Fri, 11 Dec 2009 3:52 pm

metroguy wrote:May be Amex Sg is more stringent in their checks..not sure mate

my amex card was issued by Amex Sg...

Girl_Next_Door · Post by **Girl_Next_Door** » Fri, 11 Dec 2009 3:58 pm

DBS seems to be a "preferred" target for credit card fraud, spam and phishing. This is probably why they are extremely stringent in the observation of potential credit card fraud, calling customer immediately when the transaction becomes unusual.

So far, I think Standard Chartered is pretty stringent as well.

Post by **x9200** » Fri, 11 Dec 2009 8:03 pm

Girl_Next_Door wrote:DBS seems to be a "preferred" target for credit card fraud, spam and phishing. This is probably why they are extremely stringent in the observation of potential credit card fraud, calling customer immediately when the transaction becomes unusual.

So far, I think Standard Chartered is pretty stringent as well.

I don't mind such calling at all. Actually I appreciate it. Ocbc does exactly the same.

Girl_Next_Door · Post by **Girl_Next_Door** » Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:46 am

I agree such calls have good intents but sometimes, credit card company can get a little too nervous too quickly. Without naming the credit card company, there's once when my bf was in paris and used his credit card to pay for wifi. The following week, we were in USA and after shopping, his card got suspended. He didn't pick up the call from the credit card company because we were sleeping (time differences) and the next thing he know, his card got suspended.

It was quite embarrassing because his card was rejected whole we were at a fancy restaurant. Imagine the "look" we got.

Post by **x9200** » Mon, 04 Jan 2010 8:06 am

Girl_Next_Door wrote:He didn't pick up the call from the credit card company because we were sleeping (time differences) and the next thing he know, his card got suspended.

It was quite embarrassing because his card was rejected whole we were at a fancy restaurant. Imagine the "look" we got.

Not nice thing for sure. I understand that they did not call right after the purchase but some time later?

Post by **x9200** » Mon, 04 Jan 2010 8:11 am

An update for the record. We used the site:

www.makemytrip.com

for the booking and all was paid with OCBC Visa. No problems whatsoever.. Hopefully no problems when it will come to the actual trip. The site was pointed out to us by the owner of one of the B&B where we are going to stay.

blue_thunder · Post by **blue_thunder** » Mon, 04 Jan 2010 6:13 pm

x9200 wrote:An update for the record. We used the site:

www.makemytrip.com

for the booking and all was paid with OCBC Visa. No problems whatsoever.. Hopefully no problems when it will come to the actual trip. The site was pointed out to us by the owner of one of the B&B where we are going to stay.

You can rely on this site as I has booked many tickets/accomodation via this site. You can also confirm your tickets by using the PNR number @ irctc.com

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Where to book/buy tickets for Indian railways?

Where to book/buy tickets for Indian railways?

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