V-Flyer

Since this little gem was appended to a thread that may not be monitored by all (and obviously has implications to all passengers) - I'm posting it as a new thread in it's own right.

On the phone to FC today, I was told that from February 14th, passengers with E-Tickets paid for by credit/debit card will be required to authenticate with their PIN number when checking in for flights. I'm guessing this will be done by card terminal (just like in a supermarket).

So, while many of us (including me) have not been asked to provide our credit cards to check in, be warned if you are in future - you'll need those little 4 digits to fly [:0]

Just out of interest..what if you dont have a pin for your credit card?

If the CC issuer doesn't provide PIN's, the machine will know (and tell the operator) - just like in a shop. Only then, after the card's said "no" to the computer, will it be exempt...

oh,ok..had me worried for a sec.

Does the check in agent cough first?

Thanks,
Richard

Yeah, our US credit cards don't have pin numbers, it's always fun to watch the parents argue with the supermarket clerks when we go to the UK.

Blimey Nick, makes me feel a little better for my recent experiences. I have just had a frustrating two weeks in the US not being able to 'pay at pump' for 'GAS' due to the fact that you now have to enter your zip code in to use these. Trouble is, these terminals only allow numbers as inputs.

It does amaze me how little certain US companies and institutions never think past their own borders.

Paul

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Does the check in agent cough first?

Thanks,
Richard

ROFL!!

Originally posted by preiffer
Since this fact was appended to a thread that may not be monitored by all (and obviously has implications to all passengers) - I'm posting it as a new thread in it's own right.

From February 14th, passengers with E-Tickets paid for by credit/debit card will be required to authenticate with their PIN number when checking in for flights. We assume this will be done by card terminal (just like in a supermarket).

So, while many of us (including me) have not been asked to provide our credit cards to check in, be warned if you are in future - you'll need those little 4 digits to fly [:0]

This thread implies that credit cards will be required for all check-ins but the earlier one stated that the PIN number will be required only if the credit card is requested. Can you please clarify that.

Also what happens in this scenario? Aer John and I used miles for seats for friends to travel to JFK. My credit card was used to pay the taxes but I'm not travelling. What then?

Originally posted by honey lamb


Also what happens in this scenario? Aer John and I used miles for seats for friends to travel to JFK. My credit card was used to pay the taxes but I'm not travelling. What then?

Ah i have had a flight paid for buy someone else and all VS did was call the card holder and ask some security questions.

Also if you give VS a call they should make a note of it.

Phil

HI HL -

Sorry, should have made that clear. Yes, this only applies if the credit card is REQUESTED at check-in - this is not always the case.

I did put this statement at the end of the initial post, indicating that [:I]:

So, while many of us (including me) have not been asked to provide our credit cards to check in, be warned if you are in future - you'll need those little 4 digits to fly

Originally posted by honey lamb

Also what happens in this scenario? Aer John and I used miles for seats for friends to travel to JFK. My credit card was used to pay the taxes but I'm not travelling. What then?

Won't they issue paper tickets in this situation, and only post them to the registered cardholder's address?

When I've had (normal) tickets booked by someone else, they sent the paper tickets to them. This security pocedure effectively replaces the one where they check its your card when you present an e-ticket at the airport (if indeed they decide to check this). This is my understanding of it all, but it's only based on what I've seen happen in a few different situations.

I dont know the pins for any of my credit cards , only my debit cards, quite frankly for my own safety I dont want to!
Oh well, very glad for this post - its convinced me then that my flights are going on my chipless Amex instead.

Just to add to the confusion - what if you paid by CC, got an E ticket then use OLCI ?

Originally posted by onionz

Originally posted by honey lamb

Also what happens in this scenario? Aer John and I used miles for seats for friends to travel to JFK. My credit card was used to pay the taxes but I'm not travelling. What then?

Won't they issue paper tickets in this situation, and only post them to the registered cardholder's address?

When I've had (normal) tickets booked by someone else, they sent the paper tickets to them. This security pocedure effectively replaces the one where they check its your card when you present an e-ticket at the airport (if indeed they decide to check this). This is my understanding of it all, but it's only based on what I've seen happen in a few different situations.

Well we received the e-tickets in our case outlined above. they were sent to me email

^ TBH, this sounds like a load of rubbish!!

It aint gonna happen. You will not have to type in your pin to check in BELIEVE ME!!

Originally posted by Lipstick
You will not have to type in your pin to check in BELIEVE ME!!

Cool...

In that case, I'm going to print this and take it along with me, just in case I'm asked... [:p];)

Well I have just stuck all our various amexs into the card machine at work and not 1 of them is pinned.[:0]

^^Lol!!

The only time you will need to type in your pin is at the ticketing counter if you haven't paid for your ticket yet or you are paying to up grade.

There's no way every check in desk will have a chip and pin machine on it waiting for you to type the pin in before you can get checked in. How would this be feesible for OLCI or Diy Kiosks???

Someone's got wires crossed somewhere!!!!

Originally posted by p17blo
Blimey Nick, makes me feel a little better for my recent experiences. I have just had a frustrating two weeks in the US not being able to 'pay at pump' for 'GAS' due to the fact that you now have to enter your zip code in to use these. Trouble is, these terminals only allow numbers as inputs.

It does amaze me how little certain US companies and institutions never think past their own borders.

Paul

Actually, the system is more clever than you think:D
If alphabets are written on the keypads at pump, you just key in your postcode. Only numbers might come up on the screen, but it doesn't matter. Last year, in West Hollywood, a man at a garage showed me how to do it, and it worked! Otherwise, as you said, Paul, it's such a nuisance totally.

Naoya

This whole business of presenting credit cards at check-in is a farce.

It is perfectly feasible to have advance purchased tickets using a credit card, and by the time you fly, closed the account and therefore voided the account.

Why would the PIN be needed at check-in - the PIN is for purchases! The PIN is an authorising mechanism and you cannot authorise a zero sum. And as other have said, not all cards are chip and pin.

Definitive answer to this now posted on the VS website:

CHIP AND PIN WHEN YOU PAY AT THE AIRPORT FROM 14 FEB 2006
From 14th February 2006 if you are:

* Collecting tickets at the airport
* Paying for date changes or upgrade fees at the airport
* Paying for excess baggage charges at the airport
* Purchasing exit row seating at the airport

You will be required to provide a PIN number if your debit or credit card is Chip and PIN enabled. If you do not have a Chip and PIN enabled card you will continue to sign for purchases in the normal way.

Despite the sloppy "PIN number" (Personal Identification Number number? [ii])

Cheers

Michael

Will you still have to pay VAT tax?


Sorry - accountant joke - value added tax tax - gedit?

Will you still have to pay VAT tax?


Sorry - accountant joke - value added tax tax - gedit?

So all this furore was simply VS announcing that along with the rest of the UK retail market, you will have to use a PIN from 14th February.

And for purchases, not for check-in.

And Michael, you'te absolutely right. One of my pet hates is being asked to enter my PIN number; that and the fact that the UK subsidiary coinage is 'pence' and not named after a legume.