I recently had to buy a return ticket from Berlin to Hannover (mmm, interesting), but I was flummoxed by the booking system on the DB website, after clicking just about every available button on the 'payment' page, it became fairly clear that unless you have a credit card, it is impossible to book online, so I had to delegate the whole thing to my girlfriend who does have one. What seems completely illogical is that after you have paid (with a credit card), DB still asks for an EC card details as a form of ID when the ticket is being checked on the train.
Anyone got any ideas?
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Online booking of Deutsche Bahn rail tickets
Advice on using credit cards and bank direct debit
You can use your Credit Card as the form of ID.
EDIT - I suppose you need a ID only if you are travelling with a ticket printed out by yourself. If you order the tickets from DB (which they send for free to your address), you don't need to present a ID.
EDIT - I suppose you need a ID only if you are travelling with a ticket printed out by yourself. If you order the tickets from DB (which they send for free to your address), you don't need to present a ID.
WATCHOUT! The ticket will be considered invalid if u buy it with a credit card other than yours. If u buy it with someone elses credit card, then he/she must be one of the passenger traelling with u. My friend had this experience once when he bought a ticket with his friends credit card and had to pay for the whole ticket again in the train just because the credit card did not belong to him. AFAIK DB accepts EC card.
Informationen zum Lastschriftverfahren
You have to fill out and send or fax a form to register for payment by direct debit. Not much use for a one-off, but if you don't want to get a credit card you might as well register for the future.
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Melden Sie sich mit Ihrem Benutzernamen und Passwort in unserem System an ("Erstmalig anmelden"). In Ihrem Benutzerkonto finden Sie unter "Meine Daten verwalten / An- und Abmeldung zu weiteren Services" dann den Link zur Anmeldung zum Lastschrift-Verfahren.
You have to fill out and send or fax a form to register for payment by direct debit. Not much use for a one-off, but if you don't want to get a credit card you might as well register for the future.
QUOTE (trudering_indian @ Jul 16 2008, 11:41 am) 
You can use your Credit Card as the form of ID.
Er, I don't have a credit card.
You do need to have the actual credit card and the person it is issued to on the train with you. Otherwise, they will charge you for new tickets - naturally without any sort of discount unless you have the credit card
QUOTE (long-haul @ Jul 16 2008, 11:42 am)
WATCHOUT! The ticket will be considered invalid if u buy it with a credit card other than yours. If u buy it with someone elses credit card, then he/she must be one of the passenger traelling with u. My friend had this experience once when he bought a ticket with his friends credit card and had to pay for the whole ticket again in the train just because the credit card did not belong to him. AFAIK DB accepts EC card.
Not really. Your friends make a mistake. One thing is the CC you are using for the payment and another thing is the way the traveler wants to ID to the controller. Of course if you are the person paying and traveling you can use the same CC as ID. But when you buy the ticket for someone else, you have to choose another way of IDing, it can be a normal ID (Passport of personal ID) or ANOTHER card.
Noted. I always buy my tickets with my CC and use my Bahncard as ID proof. Never had any hazzles.
QUOTE (Krieg @ Jul 16 2008, 11:50 am)
Not really. Your friends make a mistake. One thing is the CC you are using for the payment and another thing is the way the traveler wants to ID to the controller. Of course if you are the person paying and traveling you can use the same CC as ID. But when you buy the ticket for someone else, you have to choose another way of IDing, it can be a normal ID (Passport of personal ID) or ANOTHER card.
Very true. You do not need the credit card holder with you on the train. I have done quite a bit of travelling between Nürenberg and Vienna, as my wife used to study there and i lived near Ansbach. She always used to book the tickets for me, using her fathers credit card. And i did not face any problems ever. It has to be noted though, that she used my Bahncard-50 to book the tickets. So, the bahncard worked as my ID card.
the credit card holder never came into question.
I have 2 online tickets both under my name for the same rail trip. Both use my credit card as the id. 1 ticket is for 1 person, and the other is for 5 persons. Can 6 of us including myself travel using the 2 tickets?
QUOTE (angelbeast @ Jul 16 2008, 12:28 pm)
Very true. You do not need the credit card holder with you on the train.
You do unless the ticket holder has a Bahncard (as you do). Third party ticket purchase on credit card is not permitted under the DB Ts&Cs.
"Credit card" also really means "debit card" too, as with most websites. I book with a Visa debit card.
EC (Maestro) also works.
EC (Maestro) also works.
If you want to use Online-Tickets, i.e. tickets you can print out on your printer at home, you need some type of ID. DB allows for this a
- BahnCard
- credit or debit card
- EC/Maestro card
Only in combination with this ID the Online-Ticket is valid. Otherwise it would be too easy to fake the tickets.
If you don't have one of the above listed cards, you cannot use Online-Tickets. But if there is enough time left, you can in most cases select that the ticket is shipped to your address. This will be a normal "anonymous" ticket printed on DB paper. No need of any ID with this. Will add a shipping fee however (EUR 3,50).
Other options are:
- you use a ticket machine (basically the same like online, but with a touchscreen instead of a keyboard as interface. And tickets are printed directly. No ID necessary.)
- you go to the counter (some specials are however not available at the counter or more expensive)
To pay for a Online-Ticket you can use
- credit or debit card (the one you will use as ID or another one *)
- EC/Maestro card (the one you use will as ID or another one *)
- Lastschrift (direct debit)
*) makes the booking process pretty complex however
- BahnCard
- credit or debit card
- EC/Maestro card
Only in combination with this ID the Online-Ticket is valid. Otherwise it would be too easy to fake the tickets.
If you don't have one of the above listed cards, you cannot use Online-Tickets. But if there is enough time left, you can in most cases select that the ticket is shipped to your address. This will be a normal "anonymous" ticket printed on DB paper. No need of any ID with this. Will add a shipping fee however (EUR 3,50).
Other options are:
- you use a ticket machine (basically the same like online, but with a touchscreen instead of a keyboard as interface. And tickets are printed directly. No ID necessary.)
- you go to the counter (some specials are however not available at the counter or more expensive)
To pay for a Online-Ticket you can use
- credit or debit card (the one you will use as ID or another one *)
- EC/Maestro card (the one you use will as ID or another one *)
- Lastschrift (direct debit)
*) makes the booking process pretty complex however
It is a little bit ironic that after years of bitching about how Germany "doesn't use credit cards", DB gets slagged off for having the same payment security schedules in place as anywhere else.
I do have the credit card used as id in the 2 tickets. But since the 2 tickets have the same id, does that mean I am 'double-booked' on the trip, or can the 5-passenger ticket be used for all my 5 friends while I travel with them on the other sigle-person ticket?
Tickets can be purchased at a DB counter with a credit card and you will receive an actual (transferrable) ticket, not the E-ticket/itinerary receipt page you normally have to prove your ID against on the train. If you make a reservation for a seat, you will get a separate page with the seat confirmation.
QUOTE (ktmak @ Jul 27 2008, 4:58 am)
I do have the credit card used as id in the 2 tickets. But since the 2 tickets have the same id, does that mean I am 'double-booked' on the trip, or can the 5-passenger ticket be used for all my 5 friends while I travel with them on the other sigle-person ticket?
As long as you are with them I can't see why it should be a problem, you are allowed to book tickets for other people.
I have a question about this, I have a temporary bahn50 card but have no idea where the account number is to use that as my form of identification. Does anyone have any idea of how to use that or do I need to wait till the acutal card comes in about a month or so. I would really like to make use of the bahncard now so I can actually save some mony with it cause I need to book 3 or 4 trips in next week.
Or would it be easier to go to the station and book all of the trips there?
Or would it be easier to go to the station and book all of the trips there?
with the temporary bahncard that looks like a normal ticket. You cannot book online. You have to go to the station to book tickets with Bahn card...
You can book online, but will require a credit card for id purposes
Well that doesnt make much sense, why would the give you the option to look for tickets for each class of bahncards and then ask for the bahncard number as a way of identification and then ask for it again when you pay online. O well, guess it is doesnt matter cause i dont have my account number anyways
I will just have to go to the station till i get the real bahncard.
I will just have to go to the station till i get the real bahncard.
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Credit card or direct debit as means of paying for tickets
Payment by credit card
You can conveniently pay for tickets and reservations using your credit card. This involves entering the number of your credit card, its expiry date and, if need be, the check number in the relevant fields in the booking dialogue window.
We accept the following credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.
For safe, secure booking you can archive your credit-card data under “Managing my data� in your personal user account. Should you not wish to archive your credit-card data in your profile, you can input these data afresh for each booking.
The check number is a security constituent of credit-card payments that is not memorised in our system but has to be re-entered for every booking.
Payment by direct debit
To pay for tickets and reservations by direct debit on the Internet, you first have to sign up for direct debiting and have the process activated. You will find the link to signing up under “Managing my data/ Registering for further services� in your personal user account. Enter all the relevant details and fax the signed direct debit form to our Service Centre. Please note that both your own place of abode and the domicile of your bank must be in Germany.
Special bonus for BahnCard holders
Once BahnCard holders have signed up online, their direct debiting arrangement is immediately activated and hence they do not need to send a direct debit form to our Service Centre.
When is payment made?
If you book online tickets for self-printout or sending by post, the relevant amount is debited to your credit-card or bank account upon the booking being made.
Where ticket orders are booked via our Service Centre, payment is made at the time of booking in the Service Centre. During booking, you are provided with details of when payment is to be made at the “Checking&Booking� stage of your order.
How do I get my money back in the event of exchanges or refunds?
If tickets are refunded or returned, the amount in question (less any refund charges) is credited to the credit card used for payment or, in the case of direct debiting, to the account cited during booking. There are no refunds on seat reservations.
For further information, please consult our Conditions of Carriage in our General Terms and Conditions of Trade domain.
Payment by credit card
You can conveniently pay for tickets and reservations using your credit card. This involves entering the number of your credit card, its expiry date and, if need be, the check number in the relevant fields in the booking dialogue window.
We accept the following credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club.
For safe, secure booking you can archive your credit-card data under “Managing my data� in your personal user account. Should you not wish to archive your credit-card data in your profile, you can input these data afresh for each booking.
The check number is a security constituent of credit-card payments that is not memorised in our system but has to be re-entered for every booking.
Payment by direct debit
To pay for tickets and reservations by direct debit on the Internet, you first have to sign up for direct debiting and have the process activated. You will find the link to signing up under “Managing my data/ Registering for further services� in your personal user account. Enter all the relevant details and fax the signed direct debit form to our Service Centre. Please note that both your own place of abode and the domicile of your bank must be in Germany.
Special bonus for BahnCard holders
Once BahnCard holders have signed up online, their direct debiting arrangement is immediately activated and hence they do not need to send a direct debit form to our Service Centre.
When is payment made?
If you book online tickets for self-printout or sending by post, the relevant amount is debited to your credit-card or bank account upon the booking being made.
Where ticket orders are booked via our Service Centre, payment is made at the time of booking in the Service Centre. During booking, you are provided with details of when payment is to be made at the “Checking&Booking� stage of your order.
How do I get my money back in the event of exchanges or refunds?
If tickets are refunded or returned, the amount in question (less any refund charges) is credited to the credit card used for payment or, in the case of direct debiting, to the account cited during booking. There are no refunds on seat reservations.
For further information, please consult our Conditions of Carriage in our General Terms and Conditions of Trade domain.
Source: http://www.bahn.de/hilfe/view/pk/en/zahlun...ichkeiten.shtml
how would I sign up online. that is what is confusing me. I have the temporary bahncard50 and have no idea where I would put that information in.
thank you for that though.
thank you for that though.
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how would I sign up online. that is what is confusing me. I have the temporary bahncard50 and have no idea where I would put that information in.
You don't. You select the bahncard discount when making the booking but pay by credit card. You can only enter the bahncard details when you have the plastic card. Also, you can only start collecting points once you've registered the plastic card.
But then when you get to the final step it asks for the bahncard number...which I dont have so looks like there is no way to do it without the actual plastic card.
O well I will be in the city today so I will just book them then and get it out of the way today. Also just a quickly but how many points get you a free ride or discount. Doubt I will get enough to do anything with, and even if I do I really dont feel like figuring out how to use them.
I have been dealing with more pressing matters like getting Deutsche bank to stop losing all my mail and for my company to acutally send me some money. If there is one thing germany is not the best at...its paperwork
O well I will be in the city today so I will just book them then and get it out of the way today. Also just a quickly but how many points get you a free ride or discount. Doubt I will get enough to do anything with, and even if I do I really dont feel like figuring out how to use them.
I have been dealing with more pressing matters like getting Deutsche bank to stop losing all my mail and for my company to acutally send me some money. If there is one thing germany is not the best at...its paperwork
QUOTE (werdna167 @ Aug 7 2008, 3:19 pm)
how would I sign up online. that is what is confusing me. I have the temporary bahncard50 and have no idea where I would put that information in.
thank you for that though.
thank you for that though.
Click on this link Bahn.de and you will be able to register, you can add your bahn card later (you do not require a bahn card to register anyway) but in my recollection the bahn card number is on the temp card (4 blocks of 4 digits).
QUOTE (werdna167 @ Aug 7 2008, 3:29 pm)
Also just a quickly but how many points get you a free ride or discount.
1500 gets a free one way ticket, or 2 first class upgrades, here is a list of the gifts by number of points.
QUOTE (leky @ Aug 7 2008, 3:30 pm)
Click on this link Bahn.de and you will be able to register, you can add your bahn card later (you do not require a bahn card to register anyway) but in my recollection the bahn card number is on the temp card (4 blocks of 4 digits).
Ya the temp card I have doesnt have that...which makes me wonder but hopefully I can get everything Straigthened out today. Wish me luck, cause i probably am going to need it
hey leky how are the points calculated...1 point per euro you spend?
QUOTE (werdna167 @ Aug 7 2008, 3:19 pm)
how would I sign up online.
Click on -> Register first the first time from the English Bahn Website:
http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml
I can't remember how many steps there are before you get to your My Bahn page but once there click on -> bahn.comfort / bahn.bonus and then I assume you have a temporary bahncard number you just enter. I don't have a bahncard myself.
When you click -> My particulars (sounds painful) then there should be a green tick next to Collect bahn.bonus and bahn.comfort points
Info about bahn.bonus (in English) here:
http://www.bahn.de/hilfe/view/pk/en/benutz...programme.shtml
QUOTE (werdna167 @ Aug 8 2008, 8:19 am)
hey leky how are the points calculated...1 point per euro you spend?
Yes, they also round up so if the ticket is 34.50 you get 35 points, plus you can get extra points for signing up for email etc, also 200 for your birthday. Also (I don't know if this applies to Stuttgart) you get cheap tickets on the Strassen & Sbahn, well we do in the VRN area.
I paid one ticket by credit card.
Can I pay 2 tickets for my wife and daughter with same credit card?
My family going to Stuttgart with Bahn.
QUOTE (vichail @ Aug 28 2008, 4:28 pm)
I paid one ticket by credit card.
Can I pay 2 tickets for my wife and daughter with same credit card?
My family going to Stuttgart with Bahn.
Can I pay 2 tickets for my wife and daughter with same credit card?
My family going to Stuttgart with Bahn.
Vichail, usually the credit card holder needs to be one of the people travelling with the ticket that has been bought online. The credit card used for the online puchase is required as a means of identification when the ticket is checked on the train. Alternatively, a Bahncard can be used as identification (this is a card bought which gives you discount on train travel, either 25 or 50%).
I do know that a friend who was trying to book train travel for her son from overseas, was unable to do so, as he would then have needed to take her credit card with him on his train travels (and even then I'm not sure if it would have been accepted, being "mum's" credit card and not his).
On German TV yesterday (sorry, was flipping channels so don't remember which one), an investigative reporter compared booking train tickets by phone, internet, and in person. Best deals (cheapest) were gotten by going in person. Seems that not all discounts show up on the web site, which may cause you to pay more than you need. Especially when booking for two or more people, the web site ended up giving more expensive options.
So it might pay off to double check online bookings with at least a phone call, or better yet go to the ticket office if you don't know for certain what you should be paying.
So it might pay off to double check online bookings with at least a phone call, or better yet go to the ticket office if you don't know for certain what you should be paying.
QUOTE (spatown @ Aug 28 2008, 5:15 pm)
Vichail, usually the credit card holder needs to be one of the people travelling with the ticket that has been bought online.
Only true if you book online within 3 working days of travel and print out the ticket yourself. Otherwise you can have the tickets sent to you by regular mail and the credit card holder does not need to travel with the ticket holders.
Many thanks to all.
Deutsche Bahn have just announced price increases. One nasty one is a €2.50 surcharge if you buy a ticket at a manned ticket office. Don't know if that applys to all routes or just Intercity... Just beware!
More Info
More Info
The € 2,50 charge is for long distance fares booked at the counter.
According to DB (SZ today) it only affects a tiny minority of passengers.
The general opinon of Toytown is anti comunalism and more neo-liberalism. You have it.
According to DB (SZ today) it only affects a tiny minority of passengers.
The general opinon of Toytown is anti comunalism and more neo-liberalism. You have it.
I ordered rail tickets online last Monday for delivery here in Scotland and paid by credit card. Tickets have still to arrive but travel is not till the 17th September so still plenty of time for them to arrive. However, should they fail to arrive before I leave for Germany, how do I go about cancelling the tickets?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Any advice would be appreciated.
There's no need to cancel the tickets; DB is prepared for the eventuality of tickets not arriving in the post. Contact them if they haven't arrived in a few days' time.
QUOTE (YorkshireLad6 @ Aug 29 2008, 12:41 am)
Only true if you book online within 3 working days of travel and print out the ticket yourself. Otherwise you can have the tickets sent to you by regular mail and the credit card holder does not need to travel with the ticket holders.
Right, but they also now charge you an extra €3.50 if you have your ticket(s) sent to you. The last time I used this service (November 2007) it was free.
QUOTE (Small Town Boy @ Sep 6 2008, 12:47 pm)
There's no need to cancel the tickets; DB is prepared for the eventuality of tickets not arriving in the post. Contact them if they haven't arrived in a few days' time.
Just to update, tickets still haven't arrived. Phoned Deutsche Bahn and was told I'd need to buy tickets again when I get to Germany, keep the used tickets and send them in to get a refund on the original online purchase. Wish I hadn't bothered now with the online purchase as I'm trying to co-ordinate 8 people travelling, 3 of whom already have their tickets.
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