I want to use my international credit card on Elong but...

[joshua.r]

I want to book a flight on elong; I found the flight I need and called to confirm the price. I made a reservation and gave my credit card info. At this point, I was told I need to register an international credit card on the elong webpage before they can accept payment. Ok, I made an account, I click "Add a card", complete the info and submit. I call back but I get the same response. I can see the card listed on my account page but it seems they cannot. I tried again today with another card and same problem.

FYI-these are cards from the USA...AMEX and VISA

Elong suggested I do a bank transfer but this is going to cost big bank fees.

This flight isn't exactly for pleasure; I need to exit and re-enter for visa purposes. How can I get this done?

[roddy]

Do you have the funds to pay for it locally? I'd just walk out the door and find a travel agent, chances are it's the same price.

[dnevets]

First time I used a UK bank card to get flights from e-long they had to send me a form that I had to print and complete by hand since they needed a signature. Scanned and emailed back to them, then everything was fine.

Altermnatively, use qunar.com to find your flights. They don't actually sell tickets online, they just list phone numbers for travel agents. Call an agent, they'll sort tickets out for you over the phone. In Xi'an I used to call a guy that would actually come to my place of work and deliver paper tickets, and I'd pay him in cash. Same prices as online.

[imron]

I used to call a guy that would actually come to my place of work and deliver paper tickets, and I'd pay him in cash

Cash on delivery for tickets is a pretty common thing. I used to do this also.

[abcdefg]

For your immediate problem, ask to speak to a supervisor at E-Long. Sounds like a glitch in their system. They should be able to iron it out.

Could be mistaken, but I don't think they accept Amex. Best to use the Visa card.

In addition to the hassle involved with first time use of a card that isn't known to them, using your USA credit card on E-Long adds an additional 3% "foreign credit card fee."

Just buying the ticket face to face with cash is by far the easiest method. Where are you located? Look up the flight you want on line and write out the information. Look up an alternative in case your first choice is sold out.

[abcdefg]

Read your profile and realize now you're in Beijing.

I'm guessing you want to make your arrangements online because you aren't confident about your Chinese in a face to face situation. (I've been in your shoes, and not that long ago.)

If E-Long can't straighten it out, as per the above suggestion, try C-Trip and Travelzen; both offer an English user interface. Travelzen is Hong Kong based and has the additional advantage of not requiring the 3% surcharge for foreign credit cards.

http://hk.travelzen.com/flight/

[joshua.r]

Update...

I told my language teacher about the problem. First she took me to a nearby travel agent, they couldn't match the price on elong. We went back to school and she pulled out a wallet full of chinese bank cards. We loaded one of the cards with my cash and called elong. Success! (fingers crossed)

thanks all for the tips. I didn't use them but next I time I need to book a flight I will be reviewing this post!

[abcdefg]

Glad it worked out!