I booked an airfare with a foreign airline and paid for it with my Bankwest platinum card (in the foreign currency).
It wasn't an expensive airfare, in fact it was only one way but it's for 2 adults and 1 infant over a short <1 hour flight, all up it was about $200.
I've booked with this particular airline several times before and never had an issue, but this time it appears the airline put through the charge onto my credit card, but about 7 days later it disappeared, and my credit card balance reflected that I had not been charged. (ie, the amount that was held was released back to my credit limit).
I contacted the airline and they have assured me the airfare has been paid for and my ticket is guaranteed. They even sent me the reply code they got back from the back showing the payment as being successful.
What would you do in this situation? Would you just let it go, or chase up the bank? I'm inclined to just let it go, because I've done everything I should have done and the airline seems to think they have got my money. The flight is not until January next year so I guess anything could happen between now and then but I will be sure to double check my booking before going to the airport.
I booked another one way airfare with a different airline (same country) about 10 minutes earlier and that payment has gone through fine on my end and has been settled accordingly.
Anyone ever had this happen before?
Yes American Airlines screwed me over with a similar experience. Apparently you cant make a purchase online using an non-USA credit card with them – strange thing was the purchase went thought, I was allocated a seat and the level 1 operator identified my reservation via the phone.
It wasn’t until I called several days later again and escalated the matter to a supervisor that the charge was not on my credit card anymore. They (after searching several screens) ascertained the ticket was in fact NOTconfirmed (due to invalid payment), only allocated. The only solution was to turn up to the airport and book then with no guarantee of a seat.
From my understanding its how specific airlines manage their payments using international cards is the problem. Good luck!