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Customers who try to book with an International card can sometimes experience booking issues. As some International banks do not use 3D Secure, the issuing bank can decline some international transactions. If you are trying to book with an American card for example we advise customers to notify their bank before attempting to book on irishrail.ie. 

Most EU Banks use 3D Secure or some variation during the payment process to authenticate the users credentials. If you experience issues with your online booking we suggest that you try and make your booking with another debit/credit card just to rule the card out as an issue. If you are still experiencing issues please contact your bank for further information.

If you are unable to make a online booking you can contact our Call Centre

3D Secure is a protocol used as an added layer of security for online credit and debit card transactions. This is achieved by adding another authentication step for online payments; a password.

It was developed by Visa and named “Verified by Visa”. MasterCard then developed a service based on the same protocol called “MasterCard® SecureCode™”. It was created to improve the security of Internet payments by offering an extra layer of security to customers before making a purchase online. This involves selecting a password. This ensures your credit card cannot be used fraudulently as only you will know the associated password.

The first time you make a purchase with a 3D Secure enabled card you will be redirected to your issuing credit card’s secure website. Before you proceed you must verify some personal details and select a password. This is integrated into our checkout page. You must never disclose this password to anyone – this is how you guarantee your card is secure. Do not write your password down anywhere.

 

If your card's been rejected, don't panic. There could be a few simple reasons why: 

• The customers' issuing bank has declined our request for the funds
• Wrong card number entered
• Wrong CVV/CVC entered (last 3 digits on back of the card)
• Card expiration date is in the past
• Customers have had a replacement new card but using the old one
• Multiple attempts using the same card can lead to us blocking your card, if so contact us 

If you are still having issues, you can contact us here.

The 3D Secure authentication process is smoothly integrated into our online checkout process and will usually only add a few seconds to the normal transaction time. We believe this is a small price to pay for increased protection for our customers.

Reservations made Online/Telesales:

• Visa credit/ debit cards
• Mastercard credit/ debit cards

If you have purchased a product or service online using 3D Secure before, you will be asked to submit your chosen password during the purchasing process. You will be familiar with the process.

If you haven’t purchased a product or service online using 3D Secure before on any website, you will be redirected to your issuing credit card’s secure website where you must verify some personal details and select a password. This is integrated into our checkout page. You must never disclose this password to anyone – this is how you guarantee your card is secure. Do not write your password down anywhere.

If you can’t remember your 3D Secure password you need to contact your bank or in the 3D Secure section there will be an option to select 'Forgotten Password' or 'Retrieve Password'. Follow the instructions provided. We don’t save your 3D Secure password on any Iarnród Éireann computer system; when you selected your password this was saved only on your bank’s computer system. Iarnród Éireann will never contact a customer to ask for your 3D Secure password and we cannot help you retrieve forgotten 3D Secure passwords.

If you have been unsuccessful in making a payment through 3D Secure please contact our sales hotline on (0)1 836 6222 (between 08.30-18.00, Monday to Friday) to make your payment over the phone.

Unfortunately not. Instead you will need to contact our Call Centre to make your payment over the phone.

For further details on 3D Secure you need to contact your issuing bank or the following websites:

• Verified by Visa - Information and Activation
• Verified by Visa - Demonstration of using Verified by Visa (Flash plugin Required)
• MasterCard® SecureCode™ – Explanation, Sign up and Demonstration

All Mastercard, Visa Debit and credit cards are accepted. 

• Scenario 1 – ALL CARDS: If your card issuer hasn’t implemented 3D Secure, you will continue your payment transaction as normal;
  • Scenario 2a - MASTERCARD: If your bank has implemented 3D Secure but you have not registered for 3D Secure before, you may have 3 attempts to skip the 3D Secure process – on the fourth attempt you must complete the transaction through the 3D Secure process by registering a 3D Secure password;
  • Scenario 2b - VISA: If your bank has implemented 3D Secure but you have not registered for 3D Secure, you must complete the transaction through the 3D Secure process by registering a 3D Secure password – there are no options to bypass;
    

• When registering for the first time, you must first verify you are the cardholder by answering some security questions as chosen by your bank (eg your mother’s maiden name, your credit card limit, your CCV number, your expiry date amongst other potential questions)
• If successful, you select a 3D Secure password, a password reminder hint and a personal greeting
• If unsuccessful, you must ring your card issuing bank (depending on your card issuer, you may have three attempts to enter your password)
• The personal greeting gives you confidence you are visiting a trusted site the next time you complete a 3D Secure transaction on irishrail.ie or any other 3D Secure enabled website

• Scenario 3 – ALL CARDS: If your card issuer has implemented 3D Secure and you have previously registered a 3D Secure password (on irishrail.ie or any other 3D Secure website), you have to insert your 3D Secure password to complete the transaction. You will see your personal greeting that you previously set (eg Welcome back John) to reassure you that you are on a trusted 3D Secure page. If you cannot remember your password, there is a password reset facility. Depending on the card issuer, you may have three attempts to insert your correct password

Yes, as company credit or purchasing cards are not personalised, the 3D Secure check will complete automatically without seeking a 3D Secure password verification.

Yes, as prepaid debit cards are not associated to a specific person the 3D Secure check will complete automatically without seeking a 3D Secure password verification.

3D Secure authentication is used by Banks to prevent online card fraud. Banks use the process to make online transactions more secure. In some instances, banks bypass the authentication process but the transaction will progress normally.

Yes, payments are taken before card verification. The refund is issued automatically if the verification is unsuccessful so the customer doesn’t have to request it.