Paying for a digital credencial through the app

[Chris from Michigan]

I have the credencial app. When I set up a Camino trip it wants a payment of €1.5 but it won’t accept my credit card. This is a known issue. The app doesn’t take PayPal and this only seems to affect non-European cards.

I don’t care WHY this is happening and, no offense intended, I don’t care what people think the digital credencial.

I just want to know if anyone has figured out a workaround. Another thread discussed this, but there was no resolution.

 

[Kathar1na]

I just want to know if anyone has figured out a workaround. Another thread discussed this, but there was no resolution.

My guess: PSD2 directive/strong customer authentication. All European credit cards are equipped for a kind of secure online payment/authentication procedure that is optional for American credit cards and therefore not all of them have it. Many EU online payment systems are configured only for this secure payment procedure and have not been programmed to allow exceptions for online transactions initiated by non-EU customers.

If this is indeed the case you would need to contact your bank/card issuer but I don't know what to tell them ... Clear the card for 3D secure payment systems? Perhaps @trecile can help?

 

[trecile]

Perhaps @trecile can help?

If it's beyond your expertise it's surely beyond mine!
But I think that it may be worth a call to the credit card issuer to see if they can help.
Maybe some results from this Google search will be helpful.

Strong customer authentication and US credit cards - Google Search

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

I paid for mine recently but couldn't easily find a place with QR Code. There's few places on Camino where you can find one. I asked lots of established, pilgrim friendly hotels, hostals etc but none have it yet so I gave up. They won't even let you change start date as I hadn't used it so I can't use it in future. You don't want to arrive at end of stage tired endlessly searching around for QR. They don't even list within APP places with it. So waste of money don't buy it!

 

[Kathar1na]

You may not need any further information after @MyDestinationGalicia's assessment of the utility, or lack thereof, of the app but I am posting it anyway.

When you reach the payment page you see the logo for Visa and Mastercard, and underneath it says Secure for Visa and ID Check for Mastercard. This is the feature that your credit card must have because the foreign bank expects it. You can also Google for it. Visa changed the name to Secure, it used to be called Verified by Visa, and Mastercard has also used a different label before for their Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) system for online payment. When you have filled in your credit card details and click on Pay Now, the payment is not yet done. You will see another screen where you have to go through the second authentication step. If you don't see the second screen, then it is a sure sign that your credit card is missing the required feature.

(Click to enlarge)

 

[willydp]

Hello,
I concur with 'mydestinationgalicia', don't buy.
I just finished my six day walk from Valença Portugal to SdC...I have only found 3 digital ones at the Office of Tourism that are opening late...Caldas de Reis 10am!
I stick with the paper version.
Buen Camino

 

[Kathar1na]

Well, either you are early adopters, or this is another flop, like the short-lived online booking system for Xunta albergues in Galicia, and simply a half-hearted attempt to go somehow digital without putting much thought into it, combined with lack of information or resistance to change on the side of those who offer sellos.

I noticed that the app does not contain or show the link to the application form for a Compostela unless you have collected your digital sellos first - already one shortcoming in mho.

In any case, it costs only €1.50 to register for a camino and the money goes to the Oficina del Peregrino/Cathedral of Santiago, so surely not a great financial loss for the pilgrim?

Did any of you try to encourage your accommodation owners to register and obtain their digital sello? It is easy enough and done through the website of the Oficina del Peregrino.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Well, either you are early adopters, or this is another flop, like the short-lived online booking system for Xunta albergues in Galicia, and simply a half-hearted attempt to go somehow digital without putting much thought into it, combined with lack of information or resistance to change on the side of those who offer sellos.

I noticed that the app does not contain or show the link to the application form for a Compostela unless you have collected your digital sellos first - already one shortcoming in mho.

In any case, it costs only €1.50 to register for a camino and the money goes to the Oficina del Peregrino/Cathedral of Santiago, so surely not a great financial loss for the pilgrim?

Did any of you try to encourage your accommodation owners to register and obtain their digital sello? It is easy enough and done through the website of the Oficina del Peregrino.

Yes I told many about it and a few said they would get round to looking at it...but I have my doubts! Not a great loss but you feel conned thinking it should to what it says on the tin!!