A Neverending Chain Of No Help

I’m trying to book a ticket to fly out to my brother’s for Christmas. It’s a pretty expensive flight for me, and I’ve done a couple of things, including applying and getting approved for an [Airline] credit card to help with things. The card also gives some decent benefits, including early boarding, a free checked bag, etc.

When the card shows up, the limit is a lot lower than I was expecting and lower than the cost of the ticket. I call the credit card number first because I am confused about the limit.

Representative #1: “I see that you have a personal card. I just want to let you know that you’re working with a representative for the business card.”

Me: “Um, okay… Well, I was wondering about my limit. Based on what I saw when I was approved, it looked like there was a temporary limit of [limit] for if you needed to use the card before you physically had it, but then once the physical card was activated, the limit would go up. Was I mistaken in my interpretation of things?”

Representative #1: “Let me transfer you to a representative for the personal cards. Bear with me for a moment, please.”

He puts me on hold and transfers me to another representative.

Representative #2: “Hello, Miss [My Name]. I hear you have some questions about your limit?”

Me: “Yes. Currently, it’s showing that my limit is [limit], and I was under the impression that that was like an automatic temporary approval limit when you apply or get approved, and then once the physical card got activated, it would go up. I just activated my card the other day, and it’s still sitting at this limit.”

Representative #2: “I’m not sure what you’re referring to. Most of the time, this card is automatically approved for [limit] initially. You can request an increase in three to six months, but because this is a new card, you can’t increase right now.”

Me: “I was hoping to use this to pay for tickets, and the tickets that I’m looking at are [price less than $100 over the limit]. When I used the option on my account to see if I’d be approved, it said it was partially approved, and I could possibly get it approved by making a payment, but I have no payments to make since I just got the card.”

Representative #2: “Okay, well, have you tried to purchase the tickets to see if it will go through?”

Me: “Um, no. But give me a second and I can.”

I go through the process of choosing seats and adding my card information.

Me: “It was declined.”

Representative #2: “Yes, I see the authorization attempt and that it was declined because it was over the limit. Well, have you done a wire transfer? You could just transfer the extra from your account to put your card over the limit, and that would be approved.”

Me: “Um, are you sure?”

Representative #2: “Yes. One moment while I get you the information.”

She gets me the information and we end the call.

I decide that rather than doing a wire transfer — because I’m just not sure that’s actually a valid option — I’ll just use two cards. I didn’t want to do this, but I figure I’ll just put the majority on the airline card and use the balance on my other card. Unfortunately, when I try to purchase online, it only allows multiple cards if one is a gift card. I call the airline customer service line.

Representative #3: “How can I assist you today?”

Me: “Hi. I’m trying to book a flight, and I need to use two cards to do that.”

Representative #3: “We can’t do that.”

Me: “I’m sorry?”

Representative #3: “Yeah, we can’t do that. You’ll need to go to the airport and buy at the counter where you physically have the card.”

Me: “Wait, really?”

Representative #3: “We can’t do that.”

I’m ready to cry and feeling slightly sarcastic.

Me: “Well, that’s great, thanks!”

Representative #3: “Yep.” *Click*

The call dropped into a survey before I could fully process what had just happened. I ended up posting on social media calling out the airline, and when I got the email survey, I was not nice about it. I acknowledge that the sarcasm may not have been warranted, but I was frustrated, upset, stressed about everything, and tired of everything that was going on with this. I was also worried about the prices going up again as they’d jumped almost $200 in the time between being approved for the card and physically getting it.

I ended up buying an e-gift card for what I was going to put on the other credit card because the ticket counters at the airport close before I get off work, and I didn’t have the option to go during lunch this time. I did finally get tickets for Christmas, so I hope the rest of the trip planning and the trip itself go better.