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A way to overcome 1st transaction by PIN code to "activate" a UK card?

Sean Restling

Active Member
Apr 11, 2019
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I'm in the EU and, other than my usual card in EUR, I also ordered a GBP debit card with a multicurrency EMI. I followed their instructions and activated the card, the card now correctly shows as "activated" in the app.
Still, when I tried to make a payment online for a UK university module for my stepson the transaction didn't go through, it failed even without reaching the in-app confirmation step, it was denied straight away. I guess it could be because, even though it shows it's active, the first transaction is often suggested to be done in person, using the PIN physically, I contacted support and they weren't much helpful, they just confirmed that this not using the PIN with the 1st transaction could be the cause of failure.
I'm not in the UK and won't be for some time, anyone knows a way to bypass this so I can check whether that was the actual cause of failure?

They use Flywire, and I ended up using my EUR card, which was charged an outrageous conversion rate of 1.24 instead of 1.18, spent €2460 instead of £1976!
 
Typically in newer banking apps that allow online activation, a PIN transaction is required only to unlock tap to pay. PIN transaction is generally not required to enable online transactions.

The payment was likely declined for some other reason, such as invalid card details or merchant's anti fraud.

Only the financial institution in question can answer for sure, though.
 
Okay, I'm not convinced either that the PIN transaction would be the cause, I fear customer service just said that since I mentioned it first.. Probably something to do with Flywire (which gladly accepted my EUR card issued by the very same bank, and pocketing €110 more in currency conversion for the very same transaction). Invalid card details is out of the question as I tried several times and can't have typed the wrong details more than once.