Credit Card Payment FAQ

This document addresses frequently asked questions concerning credit card payments for your reference. While it is based on FAQs provided by credit card issuers, each issuer has its own terms and provisions. For more information, please refer to your credit card issuer's website.

Please note that each issuer has its own name for its implementation of the 3-D Secure service.

Question 1. What is 3-D Secure?

Answer 1. The 3-D Secure service provides reliable authentication when shopping online at participating merchants by requiring the cardholder to enter a password previously registered with the issuer into a pop-up authentication window, in addition to the normal information required to complete the transaction, only when the merchant determines that the risk of unauthorized use is high. In this way, it helps prevent fraudulent card use.
*When you enter the normal information required to complete a transaction on the AMARYS website, the site automatically detects whether you have registered for 3-D Secure and displays an authentication screen from the authentication service company if so. Please note that the content on the authentication screen displayed in the pop-up window is provided by the authentication service company, not the AMARYS website.

Question 2. What should I do if I forget my 3-D Secure password?

Answer 2. There are two ways to resolve this issue. VISA and JCB have cardholders who have forgotten their 3-D Secure password register a new password, while MasterCard® verifies their identity by having them enter the answer to a previously registered security question to which only they know the answer and then notifies them of their password. Each credit card issuer handles this situation differently, so please check your issuer's website or contact them directly.

After you verify your 3-D Secure password, log onto the AMARYS registration screen again from the event website (scientific society conference, etc.) and access the payment page to make your payment.

Question 3. How can I use 3-D Secure?

Answer 3. You must register a password on your credit card issuer's website. The service is free.

Question 4. Is the password I enter ever revealed to the participating merchant?

Answer 4. The password you enter on the authentication service company's authentication screen is encrypted using SSL and sent directly to the credit card issuer. It is never revealed to the merchant.

Question 5. What should I do if the authentication screen is not displayed (if nothing happens after I enter my credit card information)?

Answer 5. If the computer you are using does not meet the recommended system requirements as defined by the credit card issuer, including operating system and browser versions as well as cookie, JavaScript, and pop-up window display settings, the 3-D Secure screen may not be properly displayed (i.e., you may be unable to use the service). Additionally, the authentication screen may not be displayed due to a service outage, for example due to system maintenance being performed on the authentication service company's servers.

If the authentication screen is not displayed, close your browser window, log onto the AMARYS registration screen again from the event website (scientific society conference, etc.), and enter another credit card on the payment page. Alternately, you may wish to contact your JTB representative.

Question 6. What if my credit card information is not accepted even though I have registered to use 3-D Secure?

Answer 6. Some corporate cards and partner-issued cards cannot be used with 3-D Secure. Cardholders are recommended to check the terms of their agreement with their credit card issuer.

If you experience an error during the credit card payment process, please contact your JTB representative.

Question 7. What is a Personal Message (VISA/JCB) or Personal Greeting (MasterCard®)?

Answer 7. The 3-D Secure password screen will display a message that you have previously registered with your credit card issuer. By verifying that your message is displayed correctly, you can assure yourself that you are interacting with a genuine authentication screen provided by the authentication service company under contract to your credit card issuer. This functionality makes online payment more secure.

Question 8. How can I find out the reason for a transaction error?

Answer 8. Getting to the 3-D Secure approval screen only to discover that your transaction has been declined generally means that your data reached the screen of the authentication service company. You will receive an error message if incorrect information was entered on the authentication screen or if an issuer-imposed restriction was determined to apply to your transaction.

Common errors
(1) Card number or password input error
(2) Card expired
(3) Credit limit exceeded or insufficient funds
(4) Text entry error (caused by entering letters in a numerical field)
(5) Transaction in violation of restriction imposed by card issuer
    (If it is due to the terms of your cardholder agreement, detailed error information will not be shown.)
    *If you use a corporate card, it may be impossible to debit the associated corporate account.
     Additionally, use of the authentication (3-D Secure) service with family cards may be subject to certain restrictions.
   *With regard to the error (5), please check with your card issuer, as AMARYS is not privileged
     to information about the causes of these errors.

Question 9. I encountered an error message. What should I do?

Answer 9. Some typical error messages are shown below (these are only examples):

Example 1: System is currently unavailable, sorry for the inconvenience.
The card issuer’s authentication site is currently unavailable for transactions. Try your transaction later or try using a different card.

Example 2: Verification for 3-D Secure was not successful.
The card issuer declined your transaction. Contact the issuer for more information, or try your transaction using a different card.

Example 3: Payment can not be completed.
The card issuer’s authentication site is currently unavailable for transactions. Try your transaction later or try using a different card.

Example 4: Your authentication could not be completed because of a system error.
The card issuer’s authentication site is currently unavailable for transactions. Try your transaction later or try using a different card.

*As these error messages originate from local card issuers’ and authentication sites’ servers,
  we are unable to provide more detailed information. Please contact your card issuer directly.

The above answers are based on information retrieved from the VISA, MasterCard®, and JCB websites on or around September 26, 2022. For the latest information, it is recommended to refer to your credit card issuer's website.

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