u/QDCutie

Hi all,

I've seen some threads with this issue for most CapOne cards, but I've been really struggling to get my card verified. I don't have the physical copy with me, as it was delayed and came in the mail a day after I left for The Netherlands for a month-long study abroad program. I've got the card information and have tried so many ways to add it to my Apple Wallet, but it simply won't go through.

Things I've tried:

• Turning off my Airalo e-sim, turning on my Verizon cellular plan, and going through Apple Wallet to verify. Nope, "we can't activate your card at this time".
• Turning off everything but my e-sim. Nope. Can't receive calls or texts through iMessage, so I can't get the code.
• Calling to verify with cellular (+ & - e-sim). No. The call either cut out halfway through or the robot told me to activate with the app. Then what is the point of having it as an option??
• Talking to the weird robot AI chatbot on the website. Turns out it's in beta and only directs me to the most pitiful FAQ I've ever seen on a website.
• Can't call customer service because I don't have international cellular. The hour I turned on my Verizon plan was already a huge cost. I'm using WhatsApp while I'm here.
• I checked other reddit threads and followed some advice: I downloaded SurfShark VPN, switched my location to the U.S., and tried going through Wallet. Nope, doesn't solve my 'can't recieve calls or texts through iMessage' problem. Tried turning of my European e-sim. Didn't work.
• Tried the above solution but with my U.S. plan and without the e-sim. Nope.
• I have a U.S. phone number, so having an abroad one only like some expats/immigrants in the other threads isn't the issue.
• Of course, I tried to track down a customer service email, but there isn't one. C'mon.

This has been pretty frustrating. The card was supposed to come with me on this trip, but it was delayed by over a week in the mail so this wasn't an issue I was expecting. I ordered it because my first card was a Discover, which hasn't been working in Europe. (As I knew going in!) I've been using my parents' card and keeping track of what to send back to them, but it's very stressful owing people money. I also wanted to make use of the first-three-month spending bonus, since this is about the only time I ever spend this much!

Sorry for the long post. It's been frustrating! I'm having the card mailed to me, but I'm here for 3-4 weeks more and I'm not sure how fast international mail works, especially since I'm not in a major city.

TLDR:

• I don't have the physical card yet.
• I don't have an international phone plan, just the Airalo European Union E-Sim.
• Because of the above, I can't receive iMessages or cellular phone calls without being charged out the wazoo. WhatsApp has been my main method of communication.
• :((((((

Thank you in advance for any help!!