Unable to Topup While Abroad

[SeanHayes]

Hi Everyone, 

As the title states, I am currently unable to topup while abroad and am unable to reach customer service because every time I try to make a call on my O2 phone I am forwarded directly to the topup service. 

Here are the issues: 

My credit card is, for some reason, not accepted and there is no explanation or reasoning as to why. This is preventing me from topping up. 

I do not have a UK bank account, making topping up quite difficult. 

I am abroad for the next few weeks in the US, and there are no O2 stores to top up at. 

Before leaving for the US I went to an O2 store and topped up with 30 pounds. Despite having over 14000 MB of data available to be used for calls and texts, my balance was directly charged, leaving me with no balance in my O2 account. 

I cannot use my phone, and when calling from another phone to customer service I have been disconnected twice. 

Has anyone had similar experiences where they are unable to topup? How can this be fixed so that I can use my phone and data that I paid for?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@SeanHayes 

All ways to top up here Guide How to Top Up (PAYG) 

If you message O2 on Facebook (https://o2uk.co/O2CFB) , Twitter (https://o2uk.co/O2CTW) or Instagram (https://o2uk.co/O2CIG) , they should be able to help you with this.

[madasaf1sh]

@SeanHayes 

If its not a UK Credit Card you can't top up directly with o2, you will need to follow the instructions given by @MI5 

If a UK Credit Card, then speak to your Credit Card company.

[Bambino]

@SeanHayes Your data speeds are going to be very slow if you're going through O2 whilst in the US. If you need data, you'd be much better off getting a Pay & Go sim from AT&T or T-Mobile. For calls back to the UK try and use WhatsApp over WiFi when you can.

[SeanHayes]

As my credit card is not a UK credit card, there is no way for me to top up at all unless going to an O2 store (which I did). But O2 charged my balance before using my data.

[SeanHayes]

Can you point me to his post describing this? Unable to find it.

[SeanHayes]

Totally fine with slow data speeds, not fine with charging my balance before using my data.

[madasaf1sh]

@SeanHayes 

You can use one of the 3rd parties such as Top up O2 | Get your O2 pay as you go top up from £10 | Mobiletopup.co.uk

And follow the instructions.

[MI5]

@SeanHayes 

If you read the guide I posted it tells you how to use a third party service to top up.

You can also top up using PayPal now through your MyO2.