I am not posting this to antagonize Agent Daniel W nor Square Enix. I am posting this in hopes that someone at SE can make the necessary changes so that customer support can actually help people resolve this issue.

As it is, the support team know even less on the Error 401 issue than the customers contacting them, and the only solution they can offer to us is that we "try other methods" instead of being able to resolve the issue itself.

I have not yet tried to purchase and redeem a digital Ultimate Game Card voucher as of this writing, nor am I sure that I will. If I have to make separate and regular $10/$20 purchases to keep a subscription going when I was led to believe that I would have more reasonable methods of payment, I'm not sure it's worth keeping that subscription.

I love the Final Fantasy franchise and it honestly makes me sad to discontinue supporting it. Please, Square Enix, wake up.

Agent Daniel W: Hello and thank you for contacting SQUARE ENIX Customer Support. Just a few moments while I review your question, please.


You: Hello! Yes, of course.


Agent Daniel W: While I look over your ticket information, may I have your first name please?


You: [omitted]


Agent Daniel W: Hi [omitted]. So it looks like you are having some trouble authorizing a credit card transaction. Is that correct?


You: I am having trouble trying to setup a reoccurring subscription or adding crysta using either my debit card or PayPal.


You: I suspect it is because I am using my card outside of the country in which the billing address is listed as.


You: I am in Korea and my billing address is back in the United States.


You: There are no problems using the debit card internationally from the bank's end.


Agent Daniel W: Ok.


Agent Daniel W: What are you doing in Korea?


You: I'm working abroad. Excuse me, but how is that relevant?


Agent Daniel W: I apologize I just some people have different addresses based on what they are doing.


You: No need for an apology, I simply wished to know how it was relevant to solving this issue. Do you have any suggestions?


Agent Daniel W: Well, generally with an issue like this we refer users to contact there financial institution, or a different method of payment like the Ultimate Game Card.


You: I already have


You: When I registered the payment method with SE I had a $1 transaction show up on my bank so the card and the information I provided are valid.


You: As is my PayPal. They confirmed that the transaction was declined by the seller (Square Enix)


Agent Daniel W: Can I have your ID?


You: My Square Enix ID is "[omitted]"


Agent Daniel W: Thank you.


Agent Daniel W: I can advise you to use a the Ultimatepay option on the Mog Station.


You: Yes, I've tried that


You: It will not accept either my Debit Card nor PayPal


You: While selecting the Ultimate Pay option.


You: Do you have any other suggestions?


Agent Daniel W: Ok, I would suggest you buy a prepaid game card for this game.


Agent Daniel W: Called the Ultimate Game Card.


You: As you may not be aware, they are not sold in retail stores in the country I am currently residing in.


You: May I suggest something?


Agent Daniel W: You can buy them online and get the code in your email.


You: Would you happen to know of an example? I've tried several online stores and they did not have this option.


You: For example, Gamestop did not have this option.


Agent Daniel W: www.ultimategamecard.com/buyonline.html


You: That seems like one possibility


You: Do you have any suggestions how to get my debit card whitelisted for use on SE account?


You: That's the primary reason why I contacted support.


Agent Daniel W: Where did you hear that term?


You: "Whitelisted" is a common colloquial term used for business transactions.


Agent Daniel W: That service is unavailable.


You: Let me help you out: http://support.eu.square-enix.com/fa...la=2&kid=68643


Agent Daniel W: Thank you.


You: This is part of SE's FAQ


You: You're very welcome.


Agent Daniel W: Please hold while I look into your issue.


You: Please, take your time.


You: While you're looking into this issue, would you like me to provide you with the information as outlined in the FAQ Article?


You: I believe the article already has specified the source of the problem (not currently in the country where your card was issued) and I've already gone through the checklist very thoroughly. I'm simply taking the next step in contacting SE support and ready to give you the apropos information regarding my account and method of payment.


Agent Daniel W: Ok, I am back. Thank you for holding.


You: No problem.


You: Have you had any luck?


Agent Daniel W: I have looked into everything that I can on this. We cannot whitelist the card for you.


You: Then why does the FAQ article direct me to SE support asking me for further information?


Agent Daniel W: I apologize. I advise you to check into that Ultimate Game Card.


Agent Daniel W: There is a difference between a regection and a denile. We are not rejecting the card.


You: You're deflecting...


Agent Daniel W: *rejection


Agent Daniel W: This is not the same situation as in the FAQ


You: Actually, it is. I got a 401 error and I am in a different country than where my card was issued.


You: That's exactly what the FAQ described in detail.


You: Then it asked me to check some things, and I have.


You: Then it asked that I contact SE support with some information.


You: The logical next step would be to take my information to resolve this issue, is it not?


Agent Daniel W: Do you realize that you are contacting the North American support center? That FAQ is from the European support site.


You: So you're saying with certainty that this issue that the FAQ has outlined is prevalent only in the EU region?


Agent Daniel W: I am stating that I cant assist you further and that you may need to use another form of payment.


Agent Daniel W: Are there any different issues I can assist you with right now?


You: You haven't really given me much choice so I suppose not.


Agent Daniel W: Thank you for visiting the SQUARE ENIX Support Center! Take care and hope to see you online!


Agent Daniel W has disconnected.