Is there any way to get the SNCF Advantage card and use it when booking from the US? On sncf-connect.com I can select the ticket and even add the card, but it won't take my payment from the US. On thetrainline.com I could use an Advantage code if I had one, but how do I just buy the card? My trip is in July, but I really want to book ahead because I have a pretty specific schedule.
If I give up and buy a ticket without a discount code, how do I know which way the diagram is facing when I'm selecting my seat? I have to ride facing forward, but I can't figure out the diagram.
Update in case anyone else needs this info: I ended up using sncf-connect.com. The problem turned out to be between VISA and my bank. I had to talk to the bank's fraud department. There was no setting or anything specific they had to enable; they just had me try the transaction again while we were talking, and they basically just "held its hand" as it went through.