I got a TGV ticket cheaper on Rail Europe than on SNCF site!

Kent , Interesting , perhaps management is waking up to savvy travelers , this will certainly bear further attention .

Kent, the best part is that your trip is less than three months away!!

Karen,
Yes!!

Well, Rail Europe and SNCF are essentially the same company.

Emily,
That's interesting to know.
Before now, I'd always thought that I wouldn't have a chance for the lowest fares on Rail Europe, so I was pleasantly surprised that, at least in this case, I did.

Rail Europe does offer cheap, "non-flexible" TGV rates at least toward Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Within France or toward Spain, I think I've only seen "semi-flexible," which is not the cheapest category. For Paris-Munich direct on 5/13, for instance RE's price of $55 is currently better than the DB price of €59.

There is a contributor on Fodors.com who for the past year or two argues with the people who always say that Rail Europe is more expensive and urges travelers to look at both. Good to see that he or she is correct.

Yes. From now on, I will always comparison shop between the 2 sites.
Maybe little ol' us know something the "bigger travel forums" don't?!

Rail Europe does offer cheap, "non-flexible" TGV rates at least toward
Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Within France or toward Spain, I
think I've only seen "semi-flexible," which is not the cheapest
category. For Paris-Munich direct on 5/13, for instance RE's price of
$55 is currently better than the DB price of €59.

That same fare shows up on the capitaine.com site for 5/13 at €45. The problem with Rail Europe is that they don't show all the lower-fare possibilities. The train arrives at 9:36pm. If saving money is you're most important goal, that's the train you take. But what if you'd like to arrive earlier in the day, even if it costs more? Rail Europe shows a total of 6 possibilities, all of which are $130 or more. Capitaine shows these same possibilities, but at fares as low as €69.

I checked the SNCF site for 5/13 and it also shows the €45 fare. DB doesn't show the €45 fare although it lists that departure time (at a higher price), but it does show the €69 fares.

I think what we're seeing here is the interaction of national systems. The €45 fare is on a direct train run by SNCF, so it shows up at that price on the SNCF website but not the DB site. The €69 fare for the trip leaving at 7:25am is on DB Bahn trains so doesn't show up on the SNCF website at that price.

The easiest solution seems to be to use a search engine that isn't tied to a train operator, such as capitaine. They show all the lowest fares with one search, regardless of operator.

I didn't mind getting my tix through Rail Europe, they were easy to use and helpful when I called seeking pass advice.

As Phred says, the ease of use in going through Rail Europe, here's what I appreciated
easy to use website (normal website, in English)
print out the ticket at home
they take regular Mastercard or Visa (you don't have to do the "verified" thing)
good price

Convenience and lack of stress is worth something.

You can't get so hung up on nickels and dimes when travelling that you cause yourself great inconvenience. If it costs a few bucks more to get tickets one way that's easier, isn't that money well spent?

Phred,
Exactly!