SNCF ticket name change

My experience has been that no one has ever checked my ID

Hi! Well… technically, yes, SNCF can ask for an ID to prove you are the ticket holder. Practically, I have not observed this happening often - but I have seen it at least once, quite recently. The folks who had their IDs checked were a group of youngish people who looked like they were down to party, but obviously I have no idea if that was the reason behind the level of scrutiny they got.

I would also advise against toying with the SNCF because they are pretty darned strict about all rules and regulations on the train. A few years ago I was fined €80 for an honest mistake (I was reading and not paying attention and got off at the wrong stop). All my charming fumbling in college-level French appeared to only piss the agent off more, and it was VERY unpleasant.

Someone here might know if there is any recourse - a number to call to get the ticket transferred, for instance - but my gut (and past experience) says it might be the wiser course to rebook.

Edit: like Carol, I have never had my ID checked on a train in Paris. My fine was for getting off after the stop I had paid for, with a ticket in my name.

IDs are checked for the discounted tickets, which is probably why the young people were asked for ID, youth discount tickets. My photo and my husband's, as well as our IDs, are already in the SNCF controller's database when he scans our tickets due to our senior discount card. So they don't need to ask to see our cards.

Your tickets are regular full-price tickets. Nobody is going to ask you for an ID. I'd just use the ticket. In fact, if your starting point has an electronic scanner to get through the turnstile, it's likely a controller will never come through your train car. If on the tiny off change some controller wants to know how your mother got a man's name, just smile and say that your mother became your husband and your husband is hard at work at home.

The last train I boarded was from Gare Montparnasse to Bordeaux a few months ago. Everyone's ticket was checked at the beginning of the quai before boarding. Maybe you will have a different experience.

We had our passports checked on a trip from Paris to Nantes a couple of years ago; they were concerned with whether my 12 year old granddaughter was the one named on the ticket and they made a big production of it. Decades ago we had passports checked when using a Eurail pass -- but that was decades ago -- no one uses them now unless they are confused about the century they are traveling in.

so most of the time you would not have ID checked and would be okay -- BUT if you are checked I would assume that a fine would be involved. I'd personally chance it but be prepared to pay up if caught out.

It was a real pain as I had the passports stowed in a money belt under my clothes and they were awkward to access but I was glad I was carrying them. I always take the passports in a money belt when traveling away from the base city; in Paris, they are stowed in the apartment.

No one has ever asked for my ID. They might if the person with the ticket seemed less than plausible (e.g. a student reduction for a middle-aged person)

Also a couple of months ago, we scanned our QR code ticket at Montparnasse to get past the gate to board our train. I think people with physical tickets encountered the ticket taker. As far as I recall I didn't even see anyone come by while we were on the train. Other train out of Lille, yes, because it was tickets not a QR code and they just scanned them, as they walked by on the train, but did not inspect. Not suggesting what you should do, just saying how it was for us.

When Tocard said checked, I assumed he meant scanned, which would be the same as KD said. Nobody has time to check IDs during boarding.

Thank you all for the advice! This is very helpful, though I’m still uncertain exactly what I should do. It may be that I could cancel and rebook just this one ticket, but I’m concerned about losing the seat assignment…

Hello! Just responding to this one for posterity, in case others stumble across it.

I confirmed with SNCF that it is NOT possible to change the name on a ticket. However, I was able to cancel just one ticket (my husband’s) and quickly rebook for my mom. When you buy online, they actually have a question that asks if you want to sit with a friend and include their coach/seat number. So I was able to snag the same seat for my mom.

My mom qualified for a senior rate so it was a slightly discounted rate. It was still a few dollars more than we had originally paid for the ticket, but worth it for the peace of mind.

Thanks again for all the advice!

They can check the name
Some people used to gamble with train tickets: buying them when they were cheaper, and reselling them later, when there were only very expensive tickets left, with a nice profit margin in the process.
This is why the SNCF requires you to give a name when purchasing, and does not allow you to change it. Obviously, this only works if there are checks from time to time.