AMERICAN EXPRESS IN FLORENCE

Yes.

Actually, Rick already posted that the AMEX office in Florence closed on his website (under guidebook updates) earlier this year.

A lot of financial service companies cut back on their branches/services last fall and winter. Everyone should keep that in mind before they travel this year.

Lou, contrary to popular belief, not all of us on this board reads every one of Rick's books and knows it by heart. I was using common sense and experience in asking why you would use a middle man when you could buy the tickets directly from the train station? Perhaps there was a reason I didn't know about or perhaps you were a new traveler who was relying on American Express when you didn't need to.

Your original posting didn't state you were in Florence and that's where you found it. How do I know you didn't find that the Amex office was closed while surfing the internet at home in California.

Lou: If you can clarify the following, it will help us give you a better answer:Are you trying to buy Trenitalia tickets online, or are you now in Florence?The reference to p. 27 doesn't help those of us who don't have access to the 2009 edition (we're volunteers and not Rick's employees, thus many of us don't have the 2009 versions of his books)--so could you clarify which office you're referring to (that's on p. 27 of his 2009 book)? If you mean the Amex office that used to be at Via Dante, as you found it's closed, and at this point it's probably easiest for you to go to the train station (assuming you're in Florence now) and buy tickets there from the machines; unlike the Trenitalia website, the machines will accept your US credit card.

Kent has a point...why buy a ticket from the American Express office when you can buy it directly from the train station?

I was in Florence last Wednesday and thought I would save my aching legs, I am 73, by getting my train ticket to Rome at the Am Ex office on Via Dante Alighieri 22 after my visit to the Uffizi rather then schlepping my way to the train station. There was a sign in the window regretting the inconvenience the closure might have caused, etc.

Lou: Thanks for clarifying, it sounds as if you're reporting a guide book correction. To make your correction directly to Rick's book editors, go here and report the update to Rick's editors

By the way Frank I found your answer a little patronizing. Here is what Rick wrote in the book "American Express offers all the normal services, but is an easy place to get your train tickets, reservations, supplements (all the same price as at the station) or just information on trains......". So was I stupid to try to use Am Ex.

FrankII,
Going to a travel agent can be easier and more convenient and there is no extra cost if you use an agent with a FS in the window. See http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=29e23bf7c819a110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

I still prefer buying my ticket directly at the train station. The more people involved with a transaction, the more probability of mistakes.

I've learned this the hard way.