Are people still having trouble using this site? (There is my question.) I want travelers to know, contrary to what Rick Steves has in his book and elsewhere on this site, that it is possible to use the trenitalia site to buy point-to-point train tickets in Italy. This past week I was able to purchase tickets for our upcoming trip with my US visa and mastercard. I had to do 2 different transactions because we are a group of 7 and their limit is 5. By buying ahead I was able to save 30% on one set of tickets and 15% on another. This savings was significant for our big group! Note that often schedules are not on the site more than a month ahead and there are a limited number of seats available for these discounts. I kept checking back to see when the schedule was available. You can even put the tickets on "hold" for 2 days and pay within that time using the "postoclick" feature. Register on the site first to make the transaction easier. Also make sure you have notified your credit card company to let them know to expect charges from Italy or you will be denied and lose your reservation. Don't ask how I know this....
Buon Viaggio!
Posted by
Miami
57 posts
Hi Marisa, Just an FYI, another poster on this forum posted about the schedules changing on December 12th. Not sure if the change is reflected on the website. I don't know how accurate this information is but its just a heads up. Hope your trip goes well. Dee
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
Marisa, Based on what I've seen on the HelpLine and other travel sites, your experience with the Trenitalia website is an exception. Many travellers using U.S.-based credit cards have reported problems with on-line purchases on the Trenitalia website. I've never had any problems using my Canadian credit cards with rail ticket purchases in Italy. The information published in Rick's Guidebooks is carefully researched, however financial products are constantly being updated, so changes can occur. It's also important to remember that the books are only updated once a year, with some 2011 editions published as early as September 2010. Therefore the information won't be updated for another year. It's great that you were able to buy the tickets online, as that could indicate that the situation is improving. It would probably help others here if you could indicate which financial institution your credit cards are with? Cheers!
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
13 posts
I know that others have had trouble with the site in the past and I am hoping that whatever the problem was, that they have fixed it and others will have some success as well. The site does say that they do not accept US American Express cards. The cards that I used were a Capitol One Visa and an Ameriprise Financial Mastercard. Gotta love the low 1% international transaction fee for that Capitol One card! Dee, thanks for the heads up, I didn't see that post. I will make sure I check the schedule after the 12th and before we leave.
Posted by
Los Angeles
425 posts
The Trenitalia website is still being updated to upload trains after December 12. At the moment, you'll find schedules through the end of 2010 and for the first three weeks in January 2011. Another schedule change is expected around the middle of June 2011. www.ferroviedellostato.it
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Marisa: You have a 1% Foreign Transaction Fee with your Capital One??? Is this something new, because Capital One touts itself as having 0% Foreign Transaction Fee. I've used my Cap 1 several times with no FTF whatsoever.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
13 posts
Tim, you are right. Capital One does not charge a foreign transaction fee, I was getting my cards mixed up.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
Marisa, "The site does say that they do not accept US American Express cards". That's quite common with many merchants in Europe, as AmEx apparently charges higher fees than Visa or MasterCard.