Advance Tickets for the Alhambra

I was there in October, 2010, and my credit card doesn't have a PIN. There were ATM-like machines where you use the credit card you used to buy the tickets. I've encountered this same sort of setup at theaters when picking up will call tickets. There's no financial transaction, it is just used to identify you. There were several Alhambra employees there to help people who were having difficulty operating the machines. I don't have the current edition of RS Spain, but I am wondering if perhaps you now receive a PIN number in the purchase confirmation email. I would bring a copy of that email as well as the credit card.

You use the same credit card used to make the purchase (ensure this card does not expire until after your visit) into the Servi-Caixa machine and your tickets will be provided. Here is a guide on the subject - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187441-c77529/Granada:Spain:Buying.Alhambra.Tickets.Online.html I have no idea what Rick Steve has to say on the matter or what site you provide the link to (is this an agency other than TicketMaster?) but I do not think this has been any different for years.

We picked up our Alhambra tickets from the machines with a regular credit card, no PIN. Where does RS say you need one?

Angela, I was at the Alhambra palace 3 weeks ago. I purchased my tickets on the Alhambra website ahead of time using the credit card and did not have to use the pin number. Once the credit card transaction goes thru, you will need to print out the confirmation number (forgot the actual name of the document). With that print out you can pick up your tickets at the palace before your scheduled visit time. Allow enough time to pick up tickets, lines can be long. I had to wait about 20-25 minutes to pick up my tickets. Hope everything works out for you. Alhambra palace is amazing, you will enjoy it.

Thanks, all, for your help!