If one goes online to buy train tickets from SNCF (French National Railroad), one option for getting the tickets is to pick them up from an automatic machine. But this option says: "Warning: you will be asked to provide the bank card that was used to pay for the ticket as well as its secret code in order to retrieve your ticket. Cards that do not have a chip, such as American Express and some foreign cards, are not accepted." I'm pretty sure my MasterCard doesn't have a chip, so will it not work? Coud I still pick up the ticket at the train station counter? Otherwise, how can one buy tickets online (if you don't want them physically shipped to the U.S.)? Thanks
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Paul, It's almost certain that your MasterCard doesn't have a "chip", as U.S. card issuers have chosen not to use "Chip & PIN" technology (except for a few exceptions - check other posts here on the HelpLine). Have a look at The Card in this photo. The "chip" can be seen in the upper left corner. The card is insserted into a POS terminal for the duration of the transaction, and a PIN is used in place of a signature. I've never had to deal with this situation, but I suspect you'll have to pick up your tickets at a staffed ticket counter (which often have LONG queues). If you're going to be in Paris a few days before you'll be making the train journeys, you might consider simply stopping by an SNCF Boutique and buying your tickets there (rather than ordering online). If you're travelling directly from CDG to another destination in France, you may have to tolerate the situation at the staffed ticket counter. Good luck and happy travels!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Your MasterCard won't work. But you can pick up your tickets at the train station counters.
Posted by
OP
Rocklin, California, United States
4 posts
Thanks, Michael! Especially since I already bought the non-refundable ticket...
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2296 posts
Congratulations if you already got your tickets. Just take your confirmation and your credit card (make sure you have the one you purchased the tix with) to either a train station or sncf boutique and pick them up. We did ours the day before the trip last year and the line wasn't bad. They move pretty quickly We (USA) can't use their tix machines because we don't have chip & pin cards. P.S. If something happens to that credit card, they will make you buy a new ticket, but they give you the same price and they really do refund your bank card (voice of experience).