As of yesterday ( in North America time zones) Renfe has a new improved website and a different fare structure. Web and Estrella fares have been replaced with Promo (P) and Promo Plus (P+) fares. Discounts are up to 70%. Regular fares are marked F fit Flexible, and Mesa fares are still available. The drop - down menu for station selection works better than before. And it appears tickets are available up to 3 months in advance. Today, Feb. 10, one can buy AVE tickets for travel on 10 May. Now we will wait to see if they are better at accepting US and Canadian credit cards. As before, use the shopping cart icon to purchase tickets.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3287 posts
Good to know!
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
Have you registered your card with the Verified by Visa program? That was necessary when I bought tickets two years ago. Some cards do not participate in the program, so that could be a problem. If that doesn't work, you can get the Promo fares from agencies like Petrabax and also RailEurope. Both will add a handling fee, but it is better than paying full price for the tickets.
Posted by
Cottage Grove, TN, USA
2 posts
Since yesterday I have tried unsuccessfully to purchase tickets. I get the shopping cart icon, enter my credit card data, submit, and continue to receive an error message "your credit card denied." So after confirming with my credit card companies that there is absolutely no problem on this end and that no request from Renfe had been denied, I'm at a loss as to what to do next. Is there some special way our US credit cards can be accepted? Help, please!!! Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Posted by
Cottage Grove, TN, USA
2 posts
Thanks, Lola. My cards are verified. I just spent two hours trying to go through the Petrabax site and could only get a ticket leaving Leon at 3:00 a.m I'm about to decide just to wait until I get to Leon see how I can move on. Thanks so much for your help. Warmest travel regards...:) Linda
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
1 posts
Ha! I was able to book our trenhotel tickets on Feb 9, right before the web page charge over. Yes, you need to set up verified by visa before your credit card can get thru their system. Not all Visa card work, and you better use IE as well.