I was told by a RENFE representative that RENFE does not accept American credit cards for internet reservations from the USA. Is this true and if so how can we get the advance reservations? John Fort Worth
Posted by
chicago
14 posts
I used REnfe using Windows explorer last week for tickets to Toledo, Segovia, Madrid round trip using a chase credit card. No problem. Go to the REnfe.es site, tap on Welcome, on next screen tap purchase tickets. GL
Posted by
New York City
6 posts
You might get lucky and the card works. Otherwise US credit cards are not officially accepted by RENFE's website. If it doesn't work you'll have to pay a bit more and use RailEurope.com to get tickets online.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Follow the advice of the first poster. This is the method I have used in the past. You may need to contact your bank prior to purchase to advise that you are purchasing tickets for Spain.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
I bought lots of tickets on Renfe last spring with my Chase card. In addition to contacting your bank in advance of the purchase, register your card with Verified by Visa. The Renfe site will ask for that password during the transaction. There are detailed instructions for buying on Renfe on the Tripadvisor site, in the Madrid forum.
Posted by
Freedonia
16299 posts
Never use RailEurope. It's a big ripoff. They don't show all trains and they hike the price.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
And be careful if you access the Renfe website through Google. The first choice that pops up is RailEurope, billing themselves as the "official" Renfe site. Make sure you are on Renfe.es. If you absolutely cannot get the purchase to go through on Renfe, and the Web fares are still available, try Rumbo.es. This is a travel agency, but they sell Renfe tickets at Renfe prices, including the Web and Estrella discounts where available, for most routes. They do add a small service charge, but you will still be ahead if you are getting the Web discounts.
Posted by
Toronto, ON, Canada
112 posts
Wow, interesting.......I bought several Renfe tickets online with a Canadian credit card without a problem. I did warn the company that Spanish charges would be coming through. It's a surprise to me that there'd be a difference between US and Canadian purchases with an international company online.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
I have had no real trouble in the past purchasing tickets from the RENFE site....used my debit card, after confirming with the bank that I would be doing so. Someone on a similar post a few weeks ago said they indicated on the site they were purchasing from Spain and not from the US and completed the transaction...You might want to try that as a last resort. After the purchase you will be able to print out the ticket with the coach and seat number.