My credit card bank knows I'm traveling and booking in Europe and the bank says a charge hasn't even come thru from SNCF yet. Meanwhile, the SNCF website says rejection may happen while 3D secure confirms identity and to wait 24 hours before trying again. Course I also don't want multiple charges. Odd that it doesn't just say "pending" or such in the meanwhile.
Anyone else run into this?
Yes, 3D Secure is so secure that it will not process any U.S. credit cards. You can buy the tickets for the exact same price at www.capitainetrain.com with no credit card hassles. Just give your cc a heads up before buying.
I was going to make the same suggestion that Sam did. I had the same thing happen to me last week. SNCF rejected my card. I was able to get the tickets on the Capitaine website.
Aha. Thanks very much! Even Visa (claimed to be) was clueless.
I believe the 3D secure system will work if you have set up a Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode program with your card issuer, but that's not a feature you would have automatically. If SNCF offers an early-booking "Prems" fare for your trip, then they accept PayPal for that ticket type.
Chris,
I had a head scratcher a few months ago.
i was trying to pay for my hotel in Prague for my trip this september, but their system wouldn't take it since the expiration date on my credit card would be expired when by then. Not that it was expired at the time of the transaction either, but several months out. It was a first for me and i dumped them and switched to a different place.
happy trails.
