I went back and tried again, but my card had already been earmarked. If that is the reason I was rejected, my advice to others is to not fill out the questions at the end about your bank card maybe it is required or is newly required because the TGV has discovered that we are getting around using our US cards. If so, we will have to think of something else, but I seem to be out of luck! Unless someone has a solution for me. But I think I will just order a French Pass is there any way to get a reservation here when one has perchased a pass?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Hi Sylvia,, first off, you don't start a new thread, you should have just replied on the thread you are already started so people know what you are talking about. Second,, patience and persistance are needed here. It took me over a week to book my idTGV ticket Paris to Nice, but I got if finally and at a good price. Ok, once you try three times your card is marked,, but ONLY for 24 hours. Relax. And, did you check with your bank,, you do need to make sure its unblocked, just call the number on the back of your charge card or go into your bank. Credit cards regularily block foriegn transactions if not notified .. its a security measure.
They do not care where you live,, trust me,, booked many tickets using France, or Uk myself. It is a problem with TGV ,, they do have hassles dealing with foriegn cards for most of us( people with Amex report fewer issues, but I finally got them to take my visa). Lastly, and this is what really helped me. Contact them. I contacted them( in english) three times, and three times they replied to me within 48 hours. Never heard of a French Pass, sounds expensive and useless for one trip?
Posted by
OP
Jay, New York, USA
4 posts
When I posted this, I could not find my original question that is why my question seems to come from nowhere. You are right my bank called and asked if I had been trying to purchase a ticket in France and informed me that my bank card is blocked automatically if I try to buy anything from a foreign county through the Internet. She offered to unblock it, 'but I had already purchased a French Pass. About the French Pass: "Best Value: The France Rail Pass is a good value for three or more days of train travel. For just 15% more than the second-class price, the first-class version is affordable and gives you more options on busy trains. The France Rail Pass is cheaper than roundtrip Paris–Avignon train tickets at full fare. But if you only need a couple of trips and are ready to lock in travel times, advance purchase discounts for point-to-point train tickets (below) can save you more." You can get a pass for 3 days in a month for up to nine days in a month and it has many options. You can find out more about it at the Rick Steves site by clicking on Railpasses and then on France. Thank you for your reply to my last questions.
Sylvia
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Sylvia,, i have never paid full fare for a ticket, so I don't think I would ever be interested in a France pass.My tickets , first classs from Paris to Nice cost for two people a total of 92 euros.. so 46 euros each,, could have paid 39 for second class, but hey we splurged for first! Enjoy your trip to France and have fun.