I am trying to book my tgv tickets, I got all the way to payment then my card was rejected. I called the credit card company and there isn't any reason why it should be rejected. Is the TGV site quirky? Or maybe I am doing something else wrong. I did select to pick my tickets up in Bayeux France. Suggestions much appreciated! I've never purchased TGV tickets online before.
Denise
Posted by
OP
Castle Rock, Colorado
69 posts
It is frustrating! I tried the rail europe site and can purchase the tickets if I break up the trip to multi cities which makes it more expensive. I'm going to wait until tomorrow and see if I can get the TGV site to work. If I can't I may just go the rail europe route. Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate your words of advise.
Denise
Posted by
Dallas, Texas, USA
501 posts
Denise, I too, have had the same problem, have just about given up. We've tried everything posters on this board have suggested to no avail. Thinking we will just buy tickets when we get there and pray there is room. Has anyone tried asking their Hoteler to purchase tickets for them?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Denise, I've had the same problem and posted the result elsewhere. According to my credit card company, if TGV processes the transaction as an ATM withdrawal, your card will likely be rejected - not by your credit card company but by some quirky thing going on in TGV's transaction program. I've been able to transact over a dozen tickets but got rejected on a few others. You could calculate the aggravation cost versus the advance purchase savings. I decided to wait until I get to France.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Jim I wouldn't wait till I got there,, at least try RailEurope, it would be my second to last resort, but ahead of buying on arrival as you will pay top dollar if you do that,, and RailEurope may not have the best deal or all the departures listed, but at least its better then waiting till last minute. I haven't heard of anyone having trouble paying on RailEurope. Denise, its true. I have have had hassles using idTGV site myself.. have you waited 24 hrs between trys? ( you have to ) .. Also, have you tried emailing them ( click on contact us ) . I did all of above and eventually got it sorted but it was some work.. geesh wish they could get their system online friendly to us foriengers!
I too suggest you look at RailEurope if all else fails.
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
If you can manage basic French then perhaps you could avoid these problems by using www.capitainetrain.com. It accesses the SNCF booking system and offers the same trains at the same prices (unlike Rail Europe). I haven't used it yet myself, but I've seen the guy who runs The Man in Seat 61 suggest it, so that's good enough for me. The site is very simple, so if your French isn't up to it then you could use the Google Chrome web browser, which has a translator feature. There are lots of positive reports of Capitaine Train on this thread on Fodors - http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/sncf-train-ticket-online-booking-payment-difficulty.cfm
Posted by
Green Bay
20002 posts
SNCF is using "Verified by Visa". Call your card company about it. FAQ's here.
http://usa.visa.com/personal/security/visa_security_program/vbv/verified_by_visa_faq.html#anchor_3