I think to register on Renfe - you click on Buy and then on the right is an area to sign in or register - I say I think as I registered a couple of years back and when I went to buy a ticket a couple of weeks ago I was just able to sign in with my old account info. Renfe is always a hassle - I spent 3 to 4 days trying over and over again to buy my tickets - called all the banks, etc - finally a Mastercard worked - none of the Visas did...
Good luck!

Both companies still accept US credit cards based on many success stories in this forum after perseverance. But they also reject many US credit cards. Sometimes it is clearly international transaction fraud detection, but other times it is clear not when banks do not even got authorization requests in the first place as seem to be your case.

The issue with RENFE is cover extensively, especially in Tripadvisor thread http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187514-c80518/Madrid:Spain:Buying.Renfe.Tickets.Online.html. Often you don't know why it does not work. Even if it works, you don't know what you did (or nothing for that matter) that allowed you to purchase tickets. In case of Renfe, if all fails, Raileurope and Petrabax are alternatives.

SNCF has known and suspected US credit card max transaction limit. While just what the limits may be are posted, the evidences seem to indicate many still have transactions denied even if below the limits. Last year at SNCF site, I was able to buy cheap PREM tickets. But later same week, I could not buy 1st class Thalys tickets. But repeating the same transaction with 2nd class Thalys tickets allowed me to complete the transaction even when I retried with the 2nd class tickets less than one minute after failing to buy 1st class tickets. For SNCF, Raileurope is not a good backup as unlike with Renfe, Raileurope puts significant premium for SNCF tickets.

THANKS FOR ABOVE INFO. I'VE TRIED THE RENFE SITE SEVERAL TIMES IN LAST FEW WEEKS AND ONLY OPTION I GOT WAS TO SIGN IN WITH PASSWORD. DID NOT SEE HOW TO REGISTER. I MAY HAVE TO WAIT TILL I GET TO BURGOS TO BUY THE TICKET. I HAVE NEVER USED RAILEUROPE AS THEY ARE IN BUSINESS TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY AND I HAVE MANAGED FINE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT SO FAR.

NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH SNCF TILL NOW AND USED THEIR TRAINS FOR SEVERAL YEARS GETTING VERY GOOD DEALS. I HAVE ALWAYS USED MASTERCARD AND RECEIVED MY TICKETS IN ABOUT A WEEK WHICH WAS A GREAT CONVENIENCE. HAVE SOME TIME ON MY SIDE TO TRY AND FIND A WAY TO GET ORGANIZED.

I WILL BE TRAVELING FROM PORTO TO SANTIAGO COMPOSTELA WITH OVERNIGHT STOPS AND THEN TO BURGOS FOR ONE STOP BEFORE I GO INTO FRANCE. MANY THANKS.

Don't scream. We all hear you and feel your pain...

The systems have changed and need to be upgraded to work better than they currently do, but until then, you can purchase your Renfe tickets online at Petrabax.com (you'll receive e-tickets). I also believe that you can purchase a ticket from Burgos to wherever it is you are going in France.

On the other hand, have you tried using the SNCF website in French? We haven't experienced any problems of late, but who knows.

Robert2533: Thanks. I registered on Petrabax yesterday and did see the train I'm hoping to use but only fare offered to Hendaye was the most expensive. Think I read somewhere that discounted fares show closer to travel dates so I will wait and keep checking. Also I can try to buy the Gold card Dorado which discounts senior fares but cannot do that online.

I tried getting a train from San Sebastian to Lourdes but TGV SNCF sites did not show any service. I was unable to check the Euskotren site as did not see icon for English.
I remeber traveling from San Seb. several years back and got train from there but not sure which train line I used as there are many stations. If I get this info its an easy journey. I will be leaving from Toulouse on my return journey.

Many thanks.

You'll have to take the train to Bayonne to make the connection to Lourdes. The SNCF website (www.voyages-sncf.com) shows a departure from SS at 06h36, arriving in Lourdes at 11h36. The second departure of the day is at 13h20, arriving at 19h03.

There are more trains to Lourdes if you check the schedule departing from Hendaye. You can take the TOPO from SS to Hendaye and pick up the train there.

Thank you. The ALVIA train arrives from Burgos into SS at 13:18pm so looks like its too little time to catch the later train to Bayonne. Unless one only had to run across platform to jump on with luggage, its too tight.

Other option is to leave hotel in Burgos to catch the 03:13AM tren hotel which might give me little more time. Have to check Alsa bus again.

I did try again booking ticket to Bayonne and my MC was rejected because of 3D security check. This must be frustrating for people trying to get organized.

You shouldn't have any problem getting a ticket to Lourdes once you arrive in Hendaye. If you check the schedule from Hendaye to Lourdes, you'll see a few more trains on the schedule. It's only the connecting train schedule from Spain to Lourdes that limits your options to two trains/day.

Doing a private transfer from San Sebastian-Donostia works well if you are in a small group, but it's just not cost effective for less than 6 people.

Robert2533: Thanks for taking time to help. I checked all the schedules today and might consider the TER connection from Hendaya GARE DAX which would get me to Lourdes earlier. If I can take the early AM train arriving 7:10AM into Hendaya there is a (TER autocar) service leaving DAX at 8:45 arriving at 13:31. That looks like the best connection but I will not be able to book tickets until I arrive.
I will phone M/C again to see why my card is rejected because of 3D security just to see if they can help.

When I get to Hendaya from Burgos, is the GARE DAX near enough to walk to TER train? Its really a shame with so many choices of transportation that there are few good connections.

With appreciation for all your help.

The station (GARE) in Hendaye is rather small, as is the station in Dax (www.ter-sncf.com/Region/aquitaine/gare/Dax.aspx).

The route you're referring to, from Hendaye to Lourdes, stops in Dax, where it appears you will have to change trains (Correspondance : 08mn), taking the train heading toward Tarbes, getting off at Gare de Lourdes. You shouldn't have any problem making the connection.

Thanks again. This might be my best option if I go by train and make connection on earlier Dax route. It will give me a little more time.

Sounds like an easy transfer and DAX train might leave from same platform.

I will try to get my tickets as soon as I get to Spain.Are there any coffee shops in Hendaya station if I have time to relax and enjoy coffee?

Yes, the station café should be open.

I'm still trying to Register on Renfe but cannot get to REGISTER ME. That line under Password is blocked because of a vendor/car rental co.
I was prepared to order the tickets on US Rail site but the postage charge of $18 is excessive for just 2 tickets even if sent Express Mail in US.

About to abandon my search at this stage until I arrive in Spain. Again thanks to all for all the above responses.

You have not looked at Petravax? They do charge premium over Renfe, but they do offer web discounts offered by Renfe. The best Web discount offset by Petravax premium is still perhaps about 50% discount over lastminutes tickets you will buy in Spain.

Greg: Yes, I tried Petravax last week but each time I tried ordering the reduced fare(s) shown, they only offered me the most expensive fare and nothing in tourist/2nd class. Kept getting not available. So it would work out costing me a lot more than prices on Renfe.

I have tickets on hold with Euro Rail and await response to my email concerning the $18 postal charge which is ridiculous for a small envelope with 2 tickets. If they reduce the charge I will order but have to hang on some more. Thanks.

It seems strange that Rail Europe doesn't allow you to print your tickets, but then Petrabax is the official rep in North America and their booking engine is tied directly to Renfe.

Renfe only offers a limited number of discounted seats on each train and some trains have no discounts due to their popularity. When the discounted seats are gone you have to pay more.