OK, SCNF veterans,I need some reassurance here. <BR><BR>I've done the online booking with SCNF, have prepaid for my one-way tickets for family of four from Paris to Rennes, and will pick up the tickets at a SNCF boutique when we get to Paris. <BR><BR>Here's where I'm a bit confused. Under the details of my reservation, it lists me by name and everyone else as Passenger 2-4. My youngest child is 11. By each of our names, under the "Fare", it states "Card Child Plus 50%." Under "Conditions" by each of us it reads, "Travel iwth a child under 12 with a card child plus, maximum of five passengers."<BR><BR>Is there a special card called "Card Child Plus" I am supposed to buy?<BR><BR>I've been checking the SCNF site, but as all of you know, on some things the site is really clear and on others, it's hard to know what is meant.<BR><BR>Appreciate any help.

Have found part of the answer to my own question: It's one of three discount cards available on the site. And it's worth it.<BR><BR>Now I'm trying to buy it on the site and it won't let me--it needs an address including country, and the US isn't on it.<BR><BR>Does this mean US citizens can't buy this card?<BR><BR>Any experience?

I don't have any experience, perhaps someone else has, but I think it is just an issue that SNCF will not accept a North American address for purchases on their web site, whether that card or tickets, they will not mail to the US. It's not something you need to reserve ahead, like seats, so I don't think you'll have any problem just buying the Carte Enfants on-site at the SNCF boutique where you get your tickets. I believe you need a photo of the child for the identity card, and probably some ID to prove their age (given your child is near the limit).

Christina: Thanks for trying to help. I did find some more information (as one poster has said before about the SNCF site, the information is all there...it's just not in an intuitive format). As soon as I saw the photograph requirement on the site, then I understood. Or at least I think I do.<BR><BR>Just in case, I have emailed SNCF to get a confirmation of my understanding of all the requirements, and if I get any more enlightenment, I'll post here.<BR><BR>Thanks again, Christina.

Amy:<BR><BR>If I'm understanding you correctly, I don't think you need to purchase a Carte Enfant or anything further from SNCF when you pick up your tickets. I bought tickets from the site in May and picked them up at CDG airport. They were for my son (12 yrs. old) and me. They were each marked with a notation of the particular discount that SNCF had offered me (based on what I plugged into the website), and that was that. The price I had paid already included the discount.<BR>

StCirq: Thank you for not making feel like a complete idiot. I, like you, did not request this discount. I just punched in my passenger information and this is the fare they gave me. I had no control over it.<BR><BR>I'm going to take a passport picture of my little one just in case I must buy a card. Since we're getting 50% off (all four of us), 55 Euros for the card isn't a bad deal if that's what I must do.

Amy: I actually still have my tickets here, and they say -50% enfant- on them. I wasn't entitled to a Carte Enfant, which I think involves more than the single ticket I purchased for me son and me for CDG to Avignon, one-way, but whatever discount was applied was already paid for, and I suspect yours is too. Good luck, and if things turn out otherwise, let me know for future reference, please!

As promised, I am posting my correspondance with SCNF. Talk about cryptic!<BR><BR>Here's what I sent:<BR>Dear Sir or Madame:<BR> <BR>I have booked a trip from Paris to Rennes for July 28 for my family of four.<BR>Under the "Fare" and "Condition" for us, it indicates "Card Child Plus 50%"<BR>and "Travel with a child under 12 with a card child plus, maximum of five<BR>passengers."<BR> <BR>I was confused, but I think I understand now that to obtain this fare, I<BR>must purchase the discount card for 55 Euros.<BR>Could you please confirm my understanding of these details?:<BR> <BR>Is it true that...<BR>1) The Child Card can be purchased at a SNCF boutique. I will need a<BR>passport photo for my child. <BR>2) Even though we are US citizens, we can still purchase this card.<BR>3) After I purchase the discount card, I will then be able to pick up my<BR>rail tickets for which I have already paid.<BR> <BR>Thank you so much for any help you can give me.<BR> <BR>The reply from SCNF is:<BR>Dear Sir or Madam,<BR><BR>I inform you that if you have choose the price card Enfant plus, you have to have the card enfant plus.<BR><BR>Yours sincerely.<BR><BR>-- <BR>Florence REMY<BR>L'Equipe d'Aide en Ligne<BR><BR><BR>As StCirq experienced also, I didn't "choose" this fare--it "chose" me on the website.<BR><BR>The mystery continues.

I dunno, Amy. Beats me. I just know I got a discount and didn't have to buy anything when I picked up the tickets. I'm sure the agent at the SNCF desk will be able to help you. If it turns out you'll be paying more by buying the Carte Enfant, just ask her to redo your tickets. The SNCF people I've dealt with have always been very obliging. Good luck1

Thanks, StCirq. I got worried again that whomever I would be dealing with would be unreasonable. I am a "play by the rules" person, so I got a little rankled by that email from SCNF--goodness knows I wasn't trying to scam SCNF.<BR><BR>Would you be so kind as to tell me where you picked up the tickets?

Amy:<BR><BR>I think the response from SCNF reflected more on language ability than on attitude. For someone with limited English, your letter might have seemed pretty complicated. <BR>I picked my tickets up at the TGV station at CDG airport. It took about a half-hour to get through the line, but it went smoothly, and the agent was very helpful, even "composting" my tickets when she handed them to me so I didn't have to do that myself (that was a first for me).

Amy,<BR><BR>There are 3 types of child-discount fares (ages 11 and under) on the SNCF:<BR><BR>a) a limited allotment of seats is sold as a "Decouverte enfant +" fare which is discounted by 25% vs. the full fare, no strings attached. This is the fare StCirq is refering to.<BR><BR>b) a limited allotment of seats is offered at 50% off the full price if you have a "Carte Enfant +" (or child card in English) <BR><BR>c) Furthermore, holders of a "Carte Enfant +" are entitled to a 25% discount on the full fare if the special allotment mentioned above isn't available anymore, but there are still empty seats on the train.<BR><BR>You obviously (knowingly or not) selected the 50% fare reserved to holders of the "Carte Enfant" mentioned in b). This means that you must purchase the "child card" before boarding the train. As it costs 55 euros, I fear this might be a pretty bad deal for you.<BR><BR>If there is still a "decouverte enfant +" fare available, I would cancel my existing reservation and rebook. If not, I would contact SNCF and explain the confusion - perhaps they will be understanding and convert your ticket to the "decouverte enfant +" 25% discount fare. Otherwise, you'll probably have to spring for full fare (which I imagine is still far cheaper than the discounted fare you have + 55 euros). The silver lining is that you can easily cancel and rebook online since you haven't picked your tickets up yet.<BR><BR>Once in France, you can pick up your tickets at any train station or "boutique SNCF" - just ask your hotel for the nearest location and remember to take your confirmation number(s) and the credit card you prepayed with along.<BR><BR>Bon voyage,<BR>Andre

Andre: Thank you so much for all the information. That was so kind of you!<BR><BR>There's just one thing. The same thing:<BR>I didn't inadvertantly "choose" that fare. Using the site, that's all that I was offered. I listed my passengers according to age (just as it makes you do), pressed "proceed," and that's what came out.<BR><BR>Did it five times--couldn't understand how it could give me a "discount" card fare without my having a discount card (and I know, there's a space where it says, "choose card." I promise; I did not choose a card!). <BR><BR>So I'll just handle this when I get there.<BR><BR>

Amy, <BR><BR>I see what you mean - plugged in data for a trip to Rennes with a family of 4 in September without selecting a card, and presto! there came the child card + fare. The J30 fare is also available on most of the trains - you need to click on it though.<BR><BR>I must now admit I made a mistake in my earlier posting - the child card actually entitles THOSE ADULTS ACCOMPANYING THE (CHILD) CARDHOLDER to a 50% reduction (or 25% if there are no seats for the special fare left). On top of that, the cardholder and any other child 11 or younger pays half of what the adults did (eg. up to 75% off)! Up to 4 people can accompany a child card holder (no need to be related to him/her).<BR><BR>Also, child reductions seem to apply to other fares as well , such as J30 (as far as I know, this didn't used to be case).<BR><BR>The fare details I got for a one-way trip to Rennes in mid September for 3 adults and 1 child were the following:<BR>a) Child Card Plus fare of EUR 78.40 (1 cardholder @ EUR 11.20 & 3 accompanying adults @ EUR 22.40). Add the puchase of a child card @ EUR 55 = total price of EUR 133.40<BR>b) J30 fare of EUR 116 (EUR 16.57 for the child and 3 adults @ EUR 33.14).<BR><BR>So the J30 fare is marginally (EUR 17.40) cheaper. I would stick with what you've booked however, as the "child card +" tickets can be modified/refunded at no fee, while the J30 tickets are non-modifiable and refunds carry a 30% service charge.<BR><BR>One last point: remember to take a passport photo for your child when you go to pick up your tickets. It is required for issuing the Child Card +.<BR><BR>Hope this isn't too confusing...<BR><BR>Andre

Andre, not only was your post very clear, it was very gracious.<BR><BR>You're reading my mind: if I'm permitted as a US citizen to buy that card, I'm certainly willing to do so because the fare is a bargain. <BR><BR>We went to one of those photo booths yesterday and had the child in question photographed. Do you or anyone else think that will work as the photo?

I thought that card would be advantageous to you, also, I could see why you'd want to buy one. I haven't bought one, but I would guess that type of booth photo will be just fine as that's what is acceptable for other photo IDs such as the Carte Orange.

Thank you, Christina, Andre and St. Cirq.

Amy - do us all a favor and let us know what transpires when you go to pick up your tickets in France.<BR><BR><BR>I'll do the same, as I'm traveling again in September.

Amy,<BR><BR>That's exactly the type of photo I meant when I refered to a "passport photo". Sounds like you're all set...<BR><BR>Bon voyage!<BR><BR>BTW, the "Child Card +" is definitely issued to US citizens as well, is valid for a year and you can use it for an unlimited number of train trips - might come in handy if you return to France in he near future <BR><BR>Andre

Oh, one last thing - when you go to purchase the card, you obviously need to take some form of ID proving that your child is actually 11 years old (passport is probably best).<BR><BR>Andre