What experience have you had with Renfe trains. Booking Granada to Madrid ( I know, it is a combo with BUS-Ave).
What is the difference between tourist and tourist plus? Is it worth 20 Euros more?

We are traveling on September 23. Right now there are no promo fares and for senior fare you need to buy a senior card when you are in Spain. The only other trains we will take that week are Madrid to Toledo and possibly Barcelona to Girona.

The is the last item on my list to book and I would like to have it done.

Thanks

People always ask "is it worth it" but that is just a subjective statement, you may or may not feel it is. It's like any train I've been on in any country, first class on high speed trains is generally a little "nicer", don't know how else to put it. Seats may be a little nicer (on some trains 2nd class is hardback, first is plush), floor may be carpeted instead of non-carpeted, those are the main differences, on some trains first class includes some meal or refreshments. It may or may not be less crowded, depends on the train as some of them get totally filled no matter what. Which doesn't matter that much, but I always make sure I am there to board as soon as possible to get a good place for my luggage on any train.

On AVEs, haven taken that particular train some year ago, I think Preferente has a little more space and legroom. I also think Preferente has some solo seats which I like and regular Turista does not.

If that 20 euro is something you will be measuring whether it is worth it or not during the trip, I'd speculate that it won't be for you. Particularly if there is a bus involved, I imagine that part won't matter but it's only about 1:30 hrs of the trip, although I haven't been on that type bus to know if it differs a lot by class. What exactly would make it worthwhile to you, anyway? You will get there and have a seat either way.

I am not saying that 20 Euros is a deciding factor (minor in total cost), just trying to get an idea of a train system I have not used before. I ALWAYS measure cost vs worth in all things I do.

Because of construction on the high speed line not being completed to Girona, it is necessary to use the combo provided by the train line. (2hrs 17 minutes of which is train)

http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#.V6EHOXD3arU

This should help

Tourist Plus typically puts you in a coach with a 2+1 seat arrangement.

I rarely ride in anything but the cheapest seats on trains, but the amount to upgrade on Renfe last year was so small that I rode Preferente on a few trains. It was definitely much less crowded (at least on routes in the north of Spain), and had more comfortable seats with more leg room. I travel solo, so I appreciated the 2+1 seat arrangement.

I'm having trouble buying my tickets. I have a MAC, does that make a difference? Also, is there a direct train from Madrid tp Granada?

Use danon's link for info on buying tickets. Use bahn.de for schedules.

There has been some work going on on Madrid- Granada line
If it is still on...part of the trip is by train and the rest on the bus.

It appears that the work will be ongoing for some time yet. When we took the bus from Antequera to Granada in Feb., it took a little over 2 hours in commuter traffic.