Hagan and Lesa,

I apologize - didn't realize that SNCF was having problems with the new "print it yourself" feature for the PREM'S tickets.

Could it be however that you were ordering a mix of fares all at once? Then, the only option that can be selected is tickets by mail, since the PREM's cannot be held at the station and the other fares cannot be printed out at home... For complicated orders like these, a phone call is the only way if you're living in the US.

Lesa, I would advise you to proceed as indicated in the customer service e-mail you received and apply for a refund. You will have to book the journey again by phone or on the web site.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Am about to re-bbok, our hotel Jeanne De Arc have kindly offered to keep our tickets there. Take 2!

Just to let you know the end of the story, have re-booked on the net and new tickets have arrived at our hotel. Have sent off our papers for a refund for the original tickets....we'll see how we go! Thanks everyone for your replies.

Lesa, just thought I'd give you a heads up on what happened with our SNCF refund. We had tickets for the day that a major strike was to start, so we bought new tickets and returned to Paris a day early. I then spent about 1-1/2 hours in line to try to get a refund. Paperwork was filled out and I was told (I thought) that my credit card would be credited the amount.

Yesterday I received 2 vouchers good for travel on SNCF for up to 1 year. Will we use them? Who knows? I'm glad it was only 60 euros.

I just took all your advice and booked 2 tickets on line...full fare, second class Paris to Le Havre...going to pick up using ATM at station. This is my questions...what about seats? I checked off non smoking but did not know how seats are assigned? Thanks for your help.

Hi glsebs,

Did you actually make a reservation, or did you just ask for seats in "non-smoking",

I looked at the site and it does not say "reservation required".

I'm pretty sure that if you don't have seat reservations, you cannot reserve a nonsmoking car -- so if you check off nonsmoking, you are getting a specific seat. Who knows how trains/airplanes/theatres etc assign seats. Often it's just a bunch in a row. If there are vacancies, you can always move if you like one better. For example, I think I got a reserved seat to Reims where they gave me a seat next to someone and the wrong direction, even though the car wasn't full -- so I just moved to a row where I was by myself and facing the direction I wanted.

Now I am confused. I gave a credit card number and I have in essence paid for the tickets and only have to go to ATM to pick up before boarding. Is it possible there are already seats assigned on the actual ticket when you get it from the station?

Hi glsebs,

Did you pay for a reservation, or just for a seat?

If the former, they would have asked you for which seat you wanted.

If the latter, you have a ticket in "nonsmoking". Get there early and grab a seat.

I was not assigned a seat when I paid for the tickets...so I guess we will have to just get there early like you said and get our seats. We are only going from Paris to Le Havre...2 hours so it is not that big a deal where we sit...as long as it is non smoking, which it is. Thanks.

Lesa, so glad to hear you were able to resolve your problem! I hope your refund goes well, also. When are you going?

We are arriving in Paris on the 26th of September staying for 4 days then catching the overnight train to Milan and staying in Italy for a month...can't wait!

Sounds fabulous! Hope you have a great trip. We arrive in Paris on Sept 5 for 3 nights, then train to Berner Oberland area of Switzerlad for 3 nights, train to Varenna on lake Como for 3 nights, then back to Paris for final night via Easyjet from Milan. Sure wish we had a month!

Still sounds great Hagan, any holiday is a good holiday, hope you have a great time.

cmarzi, CAn you tell me the phone number for SNCF? I too can't get the website to work for me! [email protected]

Peg,
This number came with my tickets:

08 92 35 35 35

From the US, I believe you need to dial 011 first.

I can't find the paper I scribbled the number on that I called originally! But this might work - it says "par Ligne Directe", which I assume translates to "for direct line"!!!!!

Sure hope this works for you.

Joyce

You wouldn't believe it, after re-purchasing the tickets on-line a month ago and sending off the original paperwork for a new ticket as they instructed, the original tickets have not arrived, so now have two sets...