Ok, I've read thru many old posts about how to buy tickets from SNCF web site. For "sear reservation", there is mentioned of "add services" link which I cannot find anywhere. The closest link I can see is the blue "options" button with a little seat icon. Does this replace the "add services" link?

Anyhow, the blue "options" button does provide a preference for seating with many choices and I want to know:
- Does upper deck have a better view? Is it worth lugging the suitcases upstairs for that?
- What is "club four"? We've been on Italy's Trenitalia where there are class compartments for 6; 3 facing forward, 3 facing backward. This worked well for our family of 4 as we often had the compartment all to ourselves. Is "club four" the same? Can I request such an compartment on TGV?
- What is "lounge"?
- Where is the check box for forwarding facing seats mentioned in some post?

Thanks in advance for your help.

sorry, this is not going to help you at all, but haven't you found the sncf site extremely frustrating!? i lived in france for a year and everytime i go to the site to look for routes and times that i know they have, it gives me some reason they "cannot complete the reservation." i also have the sneaking suspicion buying the tickets there at the station is much quicker. i was looking at buying our train tickets in advance for a europe trip this fall, but have decided now just to chance it at the station.

The sncf site was revamped a while back so some things like "add service" have changed.

Club 4 = 4 seats facing each other around a table. If you are going to the southeast of France there is no added privacy. If you are going to the southwest of france the club 4 seats have a wall behind the seats that makes it a bit more private.

Lounge = Last part of the train car before the engine. Its a totally separate space with a closed door. The seats are arrranged in a U shape. They are much less comfortable than the regular seats and you are facing lots of people because of the config. IMHO this are the worst seats on the train.

Upper Deck = A really good view. Far better than the regular TGV or sitting on the lower deck. The TGV is often in a trench and sitting on the upper deck allows you to see out of it. Disadvantages: sometimes hot if the AC isnt working right, less room for hand luggage above seat due to lower ceiling. People from downstairs have to come up to walk to the dining car so there is a bit more foot traffic.

Lower deck = Darker quite cabin. Nice and cool usually. Very little foot traffic. Good overhead space for bags. Cons: a bit less leg room because the asile is sunken. No view at all.

Morgan defined them all, but just wanted to say I would never book lounge and if you book that club four, some folks will be facing the read -- which they may or may not care about.

I do usually like the upper deck, but it depends on the route sometimes as to whether it is a much better view or not. Sometimes the trains will have a lot of "stuff" along the rail line such as walls which can obstruct the view from the lower level. IN other places, it doesn't really matter. It isn't that many stairs, but if you have a lot of luggage, it will be easier to stay below and probably won't matter that much most of the time.

Thanks everyone, this is exactly the information I'm looking for. I'm going to try for "upper deck club four". As my kids generally don't mind facing backward, the club four configuration then guarantees a forward facing seat for myself! ;-)

...and does anyone know what a "kiosk" is? the same as "lounge" or something else? (this is on Thalys)

Kiosk = a small building, as a newstand or a booth. If I remember correctly, it is a word of Turkish origine. Newsstands in town or at stations are called Kiosks. If they say there is a kiosk on the Thalys trains, it could be a small counter in the buffet car where you can buy newspapers, candies, etc.

The kiosk is part of one car that has sets of seats facing each other with a table between them. I think it is two seats beside each other, a table, and then two seats facing the others. There is a set of those four seats on each side of an aisle.

It's different than the lounge which is just three seats facing three other seats across an aisle. I don't think there's any table. The seats are against the wall, not perpendicular to it.

Oh, so that's "kiosk" compartment.

http://www.thalys.com/be/en/guide/di...he_trains.html