Has anyone (usa) become a member of the sncf train website? Would it make sense and/or is it any easier if booking trains through France/Italy? Debating before purchasing tickets. This won't be an ongoing usage.

It's an easy matter to sign up for the SNCF site. And it saves having to reenter your personal information each time you buy tickets. Even if you think you will use the site only once, a taste of Europe always leads to more.

Thank you RJD, will the site create problems if I sign up and tell it I'm from the USA and bounce me into rail Europe to purchase the tickets?

Also, I'd like to purchase my hotel stay through this site, good rates, better than trip advisor. Looking for feedback from people who have used the different travel options on the website.

Thanks!

It will bounce you to Rail Europe if you say you want to pick up your tickets in the USA. Make sure you select European pick up. I get them at the train station I plan to use. You must show the credit card you used to to buy them for pick up.

exactly, it's your choice if you insist on getting French rail tickets in the US, then you will have to get them from Raileurope.

I'm not sure what you mean by being a member. I've bought tickets on their website (regular and PREMs or printable ones), and I get some email newsletter regularly, and I registered on the website and have an espace client. They don't make you tell them "where you are from" when you do any of those things, not even when you register. They just make you give them an email address.

I do not have a SNCF fidelite card, if that's what you mean by being a member. I haven't ever booked hotels through them, though.