Trenitalia – How I Successfully Bought Train Tickets on the Web
Mar 16th, 2008, 07:18 AM
#21
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Wow, I tried to start this post to try to help people, not to make them argue.
First, a response –
Sheepie87 – the Amica fare can be purchased at a window at a station if a.) It is still available (inventory control) and b.) If you are more than 24-hours out from travel. It is not available on the day of travel.
Now, my $.02 worth – successfully using the Trenitalia site has nothing to do with being blessed with intelligence, it has to do with being blessed with the right credit card and even if you do have the right one, the site can still be quirky. Some people have never had an issue using the site and some people have never gotten the site to work.
Even for the experienced, the site does not always work smoothly as I have recently found and that is what I was reporting. Like LilyLace, I too have bought tickets on it for many years and I “generally” haven’t had any issues using it.
However, on a recent occasion I did have issues with it and it was far from easy (x3) to correct.
What started all of this was the site rejecting a credit card that worked on it in December, it worked at a train station in the Abruzzo region just before Christmas and it’s still cleared by my bank to work on the site and in Europe now (I checked this again with my bank before this all started).
But it didn’t work… three times in a row… which got me locked out of my account so I documented my journey back to buy a ticket. (BTW, it’s now been a week and my original account still hasn’t been reinstated even though I’ve sent them everything they asked for.)
The whole purpose of my experiment with the site and the post about it was to try to help those unfamiliar with the Trenitalia site and those that have had issues using it to see if they were covering all of the steps along the way and to simply let them know what worked for me.
As many have reported on these boards, the Trenitalia site can be frustrating in its quirks and it can turn some people off from trying to use it and possibly causing them to have to pay more for their tickets than necessary. This post was intended to help those people and not intended to begin a debate about the intelligence levels of people that share a common passion for travel which is why we’re all here to begin with.
Lkemerson and LilyLace, thanks for acknowledging the post for what it was intended for.
My last comment on the whole thing is that I’ll repeat the final comment of the original post - Enjoy your trip and if you have any tips to add to this post, please do so!
First, a response –
Sheepie87 – the Amica fare can be purchased at a window at a station if a.) It is still available (inventory control) and b.) If you are more than 24-hours out from travel. It is not available on the day of travel.
Now, my $.02 worth – successfully using the Trenitalia site has nothing to do with being blessed with intelligence, it has to do with being blessed with the right credit card and even if you do have the right one, the site can still be quirky. Some people have never had an issue using the site and some people have never gotten the site to work.
Even for the experienced, the site does not always work smoothly as I have recently found and that is what I was reporting. Like LilyLace, I too have bought tickets on it for many years and I “generally” haven’t had any issues using it.
However, on a recent occasion I did have issues with it and it was far from easy (x3) to correct.
What started all of this was the site rejecting a credit card that worked on it in December, it worked at a train station in the Abruzzo region just before Christmas and it’s still cleared by my bank to work on the site and in Europe now (I checked this again with my bank before this all started).
But it didn’t work… three times in a row… which got me locked out of my account so I documented my journey back to buy a ticket. (BTW, it’s now been a week and my original account still hasn’t been reinstated even though I’ve sent them everything they asked for.)
The whole purpose of my experiment with the site and the post about it was to try to help those unfamiliar with the Trenitalia site and those that have had issues using it to see if they were covering all of the steps along the way and to simply let them know what worked for me.
As many have reported on these boards, the Trenitalia site can be frustrating in its quirks and it can turn some people off from trying to use it and possibly causing them to have to pay more for their tickets than necessary. This post was intended to help those people and not intended to begin a debate about the intelligence levels of people that share a common passion for travel which is why we’re all here to begin with.
Lkemerson and LilyLace, thanks for acknowledging the post for what it was intended for.
My last comment on the whole thing is that I’ll repeat the final comment of the original post - Enjoy your trip and if you have any tips to add to this post, please do so!
Mar 16th, 2008, 11:49 AM
#23
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Thank you MichaelT!
Very informative and reassuring to yet another Trenitalia failure.
I too had the same issues and gave up before frustration had me climbing into my scotch bottle. I did finally book with Marco but I hate to admit tech failure.
And thank <i>you</i> russwf for once again showing us that we are all clueless idiots. We do need to be humbled now and then.
Very informative and reassuring to yet another Trenitalia failure.
I too had the same issues and gave up before frustration had me climbing into my scotch bottle. I did finally book with Marco but I hate to admit tech failure.
And thank <i>you</i> russwf for once again showing us that we are all clueless idiots. We do need to be humbled now and then.
Mar 16th, 2008, 11:56 AM
#24
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Hmm, I bought tickets from Venice to Verona last May and I don't recall it being so convoluted.
I don't even recall registering my email, although I may have.
But I just went to the train stations and then entered a confirmation number at the kiosk and it printed it out right there, as I recall.
I don't even recall registering my email, although I may have.
But I just went to the train stations and then entered a confirmation number at the kiosk and it printed it out right there, as I recall.
Mar 16th, 2008, 12:29 PM
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Michael T: God Bless You.
Just so you know, I have an ongoing battle with SNCF (French rail). 3/4 of the time, it works like a charm, especially since Morgan starting posting the SNCF tutorial for all of us.
Then it just doesn't. I speak rather decent French, and I just can't do a workaround when the site goes kaput. Usually in a few days, the system gets rectified. In the meantime, I just quaff a few beers here at the ol' terminal and fret a lot.
So although I have not tried Trenatalia, I truly believe that it can work wonderfully or be full of quirks. Your information conveyed beautifully the ways to get around minefields.
I thank you for the time, effort, and most importantly, the amusing tone of voice you added to your post.
Just so you know, I have an ongoing battle with SNCF (French rail). 3/4 of the time, it works like a charm, especially since Morgan starting posting the SNCF tutorial for all of us.
Then it just doesn't. I speak rather decent French, and I just can't do a workaround when the site goes kaput. Usually in a few days, the system gets rectified. In the meantime, I just quaff a few beers here at the ol' terminal and fret a lot.
So although I have not tried Trenatalia, I truly believe that it can work wonderfully or be full of quirks. Your information conveyed beautifully the ways to get around minefields.
I thank you for the time, effort, and most importantly, the amusing tone of voice you added to your post.
Mar 16th, 2008, 12:34 PM
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Hello MichaelT, I am sure the time you took to go into details as to how you won the "battle" with the Trenitalia website will be a classic thread for years and will often be retrieved for referance as we all know how many people have had such a difficult time trying to book their train tickets online. And to think you only had to say 3 Hail Mary's, incrediable, lol! Have a wonderful trip.
Mar 16th, 2008, 02:47 PM
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Linda431,
I'd like to ask how it went booking with a travel agent.
I'll be calling Marco, tomorrow, but if you see this before then, a little info on that process, if you would be so kind.
Thank you again MichaelT. I didn't mean to make it an argument thread either, but there are people among us, that may have questions and not ask, because they feel they will be called stupid. My reply was to clear that up.
There are no stupid questions when it comes to being a very informed consumer.
Thank you again, for your great post, the smile it brought, and the information it passed along.
K
I'd like to ask how it went booking with a travel agent.
I'll be calling Marco, tomorrow, but if you see this before then, a little info on that process, if you would be so kind.
Thank you again MichaelT. I didn't mean to make it an argument thread either, but there are people among us, that may have questions and not ask, because they feel they will be called stupid. My reply was to clear that up.
There are no stupid questions when it comes to being a very informed consumer.
Thank you again, for your great post, the smile it brought, and the information it passed along.
K
Mar 16th, 2008, 03:12 PM
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lkemerson,
It was fairly quick and painless. I sent him a fax and gave him my email address. We handeled the rest of the transaction by email. I gave him the train I wanted and asked for the Amica fares, but there were none available for that train, so we did have to exchange a few emails to get it done.
The e-tickets he emailed have a bar code that supposedly work like printing an online boarding pass for the plane.
It was fairly quick and painless. I sent him a fax and gave him my email address. We handeled the rest of the transaction by email. I gave him the train I wanted and asked for the Amica fares, but there were none available for that train, so we did have to exchange a few emails to get it done.
The e-tickets he emailed have a bar code that supposedly work like printing an online boarding pass for the plane.
Mar 16th, 2008, 03:42 PM
#32
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lkemerson,
I know you didn't try to create an argument and I feel the same as you.
There are many trips we take where I like to ask many questions to be informed during my research just like you since they are new locations to US. (I've recently done the same in other posts for our trip to Campania next month.)
I always appreciate it when someone responds with information I can use as opposed to personal commentaries about my question and hopefully those productive exchanges will help us all better plan our trips.
I know you didn't try to create an argument and I feel the same as you.
There are many trips we take where I like to ask many questions to be informed during my research just like you since they are new locations to US. (I've recently done the same in other posts for our trip to Campania next month.)
I always appreciate it when someone responds with information I can use as opposed to personal commentaries about my question and hopefully those productive exchanges will help us all better plan our trips.
Mar 17th, 2008, 01:38 PM
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"I always appreciate it when someone responds with information I can use as opposed to personal commentaries about my question and hopefully those productive exchanges will help us all better plan our trips."
Very well said MichaelT! I think many of us have been "victims" of abuse on this forum for asking a question. Honestly I like answering questions. It does not bother me if someone wants to know what to wear. I like to give suggestions. We have not all been lucky enough to have born into money and culture. Many of us have had to learn as we grow and little things like what is acceptable to wear someplace or how much money to budget for food are important to us. Thanks again for your wonderful report of Trenitalia.
Very well said MichaelT! I think many of us have been "victims" of abuse on this forum for asking a question. Honestly I like answering questions. It does not bother me if someone wants to know what to wear. I like to give suggestions. We have not all been lucky enough to have born into money and culture. Many of us have had to learn as we grow and little things like what is acceptable to wear someplace or how much money to budget for food are important to us. Thanks again for your wonderful report of Trenitalia.
Mar 18th, 2008, 04:34 AM
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Great post. Just a couple of additional tips, if I may:
- you cannot buy e-tickets if your selected trip involves a combination of different categories of trains, such as InterCity and Regional trains, for example.
- e-tickets for IC/ES trains are different from e-tickets for Regional ('R') trains. IC/ES tickets incorporate a seat reservation and can be exchanged (although that is not always easily done) if you for any reason you change plans; R train tickets have no seat reservation and canNOT be exchanged (although you can take a later train of the same type upto 4 hours later if you miss it).
- you cannot buy e-tickets if your selected trip involves a combination of different categories of trains, such as InterCity and Regional trains, for example.
- e-tickets for IC/ES trains are different from e-tickets for Regional ('R') trains. IC/ES tickets incorporate a seat reservation and can be exchanged (although that is not always easily done) if you for any reason you change plans; R train tickets have no seat reservation and canNOT be exchanged (although you can take a later train of the same type upto 4 hours later if you miss it).
Mar 24th, 2008, 04:55 AM
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Okay, Michael. I thought I was on a lucky roll. After all, it was Easter Sunday and I was fortified with wine.
The first time I entered my credit card number, I didn't get any error message, but did get the message that the CV2 is required. So, I re-entered the number on my Visa that I thought was my CV2, but forgot to double-check to make sure that no other fields had been blanked out. So, I hit Go again. This time I got an error message saying that I'd not entered a card number or date. So, this system proves to be one of those irritating ones that blanks out fields when it goes back.
Okay, I retry. So, I decide to use my AMEX--higher service charge--but never known to fail me.
Now I get a message saying that I've entered an incorrect card number 3 times, so I'm out.
I guess I'll open another Trenitalia account, try the Citibank suggestion, and try again.
BTW, the CV2 is indeed the 3 digit number printed on the back of the card, correct?
The first time I entered my credit card number, I didn't get any error message, but did get the message that the CV2 is required. So, I re-entered the number on my Visa that I thought was my CV2, but forgot to double-check to make sure that no other fields had been blanked out. So, I hit Go again. This time I got an error message saying that I'd not entered a card number or date. So, this system proves to be one of those irritating ones that blanks out fields when it goes back.
Okay, I retry. So, I decide to use my AMEX--higher service charge--but never known to fail me.
Now I get a message saying that I've entered an incorrect card number 3 times, so I'm out.
I guess I'll open another Trenitalia account, try the Citibank suggestion, and try again.
BTW, the CV2 is indeed the 3 digit number printed on the back of the card, correct?
Mar 24th, 2008, 05:09 AM
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it is indeed the CV2 number...and good luck to you on your next attempts.
I tried several cards, several times, and got exactly what you did.
Maybe you could call one of your card companies to see if the offer the virtual card number (none of mine do) as I was told that will work! Its worth a shot.
I'm going to get my train fare (and the only one I'm worried about is Venice to Florence, as I have Uffizi reservations at a certain time) once there,I guess.
I wish you much success.
I tried several cards, several times, and got exactly what you did.
Maybe you could call one of your card companies to see if the offer the virtual card number (none of mine do) as I was told that will work! Its worth a shot.
I'm going to get my train fare (and the only one I'm worried about is Venice to Florence, as I have Uffizi reservations at a certain time) once there,I guess.
I wish you much success.
Mar 28th, 2008, 02:02 PM
#39
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janjanjan,
I feel for you.
I got locked out almost 4 weeks ago for hitting the 3 strikes and you’re out rule (I didn’t know until now that baseball terminology was as popular on Italian trains).
I filled out the form to get reinstated and sent it to Trenitalia along with a copy of my passport 3 1/2 weeks ago. (BTW, I hate my passport photo – we could probably start a whole thread on that topic!). I still haven’t heard a word back from them! So much for the 48hr. response they promised.
And yes, the CV2 is the 3-digit number on the back of a MC or Visa and the 4-digit number on the front of an Amex.
Next time, I’d try scotch as Linda431 suggested. It probably still won’t work but you’ll become tolerant with it faster than you would while drinking wine!
I feel for you.
I got locked out almost 4 weeks ago for hitting the 3 strikes and you’re out rule (I didn’t know until now that baseball terminology was as popular on Italian trains).
I filled out the form to get reinstated and sent it to Trenitalia along with a copy of my passport 3 1/2 weeks ago. (BTW, I hate my passport photo – we could probably start a whole thread on that topic!). I still haven’t heard a word back from them! So much for the 48hr. response they promised.
And yes, the CV2 is the 3-digit number on the back of a MC or Visa and the 4-digit number on the front of an Amex.
Next time, I’d try scotch as Linda431 suggested. It probably still won’t work but you’ll become tolerant with it faster than you would while drinking wine!
Mar 28th, 2008, 02:14 PM
#40
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After reading all of the posts on trying to purchase train tickets from Trenitalia - and this being our first trip to Italy - I was scared!
However, a friend recommended a site www.selectitaly.com where they purchased their tickets. It took me about 15 minutes to order tickets for 6 people for travel from 4 different cities - and I received them FedEx in 3 days! They were standard tickets - and sightly higher than what I had seen - but well worth the time and trouble it saved us!
However, a friend recommended a site www.selectitaly.com where they purchased their tickets. It took me about 15 minutes to order tickets for 6 people for travel from 4 different cities - and I received them FedEx in 3 days! They were standard tickets - and sightly higher than what I had seen - but well worth the time and trouble it saved us!
