I have been trying to purchase two tickets from Trenitalia all week, and am having incredible problems. I can select where I want to go, the date, time, etc., with no problem. However, when I put my credit card information in and actually attempt to make the purchase, it is denied every time. I am in the 60-day window so that is not the problem. I have tried multiple credit cards and have called my credit card companies to make sure they aren't "protecting me" by blocking the charge. So no problems there.
Has anyone eles experienced this? I don't know what to do or how to rectify this. There is no toll free number to call to try and get help.

Anyone have any help or info?

Thanks!
Meghan

Meghan...have you registered on the Trenitalia site? They won't let you purchase without registering.

2) Have you checked your computer - that it has not active blocks? When I first started purchasing tickets on Trenitalia, the card would not go through because I had active blocks. A strip appeared at the top of the screen asking if I wanted to allow one time use. Once I clicked yes, my credit card was able to go thru.

3) Trenitalia uses VERIFIED BY - so if your credit card does not have this feature (you have not registered for this feature) do so, and see if it goes through.

4) Also Trenitalia often uses the 3 digit security number on the back of your credit card...

5) If all else fails, just buy your tickets when you get here. Most schedules do not require advance purchases..and buying with your credit card at the self-service kiosks is easy - and in English.

Yup--registered, tried a different computer, signed up for Verified By, entered my security code from back of card. All that and still doesn't work. Thanks for these suggestions!!!

I've never had this kind of a problem making a purchase online. Very frustrating.

What is your departure and arrival request and what are your dates?

I'm booking for June 9th at 2pm from Milan to Florence.

Hi,

I'm having exactly the same problem and I also was registered with Trenitalia. I checked with each credit card company when each was denied. I checked my blocks and used the 3 digit security code on the back of the credit cards.

We will be taking the train from Venice to Florence and wanted to purchase first class tickets using the Amica discount online so it
has been frustrating. I spent a number of hours on the computer yesterday trying to figure out what is the problem. I did a web inquiry and found postings stating that Trenitalia only takes Italian credit cards on its site as they are concerned with US credit card fraud. I'm not sure if that is the reason or not.

We will probably wait until we arrive in Italy to purchase tickets and I have questions about that but will post it as a separate inquiry

I have never been able to buy my tickets online...last month I tried and tried...many different login/emails and different cards (yes, verified, etc.)...kept getting blocked...was spending HOURS and gave up!!

then...was in Ireland and tried to use a family member's Irish card...same thing (so, not just US cards)...I chalked it up to the moody Trenitalia site :-( and purchased tickets from the machine when I arrived at the Rome airport. I was REALLY worried becasue it was for Easter weekend tickets...but not a problem...bought 1st class amica tickets without a hitch :-)(only about a week in advance for Good Friday)

If you REALLY need/want to get them beforehand, I'd contact an authorized travel agent in advance and pay the small commission (don't know what it is)http://www.gruppodimaio.it/?Viaggi_e_Turismo is the travel agancy in my town...I am told that some of the Amex travel agencys (not money exchange, only the travel offices) can and will book tickets for you as well.
Good luck!

I, too, had troubles ordering from the trenitalia site. I had used it in the past with success and ease. After several failed attempts, I called trenitalia in Italy. A customer service representative told me that their system is not allowing any orders placed with foreign credit cards through the system. I asked when this problem might be rectified, and was told "months".....that's Italy!

Save yourself the stress of trying to order through the web site. Buy your tickets when you get to Italy. That web site is NOTORIOUS! for producing nothing but frustration, nail-biting, computer-bashing and keyboard chewing.

It's easy to buy tickets when you get to the station. (Or go to an Italian travel agency which will not charge you for the booking.)

quote:

After several failed attempts, I called trenitalia in Italy. A customer service representative told me that their system is not allowing any orders placed with foreign credit cards through the system. I asked when this problem might be rectified, and was told "months".....that's Italy!

I guess that it is a system for the Italians by the Italians. God forbid that they might figure out a way to take foreigner's money when they want to buy a service from you. That might be real capitalism.

quote:

Originally posted by La Casalinga:
I, too, had troubles ordering from the trenitalia site. I had used it in the past with success and ease. After several failed attempts, I called trenitalia in Italy. A customer service representative told me that their system is not allowing any orders placed with foreign credit cards through the system. I asked when this problem might be rectified, and was told "months".....that's Italy!

I see a couple of very interesting things here. First of all I'm in Singapore, and I could use my Singapore-issued credit card to book trains about 2 weeks ago. I intend to book again over the next week, so I really hope I can do it again!

Secondly, what number did you dail to reach Trenitalia? The only number I found on the website was the Call Centre (+39 06 68475475)but I couldn't get through. It seems they only accept calls from pre-approved numbers, which is something I cannot possibly understand, especially for a world-wide hotline.

quote:

Originally posted by dragonpat:

I guess that it is a system for the Italians by the Italians. God forbid that they might figure out a way to take foreigner's money when they want to buy a service from you. That might be real capitalism.

"Real" capitalism is only caring about those that contribute to profit. Considering the amount of money the various Italian governments give to the train system I'm going to bet foreigners are a net loss for the train system. So ignoring them is pretty pure capitalism.


Maybe the tourist board should pay for a system geared at foreigners? Or do they consider the rail passes enough of a hand out?

quote:

Maybe the tourist board should pay for a system geared at foreigners? Or do they consider the rail passes enough of a hand out?

We could debate the "true" nature of Capitalism, but that topic belong in the realm of Philosphy or maybe even Finance.

it has been discussed before that in Italy the rail passes don't actually save you money and it is cheaper to buy point to point tickets when you get there.

maybe to save everyone headaches, Trenitalia should jsut have a notice on their web site or on the pages leading up to paying that ONLY credit cards issued from Italian banks will be honored.

if the dollar keeps on climbing relative to the euro and American foreigners don't visit Italy as much as in the past, Maybe some Italian institutions will have to think of ways to make it easier to get foreigners' money in order to help their bottom line. Maybe trenitalia will never get to that point because like Alitalia, it is state subsidized. But if that ever happens, changing the coding at the secure web page so that credit cards issued from foreign banks can be accepted, would be a good start.