skimthetrees

I think it's not the non-US websites blacklising Chase, it's Chase blacklisting the non-US websites. Chase is the worst I've found for International transactions (because they deny most of them or shut your card down when you make one and you have to call in to confirm the denied charge to re-activate).

In 2013 I tried to purchase on SNCF with a few Visa's in my wallet and the standard Visa's I tried were all denied. I finally got the charge to go through using my combination ATM card/Visa card which pretty much is an ATM card with a Visa number attached so if you don't have the funds in your account the charge probably isn't going through but I had the funds and the charge went through when none of the other standard Visa cards would.

dhuey

I had a very frustrating experience last summer at Gare du Nord in Paris. I needed RER E (operated by SNCF) tickets for family. Unfortunately, there was a rail strike, so only one of three manned ticket offices was open -- it had a very long line.

The automated machines rejected my USA-issued credit cards, and they did not accept paper currency. I didn't have much in euro coins. Several subway scammers spotted me having difficulty and offered me their "help". Merci, non.

Eventually I figured out a plan that worked: buy a minor item at a store and ask for lots of change in 2-euro coins. I could have saved my family 40 minutes or so if I had started with that plan.

AONwheels

I've read that SCNF doesn't take US credit cards - they want you to buy through subsidiary raileurope instead.

If part of the leg is in Germany, you can buy direct through dbahn.de, they accept US cards, and I've bought through them. Otherwise - Captain Train to the rescue!.