RE:non-chipped Credit Cards
I haven't tried SNCF yet this trip, but. . . for the first time, the Metro RATP machine at my stop took an unchipped VISA card for a Navigo renewal and for a carnet of tickets. They may be switching over the machines, since more and more of the stops are unmanned(mine is being remodelled and there is nobody there-not even the information agent who can't sell tickets.