A data points for what it's worth:

Was just in Barcelona this weekend and attempted to buy tickets at an automated machine (with an attendant helping) for Montserrat (at Placa Espanya station). Chase Sapphire Preferred was denied. Used AMEX instead.

But then, later this weekend we purchased a T-10 ticket (ten-trip ticket) at another station, and put in my CSP. Machine asked for a PIN, and I thought "what the heck, I'll just try the one I set up earlier through Chase" (on the automated number given earlier in this thread).

It WORKED! I checked my account activity and it shows as pending "METRO BARCELONA," and it definitely didn't come through as a cash advance, because my cash advance balance has not budged......

I also never called Chase's security department or let them know I was going to be using the card.

Thoughts on this? Has this happened to anyone else?