OK, before reading through the stuff below the dashed lines, I think I've figured out how the SNCF Senior+ card works. Please let me know if this is correct-
- Book your ticket on trainline or the SNCF site. Select "over 60" and for loyalty card, select "Senior+"
- Before travel, buy the Senior+ card. Timing doesn't matter, as long as it's before your trip. If you buy on-line, the "date" you want would be your first date of travel.
- When traveling, have your Senior+ card handy to verify you qualify for the ticket you've purchased.
Et voila! What's still not clear is whether you can have the card mailed to you, or, if it has to be picked up at the station, if it can be collected from an automated machine or you have to stand in line. You do need to have a passport-type photo to apply to it.
Sorry if I've made something something very simple to be more confusing than it really is.
If I've got things right, you can ignore the stuff below. --Mike--
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When you apply for an SNCF Senior+ discount card (60 euros, good for one year), it asks for a start date. What do you use? The first date you'd be traveling, or the first day you'd be purchasing a ticket?
Also some confusion looking at various sites regarding activation of the Senior+ card. Apparently you have to go to a ticket counter to have a photo added to it? But there's also references to being able to collect it at a machine and add it yourself. The relevant SNCF document
can be found here. In it you'll find this-
The cards are issued at most train stations, SNCF shops and accredited travel agencies. They can also be ordered via the SNCF "Ligne Directe" hotline (call 3635 in France) and on the internet. In the above cases, they are provided on the spot at train station ticket counters or are sent to your home address (provided there is a sufficient number of days between the purchase date and the card's valid from date). However, some points of sale may require a certain amount of time to manufacture the cards. The cards are produced in the name of the cardholder and must feature a recent identity photo of the cardholder. Discount cards are personal and non-transferable – an identity document may be requested at the time of checks. To enable bookings to be made, the cards may be issued up to three months in advance; in this case, the valid from date will be the date of the booking requested. To get the most out of your discount entitlements, reserve your tickets in advance (ticket sales begin three months before the date of travel) and try to travel in off-peak periods.
I'd be using the train immediately after landing in France (CDG) and would not look forward to having to wait in line if possible.
Thanks for any info!