According to the Vélib site:
The Service is accessible...to the persons who hold the following cards:- Bank card issued by a banking establishment that is a member of the "GIE Carte Bancaire" Network.
- Any bank card with a microchip that meets EMV standards.
- AMEX and JCB cards.
- Vélib ticket issued by the Provider.
- Navigo Pass associated with a valid Vélib subscription.
It looks like you can only get your ticket from the service points (the kiosques at the Vélib stations).
The official Velib General Terms say that AMEX cards are OK
but that the relevant PIN needs to be used. Does anybody know whether that is the same PIN used to get money out of cash-ATM or is it the 4-digit number on the front of the card? Also, can I use the same card to get a bike for myself and also a bike for my wife at the same time, or do we need to use two separate cards? Thanks!
I am also posting this question on the AA forum since I need an answer soon.