Renfe Train Seat Classifications

[Arniece2022]

I will be taking the train from Atocha to Pamplona. I'm purchasing my ticket online. Can you clarify for me the difference in the seating. I've read the info on Seat 61, and I don't understand why you would pay more for an Elige seat to sit in Standard Class. If that's what you wanted why not pay less and get it. And the same theory for Premium paying more but maybe that's because you get food & wine. I feel like I'm missing something...

Here is the explanation off Seat 61:

• Básico (Basic)... The cheapest fare, only for travel in standard (2nd) class. Básico tickets are non-refundable & non-changeable unless you pay a hefty extra fee to make them so.
• Elige (Choice)... A semi-flexible fare. If you select this you get a choice of Elige to get a Standard (2nd) class seat or Elige Confort at a higher price to get a Comfort (1st) class seat. Elige & Elige Confort tickets are refundable & changeable for a fee.
• Premium... The most flexible fare, you get a Comfort (1st) class seat and (on Renfe's AVE or EuroMed trains) at-seat food & wine included. Access to Sala Club lounges at major stations. Changeable without fee, refundable for a minimal fee.

 

[C clearly]

• Básico tickets are non-refundable & non-changeable unless you pay a hefty extra fee to make them so.
• Elige (Choice)... A semi-flexible fare... Elige & Elige Confort tickets are refundable & changeable for a fee.

The difference seems to be in the refundability and changeability, not in the type of physical seat.

 

[Arniece2022]

The difference seems to be in the refundability and changeability, not in the type of physical seat.

Ok, I see that now. Your right, I was focused on the seat itself. I knew I was missing something. So technically, I pay a higher fee for a standard in case I need to change it, but then I would pay a change fee also. I feel a bit of brain fog around this particular website, not sure why.

 

[henrythedog]

I will be taking the train from Atocha to Pamplona. I'm purchasing my ticket online. Can you clarify for me the difference in the seating. I've read the info on Seat 61, and I don't understand why you would pay more for an Elige seat to sit in Standard Class. If that's what you wanted why not pay less and get it. And the same theory for Premium paying more but maybe that's because you get food & wine. I feel like I'm missing something...

Here is the explanation off Seat 61:

• Básico (Basic)... The cheapest fare, only for travel in standard (2nd) class. Básico tickets are non-refundable & non-changeable unless you pay a hefty extra fee to make them so.
• Elige (Choice)... A semi-flexible fare. If you select this you get a choice of Elige to get a Standard (2nd) class seat or Elige Confort at a higher price to get a Comfort (1st) class seat. Elige & Elige Confort tickets are refundable & changeable for a fee.
• Premium... The most flexible fare, you get a Comfort (1st) class seat and (on Renfe's AVE or EuroMed trains) at-seat food & wine included. Access to Sala Club lounges at major stations. Changeable without fee, refundable for a minimal fee.

Try looking at the same offer using ‘rail Europe’ their descriptions might be more informative and their order process simple (although they do add a booking fee)

 

[Arniece2022]

Try looking at the same offer using ‘rail Europe’ their descriptions might be more informative and their order process simple (although they do add a booking fee)

I did eventually find it. Clicked to purchase, was offered a video of their Luxury Trains, which I of course watched and drooled over, tried to get back to my ticket purchase and somehow found myself on the page that had a much better explanation of the seat choices. I did not, however get back to my ticket purchase and had to start again. Then the purchase would not go through. What fun!!! I looked on the site you suggested, but the price was $17 euros more ($55 vs $72). I think I'll just buy my ticket when I get there. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[henrythedog]

I did eventually find it. Clicked to purchase, was offered a video of their Luxury Trains, which I of course watched and drooled over, tried to get back to my ticket purchase and somehow found myself on the page that had a much better explanation of the seat choices. I did not, however get back to my ticket purchase and had to start again. Then the purchase would not go through. What fun!!! I looked on the site you suggested, but the price was $17 euros more ($55 vs $72). I think I'll just buy my ticket when I get there. Thanks everyone for your help!

I know it’s frustrating, but I’d strongly advise advance purchase. The ‘walk up’ prices can go through the roof depending on availability. And they do sell-out.

I’ve long suspected that RENFE blew the budget on a load of fancy oversized out-of-town stations, leaving nothing to buy any actual trains.

Pamplona and Logroño strike me as great examples of huge expensive stations which see a mere handful of trains daily.

 

[Arniece2022]

I know it’s frustrating, but I’d strongly advise advance purchase. The ‘walk up’ prices can go through the roof depending on availability. And they do sell-out.

I’ve long suspected that RENFE blew the budget on a load of fancy oversized out-of-town stations, leaving nothing to buy any actual trains.

Pamplona and Logroño strike me as great examples of huge expensive stations which see a mere handful of trains daily.

I will be traveling Saturday of Easter Weekend, so I do agree about selling out. That's why I wanted to purchase now. It keeps telling me "There are no seats left at that price". Do you think that means it's sold out?

 

[henrythedog]

I will be traveling Saturday of Easter Weekend, so I do agree about selling out. That's why I wanted to purchase now. It keeps telling me "There are no seats left at that price". Do you think that means it's sold out?

I tried the 0935 Atocha to Pamplona on Saturday April 16th (just by way of example) and I got to the allocated seat number with the ticket held on Rail Europe without difficulty …

 

[trecile]

I have had trouble with the Renfe site accepting my US credit card. I use PayPal on the site and it works perfectly.

 

[Arniece2022]

I tried the 0935 Atocha to Pamplona on Saturday April 16th (just by way of example) and I got to the allocated seat number with the ticket held on Rail Europe without difficulty

I have had trouble with the Renfe site accepting my US credit card. I use PayPal on the site and it works perfectly.

I didn't get far enough to input my credit card, but I did choose the option credit card. I'll try with Paypal. Thanks.

If Paypal doesn't work, then I'll try the Rail Europe site, thanks!

 

[trecile]

I didn't get far enough to input my credit card, but I did choose the option credit card. I'll try with Paypal. Thanks.

If Paypal doesn't work, then I'll try the Rail Europe site, thanks!

Or try Omio.com. They also charge a fee, but I think that it's lower.

https://www.omio.com/

 

[J Willhaus]

Just a note: When you buy at the train station you pay 30% more at the ticket window and I think 15% more in the ticket machine than if you order online if that is a consideration. I do have the both the Renfe and Alsa apps on my phone now and signed up for accounts, however, will wait until I get to Madrid this summer to buy a new Tarjeta Dorada (discount card for people over 60) before I try to buy online using the app. The discount ticket can only be purchased in person at a station. I agree that if you are traveling on a holiday that seats will be more scarce.

 

[Arniece2022]

Just a note: When you buy at the train station you pay 30% more at the ticket window and I think 15% more in the ticket machine than if you order online if that is a consideration. I do have the both the Renfe and Alsa apps on my phone now and signed up for accounts, however, will wait until I get to Madrid this summer to buy a new Tarjeta Dorada (discount card for people over 60) before I try to buy online using the app. The discount ticket can only be purchased in person at a station. I agree that if you are traveling on a holiday that seats will be more scarce.

That's really helpful information, thank you. I have another 2 years before I can get any discounts LOL! I do wonder now if I had made an account that maybe my purchase would go through. *thinking* Just having a bite to eat before going back to try again...

 

[Arniece2022]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! And all your help!!! I used the Omio site as someone suggested and the fee was I think only $6 euros. The purchase went through easy peasy and I am now a super happy camper. I'm downloading the Omio app onto my phone. I think this will be very useful in the upcoming weeks.

 

[John Sikora]

As long as I used paypal I had not problems. Since Paypal was linked to the same credit card, it's kind of silly but it works. Also, if you do buy tickets on renfe and become a registered user, it is much easier to get refunds. They hold a record of the reservation on their site. Never had a problem changing or getting a refund (if that option was available). There are some classes of trains where it won't keep the itinerary number in their site. It seems to be the more local trips. Their site is a bit of a challenge but it does work once you figure out the rules.

 

[Richard Maynard]

I will be taking the train from Atocha to Pamplona. I'm purchasing my ticket online. Can you clarify for me the difference in the seating. I've read the info on Seat 61, and I don't understand why you would pay more for an Elige seat to sit in Standard Class. If that's what you wanted why not pay less and get it. And the same theory for Premium paying more but maybe that's because you get food & wine. I feel like I'm missing something...

Here is the explanation off Seat 61:

• Básico (Basic)... The cheapest fare, only for travel in standard (2nd) class. Básico tickets are non-refundable & non-changeable unless you pay a hefty extra fee to make them so.
• Elige (Choice)... A semi-flexible fare. If you select this you get a choice of Elige to get a Standard (2nd) class seat or Elige Confort at a higher price to get a Comfort (1st) class seat. Elige & Elige Confort tickets are refundable & changeable for a fee.
• Premium... The most flexible fare, you get a Comfort (1st) class seat and (on Renfe's AVE or EuroMed trains) at-seat food & wine included. Access to Sala Club lounges at major stations. Changeable without fee, refundable for a minimal fee.

The only real difference with the Elige seat is that you get to choose where you sit (elegir = Spanish verb to choose) with Basic you get allocated seat. I travelled RENFE a lot over recent years and ways go for the cheapest. You always have a seat allocated so if you are not particular about where you sit then why pay more?

 

[El Cascayal]

Just a note: When you buy at the train station you pay 30% more at the ticket window and I think 15% more in the ticket machine than if you order online if that is a consideration. I do have the both the Renfe and Alsa apps on my phone now and signed up for accounts, however, will wait until I get to Madrid this summer to buy a new Tarjeta Dorada (discount card for people over 60) before I try to buy online using the app. The discount ticket can only be purchased in person at a station. I agree that if you are traveling on a holiday that seats will be more scarce.

You will also need to have a “permanent” address in Spain for the tarjeta dorada. They just want an address.

 

[J Willhaus]

They did not ask my husband for one last time he purchased one, however, he had assistance so maybe that person put in their address?

You will also need to have a “permanent” address in Spain for the tarjeta dorada. They just want an address.

 

[OzAnnie]

You will also need to have a “permanent” address in Spain for the tarjeta dorada. They just want an address.

I was never asked for a permanent address in spain ?