I’d call the phone number to see what can be worked out. If it’s an automated system you may have the same problem or language issues, but for me it would be worth the price of the phone call to try to get these ultra-cheap fares.

Possibilities:

1. Thalys.com won’t accept an American based credit card. Don’t think this is true as others have purchased, but there may be some glitch.

2. I’ve had trouble using a debit card for tickets when a credit card worked.

3. Even though the schedule and fares show up, it’s possible that you can’t actually buy these tickets more than 60 days in advance.

Hey Oldlady,

I called Thalys this morning, explained to them the problem I was having, and they tried to process the order from there end with no luck either. I know my card works internationally as I placed an order with SNCF/TGV-Europe for my paris-barcelona leg yesterday with no problems.

I tried to book through SNCF for this leg, but the tickets are twice as expensive (they don’t have the promo offer).

Any ideas, or other sites where I can possibly book these?

I had the same credit card problem with the Dutch site, and I know others have as well (from this side of the pond). I have succeeded with the Belgian site, and with SNCF.

Whats the belgian site? Can I pick up tickets from Amsterdam Centraal if I book throught eh belgian site? Also I tried SNCF, but they don’t list the 25 euro ticket that I’m trying to order, they only show the 52.50 one, and thats too expensive.

Also I was told to call the teleserve ns international line, to try and book over the phone but I can’t figure out the full number. The only number they list is 0900 92 96, I know netherlands country code is 31, but I couldn’t get it to work with either one of these numbers 0113109009296 or 003109009296. Any ideas?

Try 011 31 900 92 96. Germans often put 0 before a phone number as this is their long-distance prefix. (Like 1 in US/Canada.) Perhaps so do the Dutch…