The SNCF Avantage card, which gives access to reduced fares for an annual subscription, is held by 4.5 million people. It allows people aged 28 to 59 to benefit from reduced rates thanks to a cap on ticket prices, but unfortunately this will change at the end of August!
Currently, this card, sold at 49 euros per year, caps journeys of less than 1h30 at 39 euros, those between 1h30 and 3 hours at 59 euros and journeys of more than 3 hours at 79 euros. However, from August 29, these caps will increase to 49, 69 and 89 euros respectively.
In force for two years, this subscription will therefore become a little less interesting. Despite the rise in prices, the SNCF had pledged to limit the increase in its tariffs in the face of skyrocketing inflation in energy costs. In January, the company had already increased the price of TGV tickets by 5%, putting forward a “tariff shield” in the face of real increases in TGV costs (estimated at +13% in 2023). According to the INSEE consumer price index, the price of trains increased by more than 8% between May 2022 and May 2023.
Despite this increase, the SNCF ensures that the change in the conditions of the Avantage card does not modify anything for all customers who do not have this card, nor even for the majority of beneficiaries of the Avantage card, because in most cases, these latter pay less than the ceiling price. Note also that all tickets purchased by August 29 for journeys until December 9 benefit from the current ceilings.
Meanwhile, the debate over the cost of train travel remains heated. The Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune, pleads for the establishment of a “pass” for young people for the summer of 2024.
300,000 tickets at low prices for the month of August
Faced with the upcoming increase in the price of its Avantage card, the SNCF seems to want to mitigate the impact of this increase on its customers by offering an attractive offer for the month of August. Indeed, on July 31 and August 1, the railway company will be selling 300,000 TGV and Intercités tickets at attractive prices of 29, 39 and 49 euros. Note that it will even be possible to travel in first class for 1 euro more.
You will have to get up early and connect on the SNCF Connect website to be able to benefit from the best offers because the first come will be the first served!
Finally, the SNCF has also announced that it will offer a voucher of 10 euros to all holders of an Avantage Jeune card as of July 17, 2023. This voucher can be used between July 18 and September 30, 2023. for travel by TGV or Intercités. Trips booked with this voucher can be made until December 9, 2023.