Best Travel Card for Japan

[UPDATE 23/4] - THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAVE COMMENTED / POLL’D. ALSO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TRAVEL TIPS!! FEELING THE OZB LOVE :)

I have decided to go with Citibank & ING for the trip!

Hi Everyone,

What is the best travel card to use in Japan in terms of:

  • Fee free ATM withdrawals with best International Exchange Rate
  • No International currency conversion for purchases in-stores
  • Do I select Savings or Credit on the EFTPOS machines in stores?

Currently I own:

Qantas Cash Card
Citibank Plus
[St. George Global Currency Card}(https://www.stgeorge.com.au/personal/travel-services/travel-…)

I have used Qantas Cash Card previously overseas, but have not had any experiences with Citibank or St. George Global Currency Card.

Sorry I have browsed the forum, but it is all very confusing for me.

Thanks in advance!! :)

Poll Options

  • 72
    Citibank Plus
  • 3
    St. George Global Currency Card
  • 1
    Qantas Cash Card

Comments

  • +1

    Hi I've just come back from 3weeks in Japan I used citibank plus card every time it was fantastic at any 7 eleven and we went all over Japan,Taiwan, no problems at all and no fees. All have HSBC global card it was best in China, Hong Kong region as not to many 7 eleven stores so we used all other banks atm no problem.hope this helps

    • Hi Spock,

      Thanks for your reply!

      Did you use the Citibank Plus for purchases in-store as well via EFTPOS? Did you select to pay in our currency (AUD) or in their local currency in Japan (YEN)? Were you charged any currency conversion fees for the purchase?

      Thanks!

      • Hi I used Paypass couple of times with no fees and mainly pulled out cash as they love cash over cards I didn't need to select any option for currency it did it automatically.

        • Thanks for your reply!

          I plan on having cash for restaurants etc, but I’m not comfortable carrying a large amount of cash, so would prefer to pay for purchases using card.

        • +2

          @Sunshineeeee: Japanese people routinely carry large amounts of cash. It's very safe there.

        • @greenpossum:
          That’s good to know!

          My mum has been mugged in daylight before, so I’m a bit paranoid. Also I’m very small, so easy target.

          At least now I know Citibank has fee free ATM withdrawals, I can withdraw & keep a comfortable amount on me. :)

        • @Sunshineeeee: Someone down voted you for not being comfortable carrying large amounts cash.

          WOT

        • +1

          @Sunshineeeee:

          My mum has been mugged in daylight before,

          But not by Japanese people.

          They don't have the scum that we do in Sydney.

        • @Zondor:

          Oh no why! I’m a small girl, so it is only normal for me to be cautious carrying large amounts of $$ :(

        • @Scrooge McDuck:

          How did you know i’m from Sydney?!
          But yes it happened in Sydney.. GRRR >=(

        • @Sunshineeeee:

          I'm bulimic — I can read minds.

        • @Sunshineeeee: you are probably bigger than the majority of Japanese people. Not everywhere allows for card transactions here so be prepared to pay with cash.

          In Australia i very rarely carry over $50 in cash. In Japan i regularly carry over $500.

        • @borgsta:
          Haha I am 1.54cm!

          In Aus I usually carry $20 on me, the rest I pay by card!

          But yes I’ve heard Japan is very much into cash $$$$, so will have some on me :)

        • @Scrooge McDuck:

          Hi Ducky,
          What does being bulimic have to do with being a mind reader?!?!

        • @Scrooge McDuck:

          Oh why hello Marcia.

  • +1

    Hi there

    ALWAYS select to pay in local currency if asked. Dynamic currency conversion is one of the biggest frauds in the financial industry. You end up getting a terrible exchange rate.

    I also do not see the benefit of Tavel cards, when everyday products do they're job.

    Your Citibank card is a good option for withdrawing cash overseas without fees.

    You should also considers a credit card that doesn't charge FX CONVERSION fees on purchases, like Bankswest Platinum MasterCard or the 28 degrees MasterCard

    • Hi Okonom,

      Thanks for the tip regarding DCC.

      I currently have a St. George Amplify Signature Card with my home loan package. It has a 3% Currency conversion fee, so i don't want to use it for purchases in-store while in Japan. Not looking at applying for another Credit Card.

      Do you recommend i use the Citibank for purchases in-store as well? It does not mention anything on their website about a currency conversion fee - does this mean there is none?

      Thanks!!

      • I tried to understand if Citibank plus charged FX conversion fees and it wasn’t clear to me. But seems it’s fee free

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/281210

        • Hi Okonom,
          Oh that’s great news! I can use the Citibank for ATM withdrawals and store purchases without the exchange rate fee.
          Thanks for your help :)

        • @Sunshineeeee:

          It's easy to use. Select the Credit button every time, even when using ATMs overseas. Always choose the local currency. Can't go wrong.

        • @dazweeja:
          Noted! Will choose YEN everytime.

          Do you know if withdrawing at a Citibank ATM vs other ATM (e.g. at 7/11) will give a better rate? Or does it not matter?

          Thanks!

        • @Sunshineeeee:

          My understanding is that by selecting the 'Credit' button, the transaction/withdrawal is performed on the MasterCard network so it should be the same. But note that some ATMs in Japan do charge fees, which is why people recommend the 7-11 ones because they are fee-free. Other ones which should be fee-free are those at Japan Post, Lawson and AEON bank (the ATMs will warn you if they're going to charge a fee).

        • @dazweeja:

          Thanks for the tips!

          I’ll keep an eye out for ATMs you’ve mentioned, when making withdrawals :)

      • There is no currency conversion fee with Citibank Plus.

  • 28 degrees is the travel card to go with.

    I use ING for cash but that rare as I have a cash hookup.

    • Bankwest Zero Platinum is good for credit too. Has complimentary travel insurance.

    • Im really not familiar with how credit scores etc work.

      I have a credit card with a 25k limit, so I’m not sure if opening a 2nd credit card will affect my credit score? Do you see any cons of opening a 2nd CC for me to use overseas?

      I use the St. George Signature card for the amplify rewards points! I use them to redeem Woolies gift cards. They also have complimentary travel insurance if I spend $500AUD before I go on the trip.

      Plan was just to move money into a travel card or bank account then use that card to withdraw at ATMs in Japan and also use the same card to make purchases.

      But yes, would be great to have a credit card with zero currency conversion fees!! I shop quite a lot Online so I am always hit with the 3% conversion fee using my St. George Signature CC.

      • +2

        Don't use a travel card, they sting you like 5 different ways.

        • Ok! Will stay away from Travel Cards.
          I am either going with Citibank or ING at this point :)

    • I was under the impression ING refunds other international transaction fees as well. At least that happened to me in the US.

      • I saw this on the ING website, applies if we meet the $1,000 deposit + 5x transactions using the debit card.

        “100% waiver of ING international transaction fee of 2.5% of the amount of the international transaction
        Merchants may charge you a separate fee for their services (which is not rebated under this offer).“

        Any idea what “other fees” Merchants may charge?

        Thanks!

        • On my US trip I was deducted from $0.30 - $15 per transaction which was always refunded by ING.

  • I will be heading to Tokyo in a couple of weeks and I'm planning to use my Bankwest Platinum Mastercard for purchases and ING Direct Debit card for cash withdrawal.

    • Thanks for your comment!

      I also have an ING direct debit card but stopped using them due to their new policy to get the monthly interest rate.

      Where are you going in Tokyo? Do you have any tips or must see/do list to share? In particular the hidden gems, not just the touristy places. :)

      Thanks!

      • We are staying at Ikebukuro, no set plan but to get lost in Tokyo :) Planning to do lots of walking and taking in the atmosphere.

        • Best bring some comfi shoes!
          Maybe you will be there to see the end of the Sakura’s! :)

  • Citibank worked great last I was there a few years ago.

    That said, I've heard 7-11 ATMs (which were by far the easiest to find) now charge a withdrawal fee.

    Since ING refunds ATM fees, I'd rate it as the best option; Citibank being a close second.

    • Hello,

      Yep I also saw the post about 7/11 charging fees for ATM withdrawals. A couple people commented this didn’t apply if their Citibank was the Mastercard version. My current one is VISA so I will call them up & see if I can switch to Mastercard version.

      That being said, I will also load some $$ onto my ING Everyday card & bring that with me for back up to use for ATM withdrawals. Do you know if the fee gets reversed immediately after being charged (like it does in AUS?).

      Thanks :)

      • I haven't used ING overseas since they introduced the refund. Their FAQ says the refund may not be immediate.

        Remember you'll need to meet the deposit and 5 card payment requirement the month before to get the refund benefit.

        • Hi ctd,

          Thank you for the reminder!

          So if I deposit $1,000 into my everyday transaction account & make 5 purchases by end of April, the free ATM fees & international refund will work when I go on my trip in May?

          Can I just put through 5 separate sales at Woolies?

          Thanks!

        • Yeap. Note that the card purchases need to clear in April, so I'd suggest using the Savings card option (clears immediately) or using your card earlier in the month if you go through visa (Credit or paywave - can take a few days to clear).

        • @ctd:

          Yep!!

          Deposited $1k today & just put through 2 separate sales at Woolies self serve checkout, back to back. This would count as 2 of the 5 transactions right?

    • When I was in the US 2 weeks ago, ING also refunded other international transaction fees not just ATM.

      • Hi Matt,

        How long did the refund take for the international transaction fees?

        Did you see the credit in your account at a later stage?

        Thank you!

  • +2

    Just came back from Japan on Sunday, was there for 3 weeks.

    Used Citibank plus at 7-Eleven atms, chose both Savings and Credit just to see if there was any difference, there was none. I continued to choose Credit after though, naybe out of habit. Rate was amazing, roughly 1:81 on average.

    Also used the card for in-store purchases, used credit function, same rate. Very convenient.

    I’d suggest you to take out cash though because you’ll need it for vending machines, buying subway tickets, restaurants etc..

    I mainly used the card for big purchases

    • Hi Yummy Dumpring,

      I am also going for 3 weeks. Hope you enjoyed your time there! Did you get to see the Sakura’s?!

      Thanks for the info. Yep I plan on using cash for snacks, restaurants etc & card for shopping!

      Not sure if you can help with this question -
      I pre-bought my skyliner ticket from Narita to Ueno. I am landing in Narita Terminal 3, but need to collect from Terminal 2 at the Arrival lobby central building HIS Counter. Do you remember seeing this counter & is it accessible after I’ve already gone through customs etc from Terminal 3?

      Thanks :)

      • Hey Sunshine!

        Yep saw Sakura! So beautiful and serene! Crazily crowded but the Sakura was worth it!

        Re: terminals. I don’t remember seeing the HIS counter, but you can totally take the free shuttle bus from T3 to T2, they run quite often so you won’t have to worry. Just follow the signs once you’re in the arrivals hall :)

        Cheers!

        • Thanks for the tip!

          I’ve heard the Japan subways are very confusing, so been doing some homework before the trip.

          SO EXCITED!!! :)

        • You will wrap your head around the subway pretty fast. JR is easier to remember than Tokyo Metro but Google Maps works extremely well there and everything is nicely colour coded and very English friendly.

          Skyliner is the way to go, much better than NEX - good choice. Travel between the terminals is easy and there is a free shuttle. The walk is fairly long ~15mins but doable.

          The NEX is a slightly cooler train and more 'iconic' but the skyliner is faster and runs a better route imo.

          Enjoy your trip, Japan is an amazing place!

        • @mezje:

          Yes I have downloaded HYPERDIA & will be using Google Maps & Translate. :)

          It will be my first time there, so I am super excited!!

        • +1

          @Sunshineeeee: Tip, use the offline maps feature of Google Maps to cache a map of the area so that you can still navigate without an internet connection.

        • @greenpossum:

          I didn’t even know they have an Offline version!! =O
          Does this apply to Australia?!

          I have ordered myself a pocket wifi with unlimited data but good to know in case something goes wrong with the pocket wifi!

          Thank you!!

        • @Sunshineeeee: Select the area you want then click on the menu bar and you'll see the Offline Maps option to cache a copy.

        • @greenpossum:
          🤯 MIND BLOWN.

  • I think you can use Macquarie Bank now and it's free to use

    • Thank you for your suggestion.

      I don’t have a Macquarie Bank account so would need to apply for one.

      I think I will use either Ctitibank or ING for my trip. :)

  • +4

    ING

    • Agree. I found that ING gives a slightly better rate than Citibank Plus.

      • Oh really? ING is with VISA while Citibank is with MasterCard.

        Do you think overall VISA gives a better rate than MasterCard?

        Thanks!

        • I used those 2 cards back to back about a month ago on the 7-bank and found that ING saved a few bucks(can't remember the exact amount)on a ¥20000 withdrawal. I don't know whether it's because VISA gives a better rate or Citibank plus incurred a commission. The only issue with ING is the trouble of remembering to use it 5 times a month in order to get the free ATM fee benefit:-(

        • @gm3stevens:
          I know right!

          I switched to Ubank for everyday banking because of that reason. They have better savings interest rates anyway.

          I will deposit $1k & use card 5x by EOM, so I can get the benefits for the trip in May.

          Thanks for your help :)

    • Second this. Just came back from Japan last month and used only this card. All the transaction fees are refunded.
      Works in all ATM too so you don't have to be picky. I do find a certain ATM have higher exchange rate tho, which is SMBC.
      Be wary that not all of the SMBC ATM accepts international cards.
      Do note that from this post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/359796 there are a couple of people commented that certain Citibank cards are charging fees, you might want to check on that.

      • Hi Johnny,

        Cool I will keep my eyes opened for the SMBC ATMs.
        Do they just have an error notification on the screen?

        Thanks for the link the the post. I’ll have a read.

        • yeah they'll just say that the ATM does not accept international cards.

  • +1

    I would use Citibank and have an AMEX, VISACARD when I go shopping and eating out at restaurants. However, Japan is a known as a cash economy so I would definitely take a bundle/s of cash. AMEX conversion to yen is quite competitive when I was there last month and April 2017. I did not end up losing out at all.

    • Hi Willie ;)

      I don’t have an AMEX but plan on bringing Citibank for Mastercard & ING for VISA.

      & some cash for non-shopping spending.

      Thanks

  • ING DIRECT, or citibank.

    • +1

      Thank you! I will stick to these 2 choices :)

  • Citibank.

    No travel card is good value, they all suck and are pretty much a scam.

    Mastercard has had issues a few times I have been over there but I think they have since sorted it out…

    • Thank you! I will stick to Citibank & ING :)

  • -2

    I went to Japan in late January for two weeks and signed up for a Citibank card and opened an ING account. I found that ING is much easier to use, I didn't know I had to let Citibank know that I was going overseas, so they blocked my card when I attempted to use it overseas. And I lost my SIM card on the trip, and so I wasn't able to use that card at all even though I loaded money into that account. On the other hand my ING card was able to be used, very easily. You just put in your pin number like in Australia and go. Just the machines in Japan are designed slightly different, other wise all good. (also the rates I got were sometimes better than what my friends got when they used their citibank card, (defs yes in Korea)

    • That is odd… did you activate your Citibank card before you went overseas? Because you actually don’t need to advise Citibank of your travel plans anymore. I was told back in August last year when I went to the US, and have travelled twice more since then and not once did I need to let them know.

      But sorry for your troubles though :(

      • +1

        Same here, I was informed (web page I think) I no longer needed to advise them of my travel plans. No problems using Citi in SEA a couple of trips. I noticed that the app checks the location with GPS when fired up so they know that you are overseas.

      • Thanks for your understanding <3 it was indeed a bit scary when I realised :( I assumed that too as I scoured the net about the Citibank card before applying. However, yes I did activate it. You need to do that before being able to transfer funds onto the account, correct?

    • +1

      Oh yikes! Good thing you had ING opened too.

      I also plan on using Citibank then bring ING loaded with $$ for backup.

      Sorry to hear you had such drama!

      I think I will just call Citibank to let them know I will be traveling O/S. No harm right!

      Is there Tap & Go in Japan?!

      • They do have paywave if that's what you mean

      • I'm not sure if our rule of having to enter the pin applies if you make a purchase over $100 AUD, but yea I tapped a couple of times in Japan since I was running out of cash near the end of the trip and didn't want to withdraw more.

        And yes I did activate my Citibank card before going overseas. I think it might be safer to let them know or confirm before going.

        Also why am i getting downvoted? I'm just telling my experience.

        • Did you find that your PIN just didn't work or you actually got a message saying it was blocked?

          When I got a renewed card last year, I activated it but assumed that the PIN would be the same as before. Not so. It wouldn't work in an ATM. Fortunately I had an ING card as backup. I then logged in with the app and set the PIN. Next time I used the card in an ATM I could withdraw.

          So, did you remember to set the PIN when activating the card?

        • @greenpossum:

          Actually I don't remember much about the setting up process, but I did set a Pin (I had it recorded down for each card). Anyways the ATM didn't accept my pin, and when we got back to our airbnb I found an email from Citibank stating they had identified a suspicious transaction and had taken "precaution of temporarily blocking your card" and that I would have to call them to unblock it, which I couldn't. And it was way too much of hassle of finding a phone, taking the time out and figuring out how to call overseas when you're travelling with friends and its a group situation and such.

          Maybe using the app while you are overseas, could prevent this from occurring?

        • +1

          @stwongy: It sounds like you've been unlucky.

          I do these things before leaving with any card that I take on travel: 1. Do one withdrawal at a local ATM. 2. Do one PIN transaction locally, e.g. EFTPOS payment. 3. Check that I have the app for the bank. Among other things the app can show you your balance.

          I also have some Skype credit in case I need to call a phone number using the Internet. It's also useful for calling local numbers there when you don't have a local SIM or local phone access.

        • +1

          I didn’t downvote you, not sure why someone did. I previously had a comment downvoted by 4 people for simply staying a deal didn’t work. -.-

        • @yumdumpring:

          I’m a bit new to this, but what happens if you get downvoted?

        • @Sunshineeeee: I have no idea haha, I don’t think it matters that much haha

        • @yumdumpring:

          Oh okies O_O

        • +1

          @stwongy: Just to add that when I withdrew some cash from Woolies today, I got a push notification from the Citi app that a withdrawal had been done. So perhaps having the app running will reassure Citi fraud control that you are being kept in the loop and maybe they won't do something more drastic.

  • I'm in Japan at the moment. Using ING has been very easy and when needed also used 28 degrees card.

    My Macquarie account was also fee free and a very good conversion rate on the one time i used it

    • Oh how are you finding Japan!
      How’s the weather? I will be there 10th May.
      Is it cardi or jumper weather? I will be in Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto.

      • take something warm enough for the plane and buy a jumper there if you are cold

        • Oh yes! Planes are always so cold - why is that?!

      • 18 degrees here in nagasaki right now. Went to the beach for the first time on the weekend. warm enough you dont need a jumper. but it does get windy in the city.

        • 18 degrees is hella cold to be at the beach!!?!

          Hopefully be mid 20s when i arrive in a couple weeks. :)

  • Has anyone tried using Commbank platinum or diamond CC? Apparently there are no transaction fees now

  • OP make sure you take out cash as needed from post office ATMs or 7/11. I would advise 30 000 yen at a time. 10 000 yen (approx $100 US) looks quite similar to 1000 yen ($10), so be careful and have a blast

    • Okies thanks for the tip.:)

  • +1

    Don't forget to get a suica for travel. Paper tickets are way annoying

    • Yep that was on my checklist :)

      I saw they also have Pasmo too. What are the benefits of Suica over Pasmo? I read can use Suica in Osaka & Kyoto too. Can anyone pls confirm?

      Thanks!

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