Best Travel Card for Japan

LSunshineeeee on 21/04/2018 - 13:38
Last edited 23/04/2018 - 14:31 by 1 other user

[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
Financial

Comments

      • qyst on 25/04/2018 - 21:07

        All Japanese transit cards function identically throughout the country so there's no real difference in functionality.

        The only thing is that if you want to return the card to get the remaining balance and deposit back, it has to be done at the corresponding distributor. For Suica that's JR. For Pasmo that'd be Tokyo's private operators, Tokyo Metro being the major metropolitan one. You can tell which station does which in Google Maps easily by the icons on each station. If the icon is a regular train icon then that's JR. Any other icon (like a fancy M on purple background or a green fan) is a private operator and will take Pasmo returns. Most major stations will have both.

        If given the choice I'd get a Suica because they have the cute penguin mascot on them but I wouldn't fret either way.

  • Julia1998 on 12/12/2018 - 20:17

    Hi, I am still abit confused. I have read the policy and they stated this

    "Where the currency you are withdrawing is different to the currency of your account, a 2.5% ATM foreign exchange fee will apply." And

    "A foreign exchange fee of 2.5%, will apply if you withdraw money from an ATM and the currency withdrawn is different to the currency of the account. Any fees will be applied when the transaction is completed and will include any additional ATM operator fees and charges that may apply."

    Does this mean I can only withdraw in AUD to avoid the withdrawal fee and the foreign exchange fee? Then would have to go to the exchange service to convert them to Japanese money in cash?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join