Credit Cards or Cash in Japan
Jul 18, 2013, 11:02 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
Always use a CC when you can, one with no foreign transaction fees obviously. Taxis, hotel, stores, everywhere. Why not get the points and save on conversion fees.
But I always carry at least 30,000 Yen with me as well for situations where a CC won't work such as various restaurants, bars or smaller stores.
First out is always the CC though, no reason not to try it.
But I always carry at least 30,000 Yen with me as well for situations where a CC won't work such as various restaurants, bars or smaller stores.
First out is always the CC though, no reason not to try it.
Jul 18, 2013, 3:26 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
Please see the horrible exchange rate for CAD cash in Japan. http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/exchange_e/
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from a USD account
2. No fee CAD T/C
3. CC
4. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 ,3, 4, though carry all of the above except #2. Well because in Canada, no Forex CC is hard to find and I don't like the offering. Likewise for ATM.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from a USD account
2. No fee CAD T/C
3. CC
4. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 ,3, 4, though carry all of the above except #2. Well because in Canada, no Forex CC is hard to find and I don't like the offering. Likewise for ATM.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
Last edited by beep88; Jul 18, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Jul 18, 2013, 3:35 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC/MNL
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE
Posts: 520
Please see the horrible exchange rate for CAD cash in Japan. http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/exchange_e/
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from my USD account
2. CC
3. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
4. No fee CAD T/C
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 - 3, though carry all of the above except #4.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from my USD account
2. CC
3. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
4. No fee CAD T/C
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 - 3, though carry all of the above except #4.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
Buying USD to bring or buy it in advance here in Canada.
Jul 18, 2013, 4:03 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,018
Jamar said that you pay $5 plus 2.5% for ATM with a typical Canadian bank. That's horrendous. The $3 flat fee option is ok. Withdraw $300 and you are paying 1%.
This problem is not isolated to traveling in Japan for Canadians. If I were Canadian (and a frequent traveler) then I would look at other options such as opening a bank account in the US with Capital One, for example, which charges no fee and interbank rate. But maybe it is not worth it if these same Canadian banks probably fleece you in the CAD to USD conversion when you need to transfer funds to the US bank.
This problem is not isolated to traveling in Japan for Canadians. If I were Canadian (and a frequent traveler) then I would look at other options such as opening a bank account in the US with Capital One, for example, which charges no fee and interbank rate. But maybe it is not worth it if these same Canadian banks probably fleece you in the CAD to USD conversion when you need to transfer funds to the US bank.
Jul 18, 2013, 8:15 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC/MNL
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE
Posts: 520
Jamar said that you pay $5 plus 2.5% for ATM with a typical Canadian bank. That's horrendous. The $3 flat fee option is ok. Withdraw $300 and you are paying 1%.
This problem is not isolated to traveling in Japan for Canadians. If I were Canadian (and a frequent traveler) then I would look at other options such as opening a bank account in the US with Capital One, for example, which charges no fee and interbank rate. But maybe it is not worth it if these same Canadian banks probably fleece you in the CAD to USD conversion when you need to transfer funds to the US bank.
This problem is not isolated to traveling in Japan for Canadians. If I were Canadian (and a frequent traveler) then I would look at other options such as opening a bank account in the US with Capital One, for example, which charges no fee and interbank rate. But maybe it is not worth it if these same Canadian banks probably fleece you in the CAD to USD conversion when you need to transfer funds to the US bank.
Yup, my TD is $5 +2.5%, which is disgusting. I can upgrade my account so it's free foreign transactions but at $30/month (unless you carry a positive balance), I'd rather utilize cash + my Amex Platinum so that I get SOMETHING back.
Jul 19, 2013, 1:31 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Yes, T/C seems to mean traveler's checks in Japan.
And if you're wondering what bank charges a flat $3, it's ICBK, the Canadian division of a Chinese mega-bank. Not so "mega" in Canada, though- 2 branches in/near Vancouver and I think 4 or 5 in/near Toronto. But hey, with an account with unlimited transactions for no fee or minimum balance it's a sweet deal for someone like me who visits every so often.
And as a bonus, it's UnionPay- less worrying about finding an ATM that'll take your card, since you can use some of the Japanese big-bank ATMs as well (and Aeon, and Bank of Kyoto ATMs).
And if you're wondering what bank charges a flat $3, it's ICBK, the Canadian division of a Chinese mega-bank. Not so "mega" in Canada, though- 2 branches in/near Vancouver and I think 4 or 5 in/near Toronto. But hey, with an account with unlimited transactions for no fee or minimum balance it's a sweet deal for someone like me who visits every so often.
And as a bonus, it's UnionPay- less worrying about finding an ATM that'll take your card, since you can use some of the Japanese big-bank ATMs as well (and Aeon, and Bank of Kyoto ATMs).
Jul 24, 2013, 11:58 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
Please see the horrible exchange rate for CAD cash in Japan. http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/exchange_e/
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from a USD account
2. No fee CAD T/C
3. CC
4. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 ,3, 4, though carry all of the above except #2. Well because in Canada, no Forex CC is hard to find and I don't like the offering. Likewise for ATM.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from a USD account
2. No fee CAD T/C
3. CC
4. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 ,3, 4, though carry all of the above except #2. Well because in Canada, no Forex CC is hard to find and I don't like the offering. Likewise for ATM.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
The rate on CAD TC's is decent. I usually use CAD TC's or take Yen TC's and exchange at NRT or HND.
Jul 24, 2013, 4:29 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC/MNL
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE
Posts: 520
Please see the horrible exchange rate for CAD cash in Japan. http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/exchange_e/
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from a USD account
2. No fee CAD T/C
3. CC
4. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 ,3, 4, though carry all of the above except #2. Well because in Canada, no Forex CC is hard to find and I don't like the offering. Likewise for ATM.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
Preferred modes of fundings (starting with the lowest cost):
1. No fee USD T/C funded from a USD account
2. No fee CAD T/C
3. CC
4. ATM (Plus and Cirrus)
5. USD cash
6. CAD cash
I have only used 1 ,3, 4, though carry all of the above except #2. Well because in Canada, no Forex CC is hard to find and I don't like the offering. Likewise for ATM.
I also use CC for everything, purchases as little as 500yen.
Chip-and-PIN cards: No problem with Visa/MC everywhere. AMEX rejected by JR ticket machine(MC was ok), accepted at ticketing office - though for different transactions.
Since CAD-->JPY is a joke in Narita, my options are either:
USD->JPY or CAD->JPY
I don't have USD right off the bat so I have to go CAD->USD->JPY, which makes it a complete loser:
TD is my bank rate while Calforex is the Canadian forex kiosk that I know. They charge a flat rate of $3.50CAD, regardless of amount or currency.
Jul 24, 2013, 11:58 pm
#25
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,018
Wow, TD is worse than Japanese banks. Right now the interbank is 0.970 bid. CAD/USD.
Looks like Calforex is charging more than 3%. Plus a fee. Awful.
My bank in Europe charges 0.1% for forex in any currency.
Looks like Calforex is charging more than 3%. Plus a fee. Awful.
My bank in Europe charges 0.1% for forex in any currency.
Jul 25, 2013, 6:33 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
i think CAD TC's are the best way to go and exchange at the airport. the rate between US TC's and CAD TC's is better than convering into US first.
if you have an RBC avion card, there is no charge for TC's. also, the rate to buy TC's in Yen at RBC is not too bad and if you compare to the airport, it is close.
if you have an RBC avion card, there is no charge for TC's. also, the rate to buy TC's in Yen at RBC is not too bad and if you compare to the airport, it is close.
Jul 25, 2013, 7:42 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
[if you were in YYZ, i could just go the bank and get you TC's at no charge... ]