Hi all! What a great thread...and I wish I had been more pro-active & smart about this. I saw the WSJ article the other day about the forex fees, and that's what triggered my desperate search. I actually had signed up for a CapOne card a few years ago (since I travel to Europe a few times a year for work), but I never ended up using it nor activating it...so I got a letter a few months back that they cancelled my acct. Ddoh! I'm guessing there's no way to call them and 'activate' now, right?

Anyhow...so now I'm desperate. Is there any way you think I can apply & get the new card all within 9 days - before I depart for Japan? ugh... If the answer is no...these are some of the cards we have - which is the best to use while in Japan?

1. Citibank ATM card (which is obviously also a debit MC)
2. Amex Plat & Amex Blue (I'm assuming Amex is Amex)
3. Bank of America - it's black & a credit card (haha! sorry - I know a stupid description, but it's my DH's)
4. Bank of America Platinum Check Card (this is our ATM that's linked to our checking acct#)
5. Discover
6. Bloomingdale's card ( I'm only listing this b/c I saw it on the chart under Dept Stores)

So I guess my questions are:
1. which card should we use to get Yen cash from ATM machines...and what ATMs should we try to use, if possible?
2. For cc purchases - what should we use (when dining, shopping, hotel, etc.)?

Hope some of you can give me some solid advice! Thanks!



6.