FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Credit Cards or Cash in Japan

Jul 24, 2013 | 4:29 pm

#24

flipstah

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: YYC/MNL

Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE

Posts: 524

Quote:

Originally Posted by beep88

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.

Thanks for that link, beep88! It helped a lot in determining which way to go.

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.

Reply