Originally Posted by
seegs
We are departing from HND so the NEX + Suica card does not make sense.
If you're taking the N'EX from NRT, then the N'EX + SUICA combo is basically giving you money. The cost benefit is outlined on this page:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/
If you really hate the idea of using a SUICA, you could hand the card straight back and request a 1,790 yen refund. (1,500 yen credit + 500 yen deposit - 210 yen processing fee). That's right - By paying an additional 560 yen, you've picked up a card that's worth at least 1,790 yen. A savvier customer will get 2,000 yen of value out of that card. To do that you need to use the 1,500 yen credit and hand back the card for a full refund of the deposit (no processing fee payable on that).
Of course, if you see a train that's about to depart and there's a long line for purchasing NEX+SUICA combo, you might decide that it's not worth it ... I can understand that. But I don't think that's a judgment you can make until you're at the station.
Originally Posted by
seegs
Is it worth getting a Suica card for the few days we are in Tokyo or are we safer just to pay as we go?
The only downside that I can think of in using a SUICA card is that you need to use it all up and get your refund at a JR window before you take the train to Haneda. AFAIK, there's no JR counter at Haneda airport, so you have no way to get a refund there. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong).
The main upsides of using a SUICA card are that you never need to pore over the confusing subway maps to work out fares, you don't need to visit the fare adjustment machines (unless your SUICA runs out of credit), you will find it extremely easy to transfer from one railway company to another, and you will not spend time faffing around with coins and notes at ticket machines.
YMMV