USD-JPY Options
 

I am going on a trip to Japan for about 6 weeks. I know there are several threads about this, but I did some research and was looking for some other opinions. For getting cash, either via ATM or ForEx booth, the options are:

Cash (probably the worst option)
Traveler's Cheques (pretty good, but I don't want to buy too many)
ATM Cards

My thinking is, the ATM is the way to go. But using the right card. After calling a few places around, I found that either Schwab or Capital One would be the way to go.

-Schwab (Visa) charges 1% for all international transactions, and would reimburse me for any ATM fees incurred.
-Capital One (Mastercard) charges 0%, but a flat $1.50 fee for ATMs. But would not reimburse me for any ATM owner fees.

I was leaning towards an ATM card since where I will be staying (Nagoya & Handa City), I will have easy access to a Citibank or 7-11 ATM. My big question is, does anybody know if the Citibank or 7-11 ATMs charge an owner's fee for using them? If they do, do you know how much?

If anybody has any other insight or better ideas than what I came up with, please help.

There really are lots of threads on this, including this extensive one which was started just two weeks ago:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=14479

I read that one, but it didn't have my main question answered. Maybe I should have just posted this question on there.

Aha, I see, your question is which ATM card has the lowest international fees. That is discussed in the FT credit card forums.

Specifically regarding 7-11 ATM card acceptance in Japan, here's the thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=14479

As to using ATM cards at either Citibank or the Japanese post office, no additional service charge is imposed.

Take a look at your local credit unions. They may surprise you. My credit union (a tiny one in Michigan with only 3 locations) doesn't charge me anything for international atm transactions and rebates all my fees. One time when I asked them about it, they said my family were their only members who traveled abroad often and figuring out fees to charge us was more hassle than it was worth. Thus, they just pass it along at their cost.