Visa/Mastercard Acceptance?
Aug 14, 2010 | 9:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, United Silver
Posts: 222
Visa/Mastercard Acceptance?
I'm taking my first trip to Japan (and Asia as a whole) next week, and I would love the board's help with a question.
Since I put most of my purchases on Amex here in the states (and my Visa is from Bank of America), I applied for a new Visa from Capital One to cut the fees that I would pay while overseas.
Being brilliant, they sent me a MasterCard instead of a visa (still forex-fee free). Before I call them up and try to get an expedited visa sent to me, what is MasterCard acceptance like in Japan compared to Visa? Are they about the same? Is one more widely accepted than the other?
Thanks a bunch.
Since I put most of my purchases on Amex here in the states (and my Visa is from Bank of America), I applied for a new Visa from Capital One to cut the fees that I would pay while overseas.
Being brilliant, they sent me a MasterCard instead of a visa (still forex-fee free). Before I call them up and try to get an expedited visa sent to me, what is MasterCard acceptance like in Japan compared to Visa? Are they about the same? Is one more widely accepted than the other?
Thanks a bunch.
Aug 14, 2010 | 9:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, JGC Sapphire, OZ Diamond, AF Silver, CX GR, Marriott Lifetime SL
Posts: 3,598
For my previous visits, Visa / Master / Amex has no difference in acceptance in Japan
Visa / Master are always OK, and AMEX is now processsed by JCB network which basically every place accepting cards accept JCB ....
Visa / Master are always OK, and AMEX is now processsed by JCB network which basically every place accepting cards accept JCB ....
Aug 14, 2010 | 10:57 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, United Silver
Posts: 222
Aug 15, 2010 | 12:47 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Riding the rails
Programs: Japan Forum, Skyteam Elite Plus, BW Diamond Select, HHonors Gold, NWA, DL, NH
Posts: 1,936
Pretty much the same at places that accept credit cards, accept most cards.
Now remember unlike the US, you can't use cards everywhere. Even though a good number of places in Japan do accept cards nowadays there are still many places that still take cash only (eg short distance train tickets etc).
I always recommend having some cash on hand as backup.
Now remember unlike the US, you can't use cards everywhere. Even though a good number of places in Japan do accept cards nowadays there are still many places that still take cash only (eg short distance train tickets etc).
I always recommend having some cash on hand as backup.
Aug 15, 2010 | 6:07 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NRT
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My experience is becoming a little out of date... In 2009, I knew a couple of places that would take Visa, but not JCB or AMEX. I didn't have Mastercard, so I don't know about that.
And as Railroad Tycoon pointed out, there are some cash only places.
And as Railroad Tycoon pointed out, there are some cash only places.
Aug 15, 2010 | 9:56 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, United Silver
Posts: 222
Thanks
Thanks again--I'll make sure to have enough cash on me that I can cover where necessary. . .
Aug 15, 2010 | 11:35 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NGO / KOA
Programs: JGC / OW Sapphire
Posts: 315
Pretty much the same at places that accept credit cards, accept most cards.
Now remember unlike the US, you can't use cards everywhere. Even though a good number of places in Japan do accept cards nowadays there are still many places that still take cash only (eg short distance train tickets etc).
I always recommend having some cash on hand as backup.
Now remember unlike the US, you can't use cards everywhere. Even though a good number of places in Japan do accept cards nowadays there are still many places that still take cash only (eg short distance train tickets etc).
I always recommend having some cash on hand as backup.
Visa and MasterCard are treated the same.
Aug 15, 2010 | 11:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MAD
Programs: DL, UA, AA, BA, Marriott
Posts: 599
Wirelessly posted (blackberry: BlackBerry9650/5.0.0.699 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)
I also primarily use amex, have visa and mc as a backup.
I have been in tokyo for 4 or 5 weeks now (also traveled to kyoto).
Have not needed to use non-amex yet, with the exception of many restaurants whom accept credit cards only for dinner (that's right, I've been multiple places who gladly take my cc for dinner but refuse for lunch).
Atms here are a different story though, my schwab card has -only- worked at 711 atms. I have tried it in literally dozens of others.
I also primarily use amex, have visa and mc as a backup.
I have been in tokyo for 4 or 5 weeks now (also traveled to kyoto).
Have not needed to use non-amex yet, with the exception of many restaurants whom accept credit cards only for dinner (that's right, I've been multiple places who gladly take my cc for dinner but refuse for lunch).
Atms here are a different story though, my schwab card has -only- worked at 711 atms. I have tried it in literally dozens of others.
Aug 16, 2010 | 4:55 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,353
And a fair number of cheaper hotels and high-end ryokan too. @:-)
Aug 16, 2010 | 1:25 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: UA, AA, WN, 7G, SPG (for now)
Posts: 513
Have you tried the post office ATMs too? I don't know what ATM network Schwab is on, so I can't give you a list or website to help you out. In general, post offices, Shinsei Bank, and Seven (7/11) Banks are your best bets.
Aug 21, 2010 | 5:35 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,568
In my experience, cash is king in Japan and tons of places do not accept MC/VISA/AMEX.
Train stations, restaurants, smaller hotels, places like that.
Be sure to have back up cash and check beforehand if the location accepts CC.
Also some ATMs there do not take our US cards for withdrawing cash.
Train stations, restaurants, smaller hotels, places like that.
Be sure to have back up cash and check beforehand if the location accepts CC.
Also some ATMs there do not take our US cards for withdrawing cash.
Aug 21, 2010 | 9:29 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
In my experience, cash is king in Japan and tons of places do not accept MC/VISA/AMEX.
Train stations, restaurants, smaller hotels, places like that.
Be sure to have back up cash and check beforehand if the location accepts CC.
Also some ATMs there do not take our US cards for withdrawing cash.
Train stations, restaurants, smaller hotels, places like that.
Be sure to have back up cash and check beforehand if the location accepts CC.
Also some ATMs there do not take our US cards for withdrawing cash.
Also, if you need to get a cash advance on a credit card (not recommended except in emergencies, due to the high and separate interest rates), just walk into any bank that displays your card's logo and ask for "cashing" (kyashingu). You must know your card's PIN, though.
Aug 21, 2010 | 9:38 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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In my experience, cash is king in Japan and tons of places do not accept MC/VISA/AMEX.
Train stations, restaurants, smaller hotels, places like that.
Be sure to have back up cash and check beforehand if the location accepts CC.
Also some ATMs there do not take our US cards for withdrawing cash.
Train stations, restaurants, smaller hotels, places like that.
Be sure to have back up cash and check beforehand if the location accepts CC.
Also some ATMs there do not take our US cards for withdrawing cash.
Aug 21, 2010 | 10:29 am
#15
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 18,255
I've found credit card acceptance slowly improving over the years. Restaurants in or somehow associated with department stores (for those who haven't been to Japan, there are a lot of them which are like this) now almost uniformly accept them.