SmartEX (frustrating) Experience
Mar 27, 2024 | 9:03 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia and Stockholm, Sweden
Programs: VA Platinum, SQ Gold, TK Gold, Hhonors Gold, Accor Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Premium
Posts: 1,151
My Australian Mastercard didn't work but my Platinum Amex did. Several bookings now made.
Apr 1, 2024 | 5:08 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 5,271
No issue using an American AMEX with SmartEX a couple of days ago.
My own frustration: after a few minutes of futzing, my iPhone wouldn't display the number I needed to link my digital Suica to SmartEX, and I was also traveling with kids who don't have their own phones, so I needed to get paper tickets for them to board. It turned out to be impossible to do this at the ticket machine because I needed a SmartEx smartcard, or something, so I ended up cancelling the reservation (paying a penalty) and buying new tickets at the machine. Screw this app, seriously.
My own frustration: after a few minutes of futzing, my iPhone wouldn't display the number I needed to link my digital Suica to SmartEX, and I was also traveling with kids who don't have their own phones, so I needed to get paper tickets for them to board. It turned out to be impossible to do this at the ticket machine because I needed a SmartEx smartcard, or something, so I ended up cancelling the reservation (paying a penalty) and buying new tickets at the machine. Screw this app, seriously.
Apr 2, 2024 | 6:36 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Plat, Atmos Gold
Posts: 43
May 1, 2024 | 3:43 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SDU, GIG, CPH, HND
Programs: A3*S, FB Silver, EB, BA
Posts: 145
Last November I used my US-issued MasterCard with SmartEX and it worked flawlessly.
Today the same card (already connected to my SmartEX account) gets rejected. I try two different MC cards and they are also rejected. This is so infuriating!
I know I can purchase the tickets when I get to HND, but are there any other online alternatives that allow me to book in advance + free changes + seat selection?
Today the same card (already connected to my SmartEX account) gets rejected. I try two different MC cards and they are also rejected. This is so infuriating!
I know I can purchase the tickets when I get to HND, but are there any other online alternatives that allow me to book in advance + free changes + seat selection?
May 1, 2024 | 4:53 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,927
I couldn't use my Citi Mastercard and US Bank Visa with SmartEX, but my Discover surprisingly worked and I booked two pairs of tickets a few days ago. I'm currently in the US. The transactions coded as travel related services.
May 2, 2024 | 4:15 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SDU, GIG, CPH, HND
Programs: A3*S, FB Silver, EB, BA
Posts: 145
As an alternative to Smart Ex not accepting your cards, has anyone purchased single shinkansen tickets directly from JR WEST website?
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/overview/
And if I understand correctly, I can then collect the pre-purchased tickets directly at the JR EAST Travel Service Center at Haneda Airport Terminal 3.
Normally I wouldn't worry too much about purchasing the tickets upon arrival in HND, but this will be my son's first time in Japan and I want to get him a right-side window seat on the Nozomi green car (from Shinagawa to Kyoto). We'll be landing in late May and hoping to board a train around 12pm. Do I even have to worry about not getting the seats I want when purchasing at the Service Center in Haneda?
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/overview/
And if I understand correctly, I can then collect the pre-purchased tickets directly at the JR EAST Travel Service Center at Haneda Airport Terminal 3.
Normally I wouldn't worry too much about purchasing the tickets upon arrival in HND, but this will be my son's first time in Japan and I want to get him a right-side window seat on the Nozomi green car (from Shinagawa to Kyoto). We'll be landing in late May and hoping to board a train around 12pm. Do I even have to worry about not getting the seats I want when purchasing at the Service Center in Haneda?
May 2, 2024 | 6:17 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NRT
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 10,047
If you're unlucky, you might not find the seat that you want on the first available train, but considering there are Nozomi departures every few minutes, you will find an available right-side, Green Car, window seat on a convenient-enough train.
May 4, 2024 | 2:52 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SDU, GIG, CPH, HND
Programs: A3*S, FB Silver, EB, BA
Posts: 145
Thanks for the input. I think you're right. I'll just wait and purchase the tickets when we get to Shinagawa Station.
May 6, 2024 | 8:59 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NRT
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 10,047
Nov 17, 2024 | 3:09 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,540
Just a note that October eki-net online shikansen bookings with US and JP language accounts both refused CSR. The checkout flow behavior was similar to SmartEx issue where fraud reps insisted they couldn't see the charge attempt and it never made it to the intermediate charging page.
I am also thinking of applying for a forex friendly Amex so I don't need to use my ATM debit (went through after a call to non-Chase bank) on certain transportation options and possibly domestic online shopping websites.
I am also thinking of applying for a forex friendly Amex so I don't need to use my ATM debit (went through after a call to non-Chase bank) on certain transportation options and possibly domestic online shopping websites.
Last edited by freecia; Nov 17, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Nov 18, 2024 | 11:50 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,308
Successfully used a Rogers (Canadian) issued Mastercard this past weekend... my RBC Avion Visa with no FTF didnt work however.
Worked out well as we got the postcard view with Fujisan's first snow of the season the night before !
Worked out well as we got the postcard view with Fujisan's first snow of the season the night before !
Nov 19, 2024 | 4:56 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), IHG Plat (CC), UA (*G) Gold, AA Plat (OWS)
Posts: 10,181
Didnt try any other cards based on reports here and on Reddit - Amex did come up with a SafeKey verification challenge that sent a code to my phone and email before the purchase completed. Worked fine - my reservation is for Jan 1, and it says Ill receive an email with my assigned seat on Dec 1 from Nagoya to Tokyo. Heres hoping that all works well.
Dec 2, 2024 | 4:53 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 312
Did you choose 'extra luggage space' etc and did they provide it?
Thanks
Dec 2, 2024 | 1:31 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: YYZ
Posts: 15
I was able to purchase without issue 30 days in advance for the holiday travel period. Simply chose the 'with Oversized Baggage Area' under 'Seat Types' and was able to purchase without issue. You can see your chosen seats on the 'Seat Map' - oversized baggage is the last row of the selected car. Tickets are automatically issued in the app and can be added to Apple Wallet if you're using an iPhone.
Dec 5, 2024 | 3:42 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), IHG Plat (CC), UA (*G) Gold, AA Plat (OWS)
Posts: 10,181
Yes, I received a seat assignment via email on Dec 1 - I need to download the app and check to see how easy it is to extract the ticket there.