SmartEX (frustrating) Experience
 

I'm in Japan now and I wanted to test the SmartEX ticket reservation system for the Tokaido and Sanyo shinkansen. I tried to sign up with three different foreign (Canadian) credit cards and each time I failed. From what I can tell from Googling on the issue, the 1-yen charge that SmartEX uses to confirm that your card is valid is too low for most foreign banks to accept. Not sure if this is correct, but one thing is certain: it didn't work with three different (and valid) North American credit cards. So, I pulled out my Japan-issued credit card (I used to live in Japan) and it worked immediately. And, I added my digital Icoca card to my SmartEX account, and it works perfectly. So, I can book a shinkansen ticket on my phone with SmartEX and then just tap my phone on the turnstile and board the shinkansen. It's brilliant. But, I'm afraid that this is unavailable to most foreign tourists. My questions:

1) Has anyone been able to sign up for and use SmartEX with a non-Japanese credit card?

2) Can anyone figure out a workaround for those who do not have a Japanese credit card?

I sure hope that SmartEx gets up to speed and figures out a way for foreigners to use SmartEX to book shinkansen tickets, because if you've seen the lines at JR ticket counters and even ticket machines recently, you'll understand why buying tickets online is crucial.

I've used Chase VISA and AMEX successfully

I booked Shinkansen tickets in advance on a website requiring also a credit card check with a 1 yen charge and this went fine. German issued Amex Gold.

Not able to use my Hyatt visa card

I was able to register with (American) Amex. I just tried to change the credit card registered with my SmartEx account and I was NOT able to register with (Canadian) TD First Class VISA nor (American) Chase Sapphire Preferred VISA using the SmartEx app. I can try to do the same with my desktop browser etc.

SmartEX uses 3D Secure technology to validate the credit cards and It's also possible that the banks are automatically blocking foreign transactions they think are fraudulent so might need to give the banks a call to see if they see anything on their side.

How do you do 3D ?
 

I don't see the option for 3D.
I couldn't change the credit card either

I just signed up two days ago and had the $1 authorization on my AmEx card show up immediately.

No luck with my chase Hyatt, want to put the spending requirements on this card.

Doesn't really help you but yes, I have booked several tickets with a Citi SG credit card this year.

Used a Canadian world elite Mastercard. No problems purchasing both inside and outside of Japan.

Just tried to register an account with smartex...

Costco Citi Visa... Failed...
Amazon Chase Visa... Failed...
Bilt Wells Fargo MasterCard... Failed...

Gonna try my Debit Cards, maybe one will work...

Just curious, which Chase VISA you used? I tried using my Chase Reserve VISA and Costco VISA yesterday and both failed. I tried to set up account both on my PC and iphone! I found using Japanese technology very frustrating! When I register with the Visit Japan Web when it first came out, I could not make it work on my PC with any browser it only worked when I registered on my iphone.

Chase Sapphire Reserve in May 2023. But hasn't worked since then.

My discover seemed to work for registering! Tried it recently.

3D Secure 2.0 https://www.cardservice.co.jp/servic...ard/3d_en.html from Atadistance

My understanding is that most US cards which do actually implement this without having to call in first send a validation sms or e-mail (Mastercard option?). Chase used to be able to process 3DS via phone call with Chase fraud/Verified by Visa agent AND send an sms, so purchases made within Japan would may need sms receive for the number on file.

The process
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cred...ansaction.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/36092303-post121.html

Amex issued card might be the best to try first for least hassle if people have one https://thepointsguy.com/credit-card...card-security/ I've read Discover tends to work like JCB in Japan so that might be more compatible, too.

My Australian Mastercard didn't work but my Platinum Amex did. Several bookings now made.

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.

Did you use the Suica app? That's how I found my digital Suica number since Apple wallet won't display it.

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?

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.

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?

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.

Thanks for the input. I think you're right. I'll just wait and purchase the tickets when we get to Shinagawa Station.

That's what I would do. And if the weather is like it is today, take any available seats because the mountain will be hidden by clouds.

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.

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 !

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6a4b478ded.jpg

Didn’t 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 I’ll receive an email with my assigned seat on Dec 1 from Nagoya to Tokyo. Here’s hoping that all works well.

Hi, just following up on this? Did you receive the tickets with seat allocation on Dec 1?

Did you choose 'extra luggage space' etc and did they provide it?

Thanks

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.

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.