iexpert

Which credit card is commonly accepted in Seoul? VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC

eeflyer

I've had success using Visa and MC. However, once in a while it would get rejected or some issue would come up. Swapping to another card worked sometimes, but be sure to have cash ready just in case.

For the rejections, I couldn't get details on what happened due to language barrier.

corbomite

Visa and MC are universally accepted, Amex should be universally accepted and I'm not really sure about Discovery.

Not accepting credit cards is a surefire way to get hit by a tax audit in Korea because the IRS equivalent here takes citizen reports on places that don't take credit cards. And then the IRS equivalent will go nuclear assuming that the business in question is avoiding taxes.

mikesaidyes

In six years, I have only at one place been refused use of my foreign card. He was just .....ing because of the higher fee he had to pay. No one will generally look at your card twice or think about it. Credit cards are accepted essentially everywhere....convenience stores, restaurants, all malls/department stores. The only places that will not take them (or try not to take them) are traditional markets and random street food stalls. Technically, it's the law, but a lot them don't.

You will need cash for getting a T-money card and loading subway fare onto it. No cards at all for that.

Visa/MC/Amex are all in circulation here. Discover card is not a brand here, but I believe they partner with the BC card network here which is huge.

Aventine

Should not be a problem at major stores and restaurants. Traditional markets won't take them though.

B407

Visa and MC will be no issue. Amex and Discover are rarely accepted. Credit card acceptance is pervasive in Korea so almost everywhere you go will accept it except for public transit systems and street vendors.

Beware of DCC if you don't speak Korean. Some merchants will just process the transaction for you and convert it to your home currency without asking you and the conversion rate is much worse than what your credit card company would charge you.

mikesaidyes

Restaurant transaction systems are not this complicated and just process as Korean won. Same for normal stores. Only major department stores might have this conversion option.

B407

Funny you should mention that, the only time I got DCCed without being asked was at a restaurants. Clerk just took my card swiped it and asked me to sign on the screen. Didn't realize until after I scrutinized the receipt which was printed in Korean that I realized I got DCCed. Since my Korean skills were pretty much non existant, I just let it go.

At major retailers, DCC is always an option, but the clerk always leaves it up to you to select whether you want to do it on the terminal.

Aventine

Hotels will have DCC too. Just tell them local currency.

iexpert

What is DCC? Which option to pick?? How will it be presented?

Aventine

DCC means Dynamic currency conversion. Usually appears as a choice KRW or (your currency). It has a surcharge higher than what your bank would charge you so I always say go with KRW.

iexpert

will it prompt me on the machine or will cashier ask? I don't speak Korean..

Aventine

Should prompt you on the machine and some cashiers will also ask.

mikesaidyes

Interesting. Was it just a random hole in the wall restaurant? Typically all that pops up is the "sign pad" and confirm. I've never had anyone stop me, ask me if I was using a foreign card or seen anything unusual offering the DCC.

B407

Yes they were hole in the wall restaurants. What they did was turn the terminal towards them swiped my card and pressed all the options for me and turned it back to me when it was prompting for signature. I don't think they were trying to scam me, they knew I didn't speak Korean so I think they thought they were trying to be helpful by doing everything for me and assumed I would have wanted to be billed in my home currency.