Korea Tour Card / T-Money App version
Mar 29, 23, 9:10 am
#1
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,684
Korea Tour Card / T-Money App version
I had a few days planned in Seoul and it seems a T-money card that you load with cash and tap to use the metro (along with busses and can be used for shopping) seems to be the best way to get around. But I wanted something digital and not have to deal with another card and foreign cash that I would inevitably have left over.
So I came across the Korea Tour Card on the Google Play store (Android). It's a digital card issued by T-money that uses NFC to allow you to pay just like you would with a physical card. There were plenty of negative reviews but it seems to be based around the lack of internet (you need internet connectivity to pay).
The card costs 3000KRW and you can top up using a credit card min 1000KRW top up in increments of 1000KRW. You can also top up via voucher codes and cash (which I assume you go to a store and just tell them to top it up). Using a credit card (Visa, MC, Amex, JCB) there is a service fee of 3.2% but given the convenience, it's worth it. This is also the Korea Tour Card so it comes with discounts on attractions and other things. Info is found here https://www.koreatourcard.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=cardbenefit&info=benefitshop&me _code=30&num=2&lang=en
What else is interesting is you can refund the balance. The terms seem to be that you must refund the full amount. If you don't have any credit card history, it'll refund to a voucher/charge coupon. There is a refund fee of 500KRW. So you won't be stuck with leftover money on a card that you might not use again.
In my personal experience I had no issues using the app (took around 5sec or so to load the payment screen and on the free Tmobile USA roaming the slow one). It even saved me as when I landed and cleared customs, I made it to the airport limo bus with less than a min to spare. If I had to stop and buy a ticket, I would of missed the bus and the next one was an hour later. I was able to board, load some credit, and tap to pay.
I hope this helps those visiting Seoul.
So I came across the Korea Tour Card on the Google Play store (Android). It's a digital card issued by T-money that uses NFC to allow you to pay just like you would with a physical card. There were plenty of negative reviews but it seems to be based around the lack of internet (you need internet connectivity to pay).
The card costs 3000KRW and you can top up using a credit card min 1000KRW top up in increments of 1000KRW. You can also top up via voucher codes and cash (which I assume you go to a store and just tell them to top it up). Using a credit card (Visa, MC, Amex, JCB) there is a service fee of 3.2% but given the convenience, it's worth it. This is also the Korea Tour Card so it comes with discounts on attractions and other things. Info is found here https://www.koreatourcard.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=cardbenefit&info=benefitshop&me _code=30&num=2&lang=en
What else is interesting is you can refund the balance. The terms seem to be that you must refund the full amount. If you don't have any credit card history, it'll refund to a voucher/charge coupon. There is a refund fee of 500KRW. So you won't be stuck with leftover money on a card that you might not use again.
In my personal experience I had no issues using the app (took around 5sec or so to load the payment screen and on the free Tmobile USA roaming the slow one). It even saved me as when I landed and cleared customs, I made it to the airport limo bus with less than a min to spare. If I had to stop and buy a ticket, I would of missed the bus and the next one was an hour later. I was able to board, load some credit, and tap to pay.
I hope this helps those visiting Seoul.
May 19, 23, 8:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 26
I am planning to travel to Seoul in December as a layover before returning back to Canada. I am curious if that is also available on Apple phone? I will be using an apple phone that is paired to my apple tag. Anyone has experience with t-money and apple, please share your experience
