28° [Wizard] Mastercard Cash Advances while overseas

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

Anyone got tips on using the card in Japan - are there any banks that don't charge a fee??

[moa999]

Japan
- Citibank no fee
- Typically at most railway stations there is an ATM room with multiple machines and I was normally able to find a machine in English without fee (from memory a green bank)

[Flashware]

Anyone got tips on using the card in Japan - are there any banks that don't charge a fee??

I can't recall a fee being charged when I used a Citibank ATM or one in a 7/11 / Lawsons, although it was a while ago so my memory isn't the best.

[Dr Hiro]

The last time I used the Wizard card in Japan was June this year. As Flashware said, no extra fee with Citibank. There is a Citibank ATM on the arrival level at Terminal 2 at Narita Airport.

My impression is that Japan Postal Bank's ATM (Green colored sign and lots of them) do not charge a fee either. At least there was no extra fee with my Australian bank's ATM card (though had to pay the 3% overseas currency charge.....).

I understand the 7-11 charges a small fee (?about $2.50 per withdrawal).

I read somewhere that Lawson recently stopped accepting MasterCard for withdrawal from thier ATMs. Maybe someone else can confirm this.

Hiro

[Dr Hiro]

Sorry, a quick correction.

Japanese 7-11 is the one no longer accepting MasterCard for ATM withdrawal.

I cannot post the link as I have only a few posts here. But you should be able to search for that info (pdf) on the jnto.org.au site if you want confirmation.

[Fifa]

I've used my Wizard at Japan Post Office ATMs without charge. They also have easy English instructions but be aware that the ATMs are only open during post office hours which vary depending on location.

[Natt]

Re Japan

In March/April 2010 I was using the post office ones and there did not seem to be any fees

hope that helps

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

thanxs for al the tips.

will see how i go next week

will put an update on here in between ramen and sushi meals

[Fifa]

7-Eleven are now accepting Mastercard.
News - Seven Bank to Reinstate ATM Services for Overseas-issued MasterCard Brand Cards - Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel

and

http://www.jnto.org.au/pdf_up/pdf_20...4_44_01620.pdf

I presume Seven Bank still charges the ATM fee though, so my first choice will be Post Office Bank ATMs with 7-Eleven and Citibank as back ups.

[sinophile888]

I have used my Wizard Mastercard successfully on numerous occasions to book flights, accommodation etc. in local currencies. But now I have hit a small problem. I am trying to book a hotel in London using Octopus Travel (can I say that?) on their UK site and the site is rejecting my card. I think because it is not a UK card. Booking on the Australian site is considerably more expensive. None of the usual sites I use have any availability for my dates in mid-January. I am wondering if the hotel has not updated its availability for 2011.

Has anyone had this problem with their Wizard card and if so, how did you overcome it?

The UK site also offers the option of paying with PayPal. I have just updated my PayPal account to use my Wizard card and it should be OK in a day or so.

Are there any disadvantages in booking the hotel using PayPal? In terms of currency conversion rates, transaction fees, etc.?