Japan holiday questions

[FBS1960]

Taking my family to Japan skiing flying JQ Star Class OOL to Osaka and would appreciate advice on the following please.

1) any problems getting cash advances on CC (visa or MC) from ATMs?
2) should I take change some currency before departure?
3) can we use QF or JAL lounge on return leg (booked as QF codeshare using points) + family are all QC members.
4) internal JAL flight on welcome to Japan fare. Are there differing baggage restrictions to JQ flight.

Thanks
FBS

 

[thewinchester]

I can answer some of these questions:

1) any problems getting cash advances on CC (visa or MC) from ATMs?

Yes. This from my Japan 2010 trip report:

that Japan, on top of being a predominantly cash society, and thanks to the comprehensively informative site Japan Guide only has limited ATMs that accept overseas issued cards. Let's just say I found this one out the hard way.

Tip: If you haven’t drawn enough of your home currency to exchange before arriving, keep a lookout for either a 7 Eleven with an ATM, a 7 Bank ATM, Citibank, Japan Post ATM’s, or Shimsei. These are the ones you can use with overseas cards, and 7 Eleven/7Bank has the biggest network and easiest to find – about 2,400 ATMs just in the Tokyo area. Most of these ATMs won’t charge additional fees for use.

And I found this problem out the hard way. It was only after I went searching online for the answer (thanks to the very comprehensive Japan Guide) and further assistance from the Concierge at the Sheraton Miyako Tokyo, I was able to get the info I need and never had a problem finding one for when I had to withdraw cash.

2) should I take change some currency before departure?

No advantage to changing before you go IMHO. Just withdraw about AUD250-300 and change it on arrival.

An additional note, the Japanese forex counter I used at NRT required you to fill in a paper form before approaching the exchange desk. I don't know if this is common anywhere else in Japan, but be on the lookout for it. They did have instructions prominently available in English on how to complete these dockets.

3) can we use QF or JAL lounge on return leg (booked as QF codeshare using points) + family are all QC members.

Assuming your return JQ flight is operating from NRT T2, you should have no problems accessing the Qantas Club on your return journey. Access rules for the lounge are available here. Lounge details and opening times are available here.

 

[FBS1960]

I can answer some of these questions:

Assuming your return JQ flight is operating from NRT T2, you should have no problems accessing the Qantas Club on your return journey.

Thanks Winchester. Flying out of Kansai so hopefully there is a lounge. QF or one world partner. Even though a JQ flight my flight is QF codeshare

 

[thewinchester]

Thanks Winchester. Flying out of Kansai so hopefully there is a lounge. QF or one world partner. Even though a JQ flight my flight is QF codeshare

Of course

According to JQ's pages and that you stated you're flying star class, you would have access to the Asuka Lounge at KIX. A list of lounges available to JQ pax is available from their website.

JQ lounges have no relationship to the QP offering, you would only have access to the lounge because you are flying in star class. There are no lounges you could access at KIX on the basis of the QP status.

 

[Simo]

Whenever I go overseas I always take currency for the country that I am arriving in.

Nothing worse than trying to get money as soon as you land.

Generally you get a better exchange rate from a money changer than ATM's.

 

[bPeteb]

Flew Jetstar Starclass Gold Coast Osaka return last year.

When we checked in to fly home we were given the option of two lounges. The check in agent said "this one is full of Jetstar passengers and this one is much quieter".

We chose quieter and I think it ended up being the Delta Lounge.

Questions about ATMs have been answered. We had a couple of issues with 7 Eleven or 7 Bank ATMs. When we did we went in search of the post office ATMs and never had issues with them.

If you don't have one laready we highly recommend 28 Degrees mastercard. We have two accounts, each with two cards. We load one with credit and draw cash from it and use the other for purchases. No cash advance fees, no forex conversion fees. They don't get touched when we're at home.