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Trouble with credit cards in Japan

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hawaiianhawk

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Hi fellow Tagers,

I've never encountered any problems with my credit cards here in Japan; however, today here in Tennoji the hotel and the dining place I visited about 5 hours ago both tried and both my cards were denied after trying multiple times. I had to pay cash.

I called Bank of America to verify my card was ok and there were no holds or blocks on them and they confirmed it showed everything on their end was good. They asked that next time if it doesn't work, try to have the person manually punch in the card numbers, but employees here in Tennoji said their machines were not equipped to do a manual transmission.

Damn, I may have to cancel one of three visits with the women. I feel so bad if I have to do so after the receptionists went thru so much effort to convince 2 of 3 women to come in if possible and to go to a different location than where they were scheduled to work.

Anybody have any issues in Tennoji before with credit cards? Last year when I came I didn't only this time.

Any ideas?
 
hawaiianhawk said:
called Bank of America to verify my card was ok and there were no holds or blocks on them and they confirmed it showed everything on their end was good. They asked that next time if it doesn't work, try to have the person manually punch in the card numbers, but employees here in Tennoji said their machines were not equipped to do a manual transmission.
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Based on interactions I've had with business travellers here, you need to have a pin code with a credit card that has a security chip embedded. Several times I've had to step in and take care of a bill because they didn't know or have a PIN code and the regular card swipe won't work for them. Now that said, with my Japanese cards, I can pay from the table and sign the receipt... foreign cards, I just have seen various problems.

I'd carry cash if you can't solve the reliability of your card usage.
 
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I've encountered even some regular places where my card doesn't work. Depending on the store, certain cards may not work. American Express is one of them that is always hit or miss. Visa tends to work fine most of the time. I recommend having a few types just in case. I have three types on me at all times (american express, visa, and mastercard). I use them in that order since most of my points and miles are on the American Express card.
 
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Thanks Chris for the fast reply. Is having a PIN code a Japanese thing cause I've never been issued a pin code before by BOA nor did the hotel or restaurant ask for it. Last year here in Tennoji I didn't have this issue, card worked perfectly fine like how it should have worked. There is the cvv code clearly displayed on the back of the card, but I know that's not a pin code.

I do have cash which is how I ended up paying the bills, but if my card is declined for the rest of my vacation, I won't have enough to play more, LOL and will have to cancel at least with one escort, BUMMERS.
 
hawaiianhawk said:
Is having a PIN code a Japanese thing
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No, at least the European cards I have also all have PIN codes. Try to get cash from ATM with your card; at least you won't need to cancel the ladies if you manage to do that.
 
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hawaiianhawk said:
Is having a PIN code a Japanese thing cause I've never been issued a pin code before by BOA nor did the hotel or restaurant ask for it.
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I have a BOA-issued card from the states as well, it has a chip and it has a PIN code. I've actually never used it outside of America, so I don't even know what would happen.

The person operating the terminal may not have enough knowledge on how to process a foreign card. But, I'd circle back to BOA and escalate the complaint if you are getting actively refused at places that are considered tourism spots.
 
MikeH said:
No, at least the European cards I have also all have PIN codes. Try to get cash from ATM with your card; at least you won't need to cancel the ladies if you manage to do that.
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If memory serves, US credit cards charge a pretty penny for ATM withdrawals.
 
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TAG Manager said:
The person operating the terminal may not have enough knowledge on how to process a foreign card.
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That is a very probable reason; if the card has both debit and credit like some of mine do then the Japanese staff will not understand that but will come up with "it doesn't work". In these cases I have had to tell them "press 1 first, then it proceeds" and suddenly they treat me like the magician I am.
 
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oLUXo said:
If memory serves, US credit cards charge a pretty penny for ATM withdrawals.
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They do (usually), that's why you only use that function in an emergency. Evening the 'cashing' service on Japanese cards has been scaled back. For some, it's been outright removed due to high risk.
I guess the term is 'cash advance' for the American cards, it's usually got a higher rate applied.
 
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Thanks oLUXo for the reply. I only have Visa cards because I've never had the need to get a Mastercard or Amex, nor wanted more cards for that matter. But both of my cards are from BOA, both Visa's except one's for mileage and the other for cash back rewards and both declined this time. But in Kyoto, my cards worked fine with the hotel there as well as at Kansai airport when I picked up my Jr West area passes. That's why I'm wondering if it's a Tennoji thing. I guess I'll find out more tomorrow when I head out to Shirahama/Wakayama and see whether or not I have problems there. Thanks.
 
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BOA really sucks for international use. I’ve used my card like once or twice here in Tokyo then then they reissued my card.
 
Yup Mike regrettably that is probably what will happen if my cards don't work. Planning on contacting the agency to give them a heads up and a genuine sorry for having to possibly cancel on one of the girls after they went through so much trouble to help me. Talk about customer service, they went the extra mile for me in securing these women.
 
Desktop said:
BOA really sucks for international use. I’ve used my card like once or twice here in Tokyo then then they reissued my card.
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If I hadn't had the BOA card for 15+ years, I'd cancel it... It's the longest credit history I have on my US record. My Japanese cards are much more useful all over the globe....
 
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hawaiianhawk said:
they went through so much trouble to help me. Talk about customer service, they went the extra mile for me in securing these women.
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Don't believe everything they tell you... they'll do whatever they can to get every yen they can from someone who's willing.
 
Desktop, sorry to hear that happened to you. For myself, this is the first time BOA has failed, but there saying nothing is showing on their end as to why the cards are being declined and they see no transactions showing the hotel and restaurant have tried.. I've called twice and spoken with different operators and both have told me the same thing.
 
Same here Chris - I've had my BOA cards forever, first time I've had an issue with them. Other companies and credit unions I've had cards with had always given me problems so I cancelled them. And yes, I know agencies will tell you stuff, but I've texted with them for over an hour telling them which girls, when, times, etc. and they've replied will let you know once women reply back and then followed up with me thereafter for 2 days so for me I gotta give them some kudos. I haven't used other agencies here in Japan so can't compare, but from reviews I've read, I don't think others would go through such an effort, they would just say "next" and move on.
 
I never withdraw cash from my credit cards, it's just too high interest and I guess I also don't have a pin number I guess
 
hawaiianhawk said:
I never withdraw cash from my credit cards, it's just too high interest and I guess I also don't have a pin number I guess
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With my cards they just take the fee for withdrawal if I pay it back with the next bill. As I always do.

So the interest rate is no interest to me.

Yeah, I am pretty proud of that last sentence. :p
 
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Paying P4P with a credit card is something I would avoid at all cost, but that's me;)
Things you could try ... Ask your hotel if they can help you out with some cash and put it on your credit card. I had did this once ages ago in Japan before every seven eleven had an ATM that accepted foreign cards.
For your appointments, well ... Check with them if you can pay online, either with your credit card or PayPal or something ...
 
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