ATM services discontinued for overseas Mastercard Brand cards at 7/11
Dec 17th, 2009, 03:04 PM
#1
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ATM services discontinued for overseas Mastercard Brand cards at 7/11
According to Seven Bank, Auto Teller Machine services for overseas Mastercard Brand cards have been discontinued as of 14 December 2009. The reason for this is because of a revision of conditions imposed by Mastercard which Seven Bank did not find viable. Seven Bank are negiotiating with Mastercard but as to if services will be resumed is not known.
This means that you won't be able to use a Mastercard, Maestro or Cirrus card to withdraw money or check balances at ATMs at 7/11 convenience stores for the forseeable future.
I am sure this will affect a lot of people travelling in or planning to travel to Japan.
http://www.jnto.org.au/pdf_up/pdf_20...1_24_02181.pdf
This means that you won't be able to use a Mastercard, Maestro or Cirrus card to withdraw money or check balances at ATMs at 7/11 convenience stores for the forseeable future.
I am sure this will affect a lot of people travelling in or planning to travel to Japan.
http://www.jnto.org.au/pdf_up/pdf_20...1_24_02181.pdf
Dec 18th, 2009, 01:22 AM
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It is a real bummer who for those who travel just with their Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus card for cash withdrawals. While in major cities you still have Citibank (24 hours) and a few other ATMs you can use, in small towns you are restricted to Japan Post ATMs, which have varying operating hours (7-Eleven are 24/7). In small branches, hours may be as short as 9-5 Mon-Fri and Sat 9-1, closed all day Sundays and holidays. Japan being still a cash-based society, you cannot rely on credit card for many everyday transactions, such as local train and bus tickets, entry charges, modest restaurants and most supermarkets/small shops.
So try to carry a Visa debit/ATM card as well, and stock up on cash whenever you see a useable ATM and don't start looking for one when you are running out of yen.
So try to carry a Visa debit/ATM card as well, and stock up on cash whenever you see a useable ATM and don't start looking for one when you are running out of yen.
Dec 18th, 2009, 07:52 AM
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Thanks for the info - luckily I just checked the card I use when I travel and it's a Visa type. I found the 7-Elevens very convenient for cash withdrawals on my last trip to Japan. Hopefully they will straighten out the issue with MC....
Dec 21st, 2009, 01:46 PM
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I have found that one of the most challenging aspects of traveling in Japan, perhaps the only thing after the language, is finding an ATM machine that accepts my card (and its network). Many ATM machines only accept cards issued in Japan. Others accept a limited number of networks. I have found only ONE ATM machine in all of Shinjuku that accepts my card (7th floor food court of Odaku department store with entrance in Shinjuku station). the super friendly department store "greeter" showed me the way. Everything else about traveling in Japan is super convenient and efficient!
