GAICA is ending

[Roger Van Zant]

I just received notice that the prepaid GAICA card, affiliated with SBI新生銀行, which I have been using for overseas trips will cease to operate next year.

https://www.aplus.co.jp/notes/gaica-end.html

Not sure if any others are using this, so just thought to share here.
I guess WISE is the best option now?

[William]

I received the same notification — I just got a Gaica card for my trip to Europe earlier this year. I was pretty happy with it, and I used it well during my trip, but indeed, I guess Wise will be the only option now. My understanding is that it's the cheapest/easiest option now.

[Roger Van Zant]

I received the same notification — I just got a Gaica card for my trip to Europe earlier this year. I was pretty happy with it, and I used it well during my trip, but indeed, I guess Wise will be the only option now. My understanding is that it's the cheapest/easiest option now.

I'm going to the UK for two weeks later this month.
I cannot decide whether to (1) load up my WISE card with yen and then let it convert to GBP on the spot when I use the card in the UK, or (2) to load it up with yen and immediately convert the yen to GBP so that there is a GBP balance sitting on the card.

Any advice? My first time using my WISE card outside Japan.

[adamu]

Apart from what I said last time

It's up to you.

If you convert to GBP first, it'll use the GBP balance.

If you don't have enough GBP balance, it'll convert from your JPY balance on the fly, giving you a notification about how much JPY it used.

I think it's simpest to just let it convert on the fly.

Most likely you'll spend more than you expected and have to top up your JPY a few times anyway

[William]

I'm going to the UK for two weeks later this month.
I cannot decide whether to (1) load up my WISE card with yen and then let it convert to GBP on the spot when I use the card in the UK, or (2) to load it up with yen and immediately convert the yen to GBP so that there is a GBP balance sitting on the card.

Any advice? My first time using my WISE card outside Japan.

I'm sorry, I wouldn't know — I used the card only one time, and I loaded it with EUR from my Shinsei Bank Account (Bought EUR with this one-month investment plan since I knew I would need EUR in the coming months).

One thing, though: occasionally, my Gaica card was denied. It happened to me two or three times despite plenty of funds on it. I'm not quite sure to have understood all the details, but when I asked the shop owner why, he told me that it could be because the JP bank (or some intermediaries?) is blocked or they refuse to accept a prepaid card.
Anyway, my point is: Gaica was great for me, but it is always good to have another option, to be on the safe side.

[Roger Van Zant]

Apart from what I said last time

It's up to you.

If you convert to GBP first, it'll use the GBP balance.

If you don't have enough GBP balance, it'll convert from your JPY balance on the fly, giving you a notification about how much JPY it used.

I think it's simpest to just let it convert on the fly.

Most likely you'll spend more than you expected and have to top up your JPY a few times anyway

I hadn't forgotten your previous advice.
I was just thinking out loud.
Yeah, I think I will just leave it as yen on the card and let it convert on the fly.

[AntarcticFinance]

I received the same notification — I just got a Gaica card for my trip to Europe earlier this year. I was pretty happy with it, and I used it well during my trip, but indeed, I guess Wise will be the only option now. My understanding is that it's the cheapest/easiest option now.

I'm going to the UK for two weeks later this month.
I cannot decide whether to (1) load up my WISE card with yen and then let it convert to GBP on the spot when I use the card in the UK, or (2) to load it up with yen and immediately convert the yen to GBP so that there is a GBP balance sitting on the card.

Any advice? My first time using my WISE card outside Japan.

What's the advantage of using your Wise card in the UK over a Japanese credit card? I guess the FX rate would be worse with the CC, but on the other hand that might be offset by the points you accrue on your credit card (miles etc.)

[adamu]

What's the advantage of using your Wise card in the UK over a Japanese credit card? I guess the FX rate would be worse with the CC, but on the other hand that might be offset by the points you accrue on your credit card (miles etc.)

Exactly. The loaded rate is is usually multiple times more than the points you earn. If it's not please tell us so we know which one to use.

[AntarcticFinance]

What's the advantage of using your Wise card in the UK over a Japanese credit card? I guess the FX rate would be worse with the CC, but on the other hand that might be offset by the points you accrue on your credit card (miles etc.)

Exactly. The loaded rate is is usually multiple times more than the points you earn. If it's not please tell us so we know which one to use.

Ah I see, in that case, using your Wise card to pay for goods and services overseas has merit. I've always used mine just to withdraw cash overseas from an ATM as the rate is much better than money exchange services in airports, but have always used my credit card for anything else.

Wow, credit card FX rates are really that bad? Points on credit cards are typically 1-1.5% of the purchase (please let me know too if you know any better), so that must mean that the CC FX rate is worse that than. That's a really poor deal from the CC companies then... goodness.

[beanhead]

Exactly. The loaded rate is is usually multiple times more than the points you earn. If it's not please tell us so we know which one to use.

Credit cards come with payment insurance whereas debit cards are treated just like cash.
So credit cards for any flights, higher-priced train tickets, and even somewhat expensive items like shoes or some clothes makes sense, I think.