Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX?

[AntarcticFinance]

I am applying for a third Japanese credit card, and my first two are both Visa cards. The new card I am applying for gives me the option of Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX. Is there any advantage to diversifying the payment provider by having a card that isn't Visa this time?

[captainspoke]

Well, if you're interested in shopping there, costco may still ask for mastercard.

[gaijin86]

Get a Mastercard rather than Amex.
Amex usually has higher fees and is accepted in fewer places.

[Tsumitate Wrestler]

What wireless/ketai options do the cards offer?

Visa - > Visa touch? and/or iD pay?
Mastercard -> Quickpay?

Visa touch is nice because it is international, and pays 5% back at many stores (Via SMBC/Vpoints w/Gold NL at least).

Quickpay and id are the Japanese standards. Most stores in the city will accept one/the other/or both.
...........

American Express -> Do not bother unless you have special circumstances.

[Deep Blue]

5% how? I have a SMBC Prestia Visa card with vpoints and cash back is 1% I thought? I use both visa touch and ID

[Tsumitate Wrestler]

5% how? I have a SMBC Prestia Visa card with vpoints and cash back is 1% I thought? I use both visa touch and ID

https://www.smbc-card.com/mem/cardinfo/ ... 001629.jsp
https://www.smbc-card.com/nyukai/card/g ... erless.jsp

+1% points via Tsumitate at SBI

[zeroshiki]

I have all 4 card brands and visa and master are pretty much the only thing you need. I suggest getting a mastercard so you cover both major brands. JCB and Amex have more problems outside of some stores not accepting them. Mainly that google pay or apple pay don't accept certain versions.

[Deep Blue]

5% how? I have a SMBC Prestia Visa card with vpoints and cash back is 1% I thought? I use both visa touch and ID

https://www.smbc-card.com/mem/cardinfo/ ... 001629.jsp
https://www.smbc-card.com/nyukai/card/g ... erless.jsp

+1% points via Tsumitate at SBI

Thanks.. so the 5% cash back is just at selected retailers, mostly convenience stores and quick service restaurants?

[nanaya]

diversifying the type is probably good idea. DMM for example doesn't accept master card. Apple Pay also prefers one to the other (I forgot which one).

[AntarcticFinance]

Thanks for everyone's input. Maybe I will get Mastercard then this time to diversify and in case I shop at Costco.

I heard that MC is less common than Visa in Japan, not sure if that's true. Are there any potential disadvantages going with Mastercard in Japan that anyone is aware of?