RetireJapan

Anyone used Apple Pay at Costco locations in Japan? I searched and found this link:

https://www.orico.co.jp/costco/merit/applepay.html

Google Translate: You can use Apple Pay with your Costco Global Card. *It cannot be used at Costco warehouses.

What?! Is this webpage outdated?

The Costco Global Card only offers 1.5% points back, and when I inquired in store I was told that as a foreigner I have to be a permanent resident to even qualify…

I'm thinking of getting the Apple Card, which is a Mastercard, no foreign transaction fees, and offers 2% cash back on any purchases using Apple Pay, while 1% back with physical card swipes. Hence Apple Pay would be ideal in this scenario.

Thanks!

Pretty sure the only cashless payment system available at Costco is credit card. The credit card terminals have no nfc section, so I imagine Apple Pay et al are still a while away.

Costco's business model is to cut costs by buying in bulk and keeping things to a single brand. That includes with their card handler, by being exclusive to Mastercard, they get a cheaper rate.

Apple Pay's business model is to take a cut of the transaction fee, increasing costs for the vendor.

So, you can't use Apple Pay at Costco (or any other payment method than a physical Mastercard or cash).

@Tony, I see. Disappointing news…

@adamu, you're absolutely correct about the business model, except that mobile payments such as Apple Pay is accepted at Costco in the US:

https://customerservice.costco.com/app/ ... -costco%3F

True, we're in Japan, but many of the services at Costco Japan are surprisingly similar to the US, hence my surprise. For example, returns in Japan are practically impossible from my experience, but Costco Japan takes returns practically no questions asked. Although mobile payments in Japan still lags behind most of the developed world.

I got the Costco Orico Mastercard, but actually use my Saison United Airlines Mileage Plus Mastercard earns 15 miles per ¥1,000, which I figure is about a 3% return. The UA card gets me miles which are good on Star Alliance (ANA).

I also just signed up for the Executive membership. Spending over 300,000/yr makes it worthwhile, and we average about 450,000/yr.