Overseas ATM card

[nagasakirams]

What are my options for an ATM card I can use overseas.? Are there even any?
Previously, I have used Citibank and Shinsei.
Thanks

[beanhead]

Sony Bank advertises this as one of their USPs.

[adamu]

https://wise.com/jp/

[Tkydon]

Prestia (ex-Citibank) Global Pass

https://www.smbctb.co.jp/en/product/globalpass/

[mighty58]

Seven Bank's debit card on the Cirrus network (separate application needed after opening your account)
https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/english/per ... t/how.html

[Teflon]

Prestia (ex-Citibank) Global Pass

https://www.smbctb.co.jp/en/product/globalpass/

I second this recommendation! I'm currently in London for the first time since before the pandemic and it appears that almost every place is completely cashless now. The 200 GBP I had converted for spending money prior to arriving is nearly useless. Thank goodness I had tossed my Prestia Global Pass Visa/Debit card into my backpack. It works flawlessly for contactless payments and it is approved in less than a second. Amazing that a Japanese bank managed to get integrated into this system. This is the future.

[adamu]

Thank goodness I had tossed my Prestia Global Pass Visa/Debit card into my backpack. It works flawlessly for contactless payments and it is approved in less than a second. Amazing that a Japanese bank managed to get integrated into this system.

What is it about the Presita Global Pass that's better than the other options?

[Tkydon]

Prestia (ex-Citibank) Global Pass

https://www.smbctb.co.jp/en/product/globalpass/

I second this recommendation! I'm currently in London for the first time since before the pandemic and it appears that almost every place is completely cashless now. The 200 GBP I had converted for spending money prior to arriving is nearly useless. Thank goodness I had tossed my Prestia Global Pass Visa/Debit card into my backpack. It works flawlessly for contactless payments and it is approved in less than a second. Amazing that a Japanese bank managed to get integrated into this system. This is the future.

An American Bank (Citibank) with a new Japanese owner (SMBC-TB)

Try doing that with their Sister Japanese bank (SMBC...) - No Way - LoL!

[Teflon]

Thank goodness I had tossed my Prestia Global Pass Visa/Debit card into my backpack. It works flawlessly for contactless payments and it is approved in less than a second. Amazing that a Japanese bank managed to get integrated into this system.

What is it about the Presita Global Pass that's better than the other options?

I don't know that it's better for everyone but for me it's more convenient because I already have a Prestia account with direct yen deposits every month so there is no need to transfer money anywhere. I can simply use my normal Prestia ATM card aka "Global Pass" and it just works like a normal contactless Visa card. I just went to Tesco and used my Prestia Global Pass to buy a bottle of grapefruit juice that cost £1.50. When I checked my Prestia account online I could see that it had debited 243 yen for the purchase. According to Google, £1.50 is equivalent to 237 yen at the current exchange rate. I think the spread of 4 yen per £1 is reasonable.

I also have a Shinsei account which offers the option of the Gaica Prepaid Visa card that behaves like a normal credit card but actually debits money from your Shinsei account. Applying for it was a hassle so I never bothered with it. I don't see why they can't combine the Shinsei ATM card and Gaica card functionality into a single card like Prestia does by default.

[nagasakirams]

Sony Bank advertises this as one of their USPs.

Thanks! I hadn't heard of this bank but will check it out.