Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zach with a Z · Joined: 19 Feb 2009

Does it?

Will it work in nam?

its got the plus logo on the back...

anyone know first hand?

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject:

I know quite a few people personally, and have read lots of stories here about being stuck overseas with no access to cash, despite being assured by the teller/manager that their card would work "just fine."

Have a backup plan, for sure. Since I've been living in Korea, I don't tie my shoes without a backup plan.

littlelisa · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul

I'm in China and it's working for me.

I first got it and then went to Sweden, it didn't work. I never trusted banks here anyway and had money in traveller's cheques, though it was more of a pain.

Friday I went in to my bank and told them I'd be going to China and using the card overseas. First they assured me it would work, then I told them the story of when I was in Sweden, they said maybe visa doesn't work in Sweden, I told them of course it did. 5 mins later after discussing it with others, they came back with a form in Korean and ticked a box that said something about foreigners being able to access their money from overseas, asked me to sign, and I have no troubles.

Just in case, I have traveller's cheques with me anyway, but I'll keep it as just in case money for my next trip and just use my card here.

I know people who haven't had problems with their cards from the start, though, so who knows.

Moral of the story: 1. The answer is maybe. 2. Always have a backup plan.

Colorado · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

Some of these cards will work only during Korean banking hours.

waseige1 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

I don't know what town you are in, but KEB has special "foreign branches". I know where the one is in Busan and it is where I go. They are THE BEST. The card can work, but they have to do something. A friend and I went to the same branch on different days. We got two different (very different) looking cards issued to us. This confused us and we returned together. My card had been set up internationally, his had not. When I setup my account I was very clear that this was the ONLY reason I was changing to their bank. I had a bad experience with NongHyup.

They checked and sure enough, mine would have been OK, his would not have been OK. They made a change.

We traveled to Thailand together and both cards worked. My NongHyup card did not work (even though I was promised twice that it would).

Go find the KEB international branch in your city and have a talk with them.

sugarloaf82 · Joined: 21 Dec 2008

I've used my KEB ATM/debit card in several SE Asian countries without a problem. I've always had my ATM card from my American bank as backup, but never had to use it.

Also, I've noticed that occasionally it's not the cards that don't work, but it's the ATMs in general. Sometimes a card I've had (not referring to my KEB card) hasn't worked at one ATM so I'd go to another and it worked fine...

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Well, I'm in Boracay right now and my KEB card isn't working (and yes, I know I shouldn't be on Dave's on vacation).

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Unfortunately I guess the answer is "maybe."

I have a KEB international debit card with the Visa Plus logo on the back,and it's worked in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, and the US without any problems. I used it last week in Japan and it was fine.

However, many people either were refused these cards from their banks, or were given them only to find they don't work overseas.

I made a poll last December that found that 36% of people either couldn't get a card or were given one that didn't work overseas:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=142676

Certainly an obstacle to making banks better for foreigners, and to making foreigners more excited about Korean banks.

jomiro · Joined: 10 Jan 2010

make sure you go to the bank and have it activated for fx transactions.
(that, if its a check card)

if you have activated it, you can withdraw money with the card at every ATM. you pay 1% of the amount withdrawn as a service charge.
you cannot pay in the stores with the card, unlike in korea.
for that you will need a full credit card.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

If you are in Seoul and can get to one of the ATM machines on Yongsan base, try and take out some dollars. Then you will know if your card works overseas.

Tigerstyleone · Joined: 01 Feb 2009

Standard Charter is the best Korean bank card to use for travel.
Its an international bank with home office is Hong Kong, and my card works all around the world.
Don't use KB or KEB or any of the Korean only banks.
Go with international banks like SC.

Spud10 · Joined: 26 Sep 2009

My KEB card worked in Cambodia, but only at the ATM to withdraw cash. To make purchases, it was denied.

I believe some one may have said that somewhere above, but I'm too lazy to read, so I'm just tossing my 2 cents into the pot.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Tigerstyleone · Joined: 01 Feb 2009

Young FRANKenstein

I'm in Canada right now, and it didn't work for me two days ago. This after talking to a KEB rep in person, another over the phone and receiving an email from the latter all telling me it was okay.

I wasn't relying on the money from my account--I can still use the credit card--but it still ticks me off I don't have access to my money in my account.