Job Discussion Forums

[fat_chris]

Yes, I have done the search function for "Citibank". And yes, I have gotten the desired information.

But still, I need to hear it again. So really, I can just show up in Tokyo, slip in my Citibank ATM card from New York into a Tokyo Citibank ATM machine (for example, the one in Shinjuku near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices and the Keio Plaza Hotel), punch in my four digit secret code--the same one that I use in New York, and voila! I can indeed draw out yen from my existing funds from my checking account based in New York City?!? It's that easy?!?

Or is there a hitch?

Please excuse my Luddite tendencies here.

I just want this to be confirmed because I will be arriving in Tokyo low on funds but will have a bundle deposited into my checking account a few days after my arrival in Japan. I just want to be sure that I will be able to access these funds easily. Naturally, I don't want any nasty, ugly surprises.

Many thanks in advance for quelling/exacerbating my insecurities.

Regards,
fat_c

[Khyron]

As long as your bank card is capable of using international machines (Cirrus card, Plus card, etc. Check to see if these symbols are on your card!), then it should work in most major banks as long as they accept international cards.

[Asher]

I have a Mastercard debit card with a smaller credit union. As long as I went to the Post Office and used the ATM there, I had no trouble.

Elsewhere, it was hit or miss for me....but it was never really an issue.

[markle]

To reiterate and combine the two posts above if your ATM card has a cirrus/maestro (Mastercard) or plus (Visa) logo on it you can go to any Post office and withdraw from your home account.

Don't know about Citibank, but I'm pretty sure they are separate entities and so it may not be as straightforward as you hope.

[dove]

I use my Citibank card that was issued in Chicago all the time at Citibank ATMs in Tokyo--and for that matter, at Citibank ATMs all over the world. That`s one of the benefits of Citibank.

[Dipso]

I have used my British HSBC cards at Japanese Citibank ATMs with no problems, so I wouldn't have thought that you would have any difficulties with a US-issued Citibank card.

[chinagirl]

Seven-Eleven convenience stores, which are everywhere, have ATMs that now accept international credit cards and bank cards, with instructions in English. You should have no problems.

[fat_chris]

Cheers everyone. Sorry to beat the dead horse deader on this issue.

Flying into Tokyo with few dollars/yen in pocket makes fat_chris a nervous boy. Like I said, I will be having a mess of money deposited into my account a few days after arrival, but that would certainly stink to have money that I couldn't access.

Again, many thanks for all of your responses and putting my mind at ease. Now, just gotta make sure I don't blow my wad (did I say that?) during my time in Tokyo.

Regards,
fat_c

[G Cthulhu]