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VISA or Mastercard - which is more accepted in Korea/etc.?

 
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mmace1



Joined: 08 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:42 pm    Post subject: VISA or Mastercard - which is more accepted in Korea/etc.? Reply with quote

Hi, I have a Citibank mastercard I plan on taking with me to S. Korea (I'm a US citizen and the card is US-based) - Should it work fine in S. Korea/ elsewhere? Would I be better off with a VISA?

Would I be fine using the Mastercard for purchases in Korea for the next year?
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kat2



Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think visa is most often accepted here. Some places accept mastercard too. That being said, it's not safe to rely on your credit card when here. Some stores will accept it, some will not (even if they both have a visa sticker on the window/door/cash register). It's hard to predict.
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The_Eyeball_Kid



Joined: 20 Jun 2007

PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:18 pm    Post subject: Re: VISA or Mastercard - which is more accepted in Korea/etc Reply with quote

mmace1 wrote:
Hi, I have a Citibank mastercard I plan on taking with me to S. Korea (I'm a US citizen and the card is US-based) - Should it work fine in S. Korea/ elsewhere? Would I be better off with a VISA?

Would I be fine using the Mastercard for purchases in Korea for the next year?


Don't bother with either. Most places won't accept a foreign credit card, so you'll be restricted to using it for cash advances from ATMs, which will cost you an arm and a leg in fees and will attract a higher rate of interest than purchases. It will also be a pain in the arse to make payments onto it. If you bring one, use it just for emergencies.
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Bramble



Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Location: National treasures need homes

PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I cancelled mine years ago and I wish I hadn't. There are a lot of products I'd like to buy online, and it's very inconvenient without a credit card.
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jvalmer



Joined: 06 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you go into a major store, than using a non-Korean credit card should be no problem. I've used my Canadian visa, mastcard and even amex card in many places, in the sticks and small mom-pop stores, and it always has worked.
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richardlang



Joined: 21 Jan 2007
Location: Gangnam

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've used my U.S. VISA at pharmacies, department stores, and small shops and I've never had a problem. I think you'd be better off with a VISA card. Also when you go to transfer money back to your home country, KEB is the way to go.

Try getting a Capital One credit card. It doesn't charge you for currency conversions, as they absorb the cost and consider it negligible.
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mmace1



Joined: 08 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, that's great info about the Capital One, I just applied for a VISA card of theirs.
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