Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ajuma]

Thanks! I had a Korean collegue call Samsung and the woman was in my office within 2 hours. My card will arrive in 7-10 days!

[Pyongshin Sangja]

I got my samsung amex card a little while ago. The woman came the next day, had the card in two weeks. A rep. fluent in English called me to verify the info. I don't actually know what the limit is. Probably the same as mishlert. Thanks Mishlert! Seems to work everywhere. Next step, Visa and Mastercard. Anyone?

[Annn]

Domestic cards don't usually charge an annual fee, while some domestic cards that offer special savings for on-line reservations for movies and some other discounts charge an annual fee of 7,000 won (around there). Of course, domestic cards can't be used in other countries and don't have a VISA or MASTERCARD logo on them. Also your first annual fee is often waived.

International Cards (those with VISA or MASTERCARD logos) charge an annual rate of 10,000 won+. I have a SKYPASS (KAL milege card) LG Mastercard and my annual rate is 12,000/won. I have had a Kookmin card before (by the way, I have an F4 Visa) and this was before the credit card problems in Korea and my credit limit went up to 10 million won. (I stop using this card because on my a trip overseas, I had my wallet stolen with credit cards in it. While my husband who has a LG card could get real-time info on when the last transaction took place etc, Kookmin bank couldn't provide such info) Recently, I applied for the LG card and the screening process was quite strict (they asked to see the financial statements of my company etc). And my credit limit is only a million won. I called to complain about this because a perfect credit rating but with recent credit card problems in this country, I have to make payments for the next 6 months before they readjust my credit limit.

(sorry, my post is a little disorganized - a long day at work!)

[2T]

korean exchange bank (keb) will give you a visa, credit card, if you open an account like a term deposit, with a deposit of about 1,000,000won.
the more you deposit, the higher the credit.

however, as soon as you withdraw the amount from that account your credit card is cancelled.

another account is also made so that your credit card payments can come out of that one, unless you already have an account at keb.

all you need is your passport, alien card and the deposit.

this saves you the hassles of getting letters and statements from people.

hope this helps

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Thanks. I had heard about that card but wasn't sure who offered it. My paycheck is automatically deposited to Nonghyup Bank, I have no choice so I had to open an account there. I haven't tried to get a Nonghyup Visa, shouldn't be a problem. The only problem is that Nonghyup bank cards aren't linked to Cirrus or Plus Interac systems so they are only good in Korea, so I don't really want to deal with them anymore. I am sure that their VISA would be good overseas. I already have a Hana Bank account and they are on the Plus system, can't decide what to do. If I don't have to get a secured card, I don't really want to. If so, thanks for the info about KEB. Would kinda prefer to do all my banking with them because they have an office in Vancouver(my hometown.) Stupid employer will only deal with Nonghyup because they are the only bank on my campus. By the way, what is the deal with these domestic credit cards that are only good in Korea that don't have the VISA or Mastercard logo? How do people know they are a credit card?

[Annn]

Domestic cards without the Mastercard/Visa/Amex (or whatever) logo on them have the credit card company logo (e.g. I have a Samsung card and it has a silver shiney Samsung logo - you now, like the shiney world map thing on your Mastercard - where the Mastercard logo should go). I guess this makes it different from your regular ATM card and it should say "cash card" or "debit card" on your regular ATM card as well. (I just checked mine)

[kangnamdragon]

So which card can I get in Korea and use in the United States when I go home for vacation? And, exactly where to I go to get it. My bank says they don't give foreingers cards, and when I tried to get a Samsung card at one of those stalls at a mall, they would not talk to me.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Call the above number for Samsung Amex cards. They will come to you. If you have a uni job. They don't seem to talk to hagwoners. Either that or the KEB secured card. Anyone else have any options. Thanks for the info Annn. My card has an AMEX logo on it and it is good till 2008 so I am sure it is international.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Well, I have had my Samsung amex for a while now and I am getting a Samsung VISA as well. Same credit, the two cards are tied together through samsung. I just wanted a card that said visa because amex isn't accepted everywhere. I could also have a mastercard if I wanted. Maybe later. Nonghyup bank offered me a visa if I could give them a letter confirming my employment and income from my university. Nothing about first year contracts or whatever. I have only been at my first uni job for 5 months now. Call em.

[chronicpride]

A question to anyone that has the KEB secured card, do they offer one that has Airmiles/SKYPASS miles?