Korean Job Discussion Forums

genaureliano · Joined: 04 Jan 2004

I have an account at Nong Hyup. I went in yesterday to try to get some card, either credit or check card with a mastercard or visa logo so I can buy things on the internet. They told me no way on the credit card (is this strange seeing how I make 2.0 a month, and they know it?). I walked out with a check card with a Maestro logo. Diet Mastercard, I guess. Anyway, it does nothing more for me except allowing me to use it out of the country, which is something, I guess. Does anyone have a korean credit card? How did you get it? Does anyone have a checkcard/debit card with a mastercard, visa logo? How did you get it?

I got the distinct feeling that the woman I was talking to, reallly just didn't want to deal with a foreigner.

Peace.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

That's odd. I have a Master Card/BC Card through Nong-Hyup and it's good through 2010. I have had nothing but good service from them. Much better than I ever got from Kook-Min.

Do you keep a healthy balance in your account? (That's the only thing I can think of that might account for the difference in treatment.)

seoulsucker · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject:

You can go corporate, if you like.

Lotte offers a 1 mil limit card to anyone with an ARC, passport, bankbook, and health insurance card. (not sure if I needed the last one, but I brought it anyway).

Go to the main Lotte department store in Myung-dong, top floor, there's a finance center. Takes about 20 minutes to fill out the paperwork, and it took about a week to get it in the mail.

Not a huge limit, but perfect for travel, online booking and purchases, etc.

genaureliano · Joined: 04 Jan 2004

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Gangneung, any idea how to get a corporate card all the way over here? Cheers

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Bank cards are harder to get than corporate cards.

www.samsungcard.co.kr

Call their number, someone will come to you with an application, you will receive the card later.

I think your problem is...working in a hagwon. Uni teachers get cards much more easily.

Sorta.

mytime · Joined: 15 Oct 2006

I suggest going to woori bank and ask for a credit card....its pretty easy if they speak english or if you go with a korean...it took me 20 min in and out

Just one thing: you must pre-load it with 1 mill won and then your limit is 95% of that.....at anytime you wont be able to spend more than what you have in that account......so its like a pre-paid credit card...but it works everywhere and on the net

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

Corky · Joined: 06 Jan 2004

My Samsung card was easy to get. I had it about 2 weeks after I applied and it came with a 5,000,000 won limit including a 2,000,000 won cash advance limit. At first I didn't even want to apply for it because of how I was shot down at KB and Shinhan (Chohung at the time).

The best thing about it is that all taxed purchases are recorded, so you don't have to use the tax card number to claim it at the end of the year. My return was MUCH higher last year (over a million won), and I'm sure the Samsung card was the reason why. I think I've lost a lot of money over the years because I was unfamiliar with the way taxes are done here.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:09 am Post subject:

I got a MasterCard from Nonghyup... go back and talk to the manager!

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

I don't know, call me crazy, but isn't it just easier to keep or apply for a credit card from your bank in your home country...? Maybe I'm missing something that could be gained from having a Korean one? I guess you could make the payments a bit easier, but then it's not difficult to do it with home banks either thanks to cheap phone cards or the net...

genaureliano · Joined: 04 Jan 2004

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into it.

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

JAZZYJJJ · Joined: 18 Jul 2006

braunshade · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Location: Somewhere better!

you must absolutely have an insurance card for a Lotte card??

ed · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Here's what I did.

I went to the local Woori bank and applied for a Visa card.

You fill out a bunch of paperwork in Korean then they give you two bank accounts.

The first is a long term savings account that you cannot touch unless you close it and withdraw all money.

You need to put a minimum of one million in it at the time you fill in the application and I put in 3.5 mill.

This is your credit limit.

The second is a regular bank account. If you use your Visa card anywhere in the world and online and spend say 2 mill (if your credit limit is 2 mill) then they will freeze your card until you have paid them 2 mill.

To do this you go into the branch and put 2 mill into your regular account and it will be used to pay your bill.

They and you can never touch the savings account unless you close it and withdraw all in which case they will cut up your card.

It took me a few months to figure all this out but now I know.

Hope this helps!