• expired

Top up JPY ¥3000 on Suica with Apple Pay, Get JPY ¥200 Cashback, 5 Uses @ Mastercard Travel Rewards (Activation Required)

600

Handy for your snow vacation or upcoming plum and cherry blossom trip.

You do need a Mastercard that comes with the Mastercard Travel Rewards perk. You need to sign up for the program and activate prior to spending for the cashback. The cards below provide access to the program and do not charge any international transaction fee:

For Commbank Ultimate Rewards credit card, use:
https://mtr.mastercardservices.com/en/i/1527/offers/721d16f6…

Citibank Plus Mastercard, use (Ensure you perform your transactions early to get your cashback credited before closure of the card on 23 Feb 2024):
https://mtr.mastercardservices.com/en/i/17549/offers/721d16f…

Westpac/St. George/Bank of Melbourne/BankSA Travel Money Card, use (top up card with only AU$ to use Mastercard conversion rates) (can't add these cards to Apple Pay):
https://mtr.mastercardservices.com/en/i/20657/offers/721d16f6-61af-4da7-b525-7bbc068594af

Latitude has a page that supposedly says 28 degrees Mastercard comes with the Mastercard Travel Rewards benefit but the link on their support page currently appears dead. People have confirmed that 28 degrees isn't working so go file a complaint with Latitude over misleading information:
https://latitudefs.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/51585095727…

Test your Mastercard to see if it supports the Mastercard Travel Rewards program here:
https://mtr.mastercardservices.com/


Spend JPY 3,000 with East Japan Railway Company by topping up to Suica via Apple Pay, get JPY 200 cash back.

The Suica is a prepaid e-money card for moving around and shopping. There is no more need to buy a ticket from a vending machine. Just touch your Suica to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted from your Suica. The Suica can be used not only for JR East trains. The Suica can also be used to pay for things with e-money. For traveling in Japan, the Suica makes a more pleasant trip.
How to access this offer

This offer is available only after you have clicked add to card.

Terms of use

Qualifying transactions are limited to those processed by Mastercard and can only be made with an eligible Mastercard card issued outside the country of transaction. Offer is valid for qualifying transactions made in a single transaction.

This offer is only valid when topped up with Apple Pay. Mobile Suica, other payment services, and charging at station ticket vending machines are not eligible. Please check how to use Apple Pay for Suica at the following link : https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207154. Eligible Mastercard card registration and offer activation is required prior to purchase by going to mtr.mastercardservices.com or www.priceless.com/travelrewards, registering card, and activating offer. Offer is limited to five redemptions per cardholder during the promotion period. Valid for purchases made in JPY only. If Mastercard does not receive information that identifies your transaction as qualifying for the offer, you will not receive a statement credit. Statement credit may be reversed if qualifying purchase is returned/cancelled.

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closed Comments

  • Any non-credit cards that have this perk and supports Apple Pay? The Travel Money/Worldwide Wallet cards Westpac/St. George/Bank of Melbourne/BankSA notably do not support Apple Pay, and therefore cannot be used to reload Mobile Suica.

    • Thanks! Updated post to say you can't add these cards to Apple Pay.

  • +8

    ¥3000 ≈ $30
    ¥200 ≈ $2

    Make sure your card is free international and currency conversion fees or you get slap with fees higher then the cash back

    • Any recommendations?

      • I’ve been using ‘wise’ and have found exchange Au-jpy exchange rates to be consistently better than visa.

        I can pm you a referral link if you want (or you can get a link from the OzB page).

        • I haven't used wise since I got it years ago….I remember travelling and having it rejected almost everywhere. I then just quit. I still have 1k AUD in JPY there…

  • +2

    I heard that people can't get physical suica cards lately?

    • Availability is restricted, however tourists can get them at select JR East Travel Service Centers as of a few weeks ago. Mobile Suica on Apple Pay does not require a purchase of a physical card, you can purchase and activate them right from the Wallet app.

      • +3

        Mobile Suica is horribly limited to only popular phones sold in Japan. Apple is fine, but android doesn't even support s20 nor Poco. Beware!

        • I've also heard the app was bad so just add Suica to Apple Wallet as a transit card instead of the app. You can only do it while in Japan though.

          I used it on a trip last month. I liked how I was able to top up my credit on the train when I noticed the balance was low going though the gate and I wouldn't have been able to exit the gate at my destination. It also has a log of previous trips/spending.

          Apparently (haven't tested) it works without data/wifi and when the battery is dead on your iPhone.

          • @Obake: Correct. Apple mobile wallet Suica card - can only be activated and topped up while in Japan.

            Also works without wifi / data, and even if phone dead for a few hours.

            Kids Suica still available at JR stations (no shortage of kids Suica cards, and ok for other groups eg. disabled)

            • @dangerdanger: While I have not tested activating Mobile Suica, I've been able to go all the way to the Apple Pay transaction screen, and I've successfully topped mine up multiple times outside the country.

              Years ago, you would only be able to do it when your device region is set to Japan, and (if not transferring from a physical card) using the dedicated no-English Suica app instead of the native Apple Wallet app. It got a lot easier since.

              • @peso255: Was in Tokyo 2 wks so, wife had iPhone 13. Would not activate in Australia, activated fine once we landed in Japan. Your mileage may vary.

                I had an old suica card that needed to be 'reactivated' at a gate aa it's been a while since my last trip

                • @dangerdanger: Maybe they have changed something recently. We were there in August and activated and topped up Suica cards just fine before leaving Australia. iPhone 13 and 14 Pro.

                  Even without a deal, I highly recommend Suica on Apple Pay over a physical card. So easy. And you can set it as your express transit card so don’t have to even unlock your phone.

                  You can also move it to an Apple Watch, but you can’t have it on both phone and watch at the same time - but I think you can run two separate cards if you’re ok with running two balances.

          • @Obake: I have added suica to my Apple wallet whilst here in Australia and I’ve already loaded it up with ¥3000 from my 28degrees card. It couldn’t have been easier.

        • Apples since iphone 8 I think it is will work. Androids you generally need to have the Japanese version. A Japanese S20 will work with mobile Suica while any of the others will not, same with my pixel 5. From what I can understand it's a licensing thing.

          • @d4zz4: Can confirm this works with existing Suica card. Can transfer it and full remaining value to wallet (iPhone 15+) whilst here in Australia.

            • @cashless: Yep works on 15 for sure. I just can't remember if it was the 7 or 8 that got the global nfc-f support or if the 7 got it in Japan and the 8 got it globally.

              • @d4zz4: Just need to remember that the suica card is dead after you do it, if they're still in short supply might be better to create a new suica on the phone.

    • The Welcome Suica is also still available (but non-refundable)

    • +3

      Suica cards are now available at selected JR East Travel Service Centre now as peso255 indicated but other IC cards outside of Tokyo are readily available. I got three ICOCA cards easily from the JR West ticketing machines at Kansai airport on Christmas day.

      If you're in Tokyo, you could also get the Toica card (JR Central's IC card) from the JR Tokai ticket office (near the Yaesu North Exit) at Tokyo station. https://toica.jr-central.co.jp/counter/index.html

      • Ah… should have got the Kids Suica at least but I managed to get Toica Card when I was in Tokyo Station.

      • Can you recall whether the ICOCA cards you got at Kansai can be bought with a credit card?

        • +1

          No unfortunately, the ticketing machines take cash only. Can't recall if you can get them in the ticketing office.

          ICOCA purchase

    • Well that's going to screw me in 2 weeks because according to Google, I can only put a digital suica on an iPhone, not an Android?

      • You can but it has to be an Android phone which has FeliCa, which means it'll need to be a phone from the Japanese market.

        • Yeah ok that's me out then, I need physical only.

          • +1

            @hamwhisperer: Normal Suica's available now at selected JR East Travel Service Centers

            Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno

            Unlike in the past where one can get them through the ticketing machines, you just need to go to the service center and purchase it from a counter. Video of the actual process on YouTube from HarbLife

            • @quackie: Thanks, this is useful.

              Sad to hear that Japan sounds like iPhone fans!

              • @hamwhisperer: Its not Japan as such, its that the hardware on Android phones to support the Japanese wallet system ( Osaifu-Keitai) doesnt exist on Android phones sold outside of Japan, because most manufacturers dont include it. Apple does include it.

                its an easy fix, Android can include it by default as Apple does. But they dont because it costs a small amount and most non Japanese buyers will never use it.

                • +1

                  @dtc: I've read that the chipset exists on Google Pixel phones, but it is only licensed and activated on Pixel phones sold in Japan. I've seen techniques to activate it on Pixels outside Japan, but you need to have rooted your phone, which I don't want to do.

  • My Citibank card worked. Annoyingly I’d already put $30 on my mobile suica just this week in preparation for our trip in the next couple days.

    • +1

      You can use it at konbinis, also some restaurants accept it.

      • And many vending machines

  • Am I right in saying we need this card for Tokyo subway rides? The JR Pass is mainly for inter city travel?

    • Correct.

      However, if your JR pass is active, you can use it for local JR trains during that time.

      • Clarification: the JR lines in Tokyo aren't subway lines, they're surface lines.

        You really need Suica to get around the inner-city part of Tokyo, as there are only subways in that area. See a Tokyo railway map for details.

    • +8

      JR pass is now crap. Best getting regional passes, individual tickets or using other transport options like Flights, Ferries or Highway buses.

      If you are in Tokyo you can get special passes too like 72 hour subway pass for 1500 yen, but having a Suica or similar card is always handy as you can practically use them everywhere, including kombi, supermarkets, restaurants, etc.

      Most train and bus operators accept IC cards (usually only smaller regional operators don't), which is much easier than trying to fiddle with trying to make correct change (yes, you can feed large coins and notes into the machine, but just much easier to use IC card for travel.)

      Suica is just like myki or opal card, just more useful.

      • Yeah JR pass is now insanely expensive, you'd need to really want to take a lot of Shinkansen rides to get value out of it right?

        PLUS when I went in 2016, my JR pass was annoying to use, most stops I had to show a man or lady, because I can't just tap it AND some of the local metro lines didn't even support the JR pass (not many but I'm pretty sure this stung me a couple of times)

        • You kind of need to do a trip like Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima (just over 10,000 yen, 1.5 hours) everyday to get value of of the pass. The issue with this is not everyday do I want to be travelling and some trips like Tokyo to Hakata (Fukuoka), work out much better using a domestic flight.

          I would have preferred if they at least gave more pass options like a 4 days usage in 2 weeks pass or a non shinkansen JR pass for like 2 weeks at 20,000 yen with an option to get a discount on shinkansen tickets.

          You can use JR pass in cities but most daily travel would be under $20 and you are restricted to the JR network, when in most cities the option to use the subway or private lines usually works out better anyway.

    • You can individually buy tickets if your really want to

    • Unless you're doing MASSIVE amounts of travel the JR pass is generally not worth it.
      But yes the JR pass is only good for JR lines, plus a few other services. Within Tokyo using the JR lines combined with the subway/metro/private railway will generally get you much closer to where you're trying to go.

  • -4

    Why use Suica when you can just use cash or just tap in via Visa gates.

    • +1

      Because those gates are only available on a limited number of train companies in Japan. While more Japanese transportation companies are working on introducing support for direct use of credit/debit cards, at the moment only Tokyo Metro is supporting it:
      https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Japan-s-trai…

      Another reason is one may not have a Visa card for travel, only a Mastercard.

    • +1

      Tap and pay via credit card is only in the trial status at the moment.

      You can use cash however it means buying a ticket every time you get on a train. You then either need to work out the correct fare and buy the ticket, or get a minimum fare ticket and then use the adjustment machine on the way out.

      The Suica/Pasmo etc make things a lot simpler. Also pretty sure there's a small percent discount there as well.

    • Cash is overwhelmingly the worst option, using the fare difference machines are annoying and a waste of time.

      • +1

        Yeah we surprisingly made it about a week before needing any cash in Japan. Just used Suica and Up Mastercard

        • +1 for Up Debit MasterCard. When I visited four months ago, cash withdrawals from 7-Bank ATMs had no fees added, and the conversion rate appeared to be the MasterCard conversion rate.

          • @Russ: Hey Russ, are you saying you didn't get charged the JPY110 or JPY220 ATM fees for withdrawals when you used 7/11 ATMs?

            • +1

              @hellwolf: Correct

            • +1

              @hellwolf: That's correct. I was always using the ATMs in the middle of the day, possibly it's different if you use them late at night.

              If you're considering signing up to Up, don't leave it until just before you travel. It was 2-3 weeks between signing up and receiving the card in the mail.

              I particularly liked that within a minute or two of making a withdrawal at a 7-bank ATM, the Up app on my mobile phone would ping and tell me the AUD amount that I had been charged. Example: on 27 September I withdrew 10000 yen, and the Up app says I was charged $105.10 (AUD).

  • +1

    Pro-tip: this deal has been around for a while and it gets extended each time the offer expires. I just came back from a month-long trip and was able to use this offer twice (ie. 10 times, not 5). I used the offer in December (promotion period ending 31/12), and then I noticed on 1 January, the offer was back.. so I was able to do it again. I have received all 10 cash backs.

    It is 5 redemptions per promotion period.. so if you're in Japan before and after 31/03 you may be able to do what I did. You just need to remember to re-add the offer to your card on 1 April 2024 (assuming the offer is renewed).

    Also, I found that you can do these recharges all at once, and still get the cashback. ie. recharge 5 x Y3000 in a row, no need to wait for another day or anything like that.

    I used the Commbank Ultimate Awards card, FWIW.

    • -1

      Not to be dumb here but isn't this a mere $2 bonus on $30?

      • +1

        $2 bonus on money I spent anyway… free money. $20 all up. Hand in your ozbargain badge immediately.

        • I'm not in Japan right now, I don't have my physical Suica, I can't get a digital.

          Am I SOL here?

          Am I right in thinking anyone who doesn't have a digital Suica can't use this? (99% of members?)

          • +1

            @hamwhisperer: You dont need to have a physical suica to get a digital suica.

            If you’re using an iphone, you can just go to wallet to add a suica card and that’s it

      • Not to be dumb here but isn't this a mere $2 bonus on $30?

        It is a 6.67% discount on what you would pay in full, the same or more than what many upvoted bargains here provide like Prezee gift card promos.

    • Do you get the cashback to your card?
      how long did you usually have to wait?

      • Have you received your cashback?

        • Been almost a week and not yet

  • Now I just need to spend $3k on a ticket + $5k on accommodation to get there

  • -3

    200yen , that doesn't even cover a trip from Shinagawa to Shinjuku 😥😥

    Take it from someone that has been on the mulitidays underground pass and Suica card, I can tell you unless yo already have all your days plan and know you will only be on underground then go for it, otherwise Suica is much much better as you can jump on whatever transport is closest to you and more important, you can transfer to private rail and JR if needed. For me planning a few days is too hard but if for one day I know I will be only on underground, then i will load a day pass on to the Suica .

    JR pass is not a simple take as "CRAP". Granted I am least affected because I have done most common long routes at least once…..
    JR make that decision because Kensai in particular Kyoto was choking to death by tourist and the services between Tokyo and Osaka was packed 24X7 (well from first train to last train). JR need to do something and here is where they fail spectacularly, instead of expanding the pass to utilise the underutilised Nozomi services, they decided to jack the price up. Even local argue that will not solve the problem because people will just fly instead. I think the pass is no longer "SUPER VALUE" like before but if you do plan to take a few long journeys then it is still worth it.

    Example 1
    Do Tokyo then activate JR pass to cover Nagoya, Hida and Kanazawa and back to Tokyo, plan smart and you may able to cover the Narita express ticket as well. This cost about 40K yen in retail.
    Example 2
    Do Tokyo then activate JR pass to Osaka, then hit Kyushu Island say Fukuoka and Hiroshima, back to Osaka on the last day of the pass. spend another few days in Kensai then fly home from Osaka. Ticket price for this is almost 45K yen.

    I would like to point out that although the Shinkansen is super comfortable but still it is no fun if you are on it for more than 5 hours. Typical bad example will be Sapporo to Tokyo, you have to suffer from that three hour ride of Hokuto express which is one of the most bumpy train i ever had in Japan. Then when you are truly shake and stirred, you have to go on another 4 hours on Shinkansen. Total time vs flying is about the same when compare point to point but next time I will sure take the plane. Travel to Kyushu island from Tokyo is another such bad example, nake sure you break it down and rest in Osaka. I did that once from Takayama to Nagoya then Yufuin….. it is so tiring!!

    • I concur with your view regarding JR Pass. I worked out that the JR pass was definitely not worth it and so much faster, cheaper, and easier to just directly fly from NRT to KIX then to take Shinkansen which was wayyyyy to expensive. The only issue with this is of course, having taken Jetstar, I would have to buy kgs allowances but even that is still cheaper than to take Shinkansen.

      I worked it out it was easier and cheaper to fly despite having to take Rapit Nankai with kgs allowances purchased than vs Shinkansen which was longer and wayyy more expensive.

      In fact, I noticed on this trip, anything to do with JR is wayyy more expensive except when compared to Yurikamome line.

      Example: Narita Express is at least 30% more expensive than Keisei Skyliner (Shinagawa to NRT vs Ueno to NRT). Nankai Rapit is also cheaper than its JR equivalent.

      • For Narita just take the sky access line. Only about 1100 yen.
        Komado Platt for Tokyo to Osaka is only about 10000 yen.
        That yurikamome line is pretty brutal, same when you need to jump between lines that aren't platform side cross over :(.

        I think a mix of point to point tickets and some regional passes are now mich better value than the JR pass. Might be a few small itineraries that break this.

        • "I think a mix of point to point tickets and some regional passes are now mich better value than the JR pass. Might be a few small itineraries that break this."

          Agree. This is the lesson learned.

        • "Komado Platt for Tokyo to Osaka is only about 10000 yen." What's Komado Platt?. Kodama Shinkansen?

          Keisei Skyliner for me next time if I land at NRT again. Problem is then you would be best to stay around Ueno.

          EDIT: Re: Komado Platt. Got it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXv65koFmGU&ab_channel=SoloT…

          • @burningrage: Yeah the komado Platt doesn't seem to be widely known but I use it a lot. Also includes a beer.

            Keisei also run the sky access train. A lot cheaper and it becomes a Ginza line train which runs through some convenient places and crosses a decent number of lines.

      • Shinsaken is more expensive but so much more convinient…you just rock up to the train station 10 mins before, no need to go through airport security, get to the airport, land and get luggage etc.

  • +1

    200yen , that doesn't even cover a trip from Shinagawa to Shinjuku

    It is a 6.67% discount on what you would pay in full, the same or more than what many upvoted bargains here provide.

    Remember you can also use this promo 5 times for this promo period. So that means a total of 1000 yen

  • Tested my Latitude 28 Degrees card on the Mastercard programme sign up page. It said it's not eligible.

  • +1

    Elsewhere… the suica card strikes me as something really close to a digital central bank currency. Almost like a proof of concept / trial. It seems to be accepted at a lot of places trains, buses, taxis, 7-11, etc.

    Thoughts?

    • its really just a debit card but only accepted in some places (a lot, but certainly not all). Singapore and HK cards are much the same in terms of widespread acceptance outside of travel, although not quite as widely accepted as the Suica/IC cards are in Japan. Not sure its closer to a digital central bank currency than any other debit card (yes, its not a bank holding the cash but it is a company).

      Once full tap on / tap off via phone or CC/debit card is implemented, then the Suica will become mostly redundant. Singapore is moving that way and, maybe surprisingly, Sydney has pretty much already got there - only concession fares need an Opal card now; for adults your standard debit or credit card is used for travel and accepted everywhere else without limitation, so no point having an Opal/specialist travel card

      • Oh right, I didn’t realise… makes sense, so it’s similar to gift cards that are redeemable at selected locations (e.g., woollies gift cards, or those for him/her/kids gift cards). Cheers.

        • A Suica card is similar to an Opal card in Sydney and a Myki card in Melbourne, except that there are stores and vending machines that accept them as a form of payment too.

  • 28degrees doesn't work. Tested

  • How long does it typically take for the cashback to come through?

    • Usually 1-3 days after the transaction is confirmed (no longer pending).

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