Accidentally brought an expired credit and debit card to an extended international trip and I desperately need cash. What are my options?
I have a working credit card but it’s a largely cash society (Japan) and I just tried getting a cash advance on it with no luck.
I can put the correct debit card on Google Pay, and use it digitally, but I can’t use that at ATMs.
I don’t yet have a working phone so I was going to call the bank after I got a SIM card, but I am pretty sure they’re gonna tell me I’m SOL.
Is getting someone to mail me the correct card the best solution? Is there some other big adult way of getting cash?
I have a short term emergency solution, borrowing cash from a friend, but will need it on my own sooner rather than later.
Edit: Going to call my bank when I’m able to again and ask if they can priority ship me a replacement overseas, if that doesn’t work I’ll see about getting a family member to global express ship it to me, and if THAT doesn’t work I’ll see what I can do about cash advance on my credit card. Three contingencies!
Netizens’ comments
- As someone else mentioned, Western Union. I had a working debit card & visited Pakistan where my card worked hardly anywhere. I just sent myself cash via Western Union & it worked great. The fee for sending $1480 was $8. When I did find a working ATM (at Standard Chartered), the withdrawal fees were actually much higher than Western Union.
- When I was pickpocketed, my bank was willing to priority ship a replacement card so I can actually pay for stuff. I don’t think it was overnight but maybe a couple days?
- Does your bank have a presence in Japan? Many larger ones have some international locations.
Can you just send your friend money via some friends and family method so they can deposit it in their account and cash it out for you?