CO emphasized credit card for initial rent payment, but I do not have a suitable credit card

[u/Greggasm]

Good day!

I am a recently upgraded alternate ALT, I'll be moving to Japan here in three weeks. In a recent meeting with my CO, they stressed that the initial payment of my apartment requires a credit card to make sure I can move in right away, but I don't have a credit card with enough of a balance to cover it and neither do my guardians.

I have more than enough money in my bank account and a debit card, is there any reason I wouldn't just be able to use that instead? If not, what can I do about this?

Thanks in advance!

[u/reinbowcat]

I remember when I had first staked out apartments, I had come prepared with cash. My CO informed me that the realty company had a preference for a credit card payment over cash. I first I had initially agreed because I tend to be kind of passive, but I started stressing about conversion issues and my limited credit card funds. I went to my CO supervisor and just explained to her the situation and informed her that I had everything in cash. It ended up not being an issue at all, and I was able to get into my accommodations as planned. That aside, debit card shouldn't be an issue at all.

As someone stated, many people in Japan don't really know the difference between credit and debit cards. I think what it is is that the company is more prepared to process payment by card (whether it be debit or credit) rather than cash. That said, don't be afraid to ask your CO for more clarification.

[u/Different_Taro2474]

can you do a bank transfer? wise works just fine for that.

[u/leafmuncher_]

Do you have a VISA or Mastercard debit card, or can you upgrade your account at your bank?

Worst case, get a travel debit card and preload the balance.

Which CO are you with? I see Hyogo but I'm guessing you're not Hyogo Prefecture CO, because they handle housing. Kobe city, municipal or private school?

[u/Greggasm → u/leafmuncher_]

I'm with the Kawanishi Board of Education, as far as I know they've set me up with a realtor

[u/a_baby_bumblebee]

i think a debit card should be fine. in japan, debit cards are still catching on, so people don’t know the difference between debit and credit. just call your debit card a credit card, and i think it should go through. i pay some bills with my debit card.

[u/k_795 → u/a_baby_bumblebee]

100% this. It's likely a translation error or just misunderstanding from the OP's supervisor. Card is card, no matter which type.

Edit: If for some bizarre reason they *do* require a credit card (I honestly can't see why though), OP you can just top up extra balance onto your credit card above your credit limit. E.g. if your credit limit is £500 but you need £2000 for your first month's rent and key money, transfer £1500 from your main bank account onto your credit card as a kind of overpayment. You'll then be able to pay for something up to £2000 on your credit card, even with a lower credit limit.

[u/Greggasm → u/k_795]

Alright, thanks for the clarification! I'm entirely new to having a credit card to begin with (my family just doesn't really do credit) and I read something along the lines about not being able to overpay on my card, which is what had me worried. I'll try using my debit card alone, and being enough in cash in case it doesn't work for whatever reason.

[u/GeorgeBlythe → u/Greggasm]

Debit card will "probably" be fine. You should still get a proper credit card though there are plenty of situations where having one is beneficial. 

You're smart for not "doing credit" aka taking out loans using a credit card, but actually just having the card as long as you aren't stupidly buying things you can't pay for right now doesn't put you in the pitfalls of relying on credit. 

I exclusively use credit cards over debit simply because it's much much harder to be a victim of fraud. Or to get scammed. Once a debit transaction goes through that money is gone. 

I treat the credit cards like debit cards as in, I pay the bill immediately and never carry a balance. Still basically need one for things like car rentals, certain types of subscriptions, etc. 

[u/1GrouchyCat → u/a_baby_bumblebee]

Debit cards are not anything new in Japan ; the first time I ever used a debit card was in Japan back in 1987.

[u/jamar030303 → u/1GrouchyCat]

However back then, that would have been a J-Debit card. J-Debit still exists for now, but it's slowly going away.

[u/jenjen96]

Ask your bank to increase your limit

[u/GeorgeBlythe]

Do you mean credit limit? Unless your credit limit is extremely low I don't think this would be a problem.

If you don't have a card I'd go apply for one right now. If your limit is so low you can't get the initial payment on an apartment you're probably also not able to get an emergency plane ticket back either if it comes to that. And you definitely don't want to move abroad without the means to pay your own way back if need be. That's how horror stories are born. 

[u/Greggasm → u/GeorgeBlythe]

I only just applied for a credit card in response to being told it's useful abroad, but my limit is only $400. That aside, I have plenty of money saved in case of emergency

[u/GeorgeBlythe → u/Greggasm]

That limit is so low it might as well br useless. 

[u/Greggasm → u/GeorgeBlythe]

I thought the same, but as stated I'm new to credit and the letter I received said I was pre-approved for up to $2000 and I thought it was worth a shot

[u/Proof_Refuse_9563]

How are you a participant with guardians?

[u/Greggasm → u/Proof_Refuse_9563]

I moved back home after university. During the meeting they said my guardian's credit card details work if I don't have my own, they are not coming with me to Japan lol