Please don't spread misinformation if you are not sure of it.

I am just back from Japan, so here are my experience of using this card:

1. You can preload it with yen and withdraw from their ATM. Granted that you find those that accept overseas Visa cards. Some examples include 7Bank (can be found in 7-11) and Japan Post Bank.

2. Minimum withdrawal is 10,000 yen (for both 7Bank and JP bank that I tried). 7Bank processes a fee of 108 yen for 10,000 yen withdrawal, 216 yen for 20,000 yen withdrawal. Now I don't think there is ATM that does not have a fee anymore.

3. Merchantrade charges RM10 for each withdrawal. This transaction will NOT be recorded. So do take note.

4. Including all the fees, it is still worth it compared to exchanging money at money changer, as long as you transact more than RM50. Granted you can find ATM that accepts <10,000 yen withdrawal.

5. If you have enough yen, everything will be deducted in yen. If not, it will deduct yen first, then top up the remaining yen from your RM, with an extra small fee.

6. Japan is a little bit behind in cards acceptance. Most shops still swipe your card. Do make sure your magnetic stripe is still in good conditions. (No pins anywhere, signature please)

7. Major tourist shops and restaurants accept cards. I am able to get by with 30,000 yen cash for 2 weeks. (Well, I don't spend that much actually, so a bit of salt please)

8. Do carry some cash before you go. Transit tickets machine do not accept cards.

Ohh, the poster asked about the extra charges. You however do not provide any useful information whatsoever. There are times, especially in Japan where cash is a must. Japan is very backwards in terms of monetary transactions. They use cash more.

It is cheaper to withdraw from ATM than exchanging in money changer. Also this card rate is better than some of the credit cards out there.

Of course it is better earlier, just like saying it is better to change to yen in 2007 than today.

But if you are to get the money TODAY and comparing with exchanging at money changer TODAY, it is better to withdraw from ATM, with all those fees counted. The poster asked about the fees associated with overseas ATM withdrawal.

So, it is 108 yen (charged by Japanese bank) + RM 10 (charged by Merchantrade, this fee also applies to Bigpay card) for 10,000 yen.
Or, 216 yen + RM 10 for 20,000 yen.

He may or may not care about the currency rate lock in function of the card.

It is charged by the bank, not Bigpay. Unless Bigpay somehow is able to waive the fee with the bank?

I do not. By the way, the one you quoted me on was actually about the RM 10, not the 108 yen.

I read somewhere that 108 yen charged by the bank is conditional? I am not quite sure myself. I got charged on my Merchantrade card for 108 yen and RM 10 when I withdraw 10,000 yen.

100,000 if not wrong, depends on bank actually.

If I recall, there should be one option saying if you are not sure, choose this.