Prevent High Charges! - The Complete Guide to "Money Measures" You Must Not Forget When Traveling Abroad 2025

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Reality of "100,000 Yen Charge After Returning Home"

2. Chapter 1: The Mechanism of High Charges Occurring Abroad
   2-1. Overseas Service Fees
   2-2. DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion)
   2-3. ATM Usage Fees & Markup Rates
   2-4. Medical Expenses & Emergency Transport Costs

3. Chapter 2: Seven Preparations Before Departure

4. Chapter 3: Payment & Currency Exchange Techniques Usable On-Site

5. Chapter 4: Contingency Handling Flow

6. Chapter 5: Payment Method Cost Comparison Chart

7. Chapter 6: Seven-Day Europe Travel Simulation

8. Chapter 7: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

9. Conclusion: Traveling "Cheaply, Safely, and Wisely"

10. Reference Article Link Collection
    
    

Introduction: The Reality of "100,000 Yen Charge After Returning Home"

"I only remember spending about 50,000 yen locally, but my card statement shows charges exceeding 100,000 yen…"

This is a true story that spread on social media at the end of 2024. The causes were unfavorable currency conversion due to DCC, high overseas service fees, and advance payment of medical expenses being simultaneously recorded. Such cases are not rare. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues annual warnings regarding "fraudulent use and high charges of credit and debit cards." Safety Information Center

This document comprehensively covers the know-how to minimize such "high charge risks" and thoroughly reduce unnecessary costs.

Chapter 1: The Mechanism of High Charges Occurring Abroad

2-1. Overseas Service Fees

Card companies add an overseas service fee (processing cost + exchange spread) of **1.0–2.5%**. Recently, with the yen's depreciation trend and large rate fluctuations, a movement of just 5 yen in a month can increase the burden by 5,000 yen for a 100,000 yen usage.Credit Card & Electronic Money & QR Code Payment Information [Cashless]

2-2. DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion)

That thing where local merchants ask, "Pay in yen?" is DCC. It sounds convenient, but the conversion rate is often 3–6% higher, and major card companies, including JCB, clearly state, "Always choose to pay in local currency."Impress Watch

2-3. ATM Usage Fees & Markup Rates

Overseas ATMs incur a usage fee of 3–10 dollars per transaction plus the bank's exchange spread. Additionally, Japanese financial institutions may charge a fee of 1–3%.

2-4. Medical Expenses & Emergency Transport Costs

Examples include 3 million yen for fracture treatment in the U.S. and 2 million yen for acute appendicitis in Europe. Without overseas travel insurance, you may have to pay with the credit card's cash advance limit, resulting in additional burdens of tens of thousands of yen due to interest and exchange losses.Sompo Japan

Chapter 2: Seven Preparations Before Departure

1. Prepare at least two cards of multiple brands

   • The combination of Visa/Mastercard + JCB/Amex is a safe bet.
     
     

2. Open a multi-currency debit account like Wise

   • Exchange fees are at the lowest level. From Japanese yen to dollars, it's around 0.66%.Wise
     
     

3. Register "Travel Notification" with card companies

   • Prevent erroneous suspension due to fraud detection.
     
     

4. Apply for overseas travel insurance online

   • Insurance premiums are 20–30% cheaper than in-store.
     
     

5. Enable receipt capture apps & usage notification SMS

   • Immediately detect fraudulent charges.
     
     

6. Pre-departure rate fixing (pre-charge) strategy

   • Target favorable exchange rates with Wise or prepaid cards to purchase major currencies in advance.
     
     

7. Cloud storage + paper copy of emergency contact list

   • Compile card companies, insurance companies, and embassies.
     
     

Chapter 3: Payment & Currency Exchange Techniques Usable On-Site

3-1. At the Register: "No, local currency please"

Gently refuse DCC offers. English example: "Charge me in local currency, please."

3-2. Use ATMs "Inside Bank Lobbies" or "Official Machines at Airports"

Choose locations less prone to skimming devices and with many security cameras.Safety Information Center

3-3. Hybrid of Small Cash + Large Card Payments

• Public transport and stalls→cash

• Accommodation and high-value shopping→credit card (local currency)
  
  
  

3-4. Utilizing Digital Wallets

Apple Pay/Google Wallet have zero risk of IC chip extraction. JCB's touch payment support countries are also expanding.

3-5. Immediate Verification of Receipts & Usage Notifications

Wise and Revolut send app notifications simultaneously with transaction completion, allowing early detection of fraudulent charges.

Chapter 4: Contingency Handling Flow

1. If a high charge is discovered, file a dispute with the card company within 72 hours

   • Prepare transaction details, receipt photos, and passport stamps.
     
     

2. For card loss/theft, obtaining a theft report from the local police is essential
   
   

3. In case of medical expense advance payment, contact the insurance company's 24-hour hotline immediately

   • Get guided to a partner hospital where cashless treatment is available.
     
     

4. For overcharges due to DCC, file a written complaint with both the merchant and card company

   • Check if "Cardholder Preferred Currency: JPY" is printed on the store receipt.
     
     

Chapter 5: Payment Method Cost Comparison Chart

Chapter 6: Seven-Day Europe Travel Simulation

• Assumed Cities: Paris → Barcelona → Rome

• Traveler A: Cash-Centric##HTML