Glossary entry

Cash advance

A cash advance is a cash withdrawal made using a credit card. Many issuers treat it differently from a purchase, with a separate fee and interest that may start accruing immediately rather than after a grace period, and it may earn no rewards. This is why many travelers use a debit card for cash and keep the credit card for purchases. The terms are set by your issuer, so check your cardholder agreement before relying on a credit card at a Japanese ATM. See also: foreign transaction fee, ATM operator fee, and the guide ATMs and Fees in Japan.