Quote Originally Posted by Maciamo
Funny, when I joined my local fitness club, they said I didn't have the choice but take their credit card (Visa or JCB) when registering.
That happened to me too, I joined a fitness club in 2001 and got a Visa credit card, issued by DC Card company. I had to send them a photocopy of my passport, Japanese visa and a certificate from my employer, which was annoying; but then I just got the card sent to my home, valid for 2 years. And I paid on time every month. Then, in 2003 I resigned my fitness club membership and the card expired some months later. But I phoned DC to ask for an extension, and after 2 weeks they sent me another card, valid for 5 years!

I guess it's all about TRUST! Of course Trust does not depend on one's country of citizenship, as there are many Japanese people who commit fraud, but it seems that credit card companies go by the rule of "distrust the gaijin first". Sad and unbelievable, but true!