The Life Card cash advance feature is a service that allows you to easily withdraw cash from ATMs at convenience stores nationwide when you need it. However, unlike other cards such as Saison Card, Life Card does not support early repayment at convenience store ATMs at all. Since repayment requires procedures such as bank transfers, it is important to understand the correct usage and repayment rules in advance. This article provides a detailed explanation of how to use the cash advance feature with your Life Card, including fees, operating hours, and procedures for major convenience store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, and Ministop). It also comprehensively covers correct repayment methods, interest, and what to do if you are unable to use the service.
- A Comprehensive Guide to Convenience Store ATMs for Life Card Cash Advance
- [By Convenience Store] Life Card Cash Advance Details: Fees, Hours, and Operating Procedures
- Life Card Cash Advance Repayment Guide: Convenience Store ATM Compatibility
- Important Information and Cautions for Using Life Card at Convenience Store ATMs
- Q&A on Life Card Cash Advance at Convenience Store ATMs
- Q1. How will a cash advance transaction from a convenience store ATM appear on my web statement?
- Q2. When and how will I be charged the ATM fee?
- Q3. What are the closing date and payment date (debit date) for cash advances?
- Q4. Why can’t I make an early repayment at a convenience store ATM?
- Q5. Can I use the service with different types of cards, like the deposit-type or student cards?
- Q6. Are the fees and operating hours the same during New Year’s holidays and public holidays?
- Q7. Is the cash advance amount eligible for Life Card points?
- Q8. Can I apply for the cash advance service later?
A Comprehensive Guide to Convenience Store ATMs for Life Card Cash Advance
If you have a cash advance credit limit set on your Life Card, you can immediately start using the cash advance service at a nearby convenience store ATM. First, let’s review which ATMs at which convenience stores are compatible.
Overview of Partner ATMs at Major Convenience Store Chains (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, Ministop)
Life Card (Mastercard, Visa, JCB) cash advance services can be used at the following major convenience store ATMs across Japan.
- 7-Eleven: Seven Bank ATM
- Lawson: Lawson Bank ATM
- Family Mart: E-net ATM (*excluding some stores)
- Ministop: AEON Bank ATM
Life Card Compatibility at Seven Bank, Lawson Bank, E-net, and AEON Bank ATMs
All of the convenience store ATMs listed above support Life Card cash advance (borrowing). You will need your physical Life Card and the 4-digit PIN you have set. However, please note that you cannot make any cash advance repayments (deposits) at these ATMs.
Using Cash Advance at Overseas Convenience Store ATMs (Mastercard/Visa/JCB International Networks)
Life Card can also be used for cash advances abroad. You can use it at ATMs displaying the logo of your card’s international brand (Mastercard, Visa, JCB) or related networks like “Cirrus” or “PLUS.” You will also need your PIN when using it overseas, so be sure to confirm it before your trip.
[By Convenience Store] Life Card Cash Advance Details: Fees, Hours, and Operating Procedures
From here, we will detail the fees, available hours, and basic operating procedures for using Life Card cash advance at each convenience store ATM.
*All fees include tax. Information is current as of June 2025. Please check the official websites of Life Card or each ATM operator for the latest information.
Using Life Card at 7-Eleven (Seven Bank ATM)
Main Available Transactions
- Cash Advance (Borrowing)
ATM Fees for Cash Advance (Borrowing)
| Transaction Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000 or less | ¥110 |
| Over ¥10,000 | ¥220 |
Source: Life Card ATM Service | Seven Bank
ATM Availability and Maintenance Information
Seven Bank ATMs are generally available 24/7, 365 days a year, but system maintenance may occur late at night. The service is also unavailable during Life Card’s maintenance hours.
Cash Advance Operating Procedures at the ATM
- Select the “Withdrawals, Deposits, Credit Transactions, etc.” button.
- Insert your Life Card into the ATM.
- Select the “Withdrawal (Borrowing)” button.
- Enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Enter the desired withdrawal amount.
- Confirm the details and receive your cash, card, and transaction receipt.
Using Life Card at Lawson (Lawson Bank ATM)
Main Available Transactions
- Cash Advance (Borrowing)
ATM Fees for Cash Advance (Borrowing)
| Transaction Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000 or less | ¥110 |
| Over ¥10,000 | ¥220 |
Source: Life Card | Lawson Bank
ATM Availability and Maintenance Information
Lawson Bank ATMs are also generally operational 24 hours a day, but are unavailable during regular maintenance and Life Card’s maintenance periods.
Cash Advance Operating Procedures at the ATM
The basic operating procedure is the same as for Seven Bank ATMs. Follow the on-screen instructions to insert your card, enter your PIN, and specify the amount.
Using Life Card at Family Mart (E-net ATM)
Main Available Transactions
- Cash Advance (Borrowing)
ATM Fees for Cash Advance (Borrowing)
| Transaction Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000 or less | ¥110 |
| Over ¥10,000 | ¥220 |
Source: Life Card | E-net ATM Fees & Service Hours | E-net, Inc.
ATM Availability and Maintenance Information
E-net ATMs are also available almost 24 hours a day, but may be temporarily unavailable for maintenance late at night or in the early morning. The service is also unavailable during Life Card’s maintenance hours.
Cash Advance Operating Procedures at the ATM
The operating procedure is largely the same as for other convenience store ATMs. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction.
Using Life Card at Ministop (AEON Bank ATM)
Main Available Transactions
- Cash Advance (Borrowing)
ATM Fees for Cash Advance (Borrowing)
| Transaction Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000 or less | ¥110 |
| Over ¥10,000 | ¥220 |
Source: ATM Guide | Life Card
ATM Availability and Maintenance Information
AEON Bank ATMs operate for long hours, but there may be times when they are unavailable due to the store’s business hours or system maintenance.
Cash Advance Operating Procedures at the ATM
The procedure is the same as for other ATMs. Follow the on-screen prompts to insert your card, enter your PIN, and enter the amount.
Life Card Cash Advance Repayment Guide: Convenience Store ATM Compatibility
Important: Repayment (Early Repayment) at Convenience Store ATMs Is Not Supported
The most important point to remember when using Life Card’s cash advance is that repayment (deposits) at convenience store ATMs is not possible. You cannot use the deposit function of a convenience store ATM to repay your cash advance balance, whether it’s a partial or full repayment.
Basic Repayment Method: Monthly Automatic Account Debit
The amount used for cash advance is combined with your monthly shopping charges and automatically debited from your designated bank account. The closing and payment dates for Life Card vary depending on the card type and contract (e.g., end-of-month closing → payment on the 27th of the next month or the 3rd of the month after next). Be sure to check your specific closing and payment dates on the members-only site “LIFE-Web Desk.”
Early Repayment Method: Bank Transfer (Requires Advance Application via LIFE-Web Desk or Phone)
If you want to repay before the payment date to reduce your interest burden (early repayment), you must do so via bank transfer. To make a transfer, you must first apply to Life Card to confirm the repayment amount and the designated transfer account.
Early Repayment Application Procedure (Web/Phone)
You can apply for early repayment through the members-only site “LIFE-Web Desk” or by phone (Information Center).
・LIFE-Web Desk: Log in and proceed with the early repayment application from the menu.
・Phone: Call the Information Center listed on the back of your card and state that you wish to make an early repayment.
Confirming the Transfer Account and Notes on the Transfer Process
Once the application is complete, you will be informed of the total repayment amount, including interest up to the repayment date, and Life Card’s designated bank account for the transfer. You will then transfer the specified amount to the designated account. You are responsible for any bank transfer fees.
Timing for Credit Line Restoration After Repayment
When you repay by bank transfer, your cash advance credit line will be restored as soon as Life Card confirms the payment. This may take several business days depending on the financial institution’s operating hours.
Source: Notes on Partial Early Repayment and Full Repayment | Life Card (in Japanese)
Important Information and Cautions for Using Life Card at Convenience Store ATMs
Checking Your Cash Advance Limit and Applying for an Increase
To use the cash advance service, a “cash advance credit limit” must be set in advance. You can check your current limit on the members-only site “LIFE-Web Desk” or on your statement. If your limit is ¥0, you cannot use the service. You can apply for a limit increase through “LIFE-Web Desk,” but a prescribed screening process will be conducted.
About Per-Transaction and Daily ATM Limits
In addition to your own cash advance limit, each ATM you use has its own per-transaction limit. For example, there may be restrictions such as withdrawing up to ¥200,000 at a time or ¥500,000 per day. If you wish to make a larger transaction, you may need to do so in multiple steps or check the ATM’s limits beforehand.
Cash Advance Interest Rate (Loan Rate) and How to Calculate Interest
The cash advance interest rate (loan rate) for Life Card varies depending on the card type and screening, with 18.0% APR being standard. Interest is calculated on a daily basis using the following formula:
Interest = Amount Borrowed × Loan Rate (Annual Percentage Rate) ÷ 365 days × Number of Days Used
The number of days used is the period from the day after the borrowing date to the payment date (or early repayment date).
Procedure for Inquiring/Resetting Your PIN If You Forget It
A 4-digit PIN is required to use the cash advance service. If you forget it, you can request an inquiry through the members-only site “LIFE-Web Desk.” After the procedure, a document containing your PIN will be mailed to your registered address. For security reasons, your PIN cannot be given to you directly over the phone or by email.
Possible Reasons and Solutions If You Cannot Use Cash Advance
If you are unable to use cash advance at an ATM, the following reasons are possible:
・The cash advance credit limit has not been set or has been exceeded.
・Your card is locked due to entering the wrong PIN multiple times.
・The card’s magnetic stripe is faulty or the IC chip is damaged.
・It is during system maintenance hours for the ATM or Life Card.
・Your card payments are overdue.
First, check your usage status on LIFE-Web Desk. If the issue is not resolved, please contact the Information Center listed on the back of your card.
Source: Customer Support | Life Card
Q&A on Life Card Cash Advance at Convenience Store ATMs
Q1. How will a cash advance transaction from a convenience store ATM appear on my web statement?
A1. On your LIFE-Web Desk statement, it will be listed under a description like “CD/ATM USE,” and will show the date of use, amount, and the name of the financial institution operating the ATM (e.g., SEVEN GINKO).
Q2. When and how will I be charged the ATM fee?
A2. The ATM usage fee will be debited from your account along with the principal amount of the cash advance on the monthly payment date.
Q3. What are the closing date and payment date (debit date) for cash advances?
A3. The closing date is the last day of each month, and the payment date is the 27th of the following month or the 3rd of the month after next. However, the closing and payment dates may differ for some co-branded cards. Be sure to confirm your card’s payment cycle on LIFE-Web Desk or the card mailer you received.
Q4. Why can’t I make an early repayment at a convenience store ATM?
A4. This is likely due to the contract and system specifications between Life Card and the financial institutions operating the partner ATMs. While some card companies support deposits (partial repayments) at convenience store ATMs, Life Card does not, and repayments are limited to account debits or bank transfers.
Q5. Can I use the service with different types of cards, like the deposit-type or student cards?
A5. It depends on the card type. For example, the deposit-type Life Card (Life Card Dp) and some co-branded cards do not include a cash advance feature. The Life Card for Students can be used for cash advance if you applied for a cash advance limit and passed the screening. To see if your card can be used, please check your cash advance credit limit on LIFE-Web Desk.
Q6. Are the fees and operating hours the same during New Year’s holidays and public holidays?
A6. As a rule, fees do not change on public holidays. However, operating hours may be altered during long holiday periods like New Year’s due to special system maintenance. It is recommended to check the official websites of Life Card and each ATM operator for announcements before use.
Q7. Is the cash advance amount eligible for Life Card points?
A7. No, the cash advance amount, ATM fees, and interest are not eligible for points under Life Card’s current point program.
Q8. Can I apply for the cash advance service later?
A8. Yes, you can. You can apply to set (add) a cash advance limit through the members-only site “LIFE-Web Desk.” After you apply, a prescribed screening process will be conducted.
Last Updated: June 27, 2025