If you have an American Express card, you may be considering using it for a cash advance at a convenience store ATM to cover unexpected expenses. However, there are different types of “Amex” branded cards, and the availability and rules for cash advances vary significantly. This article explains how to get a cash advance at a convenience store ATM, focusing on the “Amex co-branded cards” that many people use. It provides a comprehensive guide, covering everything from the fees, operating hours, and procedures at major convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, and Ministop) to repayment methods, interest rates, and important points to keep in mind.
- First, a Confirmation: Amex Cash Advance Is a Feature of Co-branded Cards
- A Comprehensive Guide to Convenience Store ATMs for Amex Co-branded Cards
- [By Convenience Store] Amex Co-branded Card Cash Advance Details: Fees, Hours, and Operating Procedures
- Guide to Repaying Your Amex Co-branded Card Cash Advance
- Important Information and Cautions for Using Amex Co-branded Cards at Convenience Store ATMs
- Q&A on Using American Express at Convenience Store ATMs
- Q1. Why can’t I get a cash advance with a proprietary Amex card?
- Q2. What are some examples of co-branded cards that allow cash advances?
- Q3. If I use a cash advance at a convenience store ATM, how will it appear on my statement?
- Q4. When and how will I be charged the ATM fee?
- Q5. Do the closing date and payment date (debit date) for cash advances vary by card issuer?
- Q6. Is it possible to get a cash advance during the New Year’s holidays or long weekends?
- Q7. What are the key points to be aware of when getting a cash advance overseas?
- Q8. Is the cash advance amount eligible for points?
First, a Confirmation: Amex Cash Advance Is a Feature of Co-branded Cards
You may have heard that “you can’t get a cash advance with an Amex card.” The main reason for this is that the handling of the cash advance feature differs between cards issued directly by American Express (proprietary cards) and cards issued in partnership with other card companies (co-branded cards).
Difference in Cash Advance Functionality Between Proprietary and Co-branded Cards (Saison, MUFG, etc.)
・Proprietary Cards (Issued by American Express)
These include the Green, Gold, Platinum, and Centurion cards. As a general rule, these cards do not come with a domestic ATM cash advance feature (this service was discontinued in June 2012).
・Co-branded Cards (Saison, MUFG, Rakuten Card, etc.)
These are cards such as the Saison Pearl American Express® Card or the MUFG Card Platinum American Express® Card, which have the “American Express” logo on the front and the name of the issuing company, like “Credit Saison” or “Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS,” on the back. The cash advance feature on these cards is based on the services of the co-branding partner. In other words, you are using the cash advance feature of a Saison Card, for example, on a card that carries the Amex brand.
How to Check if Your Card Is Eligible for Cash Advance
If you are unsure whether you can get a cash advance with your card, you can check using the following methods.
Check the Card Mount or Member Agreement
Check the paper mount that your card was attached to when it was mailed to you to see if a “Cash Advance Credit Line” is listed. If it is, the service is available. The member agreement included with the card will also contain provisions regarding cash advances.
Check Your Credit Limit on the Member Online Service
The most reliable method is to log in to the members-only website of your card issuer (e.g., “Net Answer” for Saison, “MUFG Card WEB Service” for MUFG) and check the credit limit inquiry page to see if a cash advance limit has been set.
A Comprehensive Guide to Convenience Store ATMs for Amex Co-branded Cards
From this point forward, this guide will assume you are using a “co-branded Amex card” that includes a cash advance feature. These cards can be used at major convenience store ATMs nationwide.
Overview of Partner ATMs at Major Convenience Store Chains (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, Ministop)
- 7-Eleven: Seven Bank ATM
- Lawson: Lawson Bank ATM
- Family Mart: E-net ATM
- Ministop: AEON Bank ATM
Amex Co-branded Card Compatibility at Seven Bank, Lawson Bank, E-net, and AEON Bank ATMs
All of the convenience store ATMs listed above are compatible with the cash advance services of the co-branding card companies. To use the service, you will need your physical card and the 4-digit PIN you registered with the card issuer.
Using Cash Advance at Overseas Convenience Store ATMs
Amex-branded co-branded cards can be used for cash advances at ATMs displaying the logo of the card issuer’s partner network (such as Cirrus). Be sure to confirm your PIN before traveling abroad.
[By Convenience Store] Amex Co-branded Card Cash Advance Details: Fees, Hours, and Operating Procedures
This section explains the fees and operating hours for using an Amex co-branded card for a cash advance at each convenience store ATM.
*All fees include tax. Information is current as of June 2025. Please check the official websites of your Amex co-branded card issuer or the respective ATM operator for the latest information.
Using 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: About Cash Advance｜Saison American Express® Card
ATM Availability and Maintenance Information
Seven Bank ATMs are generally available 24/7, 365 days a year, but they cannot be used during late-night system maintenance or during the maintenance hours of your card issuer.
Cash Advance Operating Procedures at the ATM
- Select the “Withdrawals, Deposits, Credit Transactions, etc.” button.
- Insert your co-branded Amex 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 at Lawson (Lawson Bank ATM)
Main Available Transactions
- Cash Advance (Borrowing)
ATM Fees for Cash Advance (Borrowing)
| Transaction Amount | Fee (tax incl.) |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000 or less | ¥110 |
| Over ¥10,000 | ¥220 |
Source: About Using ATMs｜Rakuten Card
ATM Availability and Maintenance Information
Lawson Bank ATMs are also generally operational 24 hours a day, but they cannot be used during regular maintenance or during the maintenance hours of your card issuer.
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 proceed.
Using at Family Mart (E-net ATM)
Main Available Transactions
- Cash Advance (Borrowing)
ATM Fees for Cash Advance (Borrowing)
| Transaction Amount | Fee (tax incl.) |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000 or less | ¥110 |
| Over ¥10,000 | ¥220 |
Source: 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.
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 at Ministop (AEON Bank ATM)
Main Available Transactions
- Cash Advance (Borrowing)
ATM Fees for Cash Advance (Borrowing)
| Transaction Amount | Fee (tax incl.) |
|---|---|
| ¥10,000 or less | ¥110 |
| Over ¥10,000 | ¥220 |
Source: Hours & Fees (Credit Cards, etc.)｜ATM｜AEON Bank
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 maintenance schedules.
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.
Guide to Repaying Your Amex Co-branded Card Cash Advance
Repayment methods follow the rules of the card issuer (Saison, etc.)
The repayment methods for a co-branded Amex card cash advance follow the regulations of the issuing company (Credit Saison, Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, etc.), not the rules of American Express.
Basic Repayment Method: Automatic Debit from a Registered Account
The amount used for a cash advance is automatically debited from your registered account on a fixed payment date each month, either combined with or separate from your shopping charges. This is the basic repayment method.
Early Repayment Method: ATM Repayment Availability and Bank Transfer
Making an early repayment is an effective way to reduce interest. Since convenience store ATMs do not support early repayments, you will repay by making a bank transfer to a designated account after applying through the members-only website or by phone.
How to Apply for Early Repayment by Card Issuer
If you wish to make an early repayment, first check your card issuer’s member website or contact customer service to confirm the available repayment methods (such as bank transfer) and the specific procedure.
Timing for Repayment Information to Be Reflected
It may take several business days for the repaid information to be reflected in your available credit line. The timing also depends on the processing of the card issuer, so be careful if you need to restore your credit limit quickly.
Important Information and Cautions for Using Amex Co-branded Cards at Convenience Store ATMs
Checking and Setting Your Cash Advance Limit (Based on Card Issuer)
All actions, such as checking your cash advance limit or applying for an increase, are done through the card issuer’s member website or phone support. These procedures cannot be done through American Express.
Cash Advance Interest Rate (Lending Rate) and Calculation (Based on Card Issuer)
The interest rate (annual percentage rate) varies depending on the card issuer and the type of card, but it is generally around 18.0%. Interest is calculated on a daily basis. Please check your card issuer’s member agreement or official website for the detailed rate.
Interest = Amount Borrowed × Annual Percentage Rate ÷ 365 days × Number of Days Used
How to Inquire About a Forgotten PIN (Contact the Card Issuer)
If you have forgotten the PIN required for a cash advance, contact the issuer listed on the back of your card to request an inquiry. After the procedure, a document containing your PIN will be mailed to you.
Possible Reasons and Solutions If You Cannot Use Cash Advance
If you are unable to use cash advance at an ATM, possible reasons include not having a cash advance limit, exceeding the limit, entering the wrong PIN, a faulty magnetic stripe on the card, or a late payment. Check your status on the card issuer’s member website or contact customer service.
Q&A on Using American Express at Convenience Store ATMs
Q1. Why can’t I get a cash advance with a proprietary Amex card?
A1. Proprietary cards issued directly by American Express are cards that place an emphasis on shopping and services, and under the current policy, they generally do not include a domestic cash advance feature.
Q2. What are some examples of co-branded cards that allow cash advances?
A2. There are many, including the “Saison Pearl American Express Card” issued by Credit Saison, the “MUFG Card American Express Card” issued by Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, and the “Rakuten Card American Express Card” issued by Rakuten Card. Please check the name of the issuer on the back of your card.
Q3. If I use a cash advance at a convenience store ATM, how will it appear on my statement?
A3. It will be listed on your card issuer’s statement under names such as “CD Cash Advance” or “ATM Cash Advance,” along with the date of use, amount, and the name of the ATM operator (e.g., SEVEN BANK).
Q4. When and how will I be charged the ATM fee?
A4. The ATM fee is typically debited from your account along with the principal cash advance amount on the following month’s payment date. The billing timing depends on the regulations of the card issuer.
Q5. Do the closing date and payment date (debit date) for cash advances vary by card issuer?
A5. Yes, they do. The closing date and payment date are based on the rules of your card issuer (Saison, MUFG, etc.). For example, Saison Card has a closing date of the 10th and a payment date of the 4th of the following month, while Rakuten Card has a closing date of the end of the month and a payment date of the 27th of the following month.
Q6. Is it possible to get a cash advance during the New Year’s holidays or long weekends?
A6. As a general rule, it is possible as long as the convenience store ATM is operational. However, there may be times when the service is unavailable due to temporary system maintenance by the card issuer or the ATM. It is recommended to check official website announcements before use.
Q7. What are the key points to be aware of when getting a cash advance overseas?
A7. The amount will be converted to Japanese Yen at the exchange rate determined by your card issuer. In addition to the ATM fee, a separate administrative fee for overseas use may be charged. Be sure to confirm your PIN before traveling and check with your card issuer for details.
Q8. Is the cash advance amount eligible for points?
A8. No, it is not. The cash advance amount, ATM fees, and interest are not eligible for points under the card issuer’s rewards program.
Last Updated: June 19, 2025