MoneyInJapan

Fee-waivable gold cards in Japan compared

Compare gold cards whose annual fee can be waived, and the spending threshold and annual bonus that make each one effectively free.

For: People spending enough to make a gold card free through a waiver or annual bonus. · Verified: 2026-07-30

Official-fact comparison

CriterionSumitomo Mitsui Card Gold (NL)Epos Gold CardSaison Gold PremiumPayPay Card GoldMitsubishi UFJ Card Gold Prestige
Primary-card fee¥5,500 including tax for the primary card.¥5,000 for direct applicants; permanently free by invitation, family-gold referral or ¥500,000 qualifying annual spend.¥11,000 including tax; the following year is free after ¥1,000,000 of qualifying annual spend.¥11,000 including tax for the primary card.¥11,000 including tax; first year free for eligible web applications.
Fee waiverPermanently waived once qualifying annual spend reaches ¥1,000,000; qualifying spend excludes certain transactions.Permanently waived once qualifying annual spend reaches ¥500,000, or via invitation/family-gold referral.The following year’s fee is waived once qualifying annual spend reaches ¥1,000,000.No fee waiver, but 11,000 annual points after ¥1,000,000 of qualifying spend effectively offset the fee.No standing annual waiver beyond the first-year offer for eligible applications.
Base earning ruleBase points accrue on eligible purchases; a 10,000-point bonus is added each year qualifying spend reaches ¥1,000,000.Around 0.5% base plus selected-shop uplifts and annual-spend bonus points; exclusions apply.Around 0.5% base with capped elevated rates at movies, convenience stores and cafés; model the caps before relying on the maximum.Around 1% base with conditional PayPay Step uplifts; a recurring 11,000-point benefit applies after ¥1,000,000 of eligible annual spend.Around 0.5% base on eligible spend before selected-store and group uplifts; exclusions apply.
Airport loungeComplimentary domestic airport lounges are offered under the current guide.Complimentary domestic airport lounges are offered under current terms.Domestic airport lounge access is offered under current terms.Complimentary domestic airport lounges are offered under current terms.Complimentary domestic airport lounges are offered under current terms.
Overseas processing chargeForeign-currency use incurs the designated overseas processing charge (around 3.63% on mainstream Visa/Mastercard products); verify the current rate.Foreign-currency use incurs the designated overseas handling charge (around 3.85% on Epos cards); verify the current rate.Foreign-currency use incurs the issuer-designated overseas processing charge; verify the current percentage before travelling.Foreign-currency use incurs the issuer-designated overseas processing charge; verify the current percentage before travelling.Foreign-currency use incurs the issuer-designated overseas processing charge; verify the current percentage before travelling.

Methodology and limitations

We compare only current, official-issuer facts stored in each card record. Campaign awards are excluded from base rewards, and an unverified feature is shown as not confirmed rather than inferred.

This is a feature comparison, not a ranking of approval likelihood. Issuers make their own screening decisions. Fees, rewards and terms can change, so check the linked official sources before applying.

Safety check before applying

Does “first card” mean easier approval?

No. Inclusion is based on features and issuer-stated eligibility; we do not assess approval likelihood.

Are campaign rewards included in the base reward?

No. Awards with a period, enrollment or spending condition are kept separate from enduring terms.

Sources