Hi, for the WOWPASS and T-Money balances, you don’t need to choose which to use. It will automatically pick WOWPASS unless you’re riding on public transportation – then it’ll choose T-Money. You can check and top up the balance at the ticket machines in subways and bus stations or at convenience stores. You can only top up the WOWPASS balance at WOWPASS machines, so you don’t need to choose which, just go to the right place. Yes, withdraw individually as they need to be topped up in different places.

I download the app and I have another question. There are WOWPASS Balance & Tmoney Balance.
1. There are WOWPASS balance and Tmoney balance. Since they are separate balance, when you use it, do you have to pick the type? I had thought that it is just one balance in the card when you top up money.
2. I assume at this point that you have to pick the top up type when you top up, right?
3. Are you able to transfer the WOWPASS balance into Tmoney balance when it is low or it can only be top up via cash?
4. If you have balance left for both, do you withdraw them individually?

You’re welcome, hope your travels go well 🙂

Thanks. The site is a little strange. I submitted my last reply and after a little while it disappeared. I had thought that the system removed it for some strange reason. Although the system asks for email but it doesn’t send notification when there is a reply. It is a good thing that I came back to check.

We were concern about the street stalls but it is good to hear that they accept the card and I can understand the ones that don’t. Thanks for info on AREX too. I hoped WOWPASS gives you a referrer program commission. You have been a good ambassador.

Hi, hope these answers help:
1 – yes, that’s fine. I have more than 300,000 in my WOWPASS card (I use it in Korea, too) and if you lose it you can use the app to freeze it in the ‘manage card’ section of the app and you can reissue a card at a WOWPASS machine with your passport.
2 – Even street food stalls should accept cards (although they might refuse to avoid tax). Restaurants will all accept cards and I very rarely use cash in Korea.
3 – You don’t need to book AREX in advance, there’s usually enough seats and you can turn up and get your ticket when you arrive.
4 – Looks like it’s only Incheon to Seoul, but I’m not sure. You can check this article about how to book the AREX – https://wowpass.oopy.io/arex/en.
Cheers, Joel

Thank for more information 🙂
We might give the card a try.
a. I don’t really want to go look for exchange shop and I don’t like airport rate so this is a convenient for sure.
b. We were going to go with klook 5 days 500MB/day $8.00 but reservation is only a month in advance. But ₩27,500 is only $20 and it is unlimited.

Follow Up Questions:
1. Is it safe to put $200-$300 in the card (₩266,000 – ₩400,000 @1,331.34 / ₩ per $)? I read that you can reissue the card at the kiosk, could you cancel the lost card via phone app any time?
2. The card is accept as credit card (though it really is a debit card) in restaurants. Does this include like small mom and pop local eatery? I know that we’ll need paper money for street stalls but wondering if the small eatery only with cash as well.
3. One WOWPASS only receive one AREX discount code, correct? We create AREX accounts which we were planning to order AREX ahead but we’ll to get it once we land in this case.
4. Can the AREX discount code be used for the return train from Seoul to ICN again or is it one time use?

If you have any can’t miss in Seoul or Busan to recommend please feel free to advise us. I researching Korea dishes and cherry blossom timing and area in Japan (our purpose for this trip end of March to April).

PS. I understand if you don’t have answer to all of my WOWCARD questions. I was going to try to ask the provider but I figure this may be the same questions that others may have and can reach the answer here :).

Hi, thanks for reading. Here’s some answers to your questions:
1 – depends on the exchange rate shops. If you’re looking at the exchange places in Hongdae and Myeongdong, there’s not that much difference. Compared to airport exchange, however, the exchange rate is much better for WOWPASS.
2 – Most tourist SIMs work on 4g in Korea, which is a great connection. No need for 5g. You can buy the WOWPASS by itself without a SIM card if you buy the regular package, not the airport package. If you want the 5 day SIM (which does come with 10% off, yes), then it costs about the same price as the discounted SIM card on Klook (both Klook and WOWPASS SIM card prices are great prices).
3 – The SIM card is provided by SK Telecom and resold by Klook or WOWPASS. It’s the same SIM card and you’ll get the same service.
4 – The basic WOWPASS is 5,000 KRW, but the Airport Package is more expensive and depends on what you select (the length of the SIM card changes the price).
5 – When you reserve the airport package with AREX discounted ticket, you’ll be given a code which you use to collect your AREX ticket at the airport.
6 – Yes, you tap the card to use it when you get on and off public transport. I don’t think you can use the phone’s NFC.

1. How good is the exchange rate compare to exchange shop? (We aren’t exchanging a ton but I am curious to know)
2. We are looking to get 5 days eSIM 500MB/day from klook.com (3G 4G 5G depend on carrier) for about $9.00. This SKT 5 days eSIM is unlimited 4G 20Mbps (SMS & Voice is probably useless for us since it is incoming only) is ₩27,500 which is about $20.00. We will get 10% off of this price, correct? If I don’t want SKT eSIM, do I need to buy the service?
3. Do you experience to compare the klook.com service to SKT service? We will be mainly in Busan and Seoul.
4. The Airport package cost ₩5,000, correct? And if I use invitation code (not sure when), the 0.5% top-up is every time I add USD to the card or just the first time?
5. Do you buy AREX ticket thru WOWPASS to get the discount?
6. You tap the WOWPASS card on train/bus, correct? Or you can use phone NFC as well?

Thanks for reading 🙂 Hope you have a fun time planning your travels to Korea!

Hi, yeah, but you get the bonus of being able to pay by card with the WOWPASS instead of having to carry lots of cash around. You can withdraw won from the card if you need it, too.

Thanks for all the articles. Super detailed breakdowns are always appreciated.