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When traveling abroad, taking money from an ATM is a convenient way to exchange currency. Unfortunately, depending on your bank, this could be expensive if you're charged additional fees, like an ATM fee and a foreign transaction fee.
The good news is that some banks won't charge you to use an ATM in a foreign country, and others reimburse ATM transaction fees. If you're a jet setter looking for a bank that won’t charge you fees when you use your debit card outside of the United States, my list will help you find the right financial institution that won't cost you an arm and a leg when you travel.
We know checking and savings accounts can be critical tools for managing your money. They're one of the financial tools you use the most. That's why the features offered by a bank matter so much and we've taken that into consideration in our evaluations. We consider the annual percentage yield (APY), account features, minimum opening balance required, fees, customer service, and FDIC insurance. The best banks also offer a variety of account types and the support you need to you make the most of your money. We intensively research all products and services we review, and our team members personally use a wide array of financial products. Our product rankings and scores are based on objective measurements and product features as well as expert opinions from our editorial team.
How we evaluate products
Banks with no international ATM fees
Here are the best banks and best checking accounts that don't charge ATM foreign transaction fees:
- Discover
- Betterment
- Charles Schwab
- Capital One
- Fidelity
- USAA
Discover Cashback Debit
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The Discover Cashback Debit is an all-around great choice for a checking account whether you spend most of your time stateside or abroad. You can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month2 and there are no monthly fees.
When it comes to ATM access, Discover doesn't charge ATM fees and you'll have access to over 60,000 fee-free ATMs in the U.S. Just keep in mind, even though Discover won't charge you a fee for using an international ATM, there could still be fees charged by the bank operating the ATM.
Visit Discover or Read our review to learn more
Tip: Consider using a credit card instead
Before continuing with the list, it's worth noting that you might not even need to use an ATM internationally. When I first started traveling abroad, it was common to need some cash (or traveler's checks - remember those?) for a trip. These days there's really very little need to carry cash in many countries. Credit cards are widely accepted and can offer you better perks and protections than carrying cash.
When it comes to choosing a credit card, just be sure you have one that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. If your card does charge these fees, you'll be paying around 3-5% extra every time you swipe your card.
Awesome Rewards Rates + Intro APR
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Current Offer
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases
Capital One 360 Checking Account
The Capital One 360 Checking Account allows the use of your debit card abroad without foreign transaction fees or a currency conversion fee. However, they do not reimburse any fees an out-of-network ATM provider charges.
This is a good option if you’re looking for a one-stop banking shop, where you can get a variety of bank accounts, credit cards, and loans. However you won't earn cash back on purchases like with the Discover Cashback Debit.
The Capital One 360 checking account also offers:
- No monthly maintenance fees or account minimums
- Access to 70,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide
- An APY of 0.10% (as of 10/28/24)
Read our Capital One 360 review to learn more.
Betterment Checking
The Betterment no-fee checking account lives up to its name with its reimbursement of any ATM fees worldwide, plus reimbursement of the 1% currency conversion fee Visa charges for foreign transactions, purchases, and ATM transactions. With Betterment, you get free ATM access anywhere you travel.
Other notable features of the Betterment Checking account include:
- Robust mobile app to manage your account
- Pays cash back rewards for purchases from your favorite brands
- No minimum deposit required to open an account
Read our detailed Betterment Checking review to learn more.
Schwab Bank Visa Platinum Debit Card
The Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ account offers unlimited ATM fee rebates for cash withdrawals using the Schwab Bank Visa Platinum Debit Card, which is a great way to save on fees while traveling abroad.
This account also doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees for using your debit card abroad.
These are two perks that make it one of the best banks in the U.S. for foreigners and residents alike.
Other great features of the Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ account include:
- No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements with a linked Schwab One brokerage account
- An APY of 0.45% (as of 06/26/24)
- Full-featured mobile app that allows you to manage your account from anywhere
Fidelity Cash Management Account
Fidelity's Cash Management Account comes with ATM reimbursement, allowing you to withdraw money from more than 1 million ATMs worldwide with your debit card, as long as the ATM has a Visa, Plus, or Star logo. However, they still charge a 1% foreign transaction fee for foreign transactions so this isn't the best option for your a debit card while abroad.
Other great features the Fidelity Cash Management account offers include:
- No account fees or minimums
- Automatic transfers to help reach your savings goals
- Real-time spending insights to help you stay on track
USAA Classic Checking
USAA's Classic Checking account is open only to eligible military members, veterans, and their families. If you qualify for an account, you can access 100,000 USAA-preferred ATMs nationwide fee-free. If you use your debit card at a foreign ATM, they’ll refund you up to $10 per month.
Please note that USAA charges a 1% foreign transaction fee for withdrawals made abroad.
Other features of USAA's Classic Checking account include:
- No monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirement
- Early access to direct deposit
- Access to USAA spending plan tools
Featured Checking Account
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Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.1 No minimum deposit or balance. FDIC Insured.
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When you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through December 30, 2024. Member FDIC. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.
FAQs
How can you avoid international ATM fees?
You can avoid international ATM fees a couple of ways. The easiest is to have a bank account that offers free worldwide ATM access or reimbursement for ATM fees. If that’s not possible, you can exchange currency before you travel and use a credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees for the bulk of your spending abroad.
Which bank debit card is best to use abroad?
The best debit card to use abroad is one that offers easily accessible ATMs and little to no fees for withdrawing money or making purchases. Some accounts with ATM or debit cards that may be convenient and inexpensive to use abroad include:
- Discover Cashback Debit
- Capital One 360 Checking
- Betterment Checking
Can I use my debit card internationally?
Whether or not you can use your debit card internationally depends on where you’re traveling and whether your bank's network is compatible with ATMs abroad. If you have a Visa or Mastercard debit card, chances are you'll likely be able to use it abroad.
Before your trip, call your bank and let them know you'll be traveling. Ask about ATM usage abroad and any fees incurred if you use your debit card during your trip. This will offer peace of mind and allow you to account for ATM or foreign transaction fees in your travel budget.
Bottom line
Traveling is expensive enough, and adding international ATM fees to your costs can make it even more costly. If you travel abroad often, it’s worth checking out banks with no international fees or at least one that reimburses some foreign transaction fees monthly. Also make sure you have a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees in your wallet. Instead of spending your vacation dollars on ATM withdrawal fees, you can spend the extra dollars on something fun to make your trip even more memorable.
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
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