It’s always smart to check with your bank to see if they have international partners so you can get the withdrawal fee waived (usually $5). For example, I use Bank of America and their foreign partners are:
–Barclays United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Channel Islands)
–BNP Paribas (France)
–BNL D’Italia (Italy)
–Deutsche Bank (Germany and Spain)
–China Construction Bank (mainland China, excluding Hong Kong)
–UkrSibbank (Ukraine)
–TEB (Turkey)
–Scotiabank (Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and the Caribbean countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
–Westpac (Australia and New Zealand).
What’s your best money-saving tip for international travel?
Do you know any Russian partner?
We don’t. sorry
Does Boa have any partners in South Africa?
Yes, ABSA, one of the biggest banks in SA, belongs to Barclays. I withdrew several times with my Deutsche Bank card, no fees whatsoever, not at the withdraw, not afterwards. Confirmed afterwards I got the exact exchange rates every day, impressive!
Capital One does not charge a foreign transaction charge on anything overseas. Cards like Visa and Amex charge 2-4%. And you get points. As a tour guide this saves a lot of cash.
BofA debit cards do not have chip and pin technology. Will I be able to use my debit card at a BNP Paribas ATM in Paris?
Yes. I used mine a few months ago
As a Bof A customer in the US, can I use a Barclay’s or BNP bank anywhere in Europe and avoid fees or only Barclays in the UK or BNP in France to avoid fees? I am going to Greece. Thanks
I think so but I would call them to ask
Does BoA have any partners in Turkey?
Not as of last summer
Yes, TEB
any BOA in Panama city, Panama or partner
Do you of any partners in Latvia, or if it’s possible to use ATM’s in LAtvia?
Best way to open bank account in New Zealand? Will be travelling there in a few months for a year. Does Westpac partner with BofA?
Good for you! I’m not sure so best to call
Bank of America still charges an International fee even if you use ATM at Santander in Mexico. I know!
True! They even take the $5 twice
I contacted Westpac NZ before I went there, and they let me open an account when I arrived. I deposited US cash to open it, then I wired more funds into that NZD account from my USD account in US. They also partner with BofA if you want to use your BofA debit card in the NZ ATMs. You might also save on the currency conversion fees by using xe.com to do the transfer to NZ account. XE sometimes has better conversion rates than Westpac.
Pls can are use my debit here Italy
Sorry to say … the rules have changed as of the 8th of this month. Expats in Mexico are dumping BoA by the bunch. 3%+$5+ATM fee is way too much for real Expats
I believe Mexico and Santander recently lost partnership…. I’m now getting charged a PERCENTAGE!!!! Taking out 178US cost me over 8US DOLLARS… Not happy
They are still partners, but as sparks indicates the BoA rules have changed. Unfortunately I have no idea what the next best card / bank would be to avoid fees.
Scotiabank is supposed to be a BofA partner yet, they’re charging me 3% of the amount I withdraw!!! This is madness! $600 US would cost me $18 and since I’m in Barbados, that’s $36. I’m done with them! It used to be if you get dir dep Soc Sec there’s no charge. Not anymore! Robbery!
Bank of America is charging you fees because you are using an ATM not in the USA. You should be using Scotiabank ATMs in Barbados.
I AM using Scotiabank ATM !!
the 3% fee is currency conversion fee, the difference between buying and selling foreign currency.
Even though my BofA card is just a debit card there is at least a 3% foreign currency conversion charge when paying for things. Capital One, some Amex cards, have a zero currency conversion fee. As for ATM’s, I use Ally Bank as zero fee.
Where can I use my Bank of America debit card to withdrawl cash in Hong Kong
I can’t find it on https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/manage/faq-atm-fees.go so it’s best if you call them
I used a citibank when i was in hong kong. The fees applied.
can you make a deposit at a Bank of America ATM in Diano Marina Italy?
Sorry, guys. They did change. Now they charge 3% even if it is a partner atm. Info here:
https://secure.bankofamerica.com/content/documents/CG2/inserts/deposit/en_us/DP-043425.pdf
I hope someone finds a better option for international withdrawals and posts it here.
Bank of America is such a rip off, scam, tax payer swindling operation it makes me sick. 3% of every dollar withdrawn at Deutsche Bank!
The article states that you will be waived the transaction fee, not the currency conversion rate.
It’s the same with Westpac in Australia, they started charging a transaction fee. NOT HAPPY, what a rip off
Friends. I think I might have found a solution. I just opened an online account with CapitaOne360. They give me acces to the huge allpoint ATM network all around the world, supposed to be no fees. Waiting for the Account to be confirmed, I will keep everybody posted when I am sure it works.
Hello again everybody. I am writing to confirm that there are no fees on Allpoint ATM’s when using your capital one 360 card in the UK (Allpoint ATM network is available in: Australia, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and UK). Here is the link to the website: http://www.allpointnetwork.com.
Just a heads up, it is very important when withdrawing money that you do the transaction in local currency. The machine will ask if you want to do it in USD. Choose to do it without the conversion (In my case it was pounds). It’s a scam if you do it in USD. I didn’t know and ended up paying almost 10% more the first time. (Only withdrew a small amount, I was testing the rate first). Here is the link to open an account in Capital One: https://home.capitalone360.com
I did everything online, I am currently in London, so I had the card sent to me from home.
I hope this post helps, it has been a long journey for me to find a solution.
Hi! I can confirm, there are NO charges/fees for international transactions or ATM withdrawals (from ALL POINT NETWORK ATMS’s) with a Capital 360 Checking account. I had been a BofA customer for 14 years and just switched. I travel frequently and refused to get charged a 3% currency exchange fee every time I withdrew my own money from a partner bank in the UK. Ask for Jeff Mitchell when you call Capital One 360 – he was AMAZING!! (Currently they are offering a $50 bonus when you use your debit card three times in 45 days. Yes, please!)
Great to know. Mine should arrive in a copule of days.
My friend told me Charles Schwab bank’s ATM card will refund you any ATM transaction fee charged. I applied one for my spring Europe travel.
HI! i will be traveling to paris this june 1st-august 1st. Since BNP paribas is partners with BOA, i can just bring my debit card along with me, and just find a local BNP bank or atm and just pay a 3% fee with that exacty card? I dont mind paying 3% fee rate which is nothing compared to the idea of converting 1800 USD with BOA in the states and only getting about 1000-1100 euros….
That is correct! See this link http://locators.bankofamerica.com/locator/locator/LocatorAction.do and click “international locations”. But why not use a credit card without foreign transaction fees so you are protected and can earn miles/points? Here’s a list of some good ones https://johnnyjet.com/travel-deals/best-travel-credit-cards/
I am going to receive a check from the UK for 100 pounds. I am having a hard time trying to get it exchanged for US dollars. I have a Bank of America account and read that Barclays (UK) has an agreement with them for a non-fee exchange for pounds for dollars. Can I take a British check in pounds to my BOA branch and get it exchanged for dollars? And would there be a fee for this exchange? Another bank said it would cost $35 to exchange the check. What is the best and cheapest way to make the exchange?
Thanks, JohnnyJet, for your quick response and information. It is really appreciated. Today i’m going to my BOA branch and ask them about the exchange of pounds for dollars, backed up, of course, with your valued response to my question. Thanks again for your help.
I went to my BOA branch and asked about the exchange and their response was: bring the check in and we will exchange the British currency for dollars–which takes a little time–and then deposit it in your account. There was no mention of exchange fees. The bank manager didn’t mention Barclays UK at all. I was wondering if I should ask the UK company that’s forwarding the money if they have a Barclays account so they can send it directly to my BOA account? Does that make sense, and is it a fair question to ask them? Thanks again, in advance, for your help.
Do you have partneŕs bank on Cameron?
If Santander (Mexico) its a partner, also Santander (Spain) should be?
Were you able to figure out the answer to this? I need a partner bank in Spain.
Who’s your bank
Bank of America.
They don’t. Here’s their list https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/manage/how-to-pay-when-traveling-abroad.go
Santander bank is a partner of BOA in Spain.
Does BOA affiliate with any banks in Japan and Macau? Do you have a list of all BOA affiliate banks globally?
They don’t. See here http://locators.bankofamerica.com/locator/locator/LocatorAction.do and then click “international locations”
Hi, But in Mexico even if you dont pay the fee for using the Bank Santander, BofA still charges the 3% for international transactions?
If you buy euros from BOA in the states they tack on 5%.
I’m curious, if I have a bank of america account, and I withdrawal from scotiabank in Peru (which is an affiliate of BofA), will I still be charged the 3% conversion fee even if I am withdrawing in dollars and not the peruvian currency?
Good question! You would have to ask them to find out for sure.
hello there, I used my Canadian Scotia bank card at a ATM in America and I was surprised at the result. I withdrew 180 American and my bank statement said I took out 214 dollars, is that just exchange rate? Or is that not suppose to happen?
I been happy with BofA until they removed their : Safe Send program (sending money to Mex with out a fee) and now they are charging me a ridiculous 3% to use my money internationally; if I use my debit card or take money out of a Santander bank in Mex. If I were to take money out of another atm they penalize you with an additional $5 usd !! I defiantly changing banks soon to Capital One or something else.. does anyone have more reviews about using Capital One out of the country and how accessible atm are?
Thanks
Does BofA have a partner bank in Austria?
If I go to use any ATM while I’m there, does it work the same way as it does in the U.S.
where you can withdraw money from any ATM even if it’s not your bank’s ATM or
Is it different?
Thank you!!!
Hi,
I want to use my Bank of America debit card in Australia at Westpac ATMs.
Has anyone done this recently? I think Bank of America will deduct 3% of the US amount, but I won’t pay an ATM use fee and I will get that days conversion rate. Is this correct?
Thanks
My big thing is this. I withdraw from ScotiaBank here in Canada and I always get charged fees after withdrawing. Referring to BoA’s FAQ’s, since I’m using their partner, I should get no fees charged after this. I wonder if they’d reimburse me. I just found out they’re not supposed to charge me so it’s a lot in fees.
Carry notes if you can. Withdrew in Brazil and payed three different service fees. Made the whole thing useless.
Does Bank of America have any partners in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia
One of the best ways I have found to completely avoid ATM fees, especially if you need $100.00 or less to buy that souvenir or snack is.. go to Wal-Mart or Kroger! In American every retail chain store will give you and even asks electronically “Do you want cash back” some have limits but have none that I am familiar with has a problem giving you the limit, many times, so if you need a substantial sum of cash stock up on candy bars, one at a time and get cash back. It the sum is that great, pay the ATM fees but for $100.00 find an American drug store!
Get a Charles Schwab brokerage account (it’s free) and immediately open a Charles Schwab high yield interest checking account. They will send you an ATM card with the chip. You can use any ATM all over the world, CS charges no fees and if the ATM you use charges you a fee, Charles Schwab will rebate it back to you on your statement. You can set up automatic deposits from your normal checking account to the CS account, or you can sign up to have CS allow you to make random transfers by phone at your convenience (you must wait 4 days for the funds to clear, though). I opened this account the minute BOA changed its fee structure with regard to cash withdrawals and even purchases overseas….it cost me way too much money, just excessive greed to a platinum customer! Bad move
Thank you Marnie. From all my research on access and transfers abroad it seems CB is best hands down. Thanks for confirming. I’m switching to them!
Thanks Johnny. I’m with BofA too and this is great help. Best.
I will soon be receiving my ATM Card from Bank Of America being sent to Australia.
1. Which bank in Australia can I withdraw funds??
2.How do I transfer the money ftom the ATM Card into my Australian NAB Bank Account
I didn’t read all 80+ comments….my international ATM travel suggestion is to move away from Bank of America. (I do currently have one of their cards but never use it because of the high uncalled for fees). Check out Charles Schwab. I have been using their card for the past two years and they are amazing. They have zero fees plus when they ATM does charge you at the end of every month you get all those fees back.
I am studying abroad (italy)
I am going low on cash and I am very nervous/confused with the whole international/exchange fee. Any recommendations and tips of what bank to use?
Hi Johnny, Have you ever herd of Skyluxtravel.com, or can you recommend a site for discount business class airline seats? Thanks!
I haven’t heard of them
My BofA debit card has a six digit PIN. Can I use it to withdraw cash from a BNL ATM in Italy.
As I understand, European ATMs are programmed for four digit PINs.
I believe you do need a four digit pin
Anyway you can question BOfA as a reporter why they don’t have a relationship with an American Bank in an American State that being Hawaii. Why can’t we get no ATM fees here?
No BNP Paribas ATMs in CDG airport when you get to Paris. Sad.
Your article needs an update. I’m in Santiago. To my surprise BoA’s partner ScotiaBank, Chile charges a USD$8.00 ATM fee for a maximum daily withdrawal of 200 Chilean Peso – around USD$300.00. 4 withdrawals from my USA savings account was a costly USD$32.00. I called BoA’s toll free USA number to ask why I was charged a USD$8.00 fee. The sad reply is that BoA no longer waves transaction fees at ScotiaBank.
I use the free account from Schwab when traveling so that I don’t get charged any fees from Schwab… and they’ll reimburse any fees that I’m hit with from the ATM owner.
1. The BoA debit card won’t help in CDG Paris airport because no correspondent bank ATM in the airport.2. I can’t find any other US bank besides BoA with fee free ATMs abroad.
Can I withdraw money from Scotland Edinburgh I use boa
Yes, though Barclays Bank but you still will have to pay the 3% foreign transaction fee (plus the conversion rate). You save on the $5.00 ATM fee though.
I just traveled to Fiji and Australia and used Westpac ATMs the entire time. I was under the impressions I would not have any fees but see the 3% conversion fee on my statement. The CS account sounds the best from the other comments. I even had a boatload of US dollars on me but converting that has fees as well which I was trying to avoid. The local banks I went to with US dollars refused to even work with me as I did not have an account there.
Bank of America has a new credit card, the Travel Rewards Card. It is free, earns rewards and does not charge the 3% foreign transaction fees. I think it’s great for international use in those countries that will accept credit cards.
Hi! Im having a trouble with my BOA,I’m from Philippines and I want to change my BOA account into Philippine Account. Is it posible that I can change it? If so, what would be the process or the things I need to do before it? Please answer.
Schwab Bank refunds non-Schwab ATM fees on any ATM worldwide. Overseas ATMs rarely charge fees.
If I were to deposite a BofA check abroad, beyond the time it takes, will I still get the 3% fee? It’s very confusing.
The money would be deposited in a US$ dollar account, so no need to make a currency conversion (I could deposit it in a local currency, too).
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I am an American needing to open up a Bank Account in South Africa so that I can receive South African Rand/currency that can then be transferred to the USA. How do I open a checking account in South Africa from the USA and what banks in the US will transfer the rand to my US bank in America? Would it be best to open up a checking account in a bank in South Africa that has a branch in the US? If so do I need to open up a US checking account as well as a South African checking account in the same bank to facilitate this transfer? Thank you for your suggestions.
That’s a good question and I don’t know the answer. Hopefully, someone on this thread does.
I can find no other bank besides B of A which has affiliate banks with no fee for using their ATMs. I can see from the above comments that many people don’t understand that routine currency conversion costs are NOT ATM usage fees.
I was just in Quebec and tried to use my BOA ATM card at a Scotiabank ATM. The transaction was rejected. I called BOA to ask what happened, and talked to Carrie in Delaware. She explained that BOA didn’t reject the transaction, Rather, Scotiabank was no longer accepting BOA ATM cards, and pleasantly advised that I was SOL. As of today, the BOA website has no hint of this disturbance in the alliance.
Yikes! Thanks for sharing
I have a BOA account, when i was last in europe, i used the affiliate banks of Bank of America. Whereever i go i just find any affiliate . You will be charge the currency exchange rate, but not Atm fees
Does not work in Munich, Germany:
Sorry, there are no locations within the map area.
what is the fee charged by bank of america debit card in australia?
It’s been a few years since I was there so I would call BofA and ask. I think it’s $5 plus the local atm fee
Can I make a deposit in my BofA account at a foreign BofA partner’s ATM?
I don’t think so but double check with BA by calling your local branch
It seems BofAm start to charge fee to get money from China Construction Bank ATM from 2 years ago.
3/25/2019
Does anyone know the current relationship with Bank of America and China Construction Bank?
I know for a while it was:
($5USD) foreign withdrawal fee that is waived,
No local fee.
But I still must pay the 3% transaction fee.
2006
Bank of America and China Construction Bank offered free consumer account wire transfer service to and from China by eliminating all fees on transfers.
The maximum that could be transferred at one time from China to the United States was $2,000 dollars.
Are they still sister banks with China Construction?
The internet leads me to believe this relationship ended in 2013, did that end?
Hi. I am going to be traveling to the USA using a Westpac (NZ) ATM card. I know that Bank of America is in the Global Alliance. Please can you tell me what Bank of American would charge for each withdrawal at an ATM?
YOu would need to ask Westpac to be sure.
If I’m a BofA debit card holder and withdraw from Barclays there is no withdrawal fee but there is apparently a 3% conversion fee, is that correct? Why would there be a conversion fee if the bank carries pounds already?
Hi. Im flying to italy and i will tale my BOFA ATM.
Bank toldo me that there is a usd 5 flat rate. But that partner bank BNL can charge us an adicional fee. Is this Correct and where can I check that fee? Tks a lot
For foreigners, avoiding the ATM transaction fees is kind of difficult and not generally advised as they are not aware of policy on which they are charged money. But it is better to get your account opened to avoid any unnecessary charges.
There is always a 3% international conversion fee through BofA which can quickly add up if you are taking out hundreds of Euros, etc.
thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.