One of the easiest ways to save money while traveling is to avoid unnecessary ATM fees. Before your trip, check whether your bank has international ATM partners. Using a partner ATM can help you avoid Bank of America’s non-network ATM fee (typically around $5 per transaction), although foreign transaction fees may still apply depending on your account. Always confirm the latest terms with your bank before traveling.
Bank of America’s international ATM partners currently include:
- Barclays (United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Channel Islands)
- BNP Paribas (France)
- BNL BNP Paribas (Italy)
- Deutsche Bank (Germany and select locations in Europe)
- China Construction Bank (mainland China)
- UkrSibbank (Ukraine)
- TEB (Turkey)
- Scotiabank (Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and many Caribbean destinations)
- Westpac (Australia and New Zealand)
A Better Option? Charles Schwab
Since I first published this article, many readers have recommended the Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. It’s become one of the most popular banking options among frequent travelers because Schwab reimburses ATM fees worldwide and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on debit card purchases.
If you’re a U.S.-based traveler who regularly withdraws cash abroad, this is often considered one of the best travel-friendly banking accounts available.
Another Popular Choice: Wise
Many travelers also swear by Wise. Instead of relying solely on your bank’s exchange rates, Wise lets you hold and convert multiple currencies within the app and spend using the Wise debit card.
Benefits include:
- Competitive exchange rates
- Multi-currency balances
- Easy transfers between currencies
- Lower conversion costs than many traditional banks
Wise can be especially useful for digital nomads, long-term travelers, and anyone visiting multiple countries on the same trip.
My Favorite ATM Tip
No matter which bank you use, always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) when an ATM asks whether you’d like to be charged in U.S. dollars. Choose to be charged in the local currency instead.
That “helpful” conversion offered by the ATM is usually one of the most expensive exchange rates you’ll encounter while traveling.
Final Thoughts
If you already bank with Bank of America, using partner ATMs is an easy way to save on withdrawal fees abroad. However, if you travel internationally several times a year, it may be worth opening a dedicated travel-friendly account such as Charles Schwab or using Wise for cash withdrawals and everyday spending.
A few minutes of planning before your trip can easily save you hundreds of dollars in ATM and currency conversion fees over time.
What’s your best money-saving tip for international travel?
Note: Updated June 2026: Added current ATM partner information plus reader-recommended alternatives including Charles Schwab and Wise.
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?
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/
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 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.
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.
It’s the same with Westpac in Australia, they started charging a transaction fee. NOT HAPPY, what a rip off
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.
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.
can you make a deposit at a Bank of America ATM in Diano Marina Italy?
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.
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.
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.