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.
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
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!!!
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
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’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.
If you buy euros from BOA in the states they tack on 5%.
Hi, But in Mexico even if you dont pay the fee for using the Bank Santander, BofA still charges the 3% for international transactions?
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”
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.
Do you have partneŕs bank on Cameron?
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.
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.