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.
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?
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
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
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?
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 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
Thanks Johnny. I’m with BofA too and this is great help. Best.
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!
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!
Does Bank of America have any partners in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia
Carry notes if you can. Withdrew in Brazil and payed three different service fees. Made the whole thing useless.
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.