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 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 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.
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!
Schwab Bank refunds non-Schwab ATM fees on any ATM worldwide. Overseas ATMs rarely charge fees.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No BNP Paribas ATMs in CDG airport when you get to Paris. Sad.