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.
There is always a 3% international conversion fee through BofA which can quickly add up if you are taking out hundreds of Euros, etc.
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.
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
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. 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.
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?
It seems BofAm start to charge fee to get money from China Construction Bank ATM from 2 years ago.
3/25/2019
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
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
Does not work in Munich, Germany:
Sorry, there are no locations within the map area.
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
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