Avoiding ATM Fees
It’s always smart to check with your bank to see if they have any international partners so that you can get the ATM withdrawal fees waived when you’re traveling outside the country. Fees are usually $5 per transaction! For example, I use Bank of America, and their foreign partners are: Barclays (United Kingdom), BNL Banca Nazionale Del Lavoro (Italy), BNP Paribas (France), Deutsche Bank (Germany), Santander Serfin (Mexico), Scotiabank (Canada and the Caribbean) and Westpac (Australia & New Zealand).
Here’s the link to Bank of America’s ATM finder (click ‘international locations’). So before you travel, call or check online to find out if your bank has international partners and save yourself those annoying (and sometimes hefty) transaction fees.
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Why not just used Fidelity or Charles Schwab (both accounts are free) who reimburse you for ATM fees worldwide and charge no foreign exchange fees?
Good tip!
I was in BOA yesterday to inquire about using Santander ATM’s in Spain and was told I had to be a Premier Customer with $20,000 in checking or savings or a loan or home equity line of $20,000 to get fees refunded. I know you did not mention Santander in Spain in your tip but one could assume since it is the parent that there would be no fees.
Good to know! Threaten to take your business elsewhere if they don’t waive the fees and they will.
I’d suggest you check schwab debt card. They reimburse you
100% of all ATM fees.
Hi everyone. Im currently living in South Korea and travel alot. Citibank seems to be the best as far as having atms all over. Im in the process of switching from BOA because of all the fees and usage interruptions.