How to avoid foreign ATM fees?

How can I avoid foreign transaction fees at ATM?

Ugh, ATM fees are THE WORST. Remember that time in Spain, 2023, I got hit with like, five euros just to take out cash? So annoying. Anyway. Best thing, travel credit card. Zero foreign transaction fees. Mine’s Capital One Venture X. Love it. Also, my bank, Charles Schwab, they reimburse all ATM fees. All of em. Globally. Seriously.

• Travel credit card. (Venture X is great, but others exist… obvi).
• Charles Schwab bank. Reimburses. All ATM fees. Everywhere.
• Use your bank’s ATMs. Like if your bank has partners abroad. Saves you money.
• Partner banks are a thing, too. Check for those.

Another tip: Just pay with your card directly. Most places take cards now. Even like little markets and stuff in.. I dunno. Bali! Bali, 2024. Used my card everywhere. Way easier then cash. Oh, and if you absolutely HAVE to use an ATM, ask for cash back when you buy something. Sometimes they let you do that, get some cash.

• Pay with card instead of cash. Works most of the time now.
• Cash back at stores. If you really need cash.

So yeah, those are my tips. Learned the hard way after that Spain trip. Five euros! Ridiculous. Don’t be like me. lol.

Which banks do not charge international ATM fees?

Ugh, this international ATM fee thing. 2023 was a nightmare. I was in Rome, July, sweltering hot, and needed cash, badly. My usual bank, Chase, whacked me with a $5 fee. Five freakin’ dollars! It stung. Really stung. I was already stressed about navigating the metro, finding decent gelato, and not getting pickpocketed.

Then, my friend Sarah, bless her heart, told me about her credit union. She’s uses Alliant Credit Union. No fees. Zero. Zilch. Nada. She even showed me her statement.

So here’s the deal: Alliant Credit Union is awesome. I checked my own bank’s (Chase, again, the worst) fee schedule later; it was buried. Seriously, they hide that info.

Other places that looked promising for avoiding international ATM fees:

• Some smaller, local banks. Research is key!
• Many credit unions. Seriously, credit unions are the bomb.

This whole thing made me switch banks. I’m still annoyed about those five bucks. Five dollars in Rome! That’s like, three scoops of gelato. Three! I’m with Alliant now. Problem solved. Don’t be like me. Do your homework before you travel. Seriously.

Can I withdraw money from an ATM in another country?

Cash access abroad. Possible. Fees apply. Your bank. The ATM’s bank. Check first. Saves money. Choice matters. My bank? Chase. Three percent. Per transaction. Highway robbery. Still cheaper than exchanging at the airport. Consider local banks. Sometimes free. Research. Key.

• Check your bank’s international ATM fees. Three percent is common. Some banks, five.
• The ATM’s owner also charges. This varies wildly. A percentage or a flat fee.
• Notify your bank of travel. Blocks fraud alerts. Saves hassle. Did this once in Rome. Locked out. Not fun.
• Debit cards better than credit cards. For cash withdrawals. Credit cards treat it as a loan. Interest accrues. Immediately. Painful.
• Look for local banks. Partnered with yours. Reduces or eliminates fees. Global network. Exists. Use it.
• Withdraw larger sums. Less often. Minimizes cumulative fees. Careful with large amounts of cash, though. Safety. Always a factor. Lost my wallet in Barcelona. 2023. Learned that lesson.
• Consider currency exchange options. Sometimes better rates. Depends. Country. Location. Your bank. Complex. Worth exploring. Local knowledge. Invaluable.

Can I use my debit card to withdraw money overseas?

Sweetheart, of course you can! Think of your debit card as a tiny, plastic passport to global cash. But, darling, don’t expect a red-carpet welcome.

Expect fees. Your bank? They’re not exactly known for their generosity. Think of it as a small tax on your wanderlust, a surcharge for the thrill of foreign currency. My bank, Chase, hit me with $5 last time I was in Rome. A small price to pay for a gelato, right? Wrong. It was a terrible gelato.

ATM fees are a thing. These are extra fees added by the ATM itself, the cheeky little machine that dispenses your hard-earned euros, pesos, or whatever exotic currency tickles your fancy. Think of it as a “convenience fee”—a rather expensive convenience.

Pro-tip: Check your bank’s website for current fees. Seriously, Google is your friend, and the customer service hotline may help too. Don’t rely on vague memories. Don’t be like me and get hit with surprise fees because I am a lazy bum.

• Your bank’s fees: These vary wildly.
• ATM fees: Another layer of charges.
• Exchange rates: These fluctuate daily, making budgeting tricky. You might also find that the exchange rate your bank offers is not the best available.

Avoid ATM’s in touristy areas. That’s where the ATM’s are most likely to charge extra. They know you’re desperate! And, yes, I learned that the hard way. I’m a walking example of why you need a better plan than mine!

What bank account has no ATM fees?

Dark outside. Streetlight bleeds through. Thinking about money again. Axos… that’s the one, right? No ATM fees. Helps. Little things…

Reimbursements. All of them. Unlimited. Remember that time in Santa Fe… stuck. Needed cash. Killer fees. Not anymore…

Axos… good for interest too. Rewards Checking. Tiered… gotta keep the balance up. Wish it was simpler. Tired.

• Axos Bank: Online only. No physical branches.
• ATM Fees: Completely reimbursed. Every single one.
• Rewards Checking: Earns interest. Tiered interest rates depending on balance.
• Interest Rates: Check their website. Always changing. Rates are competitive for 2024. Saw an ad yesterday.
• Santa Fe Trip: 2022. Bad memories about ATM fees. Glad those days are gone.

Need sleep. So much to worry about. At least the bank account… one less thing. Axos. Yeah. That’s it.