The 14 Best Checking Accounts To Avoid International ATM Fees (2024)

No one enjoys being charged fees to withdraw cash while abroad, and this can sting, particularly when you’re hit with not just a withdrawal fee from the issuing ATM but also your bank.

With international ATM withdrawal fees usually around $3 to $5 per use plus a percentage-based foreign transaction fee, the cost of accessing your money when traveling can seriously add up.

Fortunately, there are banks that either don’t charge foreign transaction fees, will reimburse you for any fees incurred, or charge lower fees in comparison to other banks.

Here’s a list of checking accounts or banks to consider that help you avoid those international withdrawal fees.

The 14 Best Checking Accounts To Avoid International ATM Withdrawal Fees

1. Chase Bank Premier Plus Checking and Sapphire Checking

In general, Chase charges $5 for international cash withdrawals plus a 3% foreign transaction fee. ForChase Premier Plus Checking℠ customers, the $5 withdrawal fee will be refunded for up to 4 withdrawals within a statement period, but this does not include a rebate for any fees incurred from the ATM issuer.

Chase Sapphire Checking customers do not incur any fees, including foreign transaction fees, for withdrawing cash from an ATM abroad. Chase attempts to identify and refund any charges from ATM issuers but can also be contacted to request a refund if they don’t identify and remove these fees.

Hot Tip:

If you’re in the market for a business checking account, there are multiple great Chase business checking accounts that you should consider.

2. Ally Bank^® Spending Account

When withdrawing cash from an international ATM, the AllySpending Accountcharges a very reasonable rate of 1%, with the standard being 3%. If withdrawing from an AllPoint^® ATM, no ATM surcharge applies.

Sometimes a surcharge will still display on the ATM screen. However, Ally recommends that customers should proceed with the transaction, and the surcharge will not be issued, or it will be refunded within 2 days.

The Ally Interest Checking Account does not require a minimum opening balance, and there are no monthly maintenance fees.

3. Aspiration Plus Account

With the Aspiration Plus online checking account, you receive 1 monthly reimbursem*nt of international ATM fees charged when using both network and non-network ATMs, even traveling worldwide.

Aspiration’s fine print states that a 1% foreign transaction fee is applicable; however, it’s not clear whether this is applicable to ATM withdrawals, debit card transactions, or both.

To open an account, there is a $10 minimum opening balance and a $7 monthly maintenance fee.

Hot Tip:

4. Capital One 360 Checking Account

If you have a Capital One 360 Checking^® account, you will benefit from no transaction fees for withdrawing cash abroad.

There are no monthly service fees or minimum account balance requirements. You may still incur a flat usage fee from the international bank’s ATM, which Capital One will not reimburse.

If you want to ensure you avoid ATM usage fees, you can use your Capital One debit card at an AllPoint^® ATM, available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico.

5. Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ Account

With the Schwab Bank Investor Checking™ account, you receive unlimited rebates for withdrawing cash from international ATMs using the Schwab Bank Visa^® Platinum Debit Card. You can use any bank or ATM network, so this saves the hassle of tracking down a particular ATM when you’re traveling.

The bank will issue a rebate at the end of the month for any ATM fees incurred relating to cash withdrawals. If you believe a fee is eligible but wasn’t identified by the bank, you can have Schwab review the charge by calling a Client Service Specialist at 1-888‐403‐9000.

There are no monthly fees or minimum balances required to open the checking account, and your account will be linked to a Schwab One^® brokerage account, but again, no fees are incurred for this account. There are also no foreign transaction fees assessed for using your debit card.

6. Citibank Citigold

Citibank has an international ATM network spanning 20 countries where Citibank customers can withdraw cash without incurring any foreign transaction or withdrawal fees. Withdrawals must be made from Citibank-branded ATMs.

However, for any non-network withdrawals, any fees incurred will be reimbursed to Citigold^® customers maintaining an average of $200,000 in eligible linked deposit, investment, and retirement accounts.

7. Discover Bank Cashback Debit

Discover Bank does not charge any foreign ATM network or foreign transaction fees when using international ATMs. However, the bank has limited ATM coverage outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean islands.

Debit cards are accepted at ATMs displaying the Discover, Pulse, or Diners Club International logos. Unfortunately, most international ATMs are not part of the surcharge-free network, so a usage fee would be incurred from the ATM issuer.

8. Fidelity Cash Management Account

The Fidelity^® Cash Management Account gives customers free ATM withdrawals worldwide, even reimbursing any ATM issuing fees at the end of the statement month.

Fidelity’s website is slightly misleading as a disclaimer states that a 1% transaction fee is chargeable. However, actual users have experienced that this applies only to debit card transactions, not ATM withdrawals.

No minimum opening balances or monthly service fees apply to a Fidelity Cash Management account.

9. HSBC Bank Premier Checking

HSBC customers benefit from the bank’s expansive global network, with branches and ATMs located worldwide. When using most HSBC-branded ATMs internationally, all customers are not charged ATM withdrawal fees; however, a foreign transaction fee of 3% would apply.

This 3% transaction fee is waived for HSBC Premier checking account customers with a $100,000 maintained balance in combined deposit accounts and investments or a qualifying commercial balance. If the requirements are unmet, then a $50 monthly service fee applies.

10. PNC Bank Performance Spend and Performance Select

PNC Bank charges a $5 fee for foreign ATM withdrawals and $3 for withdrawals in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus a 3% transaction fee on the amount withdrawn. These fees are waived for some customers.

For Performance Spend customers, fees are reimbursed for 2 withdrawals and up to $5 per transaction per statement period on ATM surcharges incurred by other financial institutions. This account requires a $25 opening deposit (no minimum if opened online) plus a $10,000 average monthly balance across all PNC-linked accounts or $2,000 in qualifying direct deposits. Failing that, a monthly fee of $15 applies.

For Performance Select customers, transaction fees are reimbursed for unlimited withdrawals and up to $10 per statement period on ATM surcharges incurred by other financial institutions. There is no minimum opening deposit required if the account is opened online ($25 is required otherwise.) Monthly linked account balances must average $25,000 or $5,000 in qualifying direct deposits, or a $25 monthly fee will be charged.

11. TD Bank TD Beyond Checking

TD Bank charges a standard $3 fee for withdrawing cash from non-TD ATMs. The ATM issuing the cash may still impose a usage fee for withdrawals or balance checks, and these may be reimbursed for some customers. There are no foreign transaction fees associated with a number of TD Bank’s Checking and Savings Accounts, including TD Beyond Checking and TD Preferred Savings. TD-branded ATMs can be found in the U.S. and Canada.

12. USAA Classic Checking

With a USAA^® checking account, you will have access to a network of over 100,000 ATMs that allow you to withdraw cash for free. If you use any other ATMs, the ATM issuing the cash may still impose a usage fee for withdrawals or balance checks. These can be reimbursed up to $10 per statement period. You will still be subject to a 1% foreign exchange fee, but this is less than the standard 3%.

Hot Tip:

Also, note that no USAA credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee!

Although there are no waived options for specific account holders, these fees are quite low in comparison to other charging banks. Please note that a USAA account is limited to U.S. military members and their eligible family members.

13. Wells Fargo Prime Checking and Premier Checking

Wells Fargo charges a flat $5 fee for withdrawing cash from international ATMs. However, this fee is waived forPrime checking and Premier checking account holders with unlimited non-network ATM withdrawals. The monthly service fee for this account is $25 for Prime and $35 for Premier unless $25,000/$250,000, respectively, is maintained across linked checking, savings, time accounts/CDs, or FDIC-insured IRA accounts.

Both of these accounts require a $25 minimum opening deposit.

14. First Republic ATM Rebate Checking

The First Republic ATM Rebate Checking^® account offers no ATM fees at Preferred Banking Offices and at First Republic–branded ATMs in other locations. In addition, if an ATM fee is charged, it is refunded at the end of each monthly cycle. If the exact fee can’t be determined, a flat $5 fee is refunded.

There is a $500 minimum to open this account, with a $0 monthly fee as long as $3,500 is maintained in the account. Otherwise, the monthly fee is $25.

5 Tips To Avoid ATM Withdrawal Fees

A bit of research and planning will save you from paying unnecessary international ATM charges. Consider how often and for how long you are likely to travel every month. If you travel each month but for short periods, you may be satisfied with an account that reimburses you for fees up to a certain amount for each statement month.

• Flat Fees Versus Percentage Fees: If you’re traveling for longer periods or are planning to withdraw large amounts of cash, then you may want to choose a bank with a flat fee rather than a percentage transaction fee. For example, if you’re looking to withdraw $500, a flat $2.50 flat fee with TD Bank is far more beneficial than a 3% transaction fee, which would be $15. On the other hand, if you only plan to withdraw small amounts of cash, then the percentage fee could be more cost-effective for you.
• Worldwide ATM Coverage: If you regularly travel to a particular country, then before you open a checking account, research which banks have ATM availability there. Some banks may offer international ATM coverage, so by planning ahead, you can avoid any nasty surprises for ATM surcharges.
• Use an ATM Locator: Use an ATM locator to familiarize yourself with your nearest surcharge-free ATM. This will save you time searching for compatible ATMs on your travels, and avoid using a high-fee ATM for urgent cash.
• Credit Cards Versus Debit Cards: Never use a credit card for cash withdrawals from an ATM, as these will always incur higher withdrawal fees than your debit card.
• Dynamic Currency Conversion Fees: Always withdraw cash in the local currency, as you’ll avoid dynamic currency conversion fees from your bank. Choosing to process the transaction in your home currency rather than the local currency means your bank can use an unfavorable rate rather than the general rate of exchange.

Bottom Line:

Think about how much you travel, where you travel, and how much you think you’d be withdrawing regularly when deciding on which account is best for you.

Final Thoughts

The best checking account for you will depend on your financial circ*mstances; for example, whether you have a large enough balance to qualify for a premium account that will carry international ATM reimbursem*nt, in addition to various other benefits.

If you’re looking to open a checking account purely for international ATM purposes, then a Capital One 360 or Schwab Bank account makes the most sense, with no monthly fees or minimum account balance requirements. A Schwab Bank Investor Checking^® account comes with the additional benefit of being able to withdraw fee-free at any non-network ATM.

The information regarding Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Schwab Bank Visa^® Platinum Debit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.