Large US banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, TD Bank and U.S. Bank list a 3% foreign transaction fee, and several add a flat $2.50–$5 fee for non-network ATM withdrawals abroad. On a 2-week international trip spending $3,000, a 3% fee comes to $90 at one of those banks — or $0 at Charles Schwab or Fidelity. This guide lists every major bank’s international debit card fees and explains exactly how to minimize them.
Foreign ATM and Debit Card Fees by Bank (2026)
| Bank | Foreign Transaction Fee | International ATM Fee | ATM Fee Reimbursement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Schwab Bank | 0% | $0 | Unlimited worldwide |
| Fidelity Cash Management | 0% | $0 | Unlimited worldwide |
| Ally Bank | Up to 1% (also applies to ATM withdrawals) | Not listed | None for non-U.S. ATM operators |
| Capital One 360 | 0% | $0 | None |
| SoFi Checking | 0% from SoFi (Mastercard’s 0.2% fee is built into the rate) | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chime | 0% | $2.50 | Chime Prime members: up to two $2.50 reimbursements per month |
| Chase Total Checking | 3% | $5 | None |
| Bank of America | 3% on converted ATM withdrawals | Fee per withdrawal plus the ATM operator’s fee | Fee waived abroad for Premier-tier BofA Rewards members |
| Wells Fargo | 3% | $5 | Varies by account (Prime Checking reimburses one operator fee abroad per fee period) |
| Citibank | 3% (waived for Citi Priority, Citigold and Citigold Private Client) | $2.50 non-Citi ATM fee | None on Regular and Access Checking |
| TD Bank | 3% | $3 per non-TD ATM withdrawal | Varies by account (TD Beyond Checking reimburses non-TD ATM surcharges at a $2,500 minimum daily balance) |
| US Bank | 3% | $3 | Fee waived for some Smartly Checking tiers |
| USAA | 1% (also applies to ATM withdrawals) | Not listed | Refunds non-USAA ATM operator fees up to $10 per monthly statement cycle |
Winner for international travel: Charles Schwab or Fidelity — both charge 0% foreign transaction fee and reimburse ATM fees worldwide (Schwab Investor Checking refunds ATM operator fees at any ATM worldwide; Fidelity reimburses ATM fees charged by other institutions).
What Fees You’ll Face at a Foreign ATM
When you use a foreign ATM, up to four fees can stack:
| Fee | Charged By | Typical Amount |
|---|---|---|
| International ATM withdrawal fee | Your US bank | $2.50–$5 at banks that charge one |
| ATM owner surcharge | Foreign ATM operator | Set by the operator and varies |
| Foreign transaction fee | Your bank (on the withdrawal amount) | 1–3% |
| Currency conversion markup (if DCC) | ATM operator | Set by the operator and can be higher than your bank’s rate |
Worked example — Withdrawing $200 at a Paris ATM with Chase:
- Chase international ATM fee: $5
- Assumed ATM owner surcharge (varies by machine): $3
- Chase 3% foreign transaction fee: $6
- Total fees: about $14 on a $200 withdrawal (7%)
Same withdrawal with Schwab Investor Checking: $0 in Schwab fees. Schwab credits the ATM operator’s surcharge back as a lump sum on the same account statement.
Foreign Transaction Fees on Debit Card Purchases (Not ATM)
Debit card purchases abroad — hotels, restaurants, shops — also trigger fees:
| Purchase Amount | 3% Fee (Big Bank) | 0% Fee (Schwab/Fidelity) |
|---|---|---|
| $50 dinner | $1.50 | $0 |
| $200 hotel night | $6.00 | $0 |
| $1,500 airfare | $45.00 | $0 |
| $3,000 trip spending | $90.00 | $0 |
Key rule: Always choose local currency when asked. When a merchant or ATM asks “Would you like to pay in USD?” — always decline and choose local currency. This avoids dynamic currency conversion (DCC), where the merchant or ATM sets the rate and may charge more than your bank would.
Dynamic Currency Conversion: The Hidden Fee to Always Avoid
Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) occurs when:
- A foreign ATM asks “Pay in USD?” — say NO, choose local currency
- A hotel or shop offers to charge your card in dollars — say NO
DCC lets the merchant or ATM set the exchange rate, which can be worse than the rate the Visa or Mastercard network would apply. Whether your bank also adds its own foreign transaction fee on top depends on its terms; Chase and Wells Fargo, for example, charge theirs on purchases made in a foreign currency.
Result: Choosing USD at a foreign ATM can cost more than choosing local currency, because the operator may charge a higher conversion fee.
How to Avoid International Banking Fees
- Switch to Charles Schwab or Fidelity for travel — no foreign transaction fees, and ATM operator fees are reimbursed
- Always choose local currency — never DCC
- Withdraw larger amounts less frequently — one $400 withdrawal is cheaper than four $100 withdrawals in fee terms
- Use your debit card for purchases rather than cash when accepted — fewer ATM fees
- Check if your bank has international partners — Bank of America lists partner banks abroad (such as Barclays in the UK and BNP Paribas in France), and Citibank has its own ATMs in over 20 other countries, though its 3% foreign exchange fee still applies there
- Check your bank’s travel-notice rules — Chase says it no longer accepts travel notices but may reach out to confirm a purchase, so keep your contact details up to date
For more on debit card fundamentals, see what is a debit card and best checking accounts for travelers.
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