Bank of America international transaction fees can feel confusing because the amount depends on whether you use a credit card, debit card, or foreign ATM.
Some Bank of America cards charge 3%, while several travel-focused cards generally charge no foreign transaction fee.
You may also face separate ATM or merchant conversion costs. This guide explains the current fee structure and how you can generally reduce international banking costs.
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What Are Bank of America International Transaction Fees?
Bank of America international transaction fees are charges that may apply when you use an eligible card for a foreign-currency transaction. Your exact fee generally depends on your card and account agreement.
For many Bank of America credit cards that charge this fee, the current rate is generally 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the qualifying foreign-currency transaction. For example, a $500 equivalent purchase may produce a $15 fee.
Several Bank of America travel cards have no foreign transaction fee. Your debit card follows a different fee schedule, so you should not assume your credit and debit cards cost the same abroad.
Bank of America International Fees at a Glance
| Transaction | Typical Bank of America fee |
|---|---|
| Credit card with foreign transaction fee | 3% |
| Eligible travel credit card | $0 |
| Personal debit card purchase in foreign currency | 3% |
| Personal debit card international purchase processed in USD | $0 |
| Foreign ATM currency conversion | 3% |
| Non-partner foreign ATM use | May include a separate $5 BofA ATM fee |
| Premier BofA Rewards debit relationship | International fee may be waived |
Bank of America’s current personal fee schedule lists a 3% international transaction fee for debit card transactions in foreign currency and $0 when the international transaction is processed in U.S. dollars.
Which Bank of America Credit Cards Have No Foreign Transaction Fee?
You have several current Bank of America options that generally waive the fee completely.
Examples include:
- Bank of America Travel Rewards
- Bank of America Premium Rewards
- Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite
- Bank of America Travel Rewards Secured
- Certain airline and cruise co-branded cards
The Travel Rewards card currently has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. Premium Rewards and Premium Rewards Elite also currently waive foreign transaction fees, although they charge annual fees.
Bank of America also offers co-branded travel cards with no foreign transaction fees. Current examples include Air France KLM and several airline or cruise products.
Pro Tip: Check the exact rates and fees page for your card before traveling. Two Bank of America cards in your wallet may have completely different international fee rules.
Which Bank of America Credit Cards Charge 3%?
Some Bank of America cards still generally charge a foreign transaction fee.
For example, a current product disclosure associated with a Bank of America cash rewards card lists a 3% foreign transaction fee on the U.S. dollar amount of each qualifying transaction made in a foreign currency.
Your exact disclosure controls. Do not assume a card has no fee simply because it earns travel or cash-back rewards.
This distinction is especially important with cards such as Customized Cash Rewards. A rewards category labeled “travel” does not automatically mean foreign transactions are fee-free.
Bank of America Debit Card International Fees
Your personal Bank of America debit card currently follows a different rule from many credit cards.
Bank of America’s February 2026 personal fee schedule lists:
- 3% when your debit card transaction is made in foreign currency
- $0 international transaction fee when it is processed in U.S. dollars
The 3% fee generally applies after Visa or Mastercard converts your foreign-currency transaction into U.S. dollars. It can also apply when you buy something online from the U.S. but the merchant processes your payment in foreign currency.
This means you generally need to know both the merchant’s location and the currency used for processing.
What Does a $500 Foreign Purchase Cost?
Suppose you use a card that charges a 3% international transaction fee.
A purchase that converts to $500 would generally create a $15 fee. Your total card cost would therefore be about $515 before any separate merchant charges.
With an eligible Bank of America card that has no foreign transaction fee, Bank of America generally would not add that $15 fee.
Currency conversion still occurs when you pay in euros, pounds, yen, or another currency.
Bank of America Foreign ATM Fees
Using a Bank of America debit card at an overseas ATM can produce more than one fee.
Bank of America currently lists a 3% international transaction fee on the converted U.S. dollar amount of a foreign-currency ATM withdrawal. A separate $5 non-Bank of America ATM fee may also apply when you use an overseas ATM outside its international partner network.
The foreign ATM owner may impose another fee. That charge comes from the ATM operator rather than Bank of America.
As a result, several small withdrawals can generally cost you more than one larger withdrawal.
How Bank of America’s International ATM Partners Work
Bank of America participates in an international ATM partner network.
Current partners include banks such as Barclays in the UK, BNP Paribas in France, Deutsche Bank in Germany, Scotiabank in several countries, and Westpac in Australia and New Zealand. The participating banks may change, so you should check the current locator before traveling.
Using a qualifying partner ATM generally helps you avoid Bank of America’s $5 non-BofA ATM usage fee and the partner ATM access fee.
However, the 3% international transaction fee may still apply unless your account relationship qualifies for a waiver.
Can BofA Rewards Waive International Debit Card Fees?
Yes, for certain high-tier customers.
Bank of America’s current BofA Rewards information states that customers in the Premier tier can receive a waiver of international debit card foreign-currency transaction fees.
Your eligibility generally depends on your qualifying Bank of America and Merrill balances.
The waiver relates to Bank of America’s fee. An overseas ATM operator may still impose charges depending on where you withdraw cash.
Who Sets the Currency Exchange Rate?
Visa or Mastercard generally sets the exchange rate used for eligible Bank of America card transactions, depending on which network appears on your card.
Bank of America states that the rate may be based on a wholesale market rate or government-mandated rate from around the time your transaction is processed. The processing date can differ from the purchase date.
That means the U.S. dollar amount on your statement may differ slightly from the amount you calculated when you bought something.
This exchange-rate difference is not automatically a foreign transaction fee.
Should You Pay in Dollars or Local Currency?
When a foreign merchant or ATM asks whether you want to pay in U.S. dollars or local currency, you should generally examine the conversion carefully.
Choosing dollars can trigger dynamic currency conversion. The merchant or ATM operator sets that conversion, and the rate may be less favorable.
Bank of America specifically warns that foreign ATM operators may offer their own currency conversion at a higher cost. You can generally decline that conversion and let the card network handle it instead.
Common Mistakes: Do not assume choosing U.S. dollars always saves you money. Dynamic currency conversion may use an unfavorable exchange rate even when your bank’s international transaction fee is $0.
Do Online Foreign Purchases Trigger the Fee?
They can.
You do not always need to leave the United States for an international transaction fee to appear. A foreign online merchant may process your purchase in another currency.
Bank of America’s current debit fee schedule specifically includes internet purchases made in the U.S. when the merchant processes the payment in foreign currency.
Credit card rules depend on your specific agreement. Check the fee disclosure before buying from an overseas website.
Can You Ask Bank of America to Refund the Fee?
You can ask, but you generally should not expect a refund when the fee was correctly assessed under your agreement.
Consumer reports show that unexpected international fees sometimes cause confusion, especially when the purchase was made online or the cardholder believed the transaction was domestic. BBB records include complaints involving international transaction fees, but outcomes vary by account.
Trustpilot and Reddit also contain complaints about fees and customer support. These reports are individual experiences and do not change the terms of your account.
If you believe the fee was incorrect, contact Bank of America and ask how the transaction was coded and which fee provision applied.
How to Avoid Bank of America International Transaction Fees
You can generally reduce your costs by planning before you travel.
Consider these steps:
- Use a BofA card with no foreign transaction fee.
- Check your card agreement before leaving.
- Use international partner ATMs when possible.
- Withdraw cash less frequently.
- Avoid unnecessary ATM conversions.
- Review merchant currency choices carefully.
- Carry a backup card.
- Check your transactions during your trip.
For frequent international purchases, using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card may generally be simpler than relying on a standard debit card.
FAQs: Bank of America International Transaction Fees
Q. How much is the Bank of America international transaction fee?
A. Many qualifying Bank of America credit and debit card transactions may carry a 3% fee. However, several travel credit cards and certain BofA Rewards relationships waive the fee.
Q. Does Bank of America charge 3% on debit card purchases abroad?
A. Generally, yes when your personal debit card transaction is processed in foreign currency. The current personal fee schedule lists $0 for international debit transactions processed in U.S. dollars.
Q. Which Bank of America cards have no foreign transaction fees?
A. Current examples include Travel Rewards, Premium Rewards, Premium Rewards Elite, and Travel Rewards Secured. Certain airline and cruise cards also generally waive the fee.
Q. Does Bank of America charge extra for foreign ATM withdrawals?
A. It may. You can generally face a 3% international transaction fee plus a $5 non-Bank of America foreign ATM fee when you do not use an eligible partner ATM. The ATM owner may also charge you separately.
Conclusion
Bank of America international transaction fees generally range from 0% to 3%, depending on your card and account relationship. Several travel-focused credit cards charge no foreign transaction fee, while many other credit cards and foreign-currency debit transactions may carry a 3% fee.
Foreign ATM withdrawals can also create separate costs. Before you travel or buy from an overseas merchant, check your exact card agreement, choose your payment currency carefully, and consider using a card that waives international transaction fees.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice. Bank of America fees, account benefits, exchange-rate practices, and card terms may change, so verify account-specific questions with Bank of America before making financial decisions.
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