Yes, you can access your Bank of America account internationally, but you need to plan ahead
Bank of America lets you check balances, transfer money, and pay bills from outside the United States through their website and mobile app. However, the bank has fraud protections that can lock you out if you do not tell them you are traveling, and some features work differently depending on where you are. The most reliable way to stay connected is to set up your account before you leave and know which tools work in the country where you will be.
The key is understanding that Bank of America's systems are designed to protect you from fraud, which means they will sometimes block your own legitimate transactions if they look unusual. A single phone call or app notification before you leave can prevent hours of frustration trying to access your money from abroad.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's website and mobile app work in most countries, but you should notify the bank of your travel dates before you leave to avoid fraud blocks.
- You can withdraw cash at ATMs worldwide through the Bank of America network and partner banks, though you will pay a foreign transaction fee unless you have a premium account.
- Wire transfers, bill pay, and Zelle transfers all work internationally, but processing times and fees vary by destination country.
- Some countries block access to banking websites or apps due to local regulations, so research your specific destination before departure.
- A backup debit card mailed to a trusted contact at home gives you a way to access funds if your primary card is lost or stolen abroad.
How to notify Bank of America before traveling
Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or use the mobile app to tell them your travel dates and which countries you will visit. The bank uses this information to adjust fraud detection so legitimate transactions do not trigger a card freeze. You can also set travel notifications through the mobile app by going to Settings, then Card Controls, then Travel Notifications.
If you forget to notify the bank and your card gets declined, call the number on the back of your card when ready. Bank of America customer service is available 24 hours a day, and they can usually unlock your card within minutes once you confirm your identity. However, waiting until you are abroad to do this is stressful and may leave you without access to cash for several hours. The notification takes less than five minutes and prevents this problem entirely.
Accessing your account online and through the mobile app
The Bank of America website and mobile app work in most countries. Log in the same way you do at home — you will need your username and password, and the bank will send a one-time code to your phone or email for two-factor authentication. Make sure your phone plan includes international service or that you have access to WiFi, because you cannot receive the authentication code without a connection.
A few countries restrict access to U.S. banking websites for regulatory reasons. If you cannot reach the Bank of America website or app from your location, contact the bank to confirm whether access is blocked in that country. Some countries also have laws that require banks to restrict certain transactions from outside the country, so you may not be able to move large sums or close accounts remotely. Knowing this before you leave means you can handle those tasks before departure.
Withdrawing cash at ATMs abroad
Bank of America is part of the Global ATM Alliance, which means you can withdraw cash without a fee at partner ATMs in more than 200 countries and territories. The partner network includes banks like Barclays in the United Kingdom, Deutsche Bank in Germany, and BNP Paribas in France. You can find a partner ATM using the Bank of America mobile app or by searching online for "Global ATM Alliance" plus your destination city.
If you use an ATM that is not part of the alliance, Bank of America charges a $5 foreign ATM fee on top of any fee the local bank charges. The local bank may charge an additional $2 to $5. Your home bank also converts the withdrawal to the local currency at their exchange rate, which includes a small markup. For large withdrawals, the total cost can add up, so using alliance ATMs whenever possible saves money.
Paying bills and sending money while abroad
Bill Pay works the same way internationally as it does at home — you can pay any U.S. bill through your Bank of America account from anywhere with an internet connection. Payments to U.S. addresses typically arrive within three to five business days. If you need to send money to someone in another country, you can use Bank of America's wire transfer service, though fees and delivery times depend on the destination country and the receiving bank.
Zelle, Bank of America's peer-to-peer payment service, also works internationally if both you and the person receiving the money have Zelle-enabled accounts. Transfers arrive within minutes. However, Zelle only works between U.S. bank accounts, so you cannot use it to send money to someone with a bank account outside the United States. For international payments to family or friends abroad, wire transfer is your main option through Bank of America.
Debit card transactions and foreign exchange fees
When you use your Bank of America debit card to make a purchase abroad, the bank converts the amount to U.S. dollars at their exchange rate and charges a foreign transaction fee. The fee is typically 1% of the purchase amount for debit card transactions. Some Bank of America accounts, such as Preferred Rewards accounts at higher tiers, waive this fee, so check your account type before you travel.
Credit cards issued by Bank of America also charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States, usually 3% of the transaction amount. Using a credit card instead of a debit card does not save you money on the fee, but it does offer fraud protection — if a transaction is fraudulent, you can dispute it and the card issuer investigates. With a debit card, the money comes directly from your account, and you have to prove the transaction was unauthorized.
What to do if your card is lost or stolen abroad
Call the number on the back of your debit or credit card when ready to report it lost or stolen. Bank of America can freeze the card within minutes and issue a replacement, but the replacement will be mailed to your U.S. address, which means you will not receive it while you are abroad. Before you travel, ask a trusted family member or friend to keep a spare debit card or to be ready to wire you money if your primary card is lost.
Some travelers carry a small amount of cash in the local currency as a backup, or they open a second checking account with a different bank and bring a debit card from that account. This gives you a second way to access funds if something happens to your primary card. You can also use your Bank of America credit card to withdraw cash at ATMs, though this counts as a cash advance and charges a higher fee and interest rate than a regular ATM withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special account to access Bank of America internationally?
No. Any Bank of America checking or savings account works internationally through the website and mobile app. However, some account types, such as Preferred Rewards accounts, offer benefits like waived foreign transaction fees. Check your account details to see what benefits you have.
Can I deposit checks while I am abroad?
Yes, if you have the Bank of America mobile app. You can photograph the front and back of a check and deposit it through the app from anywhere with an internet connection. The check must be drawn on a U.S. bank account and payable to you. Processing times are the same as domestic mobile deposits, usually one to two business days.
What happens if I try to access my account from a country where the website is blocked?
You will see an error message saying the page is not available. Contact Bank of America to confirm whether access is blocked by the bank or by the country's government. If it is blocked by the country, you may need to use a VPN service to access your account, though Bank of America's terms of service do not explicitly prohibit this.
Are there limits on how much money I can transfer internationally?
Bank of America does not publish a single international transfer limit. Limits depend on your account type, your account history, and the destination country. Contact the bank before you travel to ask about limits on wire transfers or large transactions to the country where you will be.
Can I open a Bank of America account while living abroad?
Bank of America requires a U.S. address and a U.S. Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to open an account. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living abroad, you can open an account online using your U.S. address, such as a family member's home address or a mail forwarding service.