Yes, your Bank of America credit card works internationally, but you need to know the costs and how to avoid problems

Your Bank of America credit card will be accepted in most countries where Visa or Mastercard is displayed. The card itself crosses borders without issue — the real question is what you pay when you use it, and what steps prevent fraud holds from blocking your purchases.

Bank of America charges a foreign transaction fee on most purchases made outside the United States. This fee is typically 3% of the transaction amount for most cardholders. Some premium cards, like the Bank of America Premium Rewards card, waive this fee entirely. Before you travel, check your specific card's terms to confirm whether you pay the fee or not.

Beyond the fee, you also need to tell Bank of America you are traveling. If you do not, the bank's fraud detection system may block your card when it sees charges from an unfamiliar country. A blocked card abroad is a real problem — you cannot call customer service and have it unblocked in five minutes from a foreign phone line.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America credit cards work internationally, but most charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on each purchase unless you hold a premium card that waives the fee.
  • You must notify Bank of America before you travel, or the bank will likely block your card when it detects charges from another country.
  • ATM withdrawals abroad carry both the foreign transaction fee and a separate ATM fee, making them more expensive than using your card for purchases.
  • The exchange rate Bank of America uses is set by Visa or Mastercard, not by the bank, so you cannot negotiate a better rate by calling customer service.
  • Chip-and-PIN technology is standard on Bank of America cards, so you can use them at most payment terminals worldwide without issue.

How to notify Bank of America before traveling

Log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app. Go to the Travel Notification section — this is usually under Account Services or Settings, depending on which platform you use. Enter your destination country, the dates you will be there, and the card you are taking. The notification takes effect when ready.

If you cannot access the app or website, call the customer service number on the back of your card. Tell the representative where you are going and when. They will add a travel note to your account. This step takes two minutes and prevents your card from being declined when you make your first purchase abroad.

Travel notifications expire automatically when your trip ends, so you do not need to remove them. If your plans change and you extend your trip, update the notification with the new return date.

What the 3% foreign transaction fee covers

The 3% fee applies to any purchase made in a currency other than US dollars. This includes restaurants, hotels, shops, and online purchases from foreign merchants. The fee is calculated on the transaction amount before the currency conversion happens, so a 100 euro purchase that costs $110 USD will be charged the 3% fee on the full $110.

The fee does not cover the currency conversion itself. Visa and Mastercard set the exchange rate used for that conversion, and Bank of America straightforward applies it. You cannot avoid the exchange rate by using a different card or calling the bank — the rate is the same across all Visa or Mastercard products.

Some merchants abroad will offer to charge your card in US dollars instead of the local currency. This is called dynamic currency conversion. Decline this option. The merchant's exchange rate is always worse than Visa's or Mastercard's rate, and you still pay the 3% fee on top of it.

ATM withdrawals and cash advances abroad

Using your Bank of America credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM abroad costs more than using it for purchases. You pay the 3% foreign transaction fee, plus a separate ATM fee. Bank of America charges $3 per withdrawal at non-Bank of America ATMs in the United States, and the same $3 fee applies abroad. Some foreign banks also charge their own ATM fee on top of that.

If you need cash abroad, use a debit card instead if you have one. Debit cards typically have lower ATM fees than credit cards. If you must use your credit card, withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize the number of times you pay the ATM fee.

Cash advances on a credit card also carry a separate cash advance fee — usually 3% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $10. This is in addition to the foreign transaction fee. Avoid cash advances unless you have no other option.

Chip-and-PIN versus signature cards

Bank of America credit cards come with a chip, which is the standard payment technology in most countries outside the United States. When you insert your card into a terminal, the chip authenticates the transaction. You may be asked to enter a PIN or sign a receipt, depending on the country and the merchant.

Some older Bank of America cards use signature verification instead of a PIN. If your card does not have a PIN, you can request one from Bank of America before you travel. Call the number on the back of your card and ask for a PIN to be added to your account. This takes a few days to process, so request it at least a week before your trip.

Contactless payment — tapping your card instead of inserting it — is also available on most Bank of America cards and works internationally. This is often the fastest way to pay at merchants that support it.

What to do if your card is declined abroad

If your card is declined despite your travel notification, the first step is to call Bank of America from abroad. The number on the back of your card works internationally. Explain where you are and what you tried to purchase. The representative can check whether the transaction was blocked by fraud detection and can manually approve it if needed.

If you cannot reach customer service when ready, ask the merchant if they can try the transaction again. Sometimes a single declined transaction triggers a temporary block that clears after a few minutes. If the card is blocked again, do not keep trying — each attempt makes the block more likely to stick.

Have a backup payment method. Bring a second credit card from a different bank, or arrange to have money wired to you through a service like Western Union. Relying on a single card abroad is a risk.

Bank of America cards with no foreign transaction fee

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card waives the 3% foreign transaction fee for all purchases made outside the United States. This card carries an annual fee of $95, so the waived fee is only worth it if you travel frequently or spend significant amounts abroad.

Bank of America also offers the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, which does not waive the foreign transaction fee but offers higher rewards on travel purchases. For most travelers, the standard card with the 3% fee is the better choice unless you travel multiple times per year.

If you do not have a premium card and want to avoid the foreign transaction fee, consider opening a second credit card from another bank that waives the fee. Many banks offer cards with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee, which can be useful to carry alongside your Bank of America card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Bank of America card work in countries that do not use Visa or Mastercard?

Bank of America credit cards are Visa or Mastercard products, so they work wherever those networks are accepted. In most countries, this is nearly everywhere. A few countries have limited Visa or Mastercard acceptance, but this is rare. Check with your bank before traveling to a less common destination.

Do I pay the foreign transaction fee if I buy something online from a foreign website while in the US?

Yes. The fee applies whenever the merchant is located outside the United States, regardless of where you are when you make the purchase. A purchase from a UK retailer while you are in the US will be charged the 3% fee.

Can I dispute a foreign transaction if the exchange rate seems wrong?

The exchange rate is set by Visa or Mastercard, not by Bank of America, so the bank cannot change it. You can dispute a transaction if you were charged twice or if the amount is significantly different from what you agreed to, but not because the exchange rate was unfavorable.

What happens if I lose my card while traveling?

Call the number on the back of your card when ready to report it lost or stolen. Bank of America can freeze the card within minutes. The bank can also arrange for a replacement card to be sent to you, though this may take several days depending on where you are. Ask about having a card sent to your hotel or to a Bank of America branch if one is nearby.

Is it safer to use my credit card or cash abroad?

Credit cards offer fraud protection that cash does not. If someone uses your card fraudulently, you can dispute the charge and get your money back. If someone steals your cash, it is gone. For this reason, carrying a credit card is generally safer than carrying large amounts of cash, even with the foreign transaction fee.