Yes, you can use your Bank of America debit card overseas, but you need to know the fees and take steps to avoid being blocked
Your Bank of America debit card will work in most countries where you see the Visa or Mastercard logo (depending on which card you have). You can withdraw cash from ATMs and make purchases at stores. However, Bank of America charges fees for overseas use, and the bank may block your card if it sees unusual activity abroad — so you need to notify them before you leave.
The card itself works the same way it does at home. The difference is in what it costs you and what happens behind the scenes when the transaction crosses a border.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on all purchases and ATM withdrawals made outside the United States.
- You must notify Bank of America before traveling, or the bank may decline your card to prevent fraud.
- ATM withdrawals overseas cost the 3% fee plus any fee the foreign bank charges (often $2 to $5 per withdrawal).
- Your card will be declined if you do not tell the bank your travel dates, even if you have money in your account.
- Exchanging currency before you leave or using a no-foreign-fee account may cost less than using your debit card overseas.
How to notify Bank of America before you travel
Log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app and look for the travel notification option. You will usually find it under "Settings" or "Account Services." Enter the countries you are visiting and the dates you will be there. The notification takes effect when ready and lasts for the dates you specify.
If you prefer to call, you can reach Bank of America at the number on the back of your card and ask to set up a travel notice. A representative will ask where you are going and when, then add it to your account. Either method takes a few minutes and prevents the bank from blocking your card when it sees charges in a foreign country.
If you forget to notify the bank and your card is declined, call the number on the back of your card from overseas (or ask someone at home to call on your behalf). The bank can unblock your card over the phone, though this takes longer than notifying them in advance.
The 3% foreign transaction fee and how it works
Every time you use your Bank of America debit card outside the United States — whether you are buying something or withdrawing cash — the bank charges you 3% of the amount. This fee is added to your account automatically; you do not see it at the moment of the transaction, but it appears on your statement a few days later.
If you withdraw $100 from an ATM in London, you pay the 3% fee ($3) plus whatever fee the London bank charges for the withdrawal (usually $2 to $5). If you buy a meal for 50 euros, you pay 3% of the dollar amount the purchase converts to. The fee applies whether you are in a wealthy country or a developing one — Bank of America does not adjust it based on location.
This fee is separate from the exchange rate. The bank converts your dollars to the local currency at the current market rate, then adds the 3% on top. You cannot avoid the fee by using a particular type of transaction or by withdrawing larger amounts.
ATM withdrawals versus purchases overseas
Using an ATM to withdraw cash usually costs more than making purchases with your card, because you pay both the 3% Bank of America fee and the foreign bank's fee. A $200 ATM withdrawal might cost you $8 to $13 in fees alone.
Making purchases with your card at stores, restaurants, and hotels costs only the 3% Bank of America fee — you avoid the foreign bank's fee. If you can pay by card instead of withdrawing cash, you will spend less on fees.
However, some small vendors overseas do not accept cards, or they charge extra to accept them. In those cases, you may have no choice but to withdraw cash. Plan ahead by asking your hotel or tour operator which places require cash, so you can withdraw enough money in one or two transactions rather than many small ones.
What to do if your card is declined overseas
If your card is declined and you did notify the bank of your travel, the problem is usually that the merchant's system is not accepting the transaction for a technical reason — not that the bank blocked it. Try the transaction again, or ask the merchant to try processing it as a different type of card (credit instead of debit, or vice versa).
If the card is declined multiple times, or if you did not notify the bank before leaving, call the number on the back of your card. You will need to reach a Bank of America representative, which may be difficult if you are in a very different time zone. If you cannot reach the bank by phone, ask your hotel concierge or a local bank to help you call, or ask a family member at home to call on your behalf and explain the situation.
Keep the phone number from the back of your card written down separately from your wallet, in case you lose the card itself.
Alternatives that may cost less
Bank of America offers some accounts with no foreign transaction fee, but they typically require higher minimum balances or monthly deposits. Check whether your account type includes this benefit — if not, you can ask about upgrading.
Some credit unions and online banks charge no foreign transaction fee on debit cards. If you travel frequently, opening an account at one of these institutions may save you money over time, even if you keep your Bank of America account for domestic use.
Exchanging dollars for the local currency before you leave the United States is another option. You can do this at your Bank of America branch, at an airport currency exchange, or at some hotels. Compare the exchange rate and fees at each location — airport exchanges are usually the most expensive. If you exchange currency in advance, you avoid the 3% fee on purchases, though you still pay it on any ATM withdrawals you make overseas.
What happens to your account while you are away
Your account continues to work normally. Deposits you set up to go into your account (like paychecks) will arrive on schedule. Automatic payments and bill payments you have set up will go out on their regular dates. You can check your balance and recent transactions in the mobile app or online, even if you are in a country with poor internet.
The travel notification does not restrict your account in any way — it only tells the bank to expect charges in a foreign location. When you return home, you do not need to do anything; the notification expires on the date you specified, and your account returns to normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special card to use my debit card overseas?
No. Your regular Bank of America debit card works overseas as long as it has a Visa or Mastercard logo. You do not need to order a different card or set up anything special — just notify the bank of your travel dates before you leave.
What if I lose my card while traveling?
Call the number on the back of your card (or ask someone at home to call) and report it lost. Bank of America will cancel the card when ready and can issue a replacement. Ask whether they can send it to your hotel or home address, or whether you need to pick it up at a Bank of America branch when you return.
Can I use my debit card to get cash advances at a bank overseas?
Yes, but it costs more than using an ATM. A cash advance at a bank counter is treated as a loan and usually charges a higher fee than an ATM withdrawal. Use an ATM whenever possible, and ask the bank which ATMs are part of the Bank of America network (some overseas banks have partnerships that reduce fees).
Will the 3% fee explore if I use my card at a U.S. military base or U.S. territory?
No. The fee applies only to transactions outside the United States. U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam are treated as domestic, so you pay no foreign transaction fee there.
What if the merchant asks whether I want to be charged in dollars or the local currency?
Choose the local currency. When you choose to be charged in dollars, the merchant's bank sets the exchange rate, which is usually worse than the rate Bank of America uses. You still pay the 3% fee either way, so let Bank of America do the conversion.