How much US banks charge for foreign transactions, currency conversion, and international card use.
Foreign Transaction
$3.00median
$1.00 – $120.00·29 institutions
International ATM
$2.50median
$2.00 – $3.00·4 institutions
How 11 institutions price this fee. National median: $3.00
A foreign transaction fee is a surcharge applied when you make a purchase in a foreign currency or through a foreign bank. Most US banks charge 1-3% of the transaction amount. This fee is separate from any currency conversion spread applied by the card network (Visa, Mastercard).
Most major bank credit and debit cards charge 3% for foreign transactions. Many travel-focused credit cards waive this fee entirely. Credit unions vary widely, with some charging 1% and others matching bank rates. Online banks increasingly offer no foreign transaction fees as a competitive feature.
Use a card that waives foreign transaction fees when traveling. Pay in local currency rather than USD to avoid dynamic currency conversion markups. For international ATM withdrawals, look for banks that reimburse ATM fees and waive foreign transaction surcharges.