Santander foreign transaction fees: Complete guide
What you need to know about Santander’s international fees with their credit and debit cards, and their ATM fees.
US Bank foreign transaction fees: Complete guide
When traveling abroad, one of the biggest factors you need to consider is foreign transaction fees. If you’re a US Bank customer, you have several different payment options available, including swiping your debit or credit card and transferring funds to a foreign account if you have one.
In any case, it’s important to be mindful of US Bank foreign transaction fees. While most of these fees are modest, they can quickly add up if you aren’t keeping track of them. Let’s dive in!
We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.
Does US Bank have foreign transaction fees?
Yes, depending on which card you have, US Bank charges foreign transaction fees for debit and credit card transactions.¹ Here’s an overview:
| Card type | Foreign transaction fee² |
|---|---|
| US Bank debit card | 3% |
| US Bank credit card | Up to 3%, but some cards have lower or no foreign transaction fees |
There are also fees for using ATMs overseas. Luckily, you can avoid or limit many of these fees by doing a little research before your departure. That way, you can spend more money on your trip and waste less of it on fees, conversion charges, and other expenses.
Which US Bank cards have foreign transaction fees?
All US Bank debit cards include foreign transaction fees, while only some US Bank credit cards charge these fees.
Here’s a closer look at your options as a US Bank customer preparing to travel abroad.
US Bank debit card fees
As a US Bank debit card holder, you’ll be charged a 3% foreign transaction fee on overseas ATM withdrawals and purchases.
You may also incur a dynamic currency conversion (DCC) charge if you pay for goods or withdraw funds in your home currency. In most cases, it's best to opt to pay in the local currency to avoid the DCC.
💡 When withdrawing cash, overseas ATMs often charge their own fees on top of your bank's fees. Always choose reputable ATMs, especially those located near established banks. This can help you find lower surcharges and reduce your risk of scams.
US Bank credit card fees
US Bank offers lots of different credit cards. Here’s a look at their foreign transaction and other fees³:
| Card | Foreign transaction fee | Other fees |
|---|---|---|
| Debit card | 3% | ATM fees |
| US Bank Cash+® | 0% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Altitude® Go | 3% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Smartly™ | 3% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Shield™ | 3% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Altitude® Connect | 3% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® | 3% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Altitude® Go Secured | 3% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Cash+® Secured | 3% | Cash advance fee |
| US Bank Secured | 3% | Cash advance fee |
If you already have a US Bank credit card or intend to apply for one before your trip, take some time to compare the perks each one offers.
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Open a free personal Wise account online or in the Wise app, and order a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals in 145+ countries.
There’s no fee to spend any currency you hold, and no foreign transaction fee to worry about.
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Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
How do I avoid foreign transaction fees?
If you’re a US Bank customer, you won’t be able to avoid foreign transaction fees with your debit card. You can, however, dodge foreign ATM and point-of-sale fees by using an eligible credit card. Other options include:
- signing up for a third-party card that doesn’t charge these fees
- withdrawing cash from ATMs in networks with fee waivers
- notifying US Bank before you travel to prevent fraud holds
- using services like the Wise Multi-Currency Card, which charges mid-market exchange rates with no hidden markups
Keeping your fees to a minimum means having more money to spend on your trip. You don’t want to return home from the perfect vacation only to find that you wasted hundreds of dollars on avoidable fees.
Let’s say you withdraw the equivalent of 100 USD 7 different times on an international trip using your US Bank debit card with a 3% fee. That’s 3 USD in fees per withdrawal, or 21 USD. Now imagine that the ATMs charge an average of 5 USD per transaction as well. That’s an additional 35 USD, bringing the total spent on fees to 56 USD.
The more you spend, the higher your fee total will be. The above example doesn’t even account for DCCs or add-on charges from vendors.
US Bank cards with no foreign transaction fees
The US Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® card doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees. US Bank also offers several other credit cards with reduced-fee options.⁴
That said, these cards still charge other fees for certain transactions, including cash advances at ATMs.
If you have questions about which card may be right for you, contact US Bank. Its current offerings include 9 different credit cards, each of which offers various benefits and fee exemptions.⁴
What are US Bank’s international ATM fees?
US Bank’s international ATM fee is 3 USD per transaction.⁵ That fee applies to all international and domestic non-US Bank ATMs.
Additionally, you’ll pay a 3% processing fee on your total withdrawal amount. ATM owners usually add their own surcharge as well.
For credit cards, there are also cash advance fees.
While you can’t avoid surcharges when withdrawing cash overseas, you can choose lower-risk ATMs. Focus on machines attached to established financial institutions. The last thing you want is to have your credit card information stolen by using a compromised ATM in a tourist trap.
US Bank international exchange rates
US Bank doesn’t offer real-time rates. Your transactions abroad will typically include an unadvertised exchange rate markup.
The exchange rates — and potential lack of transparency — come into play whenever you use your US Bank card abroad. You won’t realize that you’ve paid extra for your exchange until you see the processing fee on your next statement.
One of the best ways to transfer money abroad is to use a service that adheres to the current mid-market exchange rate and uses a flat-fee system. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying to transfer your money, and you won’t be caught by surprise at the end of the month.
Tips for using ATMs and cards abroad
Whether you’re sending money internationally or reviewing your account information for a trip overseas, you can never be too prepared. With that in mind, here are some tips for using cards and ATMs abroad:
- Opt out of dynamic currency conversion at withdrawal
- Always choose the local currency
- Notify US Bank about your travels to avoid having your card declined
- Check all card agreements for foreign transaction and exchange fees
- Consider Wise Multi-Currency Card for *mid-market rates and global usability
While US Bank’s typical 3% foreign transaction fee is roughly on par with the industry average, there are other options worth exploring.
Going abroad? Make sure to take a Wise Multi-Currency Card with you
Explore the world with your handy Wise Multi-Currency Card!
Spend money in over 150+ countries at the mid-market rate — and avoid hidden fees while you’re at it.
| With Wise, you can: |
|---|
|
Heading abroad? Bring Wise along for the journey!
*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://growth-layer.live/ for details.
Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
Sources
- US Bank - What is the charge for using my debit card in a foreign country?
- US Bank - What is the charge for using my credit card in a foreign country?
- US Bank - Credit cards
- US Bank - Credit card benefits
- US Bank - Consumer pricing information
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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