Travel Tips

Stop wasting money abroad: 5 No-foreign-fee debit cards for Americans

Using your U.S. debit card overseas could cost you 2–3% in hidden fees every time you pay. Discover 5 no-foreign-transaction-fee debit cards and start saving on ATM withdrawals, purchases, and travel expenses today.

Do you use your debit card when overseas?

If so, it could be costing you more than you think.

Most U.S. banks add on a foreign transaction fee (usually 2–3%) each time you swipe or tap your card. It might not sound like much, but over the course of a trip, those small charges add up fast, eating into your vacation budget.

Wouldn’t you prefer to spend that money on delicious local food and unforgettable adventures?

With a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card, you can. Here are 5 U.S. debit cards that waive these pesky fees, giving you more money for experiences, not expenses.

In this article

Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking

The Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking account is a firm favorite among U.S. travelers.

Not only is there no foreign transaction fee, but Schwab also reimburses all ATM fees worldwide, no matter which machine you use. So whether you need cash to buy a tourist card in Rome or an IC card to travel around Japan, you can withdraw from the nearest ATM without worrying about charges.

Note that the account is linked to a Schwab brokerage account, but you don’t need to invest to benefit from the card.

Pros: Unlimited ATM fee refunds, no foreign transaction fees, no monthly service fees
Cons: Requires opening a brokerage account

Capital One 360 Checking

Capital One 360 Checking is the best no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card for anyone who prefers to stick with a well-known bank. The account comes with no foreign transaction fees and access to over 70,000 fee-free ATMs in the U.S.

However, note that while Capital One does not charge you to withdraw money overseas, the bank that owns the ATM likely will. Capital One does not offer international ATM fee reimbursement like Charles Schwab does.

Pros: No foreign transaction fees, solid fraud protection
Cons: Doesn’t reimburse third-party ATM fees abroad, currency conversion fees can sometimes apply (around 1%)

Discover Cashback Debit

If you’re looking for a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card that rewards you for using it, look no further.

The Discover Cashback Debit card is one of the few debit cards that combines no foreign transaction fees with cashback rewards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. Considering this, it’s a top choice if you tend to pay by card whenever you go.

But there is a drawback to this. While Discover is well-known in the United States, some merchants overseas don’t accept it. Additionally, there is no ATM fee reimbursement, so you can expect to pay fees from other banks when withdrawing money abroad.

Pros: No foreign transaction fees, 1% cash back, no monthly fees
Cons: Limited global acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard

Wise

Wise is an authorised e-money institution, rather than a bank, and it’s a favorite of frequent travelers and digital nomads.

Wise doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, but they do have a small currency conversion fee (usually 0.35–1%). However, unlike traditional banks, Wise uses real mid-market exchange rates. You can also hold 40+ currencies in your account, making it easy to spend like a local wherever you are.

Note that international ATM withdrawals are free for the first $100 each month, after which they will cost $1.50 per withdrawal.

Pros: Real exchange rates, multi-currency account, low transparent fees, digital cards available
Cons: Fees for converting currencies, not a traditional U.S. bank account

Learn more about how Wise works in our Wise card review.

Revolut (US version)

Revolut US is a digital-only financial service (fintech) with some great standout features. Along with no fees for using the card overseas, Revolut uses interbank exchange rates during weekdays (a small markup applies on weekends).

They also offer a range of card options, including a physical card, a virtual version, and disposable single-use digital cards.

Revolut has three different plans, but only the Standard plan is free. With this plan, you will be charged a 2% fee on international ATM withdrawals once you pass the monthly limit.

Pros: No foreign fees, great exchange rates, different card options, multiple currencies
Cons: Free plan has limits on fee ATM withdrawals, conversion fees apply on weekends

Find out more about Revolut US in our Revolut card review.

Choosing the right no no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card for you

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of these 5 debit cards, showing their key perks and differences so you can easily determine which one is right for you.

Card	Foreign Transaction Fees	ATM Perks	Best For
Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking	None	Unlimited global ATM fee refunds	Frequent travelers who withdraw cash often
Capital One 360 Checking	None (small conversion fees may apply)	Fee-free withdrawals in the U.S., but no global ATM fee refunds	Travelers who prefer a traditional U.S. bank
Discover Cashback Debit	None	No ATM fee reimbursements, limited overseas acceptance	Travelers who prefer to pay by card
Wise Debit Card	None (small conversion fees apply)	Free international ATM withdrawals up to $100/month, then $1.50 per withdrawal	Digital nomads or frequent travelers who want real exchange rates
Revolut (U.S. version)	None (conversion fees apply on weekends)	Free ATM withdrawals up to plan limit, then 2% fee	Tech-savvy travelers who prefer multi-currency accounts and app-based money management

Tips for choosing the best debit card abroad

When choosing a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card to use abroad, look for one with an extensive global ATM network. This will give you peace of mind, knowing you can access your money wherever you are in the world.

If you travel frequently, I also recommend comparing ATM withdrawal limits, as some cards cap free withdrawals at $200 to $300 a month (which is essentially one international weekend break).

Here are a couple of additional pro tips:

Travel safety features: Opt for a financial provider that has both physical and virtual card options, or Apple Pay. This way, if you lose your card, you can use your smartphone to pay instead!
Money-saving travel perks: Nowadays, many debit cards offer travel perks like cashback on purchases or rewards points. Over time, these little savings can add up to something substantial.

Travel smarter with Holafly eSIM and no-fee cards

Maximize your savings by pairing a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card with a Holafly eSIM. You’ll avoid both unexpected bank charges and pricey roaming fees, leaving more in your pocket for the experiences that matter.

With Holafly’s unlimited data plans, you can connect to WhatsApp, maps, and travel apps the moment you land, getting your adventure underway as soon as you step out of the airport.

Get a Holafly eSIM for your destination before you fly and unlock stress-free travel!