How to Avoid Paying Foreign ATM Fees While Traveling Abroad
Ordering foreign currency is easy with OnlineFX.
Saving money for that dream trip takes time and a lot of trade-offs. Yet, every year, international travelers throw away hundreds of dollars in unnecessary ATM fees—money that could have gone towards experiences, not expenses. Although ATMs provide a good backup plan when traveling in other countries, they are not necessarily the best choice when it comes to obtaining foreign cash. Avoidable fees pile up fast, especially when using foreign ATMs, where hidden costs and unfavorable exchange rates lurk behind every transaction.
If you're planning a trip, be a smart traveler, not a surprised one. Before you reach for your debit card overseas, let's clear up some common misconceptions about foreign ATMs and show you how to dodge unnecessary charges.
Busting the Foreign ATM Myths
Myth 1: I'll just use the ATM when I get there. It's cheaper.
Not quite. While ATMs can seem convenient, most withdrawals come stacked with up to three separate fees per transaction. These often include your own bank's fee, the foreign ATM operator's fee, and a hidden markup in the exchange rate. Make multiple withdrawals and you could easily lose $30 to $60 in avoidable fees.
Myth 2: My debit or credit card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so I won't pay extra.
Even if your card skips foreign transaction fees, you might still face ATM usage fees abroad. These can include dynamic currency conversion (DCC) fees and limitations on how much you can withdraw per day. These limits force repeat withdrawals, stack up costs fast.
Myth 3: ATMs are always safe for international travelers.
Unfortunately, foreign ATMs, especially those in tourist-heavy areas, are common targets for card skimming and fraud. A compromised machine can expose your bank details, putting your financial security at risk while you're thousands of miles from home. CXI wants you to be safe, so protect yourself by traveling like a pro with foreign cash in hand. Have your currency delivered right to your doorstep to save you time and money.
How Your Fees Differ Exchanging With CXI
When using a foreign ATM, there can be up to 3 ways that you'll be charged with each withdrawal. Typical ATM withdrawal limits (set by your bank or the ATM) can be $200 USD. Let's say you're heading to Europe and need to withdraw $1,000 USD worth of euros throughout your trip., that means you'll experience the follow fees 5 times!
1. Your bank's fee per withdrawal (this usually ranges from $3-$5)
2. The foreign ATM fee per withdrawal* (this usually ranges from $3-$5)
3. A hidden exchange rate markup (often 3-7% depending on the ATM and your bank)
*Foreign ATM fees can be higher in popular tourist areas ranging from $5 to $20.
Save More with CXI: Transparent, Upfront, and Secure
Unlike foreign ATMS, Currency Exchange International gives you the full amount you want in one simple transaction, either by branch pick up or home delivery. No surprise charges, no repeat withdrawals, no guesswork.
Home Delivery
Looking for an exchange with no currency exchange fees? You've found it. When you order currency online for home delivery, there are no exchange fees on any order. You simply pay a flat shipping fee based on the delivery method you choose:
- 2-Day Shipping: $17
- Standard Overnight: $30
- Priority Overnight: $40
Orders over $1,000 USD enjoy free shipping!
Branch Pick Up
With CXI branch pick-up there is only one fee. CXI has a tiered exchange fee based on the total USD value of the currency exchange transaction. Here at CXI, we want you to get your currency fast, and reduce the additional fees abroad as much as possible. Here are the fees below.
$0 - $199.99 = $3 fee
$200 - $499.99 = $5 fee
$500 and over = $10 fee
CXI has no exchange fees in California or Virginia.
Note: There is a 3% convenience fee for credit cards except for exchange completed in New York or Massachusetts. Your credit card company may categorize this transaction as a Cash Advance and apply their own fees. CXI has no control over how a credit card company categorizes this transaction. Contact your credit card company for more information.
For example, for a €1,000 European euro transaction, with CXI branch pick up, you'll only have a $10 exchange fee for that transaction. On the other hand, if you decide to withdraw from a foreign ATM abroad, you'll have to complete multiple withdrawals, each with its own set of fees.
At CXI, all major US debit/credit cards are accepted. Prepaid cards are not accepted. Maximum order per 24 hours: $2,999.99 per customer.
CXI Offers More Than Just Savings
✅ Safer: Avoid risky ATM withdrawals in unfamiliar areas. CXI offers safe, secure transactions either online or in person. No need to expose your card abroad, reducing your risk of fraud or skimming.
✅ More Convenient: Save yourself the headache of dealing with daily withdrawal limits that ruin spontaneous excursions or having to find a machine when you're in a new city with a language you don't speak. With CXI, your cash is ready before departure.
✅ Better Budgeting: Know exactly how much you are spending with our transparent, low, one-time fees. No surprise charges.
| Using CXI Beforehand to Exchange Your Cash | Using ATM Withdrawals to Get Cash or Use of Credit Cards | |
| Cash ready to use when you arrive |  |
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| Avoid multiple ATM fees | |
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| Avoid bank fees | |
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| Avoid credit card merchant fees | |
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| Reduce the chances of credit card fraud | |
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Save More with Currency Price Protection
In case you didn't know, we provide Currency Price Protection (CPP) exclusively at CXI's company-owned branches. This is a new way international travelers can get more money back from foreign currency exchange transactions.
It enables travelers to take advantage of CXI's ultimate buy-back rate when they return with foreign currency from their trip. Add Currency Price Protection when you purchase foreign currency and you're covered!
This allows you to sell the leftover currency back at our ultimate buy-back rate, plus you receive no exchange fee. Get more U.S. dollars back on Currency Price Protection covered currencies than the standard buy-back rate.
Currency Exchange International (CXI) is a leading provider of foreign currency exchange services in North America for financial institutions, corporations, and travelers. Products and services for international travelers include access to buy and sell more than 80 foreign currencies, gold bullion coins and bars. For financial institutions, our services include the exchange of foreign currencies, international wire transfers, purchase and sale of foreign bank drafts, international traveler’s cheques, and foreign cheque clearing through the use of CXI’s innovative CEIFX web-based FX software www.ceifx.com
