FDX aviator

I have a question for all you international flyers.
What is your strategy for minimizing international ATM withdrawal fees, money exchange fees, and credit card usage?
Specifically, what banks or credit unions offer the lowest withdrawal fees? Do you keep a separate account for perdiem deposits and use only that for eating?

DWN3GRN

USAA Banking pays for your ATM fees....

www.usaa.com

USNFDX

USAA for ATM.

Capitol One for Credit Card. No foreign transaction fee.

Kooky

I believe there is a fee from USAA for the exchange into foreign money but no ATM use fee.

pilotgolfer

I'll second that. I keep a separate Capital One account for trips with a low credit limit on it...just in case I lose it. I think USAA always came up with a pretty good exchange rate whether I was in Frankfurt, Adana or Budapest. They reimburse for ATM fees up to 10 or 15 bucks a month (not sure what the limit is).

FDX aviator

Well, it seems the consensus is USAA. Unfortunately, I was never military...

FDXLAG

Go to the website. You may be qualified. I think they have opened up eligibility.

FlyAstarJets

FDX aviator,

You may still be in luck for using USAA .

click here and scroll down to "other individuals"

hope this helps.

FAJ

Magenta Line

I use my Bank of America debit card for ATM's. BOA recognizes approximately 6 or 7 international banks where they do not charge an ATM fee. These banks are available on the BOA website. I know for sure that BNP Paribas (France), Barclay's (UK), Deutschlander Bank (Germany), WestPac (Australia), and China Construction Bank (China) are just a few of the banks. So whenever I'm in these countries and need some gonks, I hit up one of these machines.

BOA still charges an international currency fee but I think it's only 1%.

NOTE: When you get whatever new card you decide on it's a good idea to call whatever bank/credit card company before you go on an international trip and tell them that you are an international traveler. That way they will not cancel or hold up your card for suspicious activity when you buy dinner in Paris, then cash in Dubai, then dinner in Delhi.

HSLD

USAA reimburses up to $25/mo. for ATM terminal fees but does charge a 1% transaction fee for foreign ATM withdrawals.

I just got off an extended phone call with USAA and they don't know what currency exchange rate they use for the 1% fee. If anyone can get a better answer than I did, please post.