4 Best Banks for International Travel To Save Money Fees 2023

There’s no denying that traveling overseas can be expensive, from bank fees and ATM fees to hidden currency conversion^[1] expenses – and that’s without even considering the cost of the vacation itself!

Fortunately, banks are becoming increasingly competitive in low-cost international spending, with various fascinating account options available for international travelers. As a result, you may save a surprising amount of money over time by comparing choices and picking a bank with minimal wire-transfer costs, fair currency conversion rates, and inexpensive foreign transaction fees.

We compare the 4 best banks for international travel in this article, looking at foreign transaction fees, transaction prices, ordering foreign banknotes, transferring money, and opening up a business bank account, among other things.

4 Best Banks for International Travel 2023

Charles Schwab Bank

• No foreign transaction fee
•  Unlimited ATM fee worldwide
• No service fees or account minimums

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Capital One 360

•  No foreign transaction fees
• No monthly fee
• User-friendly app with mobile check deposit

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HSBC Bank

• No monthly maintenance fees
• No minimum balance requirement
• Accepts regular direct deposits

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Citibank

• No monthly maintenance fees
• Can access varieties of credit card options
• ATMs at every corner for easy withdrawal

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4 Best Banks for International Travel 2023

Charles Schwab Bank

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Read Charles Schwab Bank Review

Although Charles Schwab is best recognized for its investment platform, it also operates a bank that provides online checking, Schwab one brokerage account, and other savings accounts. The checking account, in particular, is fantastic; it pays interest and has a fantastic ATM policy.

• Refunds on ATM fees are unlimited all across the world
• No monthly fee
• Accounts that are linked to brokerage accounts
• APY (Annual Percentage Yield) on checking accounts

• Savings account rates are below average

There are just two types of banking accounts available at Charles Schwab: a checking account and a savings account. In addition, customers can open a Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking account for checking. This checking account isn’t spectacular, but it does provide a 0.03 percent annual percentage yield (APY).

Although some banks provide free ATM use, which includes repayment of any costs levied by the machine’s owner, it’s normally only accessible globally for individuals with premium checking accounts with high minimum balance requirements.

Customers using the High Yield Investor Checking Account at Schwab Bank do not have this problem. The account pays interest and has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

Best of all, the bank reimburses any ATM costs you incur globally. Additionally, there are no international transaction costs.

One of the most significant account features on the list is the international ATM charge refund. When traveling, having free access to cash/ATM machines is frequently less expensive than converting money at an airport or retail location, where you may be charged excessive exchange costs.

Capital One 360

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Read Capital One 360 Review

Capital One 360 provides a top-of-the-line banking experience backed by excellent customer service. Its checking and savings accounts provide competitive interest and have no monthly fees.

• Savings rates that are competitive
• APY (Annual Percentage Yield) on a checking account
• No monthly costs
• No minimum initial deposit

•  Only a few local branches exist

Many banks levy additional costs when you make transactions outside the United States or buy something online from a shop situated in another country. However, this is not the case with Capital One 360.

Capital One 360 costs are cheap across the board, but it’s the only bank that charges you for international transactions. In addition, the bank’s monthly maintenance or ATM fees are not charged, making it easily one of the best banks for international travel.

HSBC Bank

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HSBC is a good choice if you’re searching for a full-service bank that offers more than simply checking and savings accounts.

• No minimum balance requirement
• N0 monthly fees
• New clients and referrals are eligible for bonuses
• Banking alternatives on the global scale

• Low annual percentage yields on interest-bearing checking accounts

Opening a bank account with a major international bank might be a good choice if you’re relocating out of the United States or seeking to keep financial links with a country where you previously lived.

People migrating to other countries can register an account with HSBC before they arrive. In addition, its mobile app allows depositors to monitor and transfer money between HSBC accounts in several countries. This is especially useful for regular travelers.

Other travel-friendly services offered by the bank include the opportunity to send money through wire transfer. International wire transfers are free for Premier checking account members. However, suppose the recipient account is not an HSBC Premier account. In that case, outgoing international wire transfers may be subject to a charge.

Citibank

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If you want quality full-service banking products and services as well as access to a large number of fee-free ATMs, Citibank is a smart choice.

• Create no-minimum-deposit checking and savings accounts
• CitiBank issues the most credit cards in the world
• Over 60,000 fee-free ATMs in the United States

• Using another bank’s ATM might cost you up to $2.50

Suppose you have family or other relationships with individuals in another nation. In that case, you may need to transfer money to them regularly – ideally without paying exorbitant fees each time. Irrespective of your approach, check the fees and currency conversion rates against the World Bank’s remittance database.

While many banks allow users to send money without using a third-party wire transfer provider, few do it. For example, Citibank offers free international transfers to other Citi accounts through its Citibank Global Transfers service.

The Criteria For Picking A Good Travel Bank

When choosing a bank as a frequent traveler, there are a few factors to consider.

When you’re traveling, you want a bank that has cheap costs, a nice online experience, and a broad network of ATMs. These may make a big impact whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, and they may even save you money.

Here are the parameters we considered when looking for the top banks for travelers:

Number of ATMs: If you’re traveling within the United States, you’ll want to have access to a wide network of ATMs where you can get cash for free.

•    Foreign transaction fees^[2] on debit cards: These costs apply when you use your debit card to make a purchase in a foreign currency. Depending on the bank, they can range from 0% to 5%, and we only advocate using an account on the low end of the spectrum.
• Reimbursement of ATM fees: Fees are frequently charged when withdrawing money from a private ATM or a foreign bank. You’ll want an account that covers these, so you don’t have to think twice about using a different bank’s ATM.
• Experience with mobile and internet banking: When you travel, you will be away from home — and most likely from your bank branch. You’ll want a bank that offers a good online experience for managing your account, paying bills, and moving money. This statistic will be aided by the Apple App Store rating.

Best Banks for International Travel: Honorable Mentions

There will always be good competitors left out, regardless of the criteria utilized. As a result, the following possibilities are also worth considering;

• Alliant Credit Union
• American Airlines Credit Union
• Andrews Federal Credit Union
• Bank of America
• Navy Federal Credit Union

More Financial Tips for Traveling Abroad

Travel, especially international travel, may rapidly become prohibitively expensive. Unfortunately, many of us pass up the chance to travel because of the cost implications. Fortunately, these financial tips would help in traveling abroad smoothly;

Using Public WiFi Isn’t a Good Idea

You may not know how to break into other people’s computers, but many others do.

Simply told, using public WiFi is risky.

When using public WiFi, never check your bank account or make any purchases. Hackers may simply log your keystrokes and figure out your account, password, and credit card information.

Get a credit card that doesn’t charge you for international transactions.

Foreign usage fees are charged by over 90% of credit card issuers, inflating the cost of every transaction conducted outside the United States. Credit cards with no international transaction fees are ideal for international spending.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re going on a trip or intending to live abroad for a while, ensure you choose the best bank for your travels. You don’t want to put yourself at risk of being a victim of fraud while you’re gone or be startled by astronomical expenses. With just a little planning, you can have a worry-free trip and focus on the truly important things.

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