Yes, you can use your Bank of America credit card internationally, but you will pay foreign transaction fees unless you hold a specific card that waives them

Bank of America credit cards work in most countries where Visa or Mastercard is accepted. The moment you swipe or insert your card outside the United States, Bank of America charges a foreign transaction fee — typically 3% of the purchase amount. This fee appears on your statement as a separate line item, not rolled into the purchase price.

Some Bank of America cards do not charge this fee. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card waives foreign transaction fees entirely. If you carry a standard cash-back or rewards card, you will pay the 3% fee on every foreign purchase, including ATM withdrawals and currency conversions done by merchants.

Your card will work at ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and online merchants abroad. Visa and Mastercard networks operate in nearly every country. The real cost is not whether your card works — it is how much Bank of America charges you for using it outside the US.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Bank of America credit cards charge 3% on all purchases made outside the United States, including ATM cash withdrawals.
  • The Bank of America Travel Rewards card has no foreign transaction fee, making it the only standard option that avoids this cost.
  • Your card will work at most merchants and ATMs abroad because Visa and Mastercard networks operate globally, but the merchant's bank or the ATM operator may charge their own fees on top of Bank of America's.
  • Notify Bank of America before you travel so the bank does not block your card as fraudulent activity, though many cardholders use their cards abroad without advance notice.
  • Currency conversion happens at the Visa or Mastercard exchange rate, not at a rate Bank of America sets, so you cannot shop around for a better rate.

How the 3% foreign transaction fee works

When you use your Bank of America card outside the US, the bank converts the foreign currency to US dollars using the Visa or Mastercard exchange rate for that day. Bank of America then adds 3% to the converted amount. That 3% is the foreign transaction fee.

Example: You buy something in London for £100. Visa's exchange rate that day is 1.27 USD per pound. The purchase converts to $127. Bank of America adds 3%, charging you $130.81 total. The $3.81 appears on your statement as a foreign transaction fee.

This fee applies to every transaction — restaurant meals, hotel stays, retail purchases, and cash withdrawals from ATMs. If you withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, you also pay the ATM operator's fee (usually $2 to $5) on top of Bank of America's 3%.

Which Bank of America cards have no foreign transaction fee

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is the primary option that waives the 3% foreign transaction fee. You earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, including those made abroad. There is no annual fee.

Bank of America occasionally introduces limited-time cards with no foreign transaction fee, but these are not permanent offerings. Check the current card terms on Bank of America's website or call customer service at the number on the back of your card to confirm whether your specific card charges the fee.

If you already hold a Bank of America card that charges the 3% fee, you can request a product change to the Travel Rewards card. This does not require a new application and does not trigger a hard credit inquiry. Call the number on your card to ask about switching.

What happens when you use an ATM abroad

Bank of America charges you two separate fees when you withdraw cash from an ATM outside the US. First, the ATM operator (usually a local bank) charges their own fee — typically $2 to $5. Second, Bank of America charges you 3% of the amount withdrawn as a foreign transaction fee.

Example: You withdraw 100 euros from an ATM in Paris. The ATM operator charges you $3. Bank of America converts 100 euros to approximately $109 and charges you 3%, adding $3.27. Your total cost is $6.27 in fees on a $109 withdrawal.

Some Bank of America checking accounts offer ATM fee reimbursement at ATMs worldwide, but this only covers the ATM operator's fee, not Bank of America's 3% foreign transaction fee. Check your account terms or call customer service to see if your checking account includes this benefit.

Notifying Bank of America before you travel

Bank of America recommends that you notify the bank before you travel internationally. You can do this through the mobile app, the website, or by calling the number on the back of your card. Provide the countries you will visit and the dates you will be there.

This step reduces the chance that Bank of America will block your card as fraudulent. However, many cardholders use their cards abroad without advance notice and experience no problems. If your card is declined, call the number on the back of your card immediately — Bank of America customer service can unblock it while you are still at the merchant.

Advance notification is optional, not required. It is a safeguard, not a prerequisite for using your card abroad.

Currency conversion and exchange rates

Bank of America does not set the exchange rate you receive. Visa and Mastercard set the rate based on real-time currency markets. Bank of America uses that rate to convert your purchase to US dollars, then adds the 3% foreign transaction fee.

You cannot negotiate a better exchange rate or use a different conversion method. The rate is the same whether you use your Bank of America card or any other Visa or Mastercard. The only variable you control is whether you pay the 3% fee — which depends on which card you carry.

Some merchants abroad offer to convert your purchase to US dollars at the point of sale instead of letting Visa or Mastercard handle the conversion. This is called dynamic currency conversion. Decline this option. The merchant's conversion rate is almost always worse than Visa or Mastercard's rate, and you still pay Bank of America's 3% fee on top.

Fraud protection and dispute rights abroad

Bank of America's fraud protection applies to purchases made abroad the same way it applies to purchases in the US. If someone uses your card number without permission, report it to Bank of America immediately. You are not liable for fraudulent charges once you report them.

If you dispute a purchase made abroad — for example, a merchant charged you twice or the service was not delivered — Bank of America handles the dispute through Visa or Mastercard's chargeback process. This takes the same time as a domestic dispute, usually 30 to 90 days.

Keep your receipts and take photos of them while you travel. If a dispute arises later, you will need proof of the transaction amount and the merchant's name. Foreign merchants sometimes close or change names, making disputes harder to resolve months later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Bank of America card work everywhere I travel?

Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most countries, but coverage varies by region. Rural areas and small towns may have fewer merchants that accept cards. Bring some cash as backup. Call Bank of America before you leave to confirm your card will work in the specific countries you are visiting.

Can I avoid the 3% foreign transaction fee by using a different payment method?

Yes. Some travelers use a no-fee checking account from a bank like Charles Schwab or Ally to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad, which avoids credit card fees entirely. Others use peer-to-peer payment apps like Wise (formerly TransferWise) to convert money before they travel. These alternatives have their own costs and benefits depending on how much cash you need and how long you stay.

What if my card is declined while I am traveling?

Call the number on the back of your card immediately. Bank of America customer service can unblock your card on the spot if it was flagged as fraudulent. If the decline is due to a technical issue with the merchant or the Visa network, the customer service representative can help troubleshoot. Have your card number and a backup form of ID ready.

Do I have to pay the foreign transaction fee if I use my card to book a hotel or flight before I travel?

Yes. The fee applies whenever your card is charged in a foreign currency, regardless of when the purchase is made or when you receive the service. A hotel reservation booked from the US in a foreign currency still triggers the 3% fee.

Is the 3% fee the only cost of using my card abroad?

No. ATM operators charge their own fees, some merchants charge currency conversion fees, and in rare cases a merchant may charge a "card surcharge" for credit card use. Bank of America's 3% is separate from these. Add them all together to see the true cost of using your card abroad.