I see the Schwab debit card the same way as the APEC card or other sort of niche but also sorta useful travel tools. It isn't necessary and the benefit for infrequent travelers is probably not super high, but it can reduce a certain kind of friction with just a little work ahead of time (assuming you qualify, of course). Should I let the $5-10+3% ATM fee bother me? Maybe not, but it can add up and I now don't have to think about it.