Dec 29, 2013, 6:37 am
Last edit by: seawolf
Google Doc - Debit Cards Available with no Fees
Please refer to the Google doc and update as needed for the most comprehensive list of debit cards and their charges (or lack thereof)
Visa Exchange Rates
MasterCard Exchange Rates
Please refer to the Google doc and update as needed for the most comprehensive list of debit cards and their charges (or lack thereof)
Visa Exchange Rates
MasterCard Exchange Rates
Debit cards without forex fee and other-bank ATM fees?
May 30, 2012, 5:26 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
As best I can tell, my Fidelity Visa Debit card charges a 1% fee, which may be the Visa network fee. I know I get a pretty good exchange rate at ATM's in Canada.
I think you can open a Fidelity account in the USA as a non-resident, you might have to go to a Fidelity Investor Center and show your passport and give a USA address.
I think you can open a Fidelity account in the USA as a non-resident, you might have to go to a Fidelity Investor Center and show your passport and give a USA address.
May 30, 2012, 5:29 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 64
As best I can tell, my Fidelity Visa Debit card charges a 1% fee, which may be the Visa network fee. I know I get a pretty good exchange rate at ATM's in Canada.
I think you can open a Fidelity account in the USA as a non-resident, you might have to go to a Fidelity Investor Center and show your passport and give a USA address.
I think you can open a Fidelity account in the USA as a non-resident, you might have to go to a Fidelity Investor Center and show your passport and give a USA address.
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...d_credit_cards
I don't understand... I see some 1% some 0% here. Both Visa and MasterCard.
May 30, 2012, 5:55 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
Not really too sure what you mean by no forex fee debit cards. Does this mean using your debit card as an ATM card and withdrawing cash abroad in local currency and not being dinged with fees?
If so, Bank of America comes to mind with the Global ATM Alliance.
You can use your BofA debit card to withdraw cash from your BofA bank account at Global ATM Alliance members (Scotiabank in Canada, Deutsche Bank in Germany, PNB Paribas in France, Westpac in Australia, etc.) and you get local currency at the day's exchange rate with no fees or ATM surcharges.
If so, Bank of America comes to mind with the Global ATM Alliance.
You can use your BofA debit card to withdraw cash from your BofA bank account at Global ATM Alliance members (Scotiabank in Canada, Deutsche Bank in Germany, PNB Paribas in France, Westpac in Australia, etc.) and you get local currency at the day's exchange rate with no fees or ATM surcharges.
May 30, 2012, 6:09 pm
#34
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Moderator action
Trev's question has been appended to an ongoing discussion of the same topic. Reviewing the preceding posts should provide some useful leads.
May 30, 2012, 6:54 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 64
Yes exactly that's what I'm looking for. Also a fee free account attached to the card would look nice. I heard that Bank of America opens accounts for non residents quite easily.
May 30, 2012, 7:02 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
A US resident who has a BofA account can withdraw CAD from Scotiabank ATMs in Canada.
Likewise, a Canadian resident who has a Scotiabank account can withdraw USD from BofA ATMs in the US.
Last edited by kebosabi; May 30, 2012 at 7:08 pm
May 30, 2012, 7:23 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 64
Wait... Bank of America checking account is $9 per month. Or free if I do only online banking? If I understand correctly. Is it a good bank to deal with? Or do you have another recommendation as well?
http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php...d_credit_cards
BofA also charges 3% for foreign point of sale transactions? Not cool.
http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php...d_credit_cards
BofA also charges 3% for foreign point of sale transactions? Not cool.
Last edited by mia; May 31, 2012 at 8:28 am
May 30, 2012, 7:27 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 64
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_...Holders.5B2.5D
The 1% - 3% International Transaction Fee/Foreign Currency Fee - not waived under the Global ATM Alliance.
Still confused.
The 1% - 3% International Transaction Fee/Foreign Currency Fee - not waived under the Global ATM Alliance.
Still confused.
May 30, 2012, 7:28 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 64
May 30, 2012, 8:59 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
Last edited by jjmiller69; May 30, 2012 at 9:05 pm
May 30, 2012, 11:09 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
May 31, 2012, 1:10 am
#42
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
Everything else is the same as a normal checking account; you get an BofA VISA debit card, a checking account, and can start writing checks. You can make deposits of USD denominated cash, checks, and money orders at any BofA ATM machine. Alas, they won't accept deposits of US coins however which is my main gripe with any US ATM. Once you have your BofA VISA debit card, you can make withdraws in Global ATM Alliance partners in local currency based on your BofA eBanking checking account.
AFAIK, my mother uses BofA eBanking and she's satisfied with them. If my 62 year old mom who barely speaks English can figure it out, anyone can.
The only pre-requisite to open a BofA eBanking checking account is to have a valid SSN, a valid US phone number, a valid US address so they can send you the debit card, and an existing bank account or debit card to fund the initial deposit.
Last edited by kebosabi; May 31, 2012 at 1:21 am
May 31, 2012, 1:49 am
#43
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
Can't say the BoA is worst in America 'cause there is so much competition. 
But, it is way up there.
Schwab Bank ATM card is a much better overseas choice.
Unfortunately, Schwab closed up their credit card which offered no fees foreign purchases.
Chase Sapphire Preferred is an option to look at. No forex charges on purchases.
But, it is way up there.
Schwab Bank ATM card is a much better overseas choice.
Unfortunately, Schwab closed up their credit card which offered no fees foreign purchases.
Chase Sapphire Preferred is an option to look at. No forex charges on purchases.
May 31, 2012, 11:19 am
#44
Join Date: May 2006
Location: phx
Programs: DM, AA, UA,HH,Priority, Amtrak, Starwwod, BA, Marriott
Posts: 90
Greetings: As a casual - ish traveler and long time B of A account-holder, my experiences with B of A debit card overseas have been very good overall. I have used it all over the UK with no trouble. It took me several tries to get things straitened out when I tried to use it at the China Construction Bank ATM's in Chengdu & Beijing, but once we got it straitened out, I didn't have any problem. It does go without saying though ( even though I'm saying it!), call them before you leave at let them know where you're going to use it.
May 31, 2012, 11:43 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
Normally the call would NOT even go thru, toll or no toll. The system simply would not recognize the 1-800 number. That is why ALL cards (credit or debit) would have the "normal" telephone number also on the back of the card for International collect call.
The only financial institution I know that actually have Toll Free International number for a lot of countries, is Fidelity - the extensive list is on its website.