CARDS & ATM

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on dining worldwide, 3× on online groceries, 3× on gas and EV charging, 3× on vacation homes (Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar); 2× on all other travel. Visa network — near-universal acceptance globally. Includes primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, and emergency evacuation. $100/year hotel credit through Chase Travel; $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit every 4 years (added June 2026). Points transfer 1:1 to United, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, and others; Hyatt transfers at 4:3 for cardholders from June 2026 (existing cardholders: 4:3 effective October 2026). The benchmark entry-level travel card.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 8× on Chase Travel, 4× on flights and hotels booked direct, 3× on dining worldwide, 1× everywhere else. Annual credits: $300 travel credit (any travel purchase); $300 Exclusive Tables dining credit ($150 semi-annually, pay with the card at participating restaurants — no reservation required); $500 The Edit hotel credit ($250 semi-annually, prepaid 2-night+ stays); $300 DoorDash credit; $120 Lyft credit ($10/month); $300 StubHub/viagogo entertainment credit ($150 semi-annually, through Dec 2027); $120 Peloton credit ($10/month). Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounges. Travel insurance: trip cancellation, primary rental car, lost luggage, emergency evacuation, travel accident. Transfer partners include United, Hyatt, British Airways, Air France/KLM, and Singapore Airlines at 1:1. For frequent travelers who can use the full credit stack.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 2× on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays; 1× everywhere else. Two one-time United Club passes per year, first checked bag free on United flights for you and one companion, priority boarding. Primary rental car insurance. Annual fee raised to $150 in 2025, offset by $60 in rideshare credits, $100 in United Travel Credits, $100 on United Hotels, $100 on JSX charter flights, and $120 in Instacart credits per year. Best for United flyers who can use the expanded partner credits alongside the free bag and Club passes.

No foreign transaction fee. Full United Club membership (1,000+ airport lounges worldwide via Star Alliance). Earns 4× on United, 2× on dining and all other travel, 1× everywhere else. First and second checked bags free. Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Annual fee raised to $695 in 2025, partially offset by $200 in Renowned Hotels & Resorts credits, $150 in rideshare credits, $200 on JSX charter flights, and $240 in Instacart credits annually. Best for frequent United flyers who want full lounge access and can maximize the partner credits.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 4× at Hyatt properties; 2× on dining, airline tickets, local transit, fitness clubs; 1× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to Category 4 — easily worth $150+). Automatic Discoverist status (room upgrades, late checkout). One of the best hotel cards for value — the annual free night often covers the fee entirely.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 6× at Marriott hotels; 3× on dining, gas, groceries; 2× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to 35,000 points — mid-tier Marriott). Automatic Silver Elite status; 15 Elite Night Credits per year toward Gold. Good for Marriott loyalists who want to accelerate status and free nights.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling purchases; 1× everywhere else. Travel Together Ticket (a companion voucher) earned at $30,000 annual spend. Avios transfer to Aer Lingus, Iberia, Qatar, and others. Most useful for transatlantic economy or short-haul European flights where Avios redemptions offer strong value.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations; 3× on dining and grocery; 1× everywhere else. 500 bonus points per $2,000/month in purchases (up to 1,500/month). Preferred pricing on Aeroplan redemptions. Aeroplan is a Star Alliance program — points usable on United, Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore, and 45+ partners. Good for Star Alliance flyers.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 26× at IHG hotels (10× IHG Rewards + 6× Platinum bonus + 10× card bonus); 5× on travel, dining, and gas; 3× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to 40,000 points — solid mid-tier IHG). Automatic Platinum Elite status. 4th award night free on reward stays of 3+ nights. IHG portfolio includes InterContinental, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 4× at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/year); 4× at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year); 5× on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 3× on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel; 1× everywhere else. $120 dining credit, $120 Uber Cash, $100 Resy credit, and $84 Dunkin' credit offset much of the fee. Complimentary Hertz Five Star status (vehicle upgrades when available, counter skip at select locations, free additional driver). Points transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners (Delta, British Airways, Air France/KLM, ANA, Marriott, Hilton, and others). Strong earner for dining abroad — but always carry a Visa or Mastercard; Amex acceptance is roughly 40% lower than Visa/MC globally. Unreliable at local restaurants, markets, and smaller shops outside major cities.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 5× on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel (up to $500,000/year); 5× on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 1× everywhere else. Centurion Lounge access + Priority Pass Select + Delta Sky Clubs (10 complimentary visits/year when flying Delta; $50/visit after). $200 airline incidental fee credit (one designated airline annually), $400 Resy dining credit ($100/quarter at eligible Resy restaurants), $600 hotel credit (up to $300 semi-annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings via Amex Travel), $200 Uber Cash, $300 digital entertainment credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Extensive travel insurance. Best for lounge access and premium travel perks — the earn rate is mediocre for everyday spending. Points transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners via Membership Rewards — same programs as Amex Gold. Same Amex acceptance caveat applies.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on travel (including transit, rideshare, taxis, and hotels), 3× at restaurants worldwide, 1× everywhere else. $209 CLEAR Plus credit offsets most of the annual fee (the $100 LoungeBuddy credit was discontinued January 2025). Same Membership Rewards transfer partners as Gold and Platinum. Underrated: the 3× on transit and rideshare is unusually broad for a travel card, making it useful in cities where you're taking lots of local transport.

No foreign transaction fee on all three tiers. All earn 2× on Delta purchases; earn rates on dining, hotels, and everyday spending increase with card tier. Gold: first checked bag free + priority boarding. Platinum: companion certificate (domestic main cabin) + 15% off award redemptions + Delta Sky Club access (when flying Delta). Reserve: Delta Sky Club access on all flights (limited hours starting 2025) + companion upgrade certificate.

Most useful if you fly Delta regularly — the free bag on Gold alone covers the annual fee for checked-bag travelers. SkyMiles are Delta-only (no airline transfer partners), which limits flexibility.

No foreign transaction fee on all three tiers. Hilton Honors: no fee, 7× at Hilton, 5× on dining/groceries/gas, 3× elsewhere — Silver status. Surpass: $150, 12× at Hilton, Complimentary Priority Pass, Gold status, free night after $15,000 spend. Aspire: $550, 14× at Hilton, Diamond status (top tier), annual free night, $200 resort credit, $400 Hilton credit, Priority Pass Select. Hilton points are plentiful but worth less per point than Hyatt — useful for high-end hotels where cash rates are expensive.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 6× at Marriott; 3× on dining and flights; 2× everywhere else. Annual free night (up to 85,000 points — premium Marriott properties, more valuable than Chase Boundless). $300 dining credit, $100 Marriott on-property credit, Priority Pass Select, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, automatic Platinum Elite status (suite upgrades, lounge access). The premium Marriott card for loyal customers who can maximize the credits.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 10× on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel; 3× on air travel, hotels, dining, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging; 1× everywhere else. Mastercard network — strong acceptance in Eastern Europe and Latin America. ThankYou points transfer to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Singapore KrisFlyer, Avianca LifeMiles, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines AAdvantage, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, JetBlue, and others. The Turkish Airlines transfer is particularly valuable for Star Alliance and oneworld redemptions. $100 annual hotel benefit on $500+ single hotel booking via Citi Travel.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 2× on American Airlines, restaurants, and gas; 1× everywhere else. First checked bag free on domestic AA flights for you and up to 4 companions (saves $35/bag/direction). Preferred boarding. $125 AA flight discount after $20,000 spend. Best for AA flyers whose primary benefit is the free bag and AA miles — the earn rate is modest for general spending.

No foreign transaction fee. Full Admirals Club membership (including guests) — American Airlines' lounge network. Earns 4× on AA, 10× on hotels and car rentals via aa.com; 1× everywhere else. First and second checked bags free. Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles toward AAdvantage status. Best for frequent AA flyers who want Admirals Club access and don't want to pay for membership separately (~$800/year as a standalone).

No foreign transaction fee. Both earn 2× on every purchase worldwide — no category tracking. Venture X adds Priority Pass lounge access, a $300 Capital One Travel credit, and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, making the net cost ~$95/year for frequent travelers. Miles transfer to 18 airline partners (Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, Turkish, Avianca, Etihad, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Qatar, and more — Japan Airlines and Qatar added Sep 2025). Most transfer 1:1; Emirates is 1,000 Capital One miles → 750 Emirates miles. Visa network on Venture X (check the physical card for Venture — may be Visa or Mastercard by batch). Verified Aug 2026.

No foreign transaction fee on both. Savor ($95): 4× on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores; 1× everywhere else. SavorOne ($0): 3× on the same categories. Same Capital One Miles transfer partners as Venture. Good for travelers who spend heavily on dining and entertainment but don't want to track travel categories. SavorOne is one of the better no-fee cards for international restaurant spending.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on Alaska Airlines purchases; 2× on gas, EV charging, cable/streaming; 1× everywhere else. Annual Companion Fare from $122 ($99 base fare + taxes/fees from $23 each way) — the card's flagship perk, easily worth more than the annual fee for two people flying together. Free checked bag for you and up to 6 companions on Alaska flights. Alaska Mileage Plan partners with American, British Airways, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and others — strong oneworld connections.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 2× on travel and dining; 1.5× on everything else. On their own these rates are mediocre — the value comes from BofA Preferred Rewards status. At Platinum Honors tier ($100,000+ in BofA/Merrill assets), the multipliers become 3.5× travel/dining and 2.625× on everything else, making it one of the best flat-rate earn cards available. Elite adds Priority Pass Select, $150 lifestyle credit, and $100 airline incidental credit. Only relevant if you're already deep in the BofA/Merrill ecosystem.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 5× on hotels, 4× on airlines, 3× on other travel and dining, 1× everywhere else — among the best airline and hotel earn rates of any mid-tier card. $50 annual airline credit. Points transfer to Choice Hotels, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), Aer Lingus, Avianca, British Airways Avios, and others. Underrated: the 4× on all airlines (not just one) is rare at the $95 price point and puts it ahead of most airline co-brands for general flight spending.

No foreign transaction fee. No annual fee. Earns 3× on restaurants, travel, gas and transit, streaming services, and phone plans; 1× everywhere else — no category caps. Points transfer 1:1 to Aer Lingus, Air France/KLM, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Iberia; JetBlue 1:1; Choice Hotels and Wyndham at 1:2. Same transfer partner ecosystem as the Autograph Journey ($95), with no annual fee. Named TPG's No-Annual-Fee Card of the Year and NerdWallet's best no-annual-fee travel card for 2026 — rare among $0 cards for offering genuine airline transfer partners.

No foreign transaction fee. Earns 3× on mobile wallet purchases (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) and travel; 1× everywhere else. In practice, if you tap to pay with your phone at most merchants, you're earning 3× on everything. $325 annual travel and dining credit (statement credits on travel and dining purchases) effectively reduces net cost to $75. Priority Pass Select. Real-time mobile rewards redemption. Best for travelers who consistently use Apple Pay or Google Pay.

No foreign transaction fee. Bilt 2.0 launched February 2026 (issued by Cardless/Column N.A.), replacing the original Wells Fargo card. Three tiers — Blue ($0/year): 1× on everyday spend, 1.25× on rent and mortgage payments; Obsidian ($95/year): 3× on dining or groceries (one category choice per calendar year), 1× everywhere else, plus 1.25× on rent/mortgage; Palladium ($495/year): 2× on everyday purchases, 1.25× on rent/mortgage, Priority Pass lounge access, $200 Bilt Cash/year, $400 hotel credit via Bilt Travel ($200 semi-annually). All tiers require 5 transactions/month to earn points. Transfer partners: 25+ programs including Hyatt, United, American, Alaska, British Airways, Turkish, and Marriott — one of the broadest lists available.

These common cards charge 3% foreign transaction fees on every international purchase. On a $5,000 trip that's $150 in invisible charges:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited — 3% FTF despite being a Chase card. Do not use abroad.
• Chase Freedom Flex — 3% FTF. Do not use abroad.
• Citi Double Cash — 3% FTF. Do not use abroad.
• Citi Custom Cash — 3% FTF. Do not use abroad.
• Most standard bank debit cards (Chase checking, BofA checking, Wells Fargo checking) — 1–3% FTF plus ATM fees. Use Schwab or Fidelity debit instead.
• Most store co-branded cards (Target RedCard, Amazon Prime, etc.) — 3% FTF. Do not use internationally.

Always check your specific card's terms at the issuer website. FTF policies occasionally change.

Reimburses all ATM fees worldwide — including the foreign bank's own surcharge — credited at end of each month. No foreign transaction fee. No minimum balance. The gold standard for international ATM withdrawals. Requires opening a linked Schwab brokerage account (free, no minimum). One caveat: if you accept Dynamic Currency Conversion at an ATM, Schwab reimburses the operator surcharge but not the DCC markup — always choose local currency.

Reimburses ATM fees worldwide with no published cap. No foreign transaction fee. Works as a brokerage-linked account — no separate brokerage required if you already use Fidelity. Functionally equivalent to Schwab for international ATM use. Good backup or primary option if you're already in the Fidelity ecosystem.

Fee-free only at Allpoint network ATMs (~55,000 locations globally, but concentrated in US, UK, Australia, Canada). Out-of-network ATM fees abroad are not reimbursed. Also passes through a 0.2% Mastercard foreign exchange fee on international transactions. The SoFi Plus subscription tier does not add international ATM reimbursement. Inferior to Schwab or Fidelity for international travel — use only if you're already a SoFi customer and confirm Allpoint ATM availability at your destination.

BofA waives the partner bank's ATM surcharge at alliance member ATMs. Partners include:

• UK: Barclays
• France / Italy / Morocco / Turkey / Poland: BNP Paribas
• Germany / Spain / India: Deutsche Bank
• Canada / Mexico / Peru / Chile / Caribbean: Scotiabank
• Australia / New Zealand / Pacific: Westpac

Important caveat: BofA may still charge its own $5 international ATM fee on standard accounts even at alliance partners — only premium BofA account tiers waive this. And BofA's 3% foreign transaction fee applies to all debit card ATM withdrawals abroad unless you have a premium account. Verify your account's terms before relying on this.

Citi accountholders can withdraw fee-free at Citi-branded ATMs in countries where Citi operates branches: UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Bahrain, India, Mexico, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and others. Citigold and Citigold Private Client tiers receive full worldwide ATM fee reimbursement. Standard accounts pay fees at non-Citi ATMs internationally.

Uses the mid-market (interbank) exchange rate with a small transparent conversion fee starting from ~0.57% depending on currency pair — typically far better than bank rates. ATM policy (US accounts): first $250/month in withdrawals is fee-free, then $1.95 + 1.95% per withdrawal beyond that. Third-party ATM operator surcharges are separate and not covered by Wise.

Most useful for: currencies where your home bank has poor rates, currencies with limited ATM availability, and spending directly with the card where mid-market rate matters. Not a substitute for a primary bank card for large or emergency withdrawals. Check current ATM limits in the Wise app (fee structure updated May 2026).

Standard plan: currency exchange at interbank rate up to $1,000/month; 0.5% fee above that limit. ATM withdrawals: 2% out-of-network fee on Standard plan. Premium/Metal plans raise ATM free limits ($800/$1,200/month respectively). Key watch-out: weekend surcharge — a 1% markup applies to all currency exchanges Friday 5 pm through Sunday 6 pm ET on Standard plan. If you're spending heavily on a weekend trip, this adds up.

Most useful for: holding balances in multiple currencies before departure, occasional card spending within the monthly FX limit. Verify current US plan limits at revolut.com/en-US before relying on specific numbers.

Accepted at ~130 million merchant locations worldwide. The most widely accepted network in most regions — Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Middle East, and Eastern Europe all show Visa as the strongest foreign card network. If you carry one card internationally, make it a Visa.

Accepted at ~110 million merchant locations worldwide. Nearly identical acceptance to Visa in practice. Marginally stronger in some Eastern European markets. Any business that takes Visa almost always takes Mastercard. Carrying one Visa and one Mastercard gives you essentially complete global coverage.

Strong in: US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UAE, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong.
Weak in: Southeast Asia (local shops), Eastern Europe (outside capitals), Latin America (markets, small vendors), India (outside luxury hotels), rural areas globally.

Amex merchants globally are roughly 40% fewer than Visa/Mastercard. Upscale hotels, international chains, and airports reliably accept it. Local restaurants, markets, guesthouses, and transportation often do not. Never travel internationally without a Visa or Mastercard backup.

Discover operates internationally via partnerships with Diners Club and UnionPay, giving it theoretical coverage in ~185 countries. In practice, merchant acceptance outside the US is very thin and unpredictable. You may find it works at some hotels and larger retailers, but it fails routinely at local businesses, restaurants, and markets. Do not use Discover as a primary international card. The main benefit — no foreign transaction fee — is outweighed by acceptance problems.

Region	Best network	Amex reliable?
Western Europe	Visa or MC (equal)	Major establishments only
Eastern Europe	Visa or MC (equal)	Capitals only, spotty
UK / Australia / NZ	All four networks	Yes — widely accepted
Japan	Visa or MC	Hotels & chains only
Southeast Asia	Visa (marginal edge)	Upscale venues only
India	Visa or MC	Luxury hotels only
Middle East	Visa or MC	Hotels & malls, not local
Latin America	Visa or MC	Luxury sector only
Africa	Visa (stronger)	Rarely
Canada / Singapore	All four networks	Yes — well accepted

Method	Typical markup vs. interbank rate
Local bank ATM (Schwab/Fidelity/no-FTF debit)	0–1%
Wise or Revolut card (spending, not ATM)	0.5–1.5%
Home bank branch (pre-trip order)	1–4%
Airport bank-branded ATM in destination	0–2% (same as local ATM if no FTF fee)
City center exchange bureau (reputable)	2–5%
Airport exchange desk (Travelex, etc.)	8–15%, sometimes 18%
Hotel front desk	3–8%
Dynamic currency conversion (DCC)	3–7%+ on top of any other rate

Avoid airport exchange desks entirely. The ATM inside the airport is fine — use the ATM, not the staffed desk.

When a foreign ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD rather than the local currency, it's applying its own exchange rate — typically 3–7% above the interbank rate, with extreme cases documented at 13–18%. This markup goes to the bank or merchant, not your card issuer.

At ATMs: When prompted "Proceed in USD or [local currency]?" — always choose local currency. Some ATMs in tourist areas default to USD and pre-check it; look carefully before confirming. If the machine forces conversion with no opt-out, cancel and use a different ATM.

At card terminals: If a terminal asks "Pay in USD?" or a salesperson offers "I'll charge you in dollars" — always decline. Select local currency.

Even Schwab does not reimburse DCC markup — it only reimburses the operator surcharge. DCC is a hidden markup on the exchange rate itself.

Most ATMs outside the US accept only 4-digit PINs. Many European and Asian ATMs have a maximum of 4 or 6 digits. If your PIN is longer than 6 digits, you will likely encounter problems. Most US bank PINs are 4 digits, which works everywhere.

If your PIN starts with 0, some older European ATMs may not accept it — the leading zero drops and the PIN becomes 3 digits. Contact your bank if this applies to you.

How to change PIN before travel: Visit a US branch in person (most secure method), or use a US ATM — insert card, select PIN Change from the main menu. Allow 24 hours to propagate. Do this before departure; changing a PIN while abroad can be complicated.

Credit card cash advance PINs: US credit cards often have no PIN assigned. If your credit card is also an ATM backup (not recommended — cash advances accrue interest immediately with no grace period), call your issuer 7–10 business days before departure to request a PIN by mail.

Some currencies are non-convertible — they cannot be legally exchanged outside the country, or have no exchange value abroad. Do not bring these home.

• Moroccan Dirham (MAD): Non-convertible. Cannot be exchanged outside Morocco. Spend down or convert back to a convertible currency before leaving.
• Cambodian Riel (KHR): No exchange value outside Cambodia. USD is widely used there — withdraw/use USD instead.
• Vietnamese Dong (VND): Non-convertible outside Vietnam. Spend down before departure.
• Indonesian Rupiah (IDR): Technically convertible at major financial centers but rates outside Indonesia are very poor. Exchange in-country.

Always select local currency at ATMs and card terminals — never USD. Choosing USD activates dynamic currency conversion, which adds 3–7% above the real exchange rate. See Exchange section for full detail.

Stick to ATMs attached to a physical bank branch. Independent kiosks in airports, tourist areas, and convenience stores charge higher fees and often apply DCC automatically. In Europe, avoid Euronet and Cardpoint machines specifically — they are notorious for high fees. Look for ATMs displaying the Visa, Plus, Mastercard, or Cirrus network logos.

Country	Typical surcharge	Notes
Thailand	220 THB (~$6.30) per withdrawal	AEON Bank charges 150 THB — lower. Bangkok Bank, KBank, SCB, Krungthai all charge 220 THB.
Vietnam	0–~3.3% depending on bank	VPBank — fee-free (best; 10M VND max). ACB — fee-free (3M VND max). TPBank — ~3.3% as of June 2025. Vietcombank, BIDV — 30,000–55,000 VND (~$1.30–$2.40).
Indonesia	0 at BCA/BNI; Rp50,000 (~$3.10) at Mandiri	Mandiri introduced the fee Feb 2026. Use BCA or BNI.
Japan	0 at Seven Bank (7-Eleven); ¥220 at Japan Post (some cards)	Seven Bank is 24/7 and accepts all major foreign cards. Best option.
UK	0 at bank ATMs; £1.75–£2 at convenience-store machines	The convenience-store machines display the fee before dispensing — cancel if you see it.
Eurozone	0 at bank-branch ATMs; €2–€5 at standalone Euronet/Cardpoint machines	Avoid standalone machines outside bank branches.
US (abroad context)	$2–$5/transaction at non-network ATMs	Schwab/Fidelity reimburse these. Standard bank debit cards do not.

Flat ATM surcharges (Thailand's 220 THB, for example) make small frequent withdrawals expensive. Take out enough for 2–4 days at once. Keep excess in a hotel safe. Exception: in high-crime areas, carry only what you need for the day.

Most banks monitor for unusual foreign activity and freeze cards automatically. Set a travel notice in your bank's app or call before departure. Carry two cards from different networks (ideally different issuers) — if one is frozen or lost, you have a backup. Save your bank's international emergency number in your phone before you leave.

Skimming devices are most common in tourist areas and older freestanding ATMs.

• Card slot: Wiggle it before inserting. Legitimate readers are firmly attached; a skimmer overlay feels loose or wobbly.
• Keypad: Press the edges — a PIN capture overlay feels raised, spongier, or doesn't flush with the panel.
• Hidden cameras: Look for unusual holes, bumps, or add-on pieces above the screen or on the side panels. Cover your hand over the keypad when entering your PIN regardless.
• Shimmers: Newer ultra-thin devices go inside the chip slot — no external sign. If the card feels caught or inserts oddly, withdraw and report to the bank.

Prefer ATMs inside bank lobbies or secured vestibules. Best defense: use contactless/tap-to-pay for purchases and Schwab/Fidelity debit for cash so card data exposure is minimized.

1. Do not leave the ATM — note the bank name, ATM ID number, address, and exact time.
2. Call your card issuer's international emergency number immediately. Report the card captured and request a temporary freeze.
3. If the ATM is at a bank branch during business hours, go inside immediately — a teller may be able to retrieve the card.
4. Request an emergency card replacement or emergency cash transfer from your issuer.
5. File a police report if you suspect tampering.

Have your issuer's international number saved in your phone before you travel — it's on the back of your card but you won't have the card if it's swallowed.

Cash is widely used even in major cities. Many local restaurants, small shops, temples, shrines, vending machines, ryokan, and festivals are cash-only. Cards are becoming more accepted in Tokyo and Osaka but the shift is slower elsewhere.

Best ATMs for foreign cards: Seven Bank (inside every 7-Eleven, 24/7) — accepts Visa, Mastercard, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus, UnionPay, Amex, JCB; no Seven Bank surcharge; limit 100,000 yen/transaction. Japan Post Bank ATMs also accept foreign cards but may have limited hours and a ¥220 fee on some cards.

Withdraw cash at the airport Seven Bank ATM upon arrival and carry enough for the first day or two.

Cards accepted at hotels, shopping malls, chain restaurants, 7-Eleven. Local markets, street food, tuk-tuks, and local transport are cash-only. ATM surcharge of 220 THB (~$6.30) applies at all major Thai banks per withdrawal. AEON Bank charges a lower 150 THB but has fewer locations.

Strategy: use Schwab or Fidelity debit to get the surcharge reimbursed. Withdraw larger amounts at AEON or another bank to amortize the flat fee. Thai Baht is fully convertible — you can exchange it back before leaving if needed.

Vietnamese Dong (VND) is required for daily life. USD is accepted for some hotel bills and tour operators in major cities but is not a substitute for VND at street level. Best ATM options: VPBank (fee-free, up to 10M VND/transaction) and ACB (fee-free, up to 3M VND/transaction). Avoid TPBank (introduced ~3.3% fee June 2025).

VND is non-convertible outside Vietnam — spend down or convert back to USD at an in-country bank before leaving.

Cards accepted at malls, international hotels, and upscale restaurants in Bali and Jakarta. Local warungs, transport, markets, and most small businesses are cash-only. Best ATMs: BCA and BNI — no foreign card surcharge. Avoid Mandiri ATMs (added Rp50,000 fee in February 2026). Withdraw from BCA or BNI at malls or in central areas.

USD is legal tender alongside Cambodian Riel (KHR) and is accepted everywhere — hotels, restaurants, shops, transport, and markets. Most ATMs dispense USD, not KHR. Change for amounts under $1 is often given in a mix of USD and riel (exchange rate: 1 USD = 4,000 KHR). Carrying USD cash is the simplest approach in Cambodia — you rarely need KHR specifically. ATM fees typically $2–$5/withdrawal.

Cards accepted at upscale hotels, international chains, and urban restaurants in major cities. Auto-rickshaws, street food, local shops, markets, smaller restaurants, rural areas, and temples require cash. Keep 2,000–5,000 INR in cash at all times. ATM fees from Indian banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI): typically ₹150–₹200 per transaction for foreign cards.

UPI for foreigners: The "UPI One World" prepaid wallet allows tourists from select countries (G20 passport holders) to make QR-code payments without an Indian bank account. Requires a Safaricom or local SIM and setup at a partner location. Works well once set up but requires effort to activate. It is not the seamless UPI experience Indian residents have.

Cards accepted at larger hotels, upscale restaurants, and some shops in Marrakech, Fes, and Casablanca. Medinas (old cities), souks, local transport, street food, and small vendors require cash. ATMs are available in cities.

Critical: the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is non-convertible outside Morocco and cannot be exchanged abroad. Do not exchange currency into dirhams before arriving. Budget conservatively since leftover dirhams are essentially worthless outside the country — you can exchange them back to euros or dollars at Moroccan airport banks before departure.

UAE: ~84% of transactions are contactless. Cards (Visa, Mastercard) accepted almost universally in Dubai and Abu Dhabi — shops, restaurants, taxis, even small vendors in malls. Cash rarely needed except for very small street vendors.

Saudi Arabia: Highly cashless in cities. Mada (domestic debit network) is dominant; foreign Visa/Mastercard credit cards accepted at most merchants. Cash still used at smaller local shops and in rural areas.

Jordan: Cards accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger shops in Amman, Aqaba, and Petra. Local souks, taxis, and rural areas require Jordanian Dinar (JOD) cash. JOD is fully convertible — you can exchange it before or after arrival.

Contactless payment (tap) accounts for ~80% of in-person card transactions across Europe, near 100% terminal capability. Contactless limits raised post-COVID (€50 in EU; £100 in UK). Apple Pay and Google Pay work on virtually all contactless terminals via Visa or Mastercard.

Cash rarely needed in UK, Netherlands, Nordics, and major German cities (though Germany historically prefers cash more than peers). Carry €10–30 in cash for small cafes, markets, and tips in France, Spain, and Italy. In smaller towns and rural areas across all countries, cash is more common.

Australia surcharge note: Some businesses add 0.5–2% for card payments — this is legal in Australia and disclosed at point of sale.

Poland: Cards widely accepted in cities. Blik (local mobile payment) is dominant among Polish consumers but not accessible to foreign tourists without a Polish bank account. Carry PLN cash for markets and smaller towns.

Czech Republic: Prague is very card-friendly. Outside cities, smaller shops and rural areas prefer Czech Koruna cash. Euro not accepted — always use CZK.

Hungary: Budapest: cards accepted at most restaurants and shops. Rural Hungary and local markets: cash in Hungarian Forint. Euro not accepted.

Romania: Cash remains common even in Bucharest for smaller venues. Outside cities, primarily cash. Keep Romanian Leu (RON) on hand.

Argentina: Following the unification of Argentina's exchange rates in early 2025, foreign Visa/Mastercard credit cards now receive approximately the street rate — a major change from prior years when the "blue dollar" parallel rate was the only practical option. As of early 2026, the official and parallel rates sit in the 1,430–1,460 ARS/USD range. Card use is now straightforward. ATM per-transaction limits from Argentine domestic ATMs can be very low (often 5,000–10,000 ARS) requiring multiple withdrawals. This is a rapidly changing situation — verify current exchange conditions before travel.

Peru: Cash dominant outside Lima. USD accepted at upscale hotels and some tourist venues; Peruvian Sol (PEN) required everywhere else. Markets, transport, local restaurants: cash only. ATMs available in Cusco and major cities; fewer in rural areas.

Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena: Visa/Mastercard at hotels and upscale restaurants. Local neighborhoods, street markets, transport, and tips: cash (Colombian Peso, COP).

Kenya: M-Pesa mobile payments dominate. Foreign tourists can register for M-Pesa using a valid passport + Safaricom SIM (available at Nairobi airport) — after funding at any M-Pesa agent, you can pay via QR code at most local merchants. Cards accepted at Nairobi hotels and larger restaurants. Local markets, transport, and most daily spending require cash or M-Pesa.

South Africa: Cards (Visa, Mastercard) widely accepted in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and safari lodges. Contactless standard. Smaller businesses, township areas, and local markets prefer cash. Due to crime risk, avoid carrying large amounts of cash — use ATMs inside bank branches or shopping centers (not standalone outdoor machines).

Singapore: Cards and contactless accepted everywhere at modern establishments. Hawker centres (local food courts) are often cash-only — carry SGD 20–50 for meals. PayNow is used by locals but not accessible to foreign visitors without a Singapore bank account.

Australia: ~87% of transaction value is electronic. Contactless (tap) is universal. Cash rarely needed. Some businesses add a 0.5–2% surcharge for card payments — this is disclosed at the terminal before you confirm.

Canada: Interac debit is dominant among Canadians but foreign Visa/Mastercard cards work fine. Cards accepted almost universally. Cash rarely needed. Non-bank ATMs charge CAD $1.50–$3 fees.

New Zealand: 94% of transaction value is electronic. Cards and contactless accepted nearly everywhere including rural areas. Surcharges for credit cards are legal in NZ (often 1–2%) — debit cards typically surcharge-free.

Resort properties and tourist infrastructure: cards universally accepted. Local restaurants, markets, transport, taxis, and tips: cash. USD is often accepted on many smaller islands (particularly islands with USD as the official or semi-official currency), but paying in local currency usually gets better value. ATM availability varies significantly — larger islands have plenty; smaller islands may have one or two machines with limited hours or frequent outages. Carry USD cash as a backup on any Caribbean trip.