🌍 Guide · 2 min

3 Traps at Foreign ATMs

Foreign cash withdrawals stack three layers of fees. Know them before you press "OK".

When it asks "local or your currency", always pick local currency and refuse the ATM's 3%–7% markup.

Many foreign ATMs charge a fixed operator fee per withdrawal (often $2–$7), separate from your bank's. Withdraw larger amounts, fewer times.

Credit-card cash advances usually carry a fee and accrue interest from day one with no grace period. Prefer paying by card over cash advances.

Summary: local currency + larger/fewer withdrawals + prefer debit or card payments over credit-card cash advances.