Using ATMs Abroad, International ATM Fees, and the Backup System That Saved Me From Bad Exchange Rates

Back in February, I requested a replacement debit card from my U.S. bank.

Just a simple debit card.

It never arrived. Not in February. Not in March. Not in April. Not in May.

In July, it came.

When you're slow-traveling internationally, this kind of delay isn’t just frustrating—it’s risky. And downright scary!

If I had depended solely on this one bank, I would’ve been stranded abroad with no access to my own money.

Imagine being in another country, it's late night, and you're unable to pay a locksmith after locking yourself out of your Airbnb. Full disclosure: this has happened to me twice in Thailand—once because my apartment manager misconfigured my keycard.

The Vicious Loop of Failed Debit Card Deliveries Abroad

• The bank card can’t be delivered without a signature.
  

• The local courier won’t call or text you when they arrive (unless you have a local phone number, and that number is clearly visible on the address label or package.
  

• The bank’s customer support staff can’t wrap their heads around life outside a U.S. zip code. They may leave off half of your address or not enter your phone number on the phone number on the mailing label.
  

I was this close to being completely SOL. That is until I leaned into Wise, the international account for sending, spending, converting, and saving money while you travel abroad. Wise doesn't know me from Adam, so they're not paying me to promote their services.

Fixing the Debit Card Delivery Nightmare With Wise and a Backup Plan

I initiated an ACH transfer to my Wise account. It took five business days. And Wise let me know up front, in simple to understand language what to expect.

The fee? A whopping $0.51. Not $5–$6 in ATM surcharges. No unclear, confusing, and mystery conversion fees.

Once the funds landed, I tapped my Wise card at checkout and paid like a local. The stress over finding an ATM, gone. The panic about running out of cash, vanished. The worry over not having a physical back-up debit card; I feel somewhat relieved.

What else I appreciate? No bank messages asking me if I’m really in Thailand buying apple cider vinegar and toilet paper.

With a cross-border financial system that actually works, I turned a maddening failure into a money solution that travels better than most people.

Thank you Wise!

ATM Access Abroad: What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling

After all the hassle, I realized most travel blogs skim over what you actually need to know to access your money overseas without fees. So, I created this one-pager, the one I wish I had before leaving the U.S. All Graceful Roamers have my permission to copy and paste the list below. I recommend pinning it inside your Notes app so that you'll always have it as a resource.

How to Use ATMs Abroad Without Losing Money to Fees and Bad Exchange Rates

1. Travel With Two Bank Cards—from Two Different Banks

Your primary card is golden—until it’s not. If one card gets eaten, lost, frozen, or fails to arrive, a second card from a separate institution can save you.

2. Open a Multi-Currency Account Before Leaving Your Home Country

Services like Wise or Revolut let you:

• Hold multiple currencies (USD, THB, VND, EUR, etc.)

• Tap to pay like a local

• Convert funds with low, transparent rates

• Set it up before departure while your ID and address are still U.S.-based

• Wise offers a physical card; however, at this time the card can only be mailed to a U.S. address (be sure to get one before you travel because they permit a limited number of ATM withdrawals without fees)

• Understand the ATM Trap: Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

💬 Pro tip: ATM asks: “Would you like to be charged in your home currency (USD)?”

Translation: “Can we secretly mark up your exchange rate by 5–10% and pretend we’re helping?”Always choose to be charged in the local currency (e.g., THB in Thailand).

3. Always Choose Local Currency (when using an ATM), in case you missed this from above 😉

Say no to home currency conversion. It triggers DCC and gives you a worse rate.

4. Know Your Daily Withdrawal Limit

Check it before you fly. Plan accordingly to avoid multiple fees. This simple expense tracker helps me manage my expat life.

5. Know When a Money Changer Beats the ATM

Use a money changer if:

• You have clean, crisp, new USD bills

• You’re exchanging $200+

• You’re near a trusted exchanger (ask your hotel, or check Google reviews)

  
  

💬 Pro tip: In Thailand, TT Currency Exchange is very popular with travelers. Typically when conducting a currency exchange, especially at a mall, you will need your passport. In Vietnam, currency exchange occurs through local jewelers throughout the city. Some malls may offer currency exchange. Have your passport in hand.

Stick with ATMs if:

• You don’t want to carry large sums of USD

• It's after hours

• You’re in a remote area where changers are scarce

💬 Pro tip: If you see a blinking light or hear a sound, look for a ‘remove card’ button on the ATM and push it. Not all debit cards are returned automatically; instead, you you must release the card by locating and pushing the button.

Always count your cash before walking away—and don’t let anyone rush you.

6. Use ATMs in Safe, Well-Lit Locations

Banks, malls, or secure buildings are better than random machines on the street.

7. Check for Card Skimmers

Wiggle the card reader. Walk away if it seems tampered.

8. Use Digital Wallets for Everyday Spending

Skip the ATM altogether by tapping to pay with Wise or Revolut. Select a default card so that it appears automatically when you double-click the button on your iPhone.

9. Load Larger Transfers to Minimize Fees

Top up your travel account in bigger chunks. Always start with a small test.

10. Store Emergency Banking Contacts and Enable Alerts

Add hotline numbers to your Notes app. Turn on two-factor authentication and push notifications to catch issues fast.

11. Americans experiencing a financial crisis, contact the American Embassy

they may be able to provide you with financial assistance, or at least help you locate an organization that can.

12. These are '911' emergency numbers for numerous countries. Keep this list handy!

Create a Reliable Cash Access Plan for International

Travel

Banks love to pretend they’re global—but many go silent the moment you step outside a U.S. zip code. By building a cash access system that works—across borders, currencies, and chaotic moments their limitations don't become your emergency.

Here's where you can explore the best debit card for overseas travel.

Whether you’re in the early stages of your long-term travel lifestyle or you're planning your first leap abroad, explore more posts to help you travel confidently and joyfully.

And if you have a question or a story of your own, drop me a note—I read every word. Thank you for reading this post, your presence here matters to me!