Yes, you can use your Bank of America credit card internationally, but you need to know the real costs and take one step before you leave
Bank of America credit cards work in most countries where Visa or Mastercard is accepted — which is nearly everywhere tourists go. The card itself will not be blocked just because you are outside the United States. But using it abroad costs you money in two ways: a foreign transaction fee (usually 3% of each purchase) and whatever exchange rate the card network charges that day. You will also need to tell Bank of America you are traveling, or the fraud detection system may decline your card.
The step you must take before leaving is a phone call to Bank of America's fraud department to notify them of your travel dates and destinations. This takes five minutes and prevents your card from being declined when you try to use it overseas. Without this call, a purchase in another country can trigger a hold, leaving you without access to credit when you need it most.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America credit cards work internationally on the Visa or Mastercard network, but you will pay a 3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase made outside the United States.
- You must call Bank of America's fraud department before traveling to tell them your destination and travel dates, or your card may be declined.
- The exchange rate you receive is set by Visa or Mastercard, not by Bank of America, and you cannot negotiate it.
- Some Bank of America cards charge no foreign transaction fee — check your card's terms or call customer service to confirm which type you have.
- Using an ATM abroad to withdraw cash typically costs less than using your credit card for small purchases, but more than using the card for large ones.
The foreign transaction fee and how it stacks with exchange rates
Every time you swipe your Bank of America credit card outside the United States, the card charges you 3% of the purchase amount as a foreign transaction fee. This is separate from the exchange rate conversion. So if you buy something that costs 100 euros, Bank of America converts it to dollars at that day's Visa exchange rate, then adds 3% on top.
The exchange rate itself is not something Bank of America sets — Visa or Mastercard (depending on which network your card uses) sets it daily. You cannot negotiate it or find a better one by calling customer service. This rate is usually close to the mid-market rate you see on financial websites, but it is not identical. The difference is how Visa and Mastercard make money on currency conversion.
For a $100 purchase abroad, you will pay roughly $103 (the $100 plus the 3% fee), converted at Visa's rate. On a two-week trip with $2,000 in purchases, the fee alone costs you $60.
Notifying Bank of America before you travel
Call Bank of America's customer service number on the back of your card and ask to speak with the fraud department. Tell them the countries you are visiting and the dates you will be there. This is not a formal process — you do not need documents or advance notice. The fraud team simply adds a note to your account so that charges from those countries do not trigger an automatic block.
If you forget to call and your card is declined, you can call the fraud department from abroad and they can usually lift the block within minutes. But this is stressful when you are trying to pay for a hotel or meal, so the five-minute call before you leave is worth it.
If you are traveling to multiple countries, list them all in one call. If your trip dates change, you can call again to update them, though the system usually allows a few days of flexibility on either end.
Which Bank of America cards have no foreign transaction fee
Most Bank of America credit cards charge the 3% foreign transaction fee. However, Bank of America does offer a small number of cards with no foreign transaction fee — typically premium travel cards or cards aimed at international customers. These are not common, and you likely do not have one unless you specifically chose it for travel.
To find out whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee, check the terms and conditions document that came with your card, or call Bank of America customer service and ask directly. The answer is a simple yes or no. If you have a card that charges the fee and you travel frequently, switching to a no-fee card might save you hundreds of dollars per year.
ATM withdrawals versus credit card purchases abroad
Using a Bank of America ATM card (debit card) to withdraw cash abroad usually costs less than using your credit card for small purchases, but the math changes depending on how much you spend. A typical ATM withdrawal abroad costs $3 to $5 in fees plus the exchange rate conversion. A credit card purchase costs 3% of the amount plus the same exchange rate conversion.
On a $20 purchase, the ATM fee ($3 to $5) is worse than the credit card fee (60 cents). On a $200 purchase, the credit card fee ($6) is worse than the ATM fee ($3 to $5). For most travelers, using the credit card for larger purchases and withdrawing cash for small daily expenses is the cheapest approach.
Bank of America has ATMs in some countries through partner networks, which may charge lower fees or no fee at all. Before you travel, log into your Bank of America account online and search for ATM locations in your destination. If there are Bank of America partner ATMs nearby, using those will cost you less.
What happens if your card is lost or stolen abroad
If your Bank of America credit card is lost or stolen while you are traveling, call the number on the back of your card immediately. Because you are calling from abroad, you may reach an international customer service line, but the process is the same: report the card lost, and Bank of America will cancel it and issue a replacement.
The replacement card cannot be mailed to you while you are abroad — it will be sent to your home address in the United States. This means you will be without that card for the rest of your trip. Before you travel, bring a backup payment method: a second credit card from a different bank, a debit card, or traveler's checks. This protects you if your primary card is compromised.
You are not responsible for fraudulent charges made after you report the card lost, so do not delay the call. Bank of America's fraud protection covers unauthorized use once you have notified them.
Using your card in countries with currency controls or limited card acceptance
Some countries restrict how much foreign currency can be brought in or exchanged, or they limit where credit cards can be used. Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran are examples where U.S. credit cards may not work at all due to U.S. government restrictions. Other countries like China and Russia have limited merchant acceptance of foreign cards outside major cities.
Before you book a trip, search online for "[country name] credit card acceptance" or "[country name] currency restrictions." If you are traveling to a country where cards are not widely accepted, plan to bring U.S. dollars in cash and exchange them at a bank or ATM when you arrive. This is not a Bank of America issue — it is a country-level restriction that affects all U.S. card issuers.
If you are unsure whether your card will work in your destination, call Bank of America customer service before you leave and ask. They can tell you whether there are known issues with that country and whether they recommend bringing cash as backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to convert my card to a travel card before I leave?
No. Your regular Bank of America credit card works internationally as-is. You do not need to request a special version or make any changes to the card itself. You only need to call the fraud department to notify them of your travel dates and destinations.
Will Bank of America charge me a fee just for using my card abroad?
Yes. Bank of America charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase made outside the United States, in addition to the exchange rate conversion. Some Bank of America cards have no foreign transaction fee, but most do. Check your card's terms to confirm.
What if I use my card to pay for something booked online from a foreign company?
If the transaction is processed in a foreign currency, you will be charged the 3% foreign transaction fee. If the transaction is processed in U.S. dollars (which some international websites offer), you will not be charged the fee. The charge will show on your statement in the currency it was processed in.
Can I use my Bank of America card to withdraw cash from ATMs in other countries?
Yes, but it will cost you. You will pay an ATM fee (usually $3 to $5) plus the exchange rate conversion. Bank of America has partner ATMs in some countries that may charge lower fees. Check your account online before you travel to see if there are partner ATMs in your destination.
What should I do if my card is declined while I am traveling?
Call the number on the back of your card immediately. The decline is usually due to fraud detection, and the fraud department can lift the block in minutes. If you did not notify them of your travel beforehand, this is the time to do so. Have your card and a form of ID ready when you call.