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HL1Housing Living 101

Using Your Bank of America Credit Card Abroad: What Works and What Doesn't

By Courtney Voss
9 minute read

Yes, you can use your Bank of America credit card internationally, but you need to know the rules first

Bank of America credit cards work in most countries around the world, but not automatically. You have to tell the bank you're traveling, understand which cards charge foreign transaction fees, and know which merchants will accept your card. Some countries use chip readers or contactless payment systems that work differently than what you're used to at home. The card itself won't be declined just because you're overseas — but the fees, the exchange rate you get, and whether a merchant accepts it all depend on which card you have and where you're going.

The good news is that preparing takes less than an hour. A quick call to Bank of America, a check of your card's features, and a conversation with your bank about setting up a PIN covers most of what you need to know before you leave.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact Bank of America before traveling to tell them your destination and dates, or your card may be blocked as fraud.
  • Most Bank of America credit cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States.
  • Some Bank of America cards, like the Premium Rewards card, do not charge foreign transaction fees and offer better exchange rates.
  • Chip-and-PIN technology is standard in most countries outside the US, and your Bank of America card has a chip but may not have a PIN set up.
  • ATMs abroad will charge both a Bank of America fee and a foreign bank fee, so using your card to get cash costs more than using it to pay merchants directly.

Telling Bank of America you're traveling prevents your card from being blocked

Bank of America monitors your card for unusual activity. If you suddenly use your card in Paris when you normally shop in Portland, the fraud detection system may block the transaction and lock your card. You can prevent this by notifying the bank before you leave.

Call the number on the back of your card or log into your Bank of America online account and use the travel notification feature. Tell them which countries you're visiting and when you'll be there. The notification usually stays active for 30 days, though you can extend it if your trip is longer. If you forget to notify them and your card gets blocked, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card from abroad, but this is slower and more stressful than notifying them ahead of time. Many travelers set a phone reminder a week before departure so they don't forget this step.

Foreign transaction fees add 3% to most purchases unless you have the right card

Most Bank of America credit cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on any purchase made outside the United States. This fee is added to your bill on top of the purchase price. If you buy a meal in London for £50, and the exchange rate converts that to $63, Bank of America adds $1.89 (3% of $63) to your bill. The fee applies whether you're in a restaurant, a shop, or paying online for a hotel.

A few Bank of America cards do not charge this fee. The Bank of America Premium Rewards card has no foreign transaction fee, and neither does the Bank of America Travel Rewards card. If you travel frequently, switching to one of these cards before your trip saves money. Check your card's terms by logging into your account or calling the number on the back to confirm whether your specific card charges the fee. The difference adds up quickly on a two-week trip — a $2,000 in spending with a 3% fee costs you $60 in foreign transaction charges alone.

Your card has a chip but may not have a PIN, which matters in some countries

Your Bank of America credit card has an embedded chip on the front, which is more secure than the magnetic stripe on the back. Most merchants outside the United States use chip readers instead of swiping. When you insert your card into a chip reader, the transaction is encrypted and harder to counterfeit.

However, many Bank of America credit cards do not have a PIN (personal identification number) set up. In some countries — particularly in Europe, Asia, and Africa — merchants may ask for a PIN when you use your chip card. If your card doesn't have one, the transaction may be declined. You can set up a PIN before you travel by calling Bank of America or using their mobile app. Ask specifically for a credit card PIN, not a debit card PIN. If you can't set one up and a merchant requires it, ask if they accept contactless payment (tapping your card) or a signature instead.

Using ATMs abroad costs more because of stacked fees

You can use your Bank of America credit card at ATMs outside the United States, but it is expensive. Bank of America charges a $3 fee for using an out-of-network ATM, and the foreign bank that owns the ATM charges its own fee, which varies by country but typically ranges from $2 to $5. On a $100 withdrawal, you could pay $5 to $8 in fees alone.

Additionally, when you withdraw cash from an ATM abroad using a credit card, you are taking a cash advance, not a regular purchase. Cash advances usually have a higher interest rate than regular purchases and start accruing interest immediately — there is no grace period. For these reasons, it is better to use your credit card to pay merchants directly whenever possible. If you must withdraw cash, use a debit card instead, which typically has lower cash advance fees. Before you travel, ask Bank of America which ATMs abroad are part of their network, so you know where you can withdraw cash without paying out-of-network fees.

Not all merchants accept credit cards, and some may not accept yours

In the United States, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Abroad, this is not always true. Small restaurants, street vendors, and local shops in many countries operate on cash only. Some regions — parts of Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and rural areas anywhere — may have few card readers at all.

Even where cards are accepted, not all merchants accept all card types. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere that takes cards. American Express is less widely accepted, especially outside major cities. Bank of America credit cards are Visa or Mastercard, so acceptance is usually not a problem, but it is wise to carry some cash as a backup. Before you leave, research your destination to understand how common card use is in the areas you'll visit. This helps you decide how much cash to carry and where you might need to find an ATM.

Exchange rates and when your transaction is charged affect the final cost

When you use your credit card abroad, Bank of America converts the foreign currency to US dollars using an exchange rate. This rate is set by Visa or Mastercard (depending on which network your card uses), not by Bank of America, and it changes daily. You cannot control which rate you get — it is determined by the date the transaction is processed, not the date you made the purchase.

This means there can be a delay between when you swipe your card and when the charge appears on your statement. A purchase you make on Monday in Tokyo might not be converted and posted to your account until Wednesday or Thursday. By then, the exchange rate may have shifted. You cannot lock in a rate or choose when the conversion happens. The only way to avoid exchange rate risk is to use a currency exchange service before you travel and carry local cash, but this defeats the convenience of using a card. For most travelers, accepting the exchange rate risk is worth the security and convenience of using a card.

Contactless payment and mobile wallets work in most countries

Many countries outside the United States have moved to contactless payment, where you tap your card on a reader instead of inserting it or swiping. Your Bank of America credit card likely has contactless capability (look for a curved wave symbol on the card). Tapping is faster than inserting your chip and works in most developed countries in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

You can also add your Bank of America card to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay and use your phone to pay instead. This works in any country where contactless payment is accepted and has the advantage of not requiring you to hand your physical card to a merchant. Mobile wallets are particularly useful in countries where you are uncomfortable with card security practices. Before you travel, set up your card in your mobile wallet and test it at home to make sure it works. This gives you a backup payment method if your physical card is lost or if a merchant's chip reader malfunctions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I use my Bank of America card without notifying the bank?

Your card may be blocked as a fraud precaution. You can call the customer service number on the back of your card from abroad to unblock it, but this takes time and may not work if you cannot reach a representative. Notifying the bank before you leave takes five minutes and prevents this problem entirely.

Do I need to convert my money to the local currency before I travel?

No. You can use your credit card to pay in local currency, and Bank of America will convert it to US dollars at the Visa or Mastercard exchange rate. If you want to carry some local cash for small purchases or emergencies, you can exchange money at your bank before you leave or withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, though ATM withdrawals cost more in fees.

Will my Bank of America card work in countries that only use cash?

No. Some countries and regions operate primarily on cash, and credit cards are not accepted. Research your destination before you travel to see how common card use is. If cards are rare, carry enough cash for your entire trip, or plan to withdraw cash from ATMs as you need it.

Can I dispute a charge if the exchange rate seems wrong?

The exchange rate is set by Visa or Mastercard and is the official rate for that day. You cannot dispute a charge because you think the rate was unfair. However, you can dispute a charge if you were overcharged, charged twice, or did not authorize the transaction. Contact Bank of America if you see a suspicious charge on your statement.

Is it safer to use a credit card or cash abroad?

Credit cards are generally safer because you can dispute fraudulent charges, and your card can be replaced if lost. Cash cannot be recovered if stolen. However, credit cards charge fees abroad, so the safest approach is to use a combination: pay with your card when possible, carry a small amount of cash for emergencies, and keep your card and cash in separate locations.