If your ATM card has the Cirrus icon in the corner, you can withdraw money from any ATM with the Cirrus logo. Cirrus is an interbank network operated by MasterCard. This ATM network is the largest in the world with more than 800,000 ATMs found internationally. Before you travel, check to see the location of Cirrus ATMs, as the number of ATMs available differs per country. Also, be aware of the standard transaction fee, no matter where you are in the world.
Check with your bank to see if it is part of a Global ATM Alliance. Whenever you use an ATM from a bank within the Alliance you are not charged an ATM withdrawal fee, and the currency conversions fee is very low, at about 1 percent. For instance; an individual with a Bank of America debit card can get cash from ATMs at these banks without any additional fees: BNP Paribas in France, Barclays in the United Kingdom, BNL D'Italia in Italy, Westpac Bank in New Zealand and Australia, Scotiabank in Canada and the Caribbean islands, China Construction Bank in China, Banco Santander in Mexico and Deutsche Bank in Germany. If you use an ATM from another bank, you are charged additional fees.
The PLUS debit card works the same way as the Cirrus network except the network is provided through VISA. More than 1.7 million PLUS ATMs are located in more than 200 countries. Check to see if your debit card has the PLUS logo. Normally the ATM has many different logos, showing which cards can be accepted. If you see the PLUS logo, you can get cash from that ATM.
Prepaid debit cards, also known as cash cards, allows you to load a specific amount of money onto the card and withdraw that amount at your leisure. The best prepaid card available is that from Nationwide, as all others charge very high money loading fees and withdrawal fees. Nationwide does not charge a foreign loading fee or any ATM withdrawal fees. These cash cards add additional security, as you do not have to worry about your debit or credit card information being stolen when traveling.
