I Put Canada’s Only No Foreign Transaction Fees Bank Card to the Test at Foreign ATM
/EQ Bank’s Debit Card Is the Only No Foreign Exchange Fees Bank Card
If you are using a traditional bank card to withdraw cash from ATMs in foreign countries, you will be charged:
- Foreign currency transaction fees
- International ATM withdrawal fees
- ATM fees imposed by your own bank
- ATM fees imposed by the local ATM
You can avoid the first 3 by using a bank card that does not charge these fees. The 4th one, ATM fees imposed by the local ATM, is not controlled by your bank card and this is something you can’t avoid.
It seems to be that the EQ Bank Debit Card is the only card that does not charge foreign currency transaction fees or its own ATM fees for using it in a foreign country.
I tested the EQ Bank Card by withdrawing from 2 different bank ATMs in Manila and Boracay in the Philippines. Each time, I paid only 250 Peso (about 6 CAD) in charges by the local bank. I walked out with cash with a very good currency exchange rate without paying any other fees.
It is very important to have a travel-friendly card in your wallet. As of writing this article, the EQ Bank Debit Card is the only card that I am aware of that offers this type of service.
So next time you travel, make sure you pack a card that offers no FX fees, no International ATM withdrawal fees or ATM fees imposed by your own bank and have a happy and smart trip.
I have documented my experience with my EQ Bank Debit Card here in this video:
I Tested Canada's Only No Foreign Transaction Fees EQ Bank Card to Withdraw Money At Foreign ATM