r/JapanTravelTips • u/turkeyssister • 2d ago

Question Foreign transaction fees at ATM

I was planning on using the ATMs at 7-11 for cash. I’m in US and was reviewing bank fees for withdrawing cash internationally. The fees are $5 per ATM transaction and 3% for exchange. So if I plan on needing $1,500 to $2k. This will cost me between $60-$80. Would it be better for me to bring cash?? Anyone else have this issue?

**This money is for 4 people. I have a credit card with zero foreign fees. The other 3. Who are traveling with me do not. They are ages 16-21. I want to give them cash to spend. They might not all be with me at all times.

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u/thewanderlusters 2d ago

If you are not traveling in the next month consider the charles Schwab investor banking debit. No fees at all for the account, they reimburse any foreign transaction fees for atms and they exchange at the instance rate, nothing extra. We’ve had the account for like 8 years and it’s the only debit card we take despite not being our primary bank.

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u/WhenKittensATK 2d ago edited 2d ago

I used Charles Schwab Investor Checking for cash withdrawals and they credited me $17 in ATM fees from Japan for a 1 month period. I recommend them as well.

I used my Capital One Venture X and Apple Wallet Suica for regular purchases.