I have a Visa debit card I intend to use to withdraw cash using ATM's while touring Ca, Nv and Az.
Can ayone tell me the average charge made by a US bank for withdrawing cash from their ATM if it is not their bank?

I've seen it anywhere from $1 to $2 per transaction. Probably a lower rate at a bank ATM vs. a privately owned ATM machine. You also have to ask your own bank to see if they charge you. I understand some do.

According to Bankrate.com's survey late in 2005, the average surcharge was $1.54.

Keith

In Washington State the ATM screen informs of the cost of making a withdrawal before completing the transaction.

Be aware, too, that ATM's that are located smack dab in prime locations, like the ones at the Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon, charge extra--why? Because they can. Sometimes as much as $2.00 extra. So try to stop at machines in more "normal" places along the way, get cash when you pay at a grocery store, etc. Happy Trails!

Make fewer but larger withdrawals. I never take out less than $100 often
$200, on trips the fee is still there but is a smaller % of the withdrwal.

Bank of America is big in CA, NV, and AZ. If their fee is o.k. with you, that would be a great source for ATM's.

Another place where it isn't easy to get a good deal on an ATM is on The Strip in Las Vegas.

One more tip - I found an ATM that does not charge a fee for using it. If I withdraw money from my savings account my OWN bank will charge me a fee. If I use it to withdraw from checking by bank won't charge me. I'm sure a lot of banks have the same ridiculous policy so beware.

Instead of using an ATM machine you can get cash back at any Walmart for no fee. You can buy a 50 cent pack of gum and ask for $100 cash.

It's my understanding that if you have a foreign account, bank ATMs can't charge a local fee for withdrawals. That is, if you have say an Australian account and withdraw in US, your own bank may have fees, but the US bank ATM can't charge the normal $1-2 fee they charge US cardholders. The same applies to US account holders withdrawing cash overseas. What are called "convenience ATMs", not run by a bank and typically located in casinos or stores, can still charge local fees in addition to your own banks possible fee.

I can't swear to this, but I read it elsewhere, and it does match my own personal experiences as well.

<<Instead of using an ATM machine you can get cash back at any Walmart for no fee. You can buy a 50 cent pack of gum and ask for $100 cash>>

So YOU are one of those. Drives me nuts when I am behind people that write checks or use credit cards of any sort to pay for a very minimal purchase.

If the ATM costs a couple bucks, is it really worth it to drive to a store and go thru this exercise....sheeesh, plan ahead!

It's best to pay with credit cards wherever possible- so there are no withdrawal charges.

When you do pull cash be sure to pull a reasonable amount -- $200 or so - so the charge (often 99 cents if you use the ones in supermarkets or drugstores) is tiny as a percentage.

Ask your bank if they have any associated banks in the US. If you find such a bank, it won't charge you.

placeu2, it's funny but I'd much rather be behind someone using a credit card -- it's a quick swipe, sign, and go these days. It's the ones who search through their purses and wallets for cash that drive me crazy! And let's not get into the ordeal that happens if the customer tries to make the cash transaction easier by offering additional change AFTER the clerk has rung up the ticket. Clerks often don't have a clue how to count change. But they can all quickly tear off the printed credit card receipt and hand it to the customer.

And when I'm traveling in the West, I'm always glad I bank with BankofAmerica. I seem to find one of their ATMs on every other corner all over the west. So no fees from either end.

My experience is similar to NeoPatrick. Traveling in the U.S. I use my Visa card at every opportunity and have little need for cash--$100 goes a long way.

I do think they aren't allowed to charge foreigners, if you are one. At least not bank-affiliated ATMs. All I know is there is a sign right on my US bank's ATMs that says they will charge a fee to US accounts other than their own, but they won't to foreign cards. I think it says what the fee is, also. $2 or so seems about right, on average, if they do charge one

I had never thought about that not charging foreigners thing, except I do know that's the way it is in reverse. A European bank CANNOT charge a US bank card holder for withdrawing money from an ATM. It stands to reason that the arrangement would be reciprocal.

- USA is very credit card friendly. If you have a card that works as a debit card as well, you can use it as a credit card anywhere credit cards are accepted without fees

- There are bank accounts like HSBC internet savings account and ING checking that come with ATM cards which don't charge withdrawal fees or refund fees charged by other banks

- To minimize fees, pull money out of bigger bank ATMs like Washington Mutual and Bank of America, not small ATM machines at gas stations etc, and pull out $200-300 at a time.