June 22, 2026
Written by Rebecca Safier
Certified Student Loan Counselor
Certified Student Loan Counselor
Rebecca Safier, CCC, is a personal finance writer. Her work has been published in U.S. News & World Report, MarketWatch, NextAdvisor, Yahoo Finance, and other publications, and she has contributed expert commentary to Entrepreneur, Money.com, NBC, and more. When she's not covering all things personal finance, Rebecca teaches blogging strategies on her website, Remote Bliss.
ATM fees average around $4.86 per transaction when you use an out-of-network machine, according to Bankrate data.1
Several online banks2 and financial technology companies offer fee-free ATM access through large partner networks.
You can avoid ATM fees by using in-network ATMs, getting cash back at retailers, or choosing a financial institution that reimburses out-of-network fees.
Going cashless with debit cards or digital wallets can reduce your need for ATM visits altogether.
ATM fees can quietly drain your budget – especially if you regularly use out-of-network machines. We'll walk you through what ATM fees are, how much they cost, and simple strategies to help you avoid them.
Several online banks2 and financial technology companies now provide fee-free ATM access through large partner networks, making it easier than ever to withdraw cash without extra charges.
Chime® members, for example, can access 47,000+ fee-free ATMs3 at locations like 7-Eleven, CVS, Walgreens, and Circle K – more than the top 3 national banks combined.4 Chime does not charge out-of-network ATM fees on its end, though the ATM owner or operator may still charge a surcharge.
When evaluating which option is right for you, consider these factors:
Network size: How many fee-free ATMs does the institution offer?
Fee reimbursement: Does the institution reimburse out-of-network ATM fees?
Other costs: Are there monthly fees or minimum balance requirements that offset ATM savings?
ATM fees are charges you pay for using an ATM to withdraw cash, check your balance, or make other transactions. When you use an out-of-network ATM, you'll typically face two separate fees – one from the ATM owner and another from your own financial institution.
Regulation E requires5 ATM operators to disclose any fees before you complete your transaction. The fee notice must appear on the screen or on paper before you're committed to paying.
When you use an ATM outside of your network, you often get hit with two separate charges:
ATM owner fee: The company that owns the ATM charges you for using their machine. This fee averages $3.22.1
Out-of-network fee: Your financial institution may charge you for not using an approved ATM. This fee averages $1.64.1
Combined, these two charges add up to $4.86 per transaction. If you withdraw cash from an out-of-network ATM once a week, you could pay over $250 annually in fees alone.
Not all ATM fees work the same way. Here are the most common types you may encounter:
ATM surcharge fee: The fee the ATM owner charges you for using their machine, displayed on screen before you complete your transaction.
Out-of-network fee: A fee your own financial institution charges when you use an ATM outside its approved network.
Foreign transaction fee: An additional charge that may apply when you use an ATM in another country, typically a percentage of the withdrawal amount.
Balance inquiry fee: Some ATM operators charge a fee simply for checking your account balance at their machine.
Here are four practical strategies to help you avoid ATM fees and keep more of your money.
The easiest way to avoid ATM fees is to use a machine owned by your financial institution or one that's part of its partner network. These in-network ATMs let you withdraw cash and check your balance without charges.
Here's how to find fee-free ATMs near you:
ATM locator: Many online banking platforms have an in-app ATM locator that shows the closest in-network ATMs based on your location.
Online maps: Search Google Maps or Apple Maps for "no-fee ATM near me" or include your financial institution's name to find fee-free options.
Some financial institutions reimburse ATM fees from non-partner networks up to a certain monthly limit. You should see the reimbursement on your next billing statement.
Some online banks and financial technology companies, which have no physical branches, often partner with large ATM networks like Allpoint or FCTI to provide fee-free access. Chime, for example, offers access to 47,000+ fee-free ATMs3 at stores like 7-Eleven, CVS, Walgreens, and Circle K.
Instead of visiting an ATM, purchase something with your debit card at a grocery store or pharmacy and ask for cash back. Most stores allow you to withdraw between $5 and $506this way, with no extra fees.
Just make sure you're buying something you actually need rather than making an unnecessary purchase just to get cash.
You can reduce your need for ATMs by paying with debit or credit cards whenever possible. Many stores also accept digital wallet payments like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.7
Paying with a card gives you a transaction record that can help you track spending and build a budget. Going cashless can also help you earn rewards or loyalty points on everyday purchases.
Withdrawing cash weekly from an out-of-network ATM could cost you almost $250 annually. By finding fee-free ATMs, getting cash back at stores, or choosing a financial institution with a large ATM network, you can make real financial progress.
ATM fees aren't the only charges to watch out for. Learn more about unexpected bank fees and how to avoid them to protect your money.
Use your financial institution's ATM locator in their mobile app, or search Google Maps for "no-fee ATM near me." Many online banks partner with networks like Allpoint or FCTI to provide thousands of fee-free ATM locations at retailers.
ATMs owned by your financial institution or part of its partner network are typically fee-free. Some financial technology companies offer access to large ATM networks with thousands of locations.
Yes – getting cash back at a retailer usually has no additional fees, while out-of-network ATM withdrawals average $4.86 per transaction. 1
Some financial institutions reimburse out-of-network ATM fees up to a monthly limit. Check with your institution to see if they offer this feature.
ATM surcharge fees are set by individual operators, so they vary by location. ATMs in airports, hotels, and entertainment venues tend to charge higher surcharges.
Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
Chime is not FDIC-insured. The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. are the FDIC-insured members. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. FDIC deposit insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.
Chime Checkbook: While Chime doesn’t issue personal checkbooks to write checks, Chime Checkbook gives you the freedom to send checks to anyone, anytime, from anywhere. See your issuing bank’s Deposit Account Agreement for full Chime Checkbook details.
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Opinions, advice, services, or other information or content expressed or contributed here by customers, users, or others, are those of the respective author(s) or contributor(s) and do not necessarily state or reflect those of The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. (“Banks”). Banks are not responsible for the accuracy of any content provided by author(s) or contributor(s).
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Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime account. You may use your barcode, debit card, or Chime Card to deposit cash. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade. Cash deposits using a barcode or debit card are deposited to your Checking Account. If you have the Chime Card, those funds will be automatically swept to your Chime Card Secured Deposit Account. Cash deposits using your Chime Card first go to your Chime Card Account, then transferred to your Chime Card Secured Deposit Account. Cash deposits are not payment for any Chime Card balance due.
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Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.