Banks for debit and credit cards for travel
 

any recommendations for the best bank to open an account with to minimize ATM fees etc while travelling? (Central and South America)

I've heard there's a TD account ($5000 min) where you don't get charged (or as much) for ATM fees

You're referring to their All Inclusive account.
TD All-Inclusive Banking Plan | TD Canada Trust

Might end up costing less for ATMs. Just make sure you read the fine print as there will likely be fees.

7TD network fees waived, however, other financial institutions may charge fees for use of their ATMs. As well, certain states permit surcharging of international customers at independent ATMs. Other financial institution and surcharge fees will display electronically for the customer to accept before completing the transaction.

8For foreign currency withdrawals performed at non TD ATMs outside of Canada, the exchange rate includes an amount equal to 2.5% of the converted amount.

Maybe coz I don't buy much stuff when traveling but I usually use cash (IE gifts, dinners, eat outs etc etc). Since most of my expensive (airflight tickets, train tickets, hotels etc etct) are all book beforehand.

i think op travels for extended periods of time so id doubt he'd want to carry that much cash with him on the way down n just around town.

yes exactly....we start off with a good chunk of cash and book most hostels etc online with credit cards but obviously still need to be able to pull more cash as we go


last time we just did cash advances off credit cards at the atms then went back to the hostel and paid it off right away so there was no interest charges.....gets a bit tricky because if you have charged a bunch of other things to the card you have to pay off the WHOLE balance not just the cash advance so you don't pay the interest....stupid i know

BMO has their Premium Plan account which gives you 5 free Int'l ATM transactions a month for a 5k min balance.

Worked well when I was travelling around the world for a year and just took out cash once a week. Never got dinged for fees other than the ones the local bank charged.

ok thanks.

my wife used to work at BMO and her aunt is a branch manager, i'll see what she can do for us