Credit cards and ATMs are widely accepted in most popular international travel destinations, particularly in cities, tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and large retail chains, but acceptance drops off significantly in rural regions, small family-run businesses, markets, and some developing countries where cash remains dominant. Major card networks like Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere that takes cards, while American Express and Discover have more limited acceptance and higher merchant fees, making them less useful outside North America and upscale establishments. ATMs are ubiquitous in cities and towns worldwide, often located inside bank branches, shopping centers, convenience stores, airports, and train stations, and they allow travelers to withdraw local currency 24/7 using debit or credit cards, though availability decreases sharply in very remote or underdeveloped areas. Fees associated with international card use and ATM withdrawals can add up quickly if travelers are not careful: foreign transaction fees typically range from 1% to 3% per transaction charged by the card issuer, ATM withdrawal fees can be $3 to $5 per transaction from the card issuer plus an additional fee charged by the ATM operator, and dynamic currency conversion can add another 3% to 7% markup if accepted. Credit cards used for cash advances at ATMs often incur even higher fees and immediate interest charges, making debit cards the preferred choice for ATM withdrawals. To minimize fees, travelers should use debit or credit cards that explicitly waive foreign transaction fees and reimburse ATM operator fees, withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce per-transaction costs, and always choose to be charged in the local currency rather than their home currency when given the option. Some countries have limits on ATM withdrawal amounts per transaction or per day, and travelers relying heavily on ATMs should confirm their bank's daily withdrawal limits and notify the bank of travel plans to prevent cards from being blocked for suspected fraud. In countries with unstable currencies, high inflation, or limited banking infrastructure, travelers may find that ATMs run out of cash frequently, especially on weekends or holidays, so carrying a backup card, some emergency cash in a widely accepted foreign currency, and monitoring account balances regularly are essential precautions.