Check the back of your card to see which networks you can use, such as Cirrus or Pulse. Remember, fees can mount up quickly when you use cash machines that aren't owned by your bank. To avoid these charges, you may want to select a bank with offices or ATMs in the cities you visit frequently. At Hibernia, for example, customers aren't charged fees for using Hibernia-branded ATMs. You might consider travelers checks, depending on the length and cash needs of your visit.
Some banks offer free travelers checks with certain types of accounts.
They are, of course, totally refundable if lost or stolen. If traveling abroad, ATMs often are available in larger foreign cities, and travelers checks remain a good idea. Before leaving home, you can actually buy travelers check in foreign denominations such as pesos, lira or pounds. Before leaving home, you should always obtain at least some money from the country you're visiting. You may not be able to obtain local money right away, and you'll have immediate expenses such as taxis and meals.