How to stop paying ATM fees for good

How many times have you been caught out without cash and had to use the closest ATM you can find?

Whether you’re a serial offender or it only happens on occasion, avoiding the charge altogether should be everyone’s best case scenario.

As a nation we spent $548 million dollars last year to access our own cash from ATMs not belonging to our bank which is money that could have easily stayed in our pocket.

Even if you’re not very organised and know you won’t be able to schedule your cash withdrawals in advance, there are still some banks that will give you unlimited free access to your finds.

For example, ING Direct’s Orange Everyday account gives customers a refind for any ATM fee paid around Australia if they deposit at least $1000 in to their account each month.

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Bankwest on the other hand, gives customers with an Easy Transaction account free access to the ATM networks of the Big 4 banks. Nationwide, these banks have upwards of 10,000 ATMs between them so it is very likely a Bankwest customer would be able to fund free cash in a pinch.

Customers of ME Bank’s Everyday Transaction account also have virtually free access to all ATMs with the bank promising to refund any charges incurred in up to 30 days.

Alternatively, customers of all banks are able to withdraw cash for free at major grocery stores such as Woolworths and Coles.

So, what’s your excuse for still paying fees?

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• Compare rewards credit cards

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