Trying to avoid paying crazy ATM fees while traveling in Malaysia. Anyone found ATMs that are free for foreign cards? Would love specific banks or locations if possible.
No fee from the Maybank ATM inside Langkawi Airport when I used my ING debit card. I also used a Public Bank ATM in Melaka and it didn’t charge either. Just remember to always choose to be billed in ringgit and not your home currency when it asks. That trick alone saved me a lot. Simpanan also did not have any atm fee. Best results for me were with Maybank and Public Bank, especially the ones located inside shopping centres. i could withdraw anywhere between 1000 to 2000 ringgit per transaction coz different atms had different amounts of cash in them.
I’ve been using RHB Bank ATMs all over Johor Bahru and KL and haven’t been charged a local fee. My Citibank Mastercard debit card worked without issues. There’s an RHB machine right outside KL Sentral and another inside Mid Valley Megamall. I tried Bank Islam once and got hit with a fee, so I stopped using them. Stick to RHB or CIMB in my experience. Typically the withdrawal limit is like 1500 to 2000 ringgit per withdrawal.
My Wise card worked at CIMB and Public Bank and Hong Leong ATMs in Penang and Ipoh without any extra ATM fee from their side. CIMB was the most consistent. Just make sure to decline the conversion when it pops up. I withdrew at a CIMB branch ATM near George Town Jetty and it was smooth. Still had to pay my home bank's fee, but no added local fee.
I used my DKB Visa debit card at Maybank ATMs across KL and didn’t get charged a local ATM fee. The rate was pretty close to the market rate too. I tried HSBC Malaysia and they charged a small fee, so I stuck with Maybank after that. I found one inside Pavilion Mall and another at KL Sentral - both worked great with no withdrawal charge on their end.
At Hong Leong in Malaysia, exchange rate was great and no fees with my German card. ATM screen says it accepts all major cards.
Maybank in Malaysia didnt charge any fees on my German card. The exchange rate was fair and transparent - highly recommended in both KL and Langkawi.
RHB Bank ATM in Malaysia worked on first try. Used my UK First Direct Visa debit.
Used my Visa card at Maybank ATM - no fees. Didnt check limits or support for other card types.