Travel‑ready payments for study abroad

Fizz makes day‑to‑day spending abroad simple: $0 foreign transaction fees from Fizz, Apple Pay support for tap‑to‑pay almost everywhere contactless is accepted, and in‑app controls that protect you if something goes wrong.

At‑a‑glance

$0 foreign transaction fees: how it works

Fizz charges a $0 foreign transaction fee. Your purchase is billed in USD at the payment network’s exchange rate on settlement; merchants or other institutions may still add their own fees or surcharges.

Practical tip: exchange rates at settlement are determined by the payment network (e.g., Visa/Mastercard) and can differ from the rate you see at the register. That’s expected behavior on international card transactions.

Apple Pay abroad

Add your Fizz card to Apple Wallet and use it wherever you see the contactless or Apple Pay symbol—just ensure the merchant also accepts your card’s network. Contactless is widely accepted globally, including for transit in many countries.

Tip: if contactless fails (rare), try inserting the physical card’s chip or ask the cashier to switch the terminal to a chip transaction.

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): always choose local currency

Overseas, a terminal or ATM may offer to charge you in your “home currency” (USD). That’s DCC. It usually adds an extra markup on top of normal network conversion. To minimize cost, decline DCC and choose the merchant’s local currency.

Offline PIN and unattended terminals (trains, fuel, parking)

• You set and manage your Fizz card’s PIN in the app. If a terminal prompts for a PIN, use the one you set.

• Some unattended kiosks operate offline or enforce chip‑and‑PIN rules. Mobile wallets may be rejected, and some terminals won’t accept cards that don’t meet the kiosk’s PIN requirements. Use your physical card with PIN, try a staffed counter, or carry small local cash as backup.

Important limitations and safety controls

• No cash access: Fizz does not support ATM withdrawals or cash back. Plan to pay merchants directly or bring a separate cash solution if needed.

• Lock/unlock anytime: If your card is lost or you suspect fraud, lock the card from the app and re‑enable when safe.

• Enable alerts: Turn on transaction notifications and monitor spend while abroad.

• Keep funds available: Daily Autopay draws from your linked bank account; make sure funds are in place across time zones.

Pro tips before you fly

• Add Fizz to Apple Wallet and test a small in‑store contactless purchase at home.

• Save a backup payment method for edge cases (e.g., unattended kiosks without contactless).

• Decline DCC at both card terminals and ATMs; pay in local currency.

• Consider an eSIM/data plan so you can receive bank alerts and complete any 3‑D Secure prompts while abroad.

FAQs

Q: Does Fizz charge foreign transaction fees? A: No. Fizz’s foreign transaction fee is $0; network currency conversion still applies.

Q: Can I use Apple Pay with Fizz outside the U.S.? A: Yes. Add Fizz to Apple Wallet and pay wherever contactless/Apple Pay is accepted and the merchant accepts your card’s network.

Q: What should I choose at checkout—USD or local currency? A: Choose local currency and decline DCC to avoid extra merchant‑side markups.

Q: Can I withdraw cash at ATMs with Fizz? A: No. ATM withdrawals and cash back aren’t supported; bring an alternative for cash needs.

Q: A kiosk rejected Apple Pay—what now? A: Insert your physical card and use your PIN. Some unattended terminals require chip‑and‑PIN and may not accept mobile wallets; try a staffed counter if needed.

References: For product‑specific terms, see the Fizz Cardholder Agreements and “How the Fizz card works” on joinfizz.com. For acceptance and travel standards, consult Apple Support (Apple Pay) and Visa (DCC).