Surcharge-Free ATM Networks: Allpoint, MoneyPass and the Rest
Ever noticed that a small credit union or an online-only bank can promise “free ATMs nationwide” even though it owns almost no machines? The trick is a surcharge-free network. Instead of building thousands of ATMs, the bank pays to join a shared network, and its customers get to use partner machines without the usual surcharge. If your card belongs to one of these networks, the free ATM nearest to you might be inside a pharmacy, a supermarket or a gas station you walk past every day.
How surcharge-free networks work
Every ATM owner is allowed to charge non-customers a surcharge. A surcharge-free network is an agreement among banks, credit unions and machine operators: members’ cardholders can withdraw cash from participating machines without paying that surcharge. The network handles the arrangement behind the scenes, and the member institution usually pays for the privilege.
Two things are worth remembering:
- Your card has to be issued by a member. Seeing an Allpoint sticker on a machine does not help you if your bank is not in Allpoint.
- “Surcharge-free” covers the ATM owner’s fee, not necessarily your bank’s. Most members do not charge their own out-of-network fee at network machines, but check your account terms. Our guide to ATM fees explains the difference between the two charges.
The major networks at a glance
| Network | Who typically belongs | Where you will find the machines |
|---|---|---|
| Allpoint | Online banks, fintech accounts, many credit unions and some prepaid cards | Retail stores, pharmacies and convenience stores across the US, plus some other countries |
| MoneyPass | Community banks and credit unions, some online banks | Bank branches and retail locations, strongest in areas with many member banks |
| Co-op (CO-OP ATM) | Credit unions | Credit union branches and partner retail sites; often paired with shared branching |
| SUM program | Smaller banks and credit unions | Member institutions’ own ATMs |
| Regional and store-based networks | Varies by area | Often limited to one state or a single retail chain |
Network sizes change as members join and leave, so we stay away from exact counts. Allpoint and MoneyPass each cover tens of thousands of machines in the US, which is far more than most single banks own.
Allpoint
Allpoint is the network you are most likely to run into if you bank online. Its machines sit inside well-known retail chains, which makes them handy on errands. Many of them only dispense cash, though, and deposits at Allpoint machines depend on your bank and on whether that specific ATM accepts them. Our Allpoint ATM finder shows the closest locations.
MoneyPass
MoneyPass leans toward community banks. In towns where several local banks are members, you can end up with a free machine on nearly every main street. Coverage is uneven between regions, so check the map before you rely on it while traveling.
Co-op and shared branching
Credit union members often get the best deal of all. Co-op provides surcharge-free ATMs, and many credit unions also take part in shared branching, which lets you walk into another participating credit union and make deposits or withdrawals as if it were your own. That is a big help if your credit union is small.
Look on the back of your debit card and on your bank’s website. Network logos printed on the card refer to how transactions are routed, but the list of surcharge-free partners is usually on the bank’s ATM page.
How to find out which network you have
- Check your bank’s website or app for an “ATM locator” or “free ATMs” page; it almost always names the network.
- Look for the network’s logo on your account welcome materials.
- Call customer service and ask, “Which surcharge-free ATM networks can I use?”
- Use the network’s own locator, or our general ATM near me map, and filter by network where possible.
Online banks and networks: a natural fit
Branchless banks lean heavily on networks because they have nowhere else to send customers for cash. Some, like Ally, pair a network with partial reimbursement of fees charged at other machines. If you are weighing this setup against a traditional bank, our comparison of an online bank versus a local branch covers cash access, deposits and customer service.
Where networks fall short
Networks are excellent for withdrawals, but there are a few gaps:
- Cash deposits. Many network ATMs do not take deposits at all, which matters if you get paid in cash.
- Coverage. Rural areas may have few network machines.
- Abroad. Outside the US, the network you rely on at home may have little or no presence, so you are back to regular fees.
- Machine limits. Retail ATMs sometimes have lower per-transaction limits than bank-owned ones.
Pick your network the same way you would pick a gym: by where its locations actually are in your daily life. A huge national network does you no good if the nearest machine is across town, while a smaller one with an ATM next to your office might be all you ever need.
