A Cardtronics ATM is an independently operated cash machine typically found inside retail stores, gas stations, and pharmacies rather than at a bank branch. Cardtronics built one of the largest non-bank ATM networks in the world, and the company is now part of NCR Atleos, which owns and operates roughly 85,000 ATMs globally. If you’ve spotted one of these machines at a convenience store or grocery checkout area and wondered whether it’s safe and what it’ll cost you, here’s what you need to know.
Who Owns and Operates These ATMs
Cardtronics started as an independent ATM company and was acquired by NCR Corporation, which later spun off its ATM and payments division into a separate company called NCR Atleos. So while the branding on the machine may still say “Cardtronics,” the parent company is NCR Atleos Corporation, a publicly traded firm headquartered in Atlanta. Beyond the roughly 85,000 ATMs it owns outright, NCR Atleos manages or services approximately 715,000 ATMs worldwide, making it one of the largest ATM operators on the planet.
The majority of company-owned machines are part of the Allpoint network, a surcharge-free ATM network with over 55,000 locations. That network connection is the key detail that determines whether you’ll pay a fee, which we’ll cover below.
Where You’ll Find Them
Cardtronics ATMs sit in high-traffic retail locations rather than bank lobbies. You’ll commonly see them inside 7-Eleven, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Costco, Safeway, and Kroger stores. Gas station brands like Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Hess also host these machines. Some are in airports, hotels, and standalone kiosks in shopping centers.
The placement strategy is straightforward: put ATMs where people already are. If you’ve used a cash machine at a convenience store or pharmacy checkout area, there’s a good chance it was a Cardtronics unit even if the branding wasn’t obvious.
Fees and How to Avoid Them
Like most non-bank ATMs, a Cardtronics machine will typically charge a surcharge for cash withdrawals if you’re not part of a participating network. That surcharge usually ranges from $2.50 to $3.50 per transaction, and your own bank may add its own out-of-network fee on top, meaning a single withdrawal could cost you $5 or more.
The main way to avoid these fees is through the Allpoint network. Allpoint isn’t a bank. It’s a network that banks, credit unions, and prepaid card providers join so their customers can use participating ATMs without paying a surcharge. Over 55,000 ATMs belong to the network, and most Cardtronics machines are included. If your bank or credit union participates in Allpoint, you can withdraw cash at these ATMs for free.
To check whether your card qualifies, look for the Allpoint logo on the ATM screen or on your debit card, or download the Allpoint mobile app to verify your card and locate nearby surcharge-free machines. Many online banks, smaller credit unions, and prepaid card programs use Allpoint as their primary ATM network since they don’t have physical branches. If you hold a government-issued prepaid card (like an Economic Impact Payment card), you can also use Allpoint ATMs without a withdrawal fee.
What You Can Do at the Machine
Most Cardtronics ATMs handle the basics: cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and fund transfers between linked accounts. The experience is similar to using any bank ATM. You insert or tap your debit card, enter your PIN, choose a transaction, and collect your cash.
Some locations also support cash and check deposits through the Allpoint network. These deposit-capable machines use envelope-free technology, meaning you feed in cash or checks directly. The machine counts your bills or scans your check and prints a receipt showing the deposit details. Not every Cardtronics ATM offers deposits, though. You can use the Allpoint ATM locator app or website to filter for machines that accept deposits near you.
Withdrawal limits depend on your bank’s daily ATM limit, not the machine itself. Most banks set this between $300 and $1,000 per day, though your specific limit may differ.
Security Features
A common concern with non-bank ATMs is card skimming, where criminals attach devices to the card slot to steal your card data. Modern Cardtronics machines use several layers of protection to prevent this. Card readers on newer units use long-edge insertion (you insert the card sideways rather than straight in), which makes it physically harder to attach a skimming device. The readers also use encrypted read heads and multi-signal jamming technology that interferes with unauthorized recording devices.
On the software side, these ATMs support EMV chip transactions and contactless (tap-to-pay) withdrawals, both of which are significantly harder to counterfeit than magnetic stripe transactions. Chip communication is monitored for timing anomalies that could indicate a relay attack, where a criminal intercepts data between your card and the machine. If the system detects suspicious activity, it can automatically abort the transaction.
For your own protection, the same common-sense rules apply as with any ATM. Look for anything unusual attached to the card slot or keypad before inserting your card. Shield your PIN entry with your hand. If the machine looks tampered with, skip it and find another one.
How to Find One Near You
The easiest way to locate a Cardtronics or Allpoint ATM is through the Allpoint mobile app (available on iOS and Android) or the Allpoint website’s ATM locator. You can search by address or zip code and filter results to show only surcharge-free machines or deposit-capable machines. Many banking apps also show Allpoint ATMs on their built-in ATM finder maps, so check your bank’s app first.