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See where you can use your card fee-free — and where it costs more
One of the questions that comes up most among beneficiaries is: “can I withdraw my money at any bank?”
The answer is yes — but not every place charges the same for it, and understanding that difference can mean real savings over the course of a year.
Who issues the card
The card is issued by Banco del Bienestar, a financial institution created by the Mexican government specifically to centralize the payment of social programs. But that doesn’t mean withdrawals only work there — the card can be used at ATMs from practically any bank in the country.
Where to withdraw without paying anything at all
- Branches and ATMs of Banco del Bienestar itself
- Banjército, the financial institution of the Mexican Armed Forces
- Checkout counters at supermarkets and retail chains, such as Walmart, Bodega Aurrerá, Chedraui and Soriana
These options are especially useful for those who live far from a Banco del Bienestar branch, since supermarkets tend to be closer to families’ everyday routines.
How withdrawing at a supermarket checkout works
To withdraw cash at the checkout of a participating supermarket, the process usually follows the same steps:
- Go to the checkout of a participating store, such as Walmart, Soriana, Chedraui, Bodega Aurrerá, La Comer or Suburbia
- Ask the cashier to carry out the withdrawal transaction
- Insert the card into the payment terminal and enter the PIN
- Present an official photo ID and sign the transaction receipt
The maximum amount allowed for a checkout withdrawal varies by store and, in some cases, requires a minimum purchase to enable the operation. At Banco del Bienestar’s own ATMs, the daily limit is usually around $5,000 pesos, while at other banks’ ATMs the daily ceiling tends to be higher — generally between $9,000 and $12,000 pesos — but with a fee charged on every transaction.
Bonuses for paying with the card at some supermarkets
Besides allowing fee-free withdrawals, some supermarket chains offer bonuses to those who pay for purchases directly with the Tarjeta del Bienestar:
| Supermarket | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Walmart and Bodega Aurrerá | 10% of the purchase amount, credited to the Cashi app |
| Soriana | 10% discount for those enrolled in the Soriana YA loyalty program |
| Chedraui | $10 pesos for every $100 pesos spent, up to a limit of $1,000 pesos, credited to the Mi Chedraui digital wallet |
Where you’ll pay a fee to withdraw
If the withdrawal is made at any other commercial bank, a fee is charged automatically — and the amount varies quite a bit depending on the institution:
| Fee range | Banks |
|---|---|
| Lowest (between 12 and 16 pesos per withdrawal) | Compartamos, Inbursa, BanCoppel |
| Intermediate (between 20 and 26 pesos) | BanBajío, Banco Azteca, Ve por Más |
| Highest (between 27 and 40 pesos) | Santander, BBVA, HSBC, Scotiabank, Banorte, Multiva |
It’s worth remembering that, besides the withdrawal fee, some banks also charge a small fee just for checking the balance at the ATM — another detail that often goes unnoticed and gradually eats into the amount received over time. It’s also worth knowing that, under Condusef rules (Mexico’s financial consumer protection agency), the ATM is required to display the fee amount on screen before you confirm the transaction — if you don’t agree with the amount, you can cancel the operation at no cost.
What about Oxxo?
A common question is whether it’s possible to withdraw cash at Oxxo, since the convenience store chain offers that service for other card networks. The answer is no: the Tarjeta del Bienestar is not accepted for withdrawals at that type of establishment.
Practical tip
If the goal is to preserve 100% of the amount received, the safest approach is to always prioritize Banco del Bienestar, Banjército, or the partner supermarkets. Using commercial banks should be reserved for emergency situations, when there’s no other option available in the area.
A few other simple strategies also help preserve the value of the benefit throughout the two-month period:
- Prioritize paying directly with the card instead of withdrawing cash, whenever the establishment accepts it
- Make fewer withdrawals of larger amounts, rather than several small withdrawals throughout the month
- Plan withdrawals for days and locations already known in advance to be fee-free