Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
No exchange booths at this airport
None — CAE has no scheduled international flights and does not operate a currency exchange counter or kiosk. This means your in-airport options are limited to ATMs — which is actually a better outcome, since you automatically get the real mid-market exchange rate.
ATMs from local and national banks are located throughout the terminal, including near baggage claim and the main lobby.
ATMs are on standard US networks (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, STAR). Since CAE is domestic-only, foreign-currency ATM withdrawal isn't a factor here — a no-foreign-transaction-fee card only matters if you're connecting onward internationally.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for CAE
Domestic travelers don't need currency exchange at CAE. If your itinerary includes an international leg via a connecting hub (e.g., Charlotte, Atlanta, Newark), get foreign currency there or at your destination rather than looking for it at CAE.
Pro Tip
Don't waste time searching CAE's small terminal for a currency exchange desk — it genuinely does not exist here. Use one of the terminal's ATMs for US dollars, or handle foreign currency needs at your connecting airport.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at CAE airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Columbia Metropolitan Airport primarily serves domestic routes and has no dedicated exchange booths. Withdraw from an ATM at your destination using a no-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) for the best possible rate.
Where are the ATMs at CAE airport?
ATMs from local and national banks are located throughout the terminal, including near baggage claim and the main lobby. ATMs are on standard US networks (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, STAR). Since CAE is domestic-only, foreign-currency ATM withdrawal isn't a factor here — a no-foreign-transaction-fee card only matters if you're connecting onward internationally.
Which currency exchange is at CAE airport?
Columbia Metropolitan Airport does not have dedicated currency exchange booths. It primarily serves domestic routes. For foreign currency, use an ATM with a no-fee card and exchange at the real mid-market rate.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at CAE?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around CAE airport · Live CAE TSA wait times
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