Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at The Eastern Iowa 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. CID's five airlines (Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, United) fly to U.S. destinations only, so there is no currency exchange counter anywhere in the terminal. 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.
One ATM is in the main terminal waiting area, pre-security, near the restaurant/lounge seating.
The exact bank/network branding of CID's terminal ATM is not published; expect standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus compatibility typical of U.S. airport ATMs. A Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card eliminates foreign-transaction fees and ATM surcharges if your trip continues internationally elsewhere.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for CID
Since CID has no international flights and no currency exchange, there's no foreign-currency need at this airport itself. If your trip continues internationally via a connecting hub (Chicago O'Hare, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Denver, or Atlanta, for example), handle currency exchange there or before you leave home.
Pro Tip
CID serves domestic routes only, so save any currency-exchange needs for your connecting hub — don't expect any foreign-exchange options here.
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 CID airport or at my destination?
At your destination. The Eastern Iowa 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 CID airport?
One ATM is in the main terminal waiting area, pre-security, near the restaurant/lounge seating. The exact bank/network branding of CID's terminal ATM is not published; expect standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus compatibility typical of U.S. airport ATMs. A Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card eliminates foreign-transaction fees and ATM surcharges if your trip continues internationally elsewhere.
Which currency exchange is at CID airport?
The Eastern Iowa 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 CID?
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 CID airport · Live CID TSA wait times
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