Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Gerald R. Ford International 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. GRR currently has no scheduled international commercial routes — all eight airlines serving the airport (Allegiant, American, Avelo, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country, United) fly domestic-only — so there is no Travelex or dedicated currency-exchange counter 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.
ATMs from PNC and Fifth Third Bank are pre-security in the front lobby behind the Visitor Information Desk; independent ATMs are also available post-security on each concourse in the main hallway near the Grand Rapids Magazine Travel Store.
Bank branding isn't fully published for every machine, but the PNC/Fifth Third units accept standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus network cards. A Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card at any ATM avoids foreign-transaction fees and surcharges if your trip continues internationally through a connecting hub.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for GRR
GRR is a domestic-only airport with no currency exchange on-site — handle any foreign-currency needs before you arrive or at whichever international gateway you're connecting through. If you just need cash conversion locally, nearby Chase, Fifth Third, and PNC Bank branches offer exchange for most major currencies (call ahead, as some charge fees).
Pro Tip
For a fee-based option without visiting a bank branch, GRR has ReadySTATION kiosks pre-security in the front lobby that convert cash (up to $1,000) into an activated prepaid card for $5 — useful in a pinch, but it's a domestic-cash-to-prepaid-card service, not a foreign currency exchange.
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 GRR airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Gerald R. Ford International 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 GRR airport?
ATMs from PNC and Fifth Third Bank are pre-security in the front lobby behind the Visitor Information Desk; independent ATMs are also available post-security on each concourse in the main hallway near the Grand Rapids Magazine Travel Store. Bank branding isn't fully published for every machine, but the PNC/Fifth Third units accept standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus network cards. A Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card at any ATM avoids foreign-transaction fees and surcharges if your trip continues internationally through a connecting hub.
Which currency exchange is at GRR airport?
Gerald R. Ford International 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 GRR?
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 GRR airport · Live GRR TSA wait times
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