Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Antonio B. Won Pat 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.
Travelex Currency Services operates a counter in the terminal, (671) 642-3000, and Global Currency LLC runs two exchange counters — one airside after security in the main terminal and one on the ground floor just past customs — both geared toward GUM's heavy Japan and South Korea traffic (yen and won exchange).
As at most airports, exchange-counter rates carry a real markup over the mid-market rate. Expect a noticeably worse rate than a bank or no-fee card gives you, so use the booths only for small amounts of immediate cash.
ATMs from Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii, Citibank, and Coast 360 Federal Credit Union are placed in both the arrivals and departures areas of the single terminal building.
Guam uses the US dollar and no other currency is accepted at local ATMs or businesses — travelers arriving from Japan, Korea, or the Philippines must convert cash before leaving the terminal, or use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) for a better rate than the exchange counters offer.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for GUM
Withdraw USD from any of the four bank ATMs using a no-foreign-transaction-fee card rather than the Travelex or Global Currency counters, which post a wider markup.
Pro Tip
Because GUM handles heavy Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Jin Air, Air Seoul, and T'way Air traffic, the exchange counters specifically advertise yen and won rates — useful in a pinch, but still a worse deal than a mid-market-rate debit card withdrawal at the ATM.
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 GUM airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport charge 10-20% above the mid-market rate. At your destination, ATMs give the real interbank rate minus a small network fee — typically saving $50-100 on a $500 exchange versus the airport booth.
Where are the ATMs at GUM airport?
ATMs from Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii, Citibank, and Coast 360 Federal Credit Union are placed in both the arrivals and departures areas of the single terminal building. Guam uses the US dollar and no other currency is accepted at local ATMs or businesses — travelers arriving from Japan, Korea, or the Philippines must convert cash before leaving the terminal, or use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) for a better rate than the exchange counters offer.
Which currency exchange is at GUM airport?
Travelex Currency Services operates a counter in the terminal, (671) 642-3000, and Global Currency LLC runs two exchange counters — one airside after security in the main terminal and one on the ground floor just past customs — both geared toward GUM's heavy Japan and South Korea traffic (yen and won exchange). As at most airports, exchange-counter rates carry a real markup over the mid-market rate. Expect a noticeably worse rate than a bank or no-fee card gives you, so use the booths only for small amounts of immediate cash.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at GUM?
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 GUM airport · Live GUM TSA wait times
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