Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Midland International Air and Space Port. 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 — MAF is a domestic-only airport (nonstop service to Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, and Phoenix), so there is no currency exchange counter or kiosk 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.
Walk-up ATMs operated by Community National Bank are on the 1st floor near the vending machines and on the 2nd floor near the TSA checkpoint.
These are standard US bank ATMs, not currency-exchange kiosks. Using a no-foreign-transaction-fee card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut, etc.) is the best way to draw US dollars if you're carrying a foreign-issued card.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for MAF
There's nothing to optimize at MAF itself — since it's domestic-only, just use the Community National Bank ATMs on either floor for cash, and handle any currency exchange before or after your MAF flight, ideally at a larger international gateway.
Pro Tip
If you're connecting through MAF on an international itinerary, exchange currency at your international gateway airport (e.g., DFW, IAH, or Denver) — MAF itself has no exchange service of any kind.
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 MAF airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Midland International Air and Space Port 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 MAF airport?
Walk-up ATMs operated by Community National Bank are on the 1st floor near the vending machines and on the 2nd floor near the TSA checkpoint. These are standard US bank ATMs, not currency-exchange kiosks. Using a no-foreign-transaction-fee card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut, etc.) is the best way to draw US dollars if you're carrying a foreign-issued card.
Which currency exchange is at MAF airport?
Midland International Air and Space Port 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 MAF?
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 MAF airport · Live MAF TSA wait times
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live MAF TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.
Calculate my Leave-By Time →