Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at San Antonio 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.
Marcy's Business & Travel Center, home to a Currency Exchange International (CXI) 'Never Too Late Currency Exchange' branch, pre-security in the Terminal A lobby across from the Southwest Airlines ticket counter. Exchanges more than 80 foreign currencies in amounts from $10 to $10,000; photo ID required for transactions over $750. Phone 210-892-1100, open daily 7:00am–6:30pm. This is the only currency-exchange counter in the airport — Terminal B has none.
As with virtually all airport currency-exchange counters, Marcy's/CXI rates run well below mid-market — expect to lose roughly 10–15%+ versus the real exchange rate, especially on smaller transactions. It's a legitimate, convenient option if you land needing pesos immediately for a taxi or meal, but it is not the cheapest way to get Mexican pesos or other foreign cash.
ATMs are located throughout the ticketing lobby and concourses of both terminals, and in the Terminal A baggage claim area.
SAT's official site does not publish specific ATM bank/network brands. Using a fee-free debit card (Charles Schwab, Wise, Revolut) at any airport ATM will beat the exchange-counter rate; decline any 'dynamic currency conversion' offer at the ATM and let your card network set the rate.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for SAT
Skip the currency-exchange counter for anything beyond emergency cash — withdraw pesos or other currency from an airport ATM with a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card instead.
Pro Tip
SAT flies nonstop to several Mexican cities (Mexico City via Aeromexico/VivaAerobus/Volaris, Guadalajara via Volaris, Monterrey via VivaAerobus, and Cancun seasonally via Southwest/Sun Country), so it does see real outbound currency demand. Marcy's/CXI pre-security in Terminal A is the only on-site exchange option, so if you want pesos in hand before landing in Mexico, that's your only choice inside SAT.
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 SAT airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at San Antonio 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 SAT airport?
ATMs are located throughout the ticketing lobby and concourses of both terminals, and in the Terminal A baggage claim area. SAT's official site does not publish specific ATM bank/network brands. Using a fee-free debit card (Charles Schwab, Wise, Revolut) at any airport ATM will beat the exchange-counter rate; decline any 'dynamic currency conversion' offer at the ATM and let your card network set the rate.
Which currency exchange is at SAT airport?
Marcy's Business & Travel Center, home to a Currency Exchange International (CXI) 'Never Too Late Currency Exchange' branch, pre-security in the Terminal A lobby across from the Southwest Airlines ticket counter. Exchanges more than 80 foreign currencies in amounts from $10 to $10,000; photo ID required for transactions over $750. Phone 210-892-1100, open daily 7:00am–6:30pm. This is the only currency-exchange counter in the airport — Terminal B has none. As with virtually all airport currency-exchange counters, Marcy's/CXI rates run well below mid-market — expect to lose roughly 10–15%+ versus the real exchange rate, especially on smaller transactions. It's a legitimate, convenient option if you land needing pesos immediately for a taxi or meal, but it is not the cheapest way to get Mexican pesos or other foreign cash.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at SAT?
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 SAT airport · Live SAT TSA wait times
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