Avoid These 7 Currency Exchange Rip-Offs at Airports

If you’ve ever been caught short of cash while travelling, you’ll know the airport currency exchange kiosks can be tempting. But convenience comes at a cost — and often a hefty one. Airport exchanges are notorious for poor rates, hidden fees, and other costly tricks that can drain your travel budget before you’ve even left the terminal.

Here are seven common airport currency exchange rip-offs — and how to avoid them.

1. Extortionate Exchange Rates

Airport kiosks often offer exchange rates far worse than what you’d find in a high street bureau or online service. With little competition inside the terminal, they can get away with rates that are 10–15% lower than the market average. Over the course of a holiday, that can mean losing tens or even hundreds of pounds for no reason other than convenience.

Tip: Always check the current mid-market rate before you travel (use sites like XE.com or Google) so you can spot when you’re being short-changed.

2. High Commission Fees

Many airport exchanges promote “0% commission” deals — but they make up the difference by widening the exchange rate. Others do still charge outright commission on top of an inflated rate.

Tip: Don’t be fooled by the “no commission” headline. Always calculate what you’ll actually get for your money after all charges.

3. Minimum Transaction Charges

Some kiosks apply a flat fee for small exchanges — so if you’re changing a small amount of currency, that percentage hit is even bigger. For example, a £5 fee on a £50 exchange is effectively a 10% charge before you even consider the rate.

Tip: Avoid small exchanges at airports. If you must exchange cash, do a larger amount once to reduce the impact of fixed fees.

4. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

When paying by card abroad, you may be offered the option to pay in pounds instead of the local currency. This “service” is called Dynamic Currency Conversion and usually comes with a poor exchange rate and extra charges.

Tip: Always choose to pay in the local currency when using your card abroad to get your card issuer’s (usually better) rate.

5. Last-Minute Panic Purchases

Airport exchanges bank on urgency. Travellers often leave currency to the last minute, feeling they have no choice but to accept whatever rate is offered.

Tip: Plan ahead. Order currency online for delivery or collection at a better rate — or take a prepaid travel card instead.

6. Selling Back Unused Currency at Poor Rates

Some airport bureaus will buy back your leftover currency — but at an even worse rate than they sold it to you. The buy-back spread can be huge, especially with less common currencies.

Tip: Keep your leftover currency and exchange it through a specialist service like Cash4Coins.co.uk when you return. We exchange foreign coins and banknotes, even those rejected by most banks and bureaus.

7. Targeting “Exotic” Currencies

Airports often charge a premium for less common or “exotic” currencies, knowing you might not have researched the rate. For example, converting pounds to Thai baht or Moroccan dirhams at the airport can be far more expensive than ordering in advance.

Tip: Arrange less common currencies well before you travel — online services often have them in stock at better rates.

✈ Quick-Reference: 7 Rip-Offs to Watch For

• ❌ Bad exchange rates

• ❌ Hidden or high commission fees

• ❌ Flat fees on small amounts

• ❌ Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) traps

• ❌ Buying currency at the last minute

• ❌ Poor buy-back rates on leftover cash

• ❌ Overcharging for “exotic” currencies

Airport Rates vs Specialist Services

Scenario	Airport Bureau	Specialist Service (Cash4Coins)
Exchange £500 to euros	£445 worth of euros after poor rate	£490+ worth of euros (near market rate)
Sell leftover coins/notes	Often rejected or given low rates	Accepted — even coins and pre-euro notes
Commission fees	0–5% (hidden in rate)	No commission, clear pricing
Speed	Instant, but costly	1–3 days, better value
Exotic currencies	High mark-up	Lower mark-up, order ahead

The Bottom Line

Airport currency exchanges survive on urgency, convenience, and a lack of consumer awareness. By planning ahead, checking rates in advance, and avoiding these seven common traps, you can keep more money in your pocket for the things that matter — like enjoying your trip.

And if you return home with leftover coins or notes, don’t let them gather dust in a drawer. Cash4Coins.co.uk makes it fast, simple, and hassle-free to convert foreign currency into cash, even coins and notes most banks won’t accept.

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