Currency Exchange at CLT Airport Debuts New Look
The popular saying, "Cash is King,” may seem outdated, but it still applies to traveling overseas.
Yes, even in the age of credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments and digital wallets, carrying some foreign currency in your pocket is beneficial when visiting another country.
Just ask Susan Druckman, the CEO of SDI, which operates the Currency Exchange at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) under the brand CXI-Currency Exchange International. CLT Airport has two locations: one in Concourse D and another in the Atrium, which has been updated with a fresh look and feel.
“Not every destination has widespread card acceptance – especially in rural areas, small towns, or local markets and transportation hubs,” said Druckman. “Also, having local currency ensures travelers can cover essentials like taxis, tips, food or other small purchases without hassle. Additionally, many markets and souvenir shops prefer local currency.”
Overseas Cash Spending
Recent tourism statistics from The Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT) indicate that travelers generally use cash for 10-20% of their total spending outside the United States, which amounts to $300-$600 per trip.
CXI offers more than 80 currencies, covering over 100 countries. The most popular are the European euro (EUR), the British pound (GBP), the Japanese yen (JPY), the Canadian dollar (CAD), and the Mexican peso (MXN).
“Cash can be a backup in emergencies or when technology fails—whether it’s a card being declined, a lost wallet, or an unreliable ATM network,” added Druckman. “It gives travelers peace of mind and flexibility. Exchanging currency before departure often means better rates and fewer fees than withdrawing cash abroad, relying solely on cards, and/or being exposed to fraud or scams.”
Chicagoan Leah Simonds recently passed through Charlotte en route to Madrid and stopped at CXI to exchange dollars for euros. “I know there are some power outages in Spain right now,” Simonds said. “And I wanted to get some physical cash just in case.”
Two CLT Airport Locations
Claudia Parisi manages CXI’s two locations at CLT Airport. The company employs nine staff members who speak several languages, including Spanish, Serbian, Hindi, and English Creole, also known as “Triny”—a dialect spoken in Trinidad and Tobago—and they often act as unofficial CLT ambassadors.
“We are not just the currency exchange but the go-to for everything— flight information, food information, security, lost and found, translations—you name it, we have done it,” admits Parisi. “In essence, we are part of the CLT community with the same mission to help every single passenger irrespective of whether they are using our services or not, while delivering the same level of excellent customer service.”
Flight crews and pilots are regular clients, although most customers are leisure travelers. No reservations are required; anyone can easily walk up to exchange foreign currency.
Currency Exchange International at CLT Airport is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at both terminal locations.