Global Exchange

Extremely disappointing experience exchanging AUD to THB with Global Exchange in Australia. The rate I received was far worse than the actual market rate, and on top of that there was an additional fee. For around $295 AUD, I only received 4,900 THB — significantly less than what a fair exchange would give. While everything may have been… Read more

technically disclosed, the overall pricing felt very misleading and poor value. This kind of spread is excessive and not what most customers would expect, especially in Australia where you assume reasonable transparency.

I would strongly recommend avoiding this service and using a bank or a reputable exchange with fair rates instead.

First, when you exchange $’s you look at exchange rate. Which I did for my travel on 19 August 2025 to NZ. My result was that I would receive a higher $ amount back. So off I go. Not a seasoned travel I handed over just under $3000.00. The rate I… Read more

received back was considerably less. I questioned it, showing the rate, at which I was informed I wouldn’t get a better. The money I got back was less than the $ amount I gave, it should’ve been more. I was disgusted. However, what I did learn was never ever change your money over at the Airport. Also for the ones who read reviews, never ever use Global Exchange. Come to think of it, why are they permitted to hold a stall at Sydney International Airport.

Absolutely shocking, I exchanged at Sydney Airport $500 Au dollars and received 18500 rupee. This is the first and last time I will exchange at the airport. I’m out of pocket $150 for the convenience of having local currency on arrival.

We purchased 1000 Chinese Yuan at the Sydney Airport exchange desk prior to our trip at a total cost of $321.13. The exchange rate offered was abysmal. However, we needed currency. We obtained the exact same amount of Chinese Yuan at an ATM in China and the total payable was $218.69, over a hundred dollars less! Lesson. Always do due diligence… Read more

when exchanging currency. In future, we will withdraw cash at the foreign ATM. My suggestion is to AVOID this business at all costs. Sydney Airport needs to be held accountable for allowing a company to operate within its premises that offers such poor value and questionable business practices.

0 stars if that was possible to submit, worst exchange rate to the point that this company is a scam and preys upon people that are less educated in global money exchanges. The lady behind the counter did not answer my repeated question about the standard exchange rate and dismissed all other questions, pretending not to speak English ( this was… Read more

at Sydney airport) flight was about to depart and I stupidly exchanged 1600 AUD, later I found out they took 400,- dollars from that transaction- something like this should be regulated better.. I have contacted several news outlets to make sure public is better aware and check better on forehand or go somewhere else

Worst rates! – Travelled to 70 countries and this is the worst exchange rate I have ever come across. It should be criminal. Exchange rate USD to AUD was 1 to 1.63 and the rate at Global Exchange at SYD Airport was 1 to 1.35!

Ripped off by this company – A complete rip off. Changed 600 aud to fjd. We received about 725. If we waited until we got to Fiji we would received over 900 fjd. Lost over $175 fjd. Wow, people should never use this company. Show details

Rip-off rates at Sydney airport – Exchanged AUD for South Korean Won in Apr 2024. The rate was 30% below that obtained in Seoul on the following day. Put simply, Global Exchange is a blatant rip-off. Only change money with them if you are at Sydney airport and have an urgent need for cash. Even then, change as little as possible. Apart from the appalling rates it is disturbing that visitors to Aussie are exposed to such a racket.

Daylight robbery – I exchanged 500 Australian and got 35000 yen and a $10 aussie note . I lost $140 in less than 30 seconds, just through the exchange rate. My mistake, I did not check the exchange rate, just presuming it can't be that much different. In Japan I got back like 93 exchange rate by CBA, where as global exchanfe was 72, so was quite upset. What a rort, only exchange if you are desperate. Show details

BAD - Do Not Use this Mob – I needed $400 Canadian $ and it cost me $607 Australian. that is 1.51 when the official rate was about 1.16. This place is a rip off Show details

Shame on you Global Express! Just look at all of your unfavourable reviews! – I don’t know how these guys are still in business. Just exchange your money ‘anywhere else’ and you’ll get a much better deal. Why haven’t these guys appeared on Four Corners or 60 Minutes? Shady operators right there, pride of place in the airport. They look legit but their racketeering is on par with the dodgiest back-street operators. Just exchange at a bank or use an ATM at your destination country. AVOID!!!! Show details

Worst rate ever. Avoid – 600 AUD got me less than 40000 JPY. Using an ATM in Japan will get you ~55000 JPY. Massive rip off for unwary travellers, and it's despicable that Sydney airport lets them operate. Will never use them again, much much cheaper to just use ATMs or your card when abroad. Show details

The biggest rip off ever! – Where do these people get off charging 100% wide spreads on liquid currency. Actually despicable. Should be federally investigated. Show details

Daylight robbery. Avoid at all costs! – Had a small amount of AUD I wanted changed into IDR to keep me ticking over until I had a chance to access an ATM in Bali. Got slapped with a $4.90 fee, which the service attendant failed to mention prior to the transaction, and a laughable exchange rate. Basically, most of the amount I exchanged was eaten up by fees and a poor exchange rate. If… Read more

it weren't for it being my only option, I would have walked away and kept my money. Stay away from this place at all costs if you can.

Don't use this service in Australian Airports unless you wanna get rip off 30% of your money! – Used this service on 11/25/2019 at Sydney Airport. Exchange AUD to HKD (601 AUD got 2320) 30% less than other places. Lost around 150 AUD - 700 HKD using the services of Global Exchange. The counter offered a discount of 15% off in your next transaction (discount only applicable on exchange margin) if you go up in the amount of money to exchange. Code is AU15. Don't trust this service. Show details

Total rip off – Total rip off. Exchanged 900 aud get 11000000 Vietnam dong. They ripped me off 300 AUD!!! 30 percent commission. Will report to https://www.fairtrade.com.au. Please report them , they should not be in Australian airports to continue stealing money from people Date : 12/20/2019 Gave 988.76 AUD got 11,000,000 Vietnam dong The normal rate in Vietnam… Read more

is 15,0000,000 for that amount of AUD dollar. 300 AUD ripped off for 900 dollar purchase , unbelievable!

Worst exchange rate ever – Sydney to Singapore Oct 2019 had to exchange money got $200.00 Sin dollars for $296.00 AUD absolute rip off... exchange rate was 0.92 so for AUD 296.00 I should have got $273.38 Sin dollars so that is one hefty fee I paid .. would have been cheaper using visa card Show details

Worst rate ever – I exchanged USD500 to AUD and lost around AUD100 at Sydney airport. Should have exchanged it before I left Indonesia, even if I would lose some amount between currencies, at least they're honest. Show details

Global Exchange scammed me! Avoid this place! – Global exchange SACMMED ME! YOU NEED TO AVOID this place! After realizing I had been screwed over BIG TIME not even 1 hour later, I returned to get my money back because this is their policy. I had my 3 receipt but the woman refused to give me my money back. She made a call and then offered to buy it back by charging fees again LOL... COMPLETELY… Read more

RIDICULOUS. In the U.S or in Canada that place would be closed by the government for scamming people for sure

Lost over $AUD300 with changing $AUD 1070 into foreign currency – Lost over $AUD300 with changing $AUD 1070 into foreign currency - I should have paid more attention. You expect a mark up at the airport but a rate of ~2.4 when the exchange rate is ~1.7 is very ordinary. I do not think they should be allowed to operate at an international airport without more regulation.

Thieves at Sydney Airport - Global Exchange – I was travelling with my family to Bali in July 2019 and exchanged $AU500 for Indonesia Rupiah, I received 3.6 million IDR by using my 15% off discount voucher. When I arrived at Bali airport and after checking the conversion rate I realised that I would have received 4.7 million IDR for the same $AU500, basically ripped off by about $AU100. I… Read more

thought the airport may have been a bit more expensive but in your own country I am appalled that they charge this much more, they are thieves and should be ashamed! WARNING, to any travellers going abroad, do not exchange any foreign currency at Sydney international airport with Global Exchange, it's way more expensive than beer in a plastic cup at the footy! They should've been included in the recent financial services Royal Commission, I certainly will never do that again. Wanting to help others avoid making the same mistake I did.

Huge Con, keep away!!!! – Changed 116 AUD to NZD at Sydney airport when travelling back to New Zealand, only received 100NZD. Shows no fees rates are applicable, absolutely ridiculous. Do not use this company. Show details

Don't Use Global Exchange At Sydney International – This mob should be inquired into, for $504 AUD I received $360 SGD Yes I was responsible for my own plight, by allowing the transaction to go through by being distracted but I didn't expect to be ripped in my own country especially when they had a sign saying it was no Fees day and some other wonderful incentive. Poor form from this group. Show details

Ripped off, exchange rate is 40% more – Even they don’t charge Commission and fee but rate is Incredible, I know the rate at Sunday air port won’t be good but 40% is too much, they give me 15% off, I did not think much about rate, I exchanged 88000 Taiwanese dollars, I only received 3320AUD, I should get 4000 AUD if I exchange from bank. Show details

Ripped off in my home airport – I bought 28500 Vanuatu Vatu in melbourne airport - it cost AUD$500. In Vanuatu I cash advanced 30000 Vanuatu Vatu from an ATM. Cost ....AUD$391!! Over $100 more and I get less in exchange. I got my currency in an Australian airport expecting that I would at least get a reasonable rate. I bought local to avoid being done over in a foreign country… Read more

but I have been horribly ripped off in my own airport. I looked around the airport before I went to GlobalExchange as I was used to Travelex or ANZ but they have a monopoly - I couldn’t find another provider. I strongly suggest you get currency elsewhere.

I wish there was a zero star – Highway robbery. Rates are about half of what they should be. Sydney airport is doing a huge disservice to travellers allowing this company to operate here. Please bring back Travelex or another reputable exchange company. Show details

Airport Currency Exchange should go before the Banking Royal Commission for ripoffs – Currency Exchange at Sydney Airport gives the worst possible rates. Margins for most currencies exceeds 40% for each transaction, buy or sell. The Banking Royal Commission should look at this for how a monopoly will gouge the consumer as an example of appalling behaviour. I have never exchanged my money in Australia as I know rates are bad, but… Read more

Sydney Airport just takes it to the next level. Matter of fact, I have never bought anything in Sydney Airport as I know that is the worst possible deal you can get. From Pharmacies to Duty Free, everything is dearer at Sydney airport than anywhere else.

Here are rates for some currencies and you can see they are buying at about half what they are selling the currencies for.