Currency exchange is one of the things you must do when traveling abroad. Getting preferential exchange rates from a bank before going on a trip is known to be the cheapest way to leave the country, but there are many inconveniences for office workers, such as having to take extra time off. Although it is a relatively convenient way to exchange money right at the airport, there is a drawback in that you do not receive much preferential treatment.
So, is there a way to conveniently exchange money at Incheon Airport while receiving preferential exchange rates?
Woori Bank currency exchange bag
Woori Bank offers a system called “Currency Exchange Bag.” In summary, the process proceeds as follows.
Put money in Woori Bank’s won account.
Access the currency exchange pocket on the Woori Bank (WON) app
Proceed with currency exchange (exchange the won into the currency of the desired country and save it in the currency exchange pocket)
Request receipt on desired date and location (Very important – “Receipt information not registered” must not appear in the picture below.)
Visit the requested location on the requested date and exchange money.
If there is “receipt information not registered”, the money cannot be exchanged at the exchange office because the money has been exchanged but the receipt request has not yet been made.
Please note that in Woori Bank’s currency exchange pocket function, the action of “currency exchange” refers to number 3, and is different from requesting receipt (number 4).
You can receive foreign currency in person through a currency exchange office, but there is also the advantage of being able to receive foreign currency using an ATM.
Incheon Airport foreign currency exchange ATM machine
caution
1. After applying for currency exchange, you must apply for receipt.
There are many people who only go through the above-mentioned process three times and run to the exchange office with only dollars in their exchange pocket and ask to exchange their money, but you shouldn’t do that. To exchange money, you must “Request Receipt” after exchanging it.
2. Cancellation is not possible after applying for currency exchange.
This is not to say that it is impossible to return to the Korean Won. Won → Currency Exchange Bag This means that the process that has already been completed cannot be canceled. If you want to change back to Korean Won (cancel), you must pay the currency exchange fee again to change to Korean Won.
3. The currency exchange pocket function cannot be used at all Woori Bank branches.
Since the number of points where you can exchange money using the money exchange bag function is limited, you must check whether the exchange point is available through the ‘Find a collection point’ function before exchanging money.
↓ Collection of Incheon Airport currency exchange locations and operating hours
Incheon International Airport
www.airport.kr
You can check branches where currency exchange pockets are available on the Woori Bank app.
4. The number of branches where you can exchange currency 24 hours a day using the currency exchange pocket is limited.
First of all, there is a branch in Incheon Airport Terminal 1 where you can exchange money 24 hours a day. (Currency Exchange Center F on the 3rd floor) However, there is no place in Incheon Airport Terminal 2 that is open 24 hours a day, so those using Terminal 2 must check the operating hours in advance when exchanging money.
Incheon Airport Terminal 2 currency exchange operating hours
Woori Bank Currency Exchange Center at Incheon Airport Terminal 1, open 24 hours a day (you can also call the landline to double-check)
This is a surprising fact, but ATM machines do not operate 24 hours a day, so please be especially careful. When exchanging money, you must check the operating hours.
5. When using an ATM, you must have a cash card (check card) in your name.
If you exchange money at a currency exchange office, you only need an identification card (passport), but when using an ATM, you must have a cash card in your name.
6. Requests for “same-day” pickup must be made between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
When using a currency exchange pocket, you have the advantage of being able to receive it “on the same day” after requesting it. However, if you wish to apply for pickup on the “same day,” you must keep in mind that there are restrictions on operating hours.
7. In case of same-day pickup through a currency exchange ATM, pickup is possible up to 30 minutes after requesting pickup.
Please note that you cannot withdraw money from an ATM immediately after requesting receipt.
Conclusion
Not only Woori Bank, but also Shinhan Bank and Hana Bank have currency exchange offices in the Incheon Airport terminal. However, if you use Woori Bank’s currency exchange pocket, you can easily receive it by reserving in advance the time, place, and amount of foreign currency you want. If you pay attention to a few precautions, you can receive up to 90% preferential exchange rate and conveniently exchange money at the airport.