Non-Travelex Currency Exchange in LHR T5?
Jan 3, 2020, 7:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,387
Non-Travelex Currency Exchange in LHR T5?
Does Travelex have a monopoly on currency exchange in T5? Their IT problems mean it is currently impossible to pre-order for my BA flight tomorrow, and I am unwilling to pay their walk-up prices., so looking for an alternative.
Many Thanks.
Many Thanks.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:46 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
May I ask why you do currency exchange in the first place? Always cheaper to withdraw cash at local source from an ATM.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:50 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
And even then, only if it's a cash heavy society, most places now happily accept cards for everything.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:51 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,387
I don't find it always cheaper (though sometimes is), but more importantly local ATMs may be out of service, may not accept certain cards, may have low or non-obvious limits on withdrawals, etc etc. I find it safer to have some cash in hand when I arrive in case of problems, and so I can at least get a taxi and a meal.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:57 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Manchester, UK.
Programs: BAEC Silver, then a handful of points on everything else.
Posts: 185
Personally, I feel a bit more comfortable having at least enough cash on me to get to the hotel if the ATMs at the airport are broken, or have long queues, or if it's late at night and I just want to get to bed as soon as I can.
I don't always do that, of course, but I do feel a bit more comfortable when I manage to organise it. :-)
Jan 3, 2020, 8:09 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 113
I can definitely sympathise with wanting foreign currency in advance. A few weeks ago had to walk around Cologne/Bonn Airport and ended up wasting 20 minutes as multiple ATMs were out of service, and the other day in Spain a Santander ATM tried to charge me €7 for withdrawing there. Thankfully, these days the vast majority of places take card, but when travelling in Germany/Japan and similar countries...
Sadly. am not aware of any other money exchange - I would try and organise before you head to the airport if you can.
Sadly. am not aware of any other money exchange - I would try and organise before you head to the airport if you can.
Jan 3, 2020, 8:12 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SAN
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Your local grocery supermarket Tesco or Sainsburys might have a forex counter. Rates will be reasonable. Maybe stop at one on the way to the airport?
Jan 3, 2020, 8:12 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
And there are decent walk-up rates available elsewhere. Take a look at:
https://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/
https://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/
Jan 3, 2020, 8:31 am
#11
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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That also applies for T2 / T3 in that Heathrow tube station has ICE. Plus myriad options at Paddington if using HEX.
I used to be religious about thinking about currency on arrival, With now only a few exceptions I'm relaxed to go around with some USD $5 notes in pristine condition, the Post Office credit card, Nationwide and Revolut. Between them I've never been caught out (though Germany is probably the riskiest even now!).
Jan 3, 2020, 8:46 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 82
Yes, Travelex are the exclusive ForEx provider at Heathrow. They also operate the ATMs on airport.
As c-w-s says, there is another option just inside the T2 & T3 underground station, but that’s not a lot of use if you are arriving at T5, I suppose. Many of the ATMs at Paddington (possibly all of them) are owned by that operator, ICE.
As c-w-s says, there is another option just inside the T2 & T3 underground station, but that’s not a lot of use if you are arriving at T5, I suppose. Many of the ATMs at Paddington (possibly all of them) are owned by that operator, ICE.
