LHR Terminal 5 Arrival Travelex ATM
Mar 29, 2022, 9:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
LHR Terminal 5 Arrival Travelex ATM
Just wanted to alert the non-UK community -- many of us haven't travelled through LHR terminal 5 in the past couple of years -- about a somewhat shocking currency exchange rate at the Travelex ATMs in the arrivals hall. It's the first set of ATMs that an arriving passenger comes through after crossing the UK border.
Anyhow, the realized exchange rate was about 1.5 USD to 1 GBP, a rate almost 20% worse than the actual exchange rate. Additionally, an access fee of 2.5% was levied. There were some on-screen messages during the transaction, but I still was shocked when I compared the actual exchange rate to what I got at any random high-street bureau de change.
It might be better to access the actual bank ATMs further along in the arrivals hall. Certainly would be better to exchange currency in town.
Anyhow, the realized exchange rate was about 1.5 USD to 1 GBP, a rate almost 20% worse than the actual exchange rate. Additionally, an access fee of 2.5% was levied. There were some on-screen messages during the transaction, but I still was shocked when I compared the actual exchange rate to what I got at any random high-street bureau de change.
It might be better to access the actual bank ATMs further along in the arrivals hall. Certainly would be better to exchange currency in town.
Mar 29, 2022, 10:03 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,898
Never choose to accept the exchange on the ATM or on the credit card reader , always pay in the currency of the country you are in and let your bank do the exchange
Mar 29, 2022, 10:20 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
I could add a warning for regular UK bank card holders that these machines now also charge Ł5 per withdrawal. In the past I always used them to draw cash after arriving in the UK and there was no such charge. But its good to hear from above that there are other machines in the arrival hall.
Mar 29, 2022, 11:16 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Key West
Programs: DL Silver, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 401
I could add a warning for regular UK bank card holders that these machines now also charge Ł5 per withdrawal. In the past I always used them to draw cash after arriving in the UK and there was no such charge. But its good to hear from above that there are other machines in the arrival hall.
Mar 29, 2022, 6:45 pm
#9
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Aug 2, 2022, 7:10 am
#12
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Aug 2, 2022, 7:12 am
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Not quite the same issue - but thoughts on any resolution?
I must have fat-fingered the Travelex ATM and ended up withdrawing USD. Thought I was getting charged basically par plus fee. Turns out they charged me 160 GBP to withdraw 160USD. Any recourse here or is Travelex going to tell me to stick it?
(This was T2 . . . not sure how I missed the real ATM . . . may be costly reminder why I avoid Travelex usually)
I must have fat-fingered the Travelex ATM and ended up withdrawing USD. Thought I was getting charged basically par plus fee. Turns out they charged me 160 GBP to withdraw 160USD. Any recourse here or is Travelex going to tell me to stick it?
(This was T2 . . . not sure how I missed the real ATM . . . may be costly reminder why I avoid Travelex usually)