For two weeks only …. you can earn Avios when buying currency in Terminal 5

Earning Avios when buying foreign currency has become increasingly difficult recently when flying from Heathrow Terminal 5.

To summarise what happened:

American Express Currency Exchange opened a number of outlets in Terminal 5

British Airways switched from Travelex to Amex Currency Exchange as its Avios partner for foreign exchange

Amex Currency Exchange closed its outlets at Heathrow, which became Moneycorp branches

The situation for earning Avios is therefore:

Currency pre-ordering – you can ONLY earn Avios on pre-ordered currency via Amex Currency Exchange.  Unfortunately, Amex Currency Exchange no longer has any outlets in Terminal 5 for collection.  All you can do is pre-order for delivery to your home.

On-the-spot purchase – you can ONLY earn Avios from on-the-spot purchases via Moneycorp.  You are not allowed to pre-order currency and earn Avios!  Because of the truly shocking exchange rates for walk-up purchases at Moneycorp, I cannot recommend this route.

Until the end of February, though, there is a compromise!

If you pre-order £400 of more of foreign currency via Moneycorp you will earn 500 bonus Heathrow Rewards points.  These will convert to 500 Avios (or Miles & More miles, or Virgin Flying Club miles).

Because you will be pre-ordering, you will get a substantially better rate than being a walk-up customer.

Here is the small print:

500 extra points for any in-bureau foreign currency purchase over £400 or through online reserve at www.moneycorp.com/reserve. Online reserve purchases must be collected at any Moneycorp branch at Heathrow from 4 to 28 February 2014 inclusive. In-bureau purchases are over-the-counter transactions completed at any Moneycorp bureau de change branch at Heathrow from 4 to 28 February 2014 inclusive. Valid Heathrow Rewards membership number must be provided upon collection for online reserve transactions or presented at the point of sale for in-bureau purchases for points to be awarded. The offer does not apply to Sterling Travellers Cheques. There is no cash or alternative extra points offered. This promotion is not available in conjunction with any other Moneycorp Currency Exchange offers or promotions. 

You should, of course, double check the Moneycorp pre-ordering rate with the Travelex rate.  Remember, though, that Travelex is only available landside at Terminal 5 so you need to remember to pick up your money before going through security.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (March 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to 120,000 points. You receive 80,000 points when you spend £12,000 within three months and a further 40,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 60,000 points. You receive 40,000 points when you spend £6,000 within three months and a further 20,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

American Express Business Platinum

Up to 120,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

Up to 60,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.