ATM's, JFK or Heathrow, and pounds
 

My daughter (on a school trip) will have a 5 hour layover at JFK in NY on her way to London via Virgin Atlantic airlines. Can they get pounds using the ATM machines at JFK, or should they wait until they get to Heathrow and use the ATM there? AT Heathrow is there an ATM before they go through customs, or are they all after? Thanks!

She should use the ATM at Heathrow, and I do not think there is one before she gets through customs. However, she will not need any money for customs, so it should all work out okay. Make sure that her ATM card will be able to work from abroad - I had to get a check card rather than a simple ATM card from my bank.

If you want her to have some pounds before she goes, she could order them from your bank or a company like Thomas Cook, but they will charge a higher rate. Although, depending on when she is going, this might balance out a bit if the dollar drops against the pound in the interum time.

Hi dl,

The ATMs at JFK, oddly enough, only dispense USD. :)

There are exchnge booths, but she shouldn't change more than about $50 into GBP there.

((I))

Hi dl,

The ATMs at JFK, oddly enough, only dispense USD. :)

There are exchnge booths, but she shouldn't change more than about $50 into GBP there.

Tschool staff will should know where and how to exchange money.

((I))

I doubt you can get pounds at an ATM at JFK. She could get some at a money changing booth there but the exchange rate won't be great. If you live in a small town where the local bank can't get pounds, then getting a few at JFK might not be a bad idea.

The ATMS at Heathrow will be after going through customs.

Hmmmm. Do you hear an echo?

I didn't see your post before posting, Ira.

McLaurie, I think Ira was referring to his duplicate posting.

Sorry, Mclaurie.

Your posting wasn't there when I posted my posting. :)

In Terminal 4 at Heathrow, the ATM machines are against the wall where the car rentals are after you leave customs.

Since ther arrival is by Virgin we should be talking about Terminal THREE, not 4. I was just there last week and saw no ATM's "this" side of Immigration or baggage claim but they are available immediately thereafter.

If all else fails she can use a money change bureau but I would do that as a very LAST resort.

Please make sure that her pin number has four digits as those with six are not accepted here. Your credit card company should issue a new pin number if asked.
The ATM's at Terminal Three are on the far right hand wall as you come into the arrivals hall.
Adam C

My bank recommends not having a PIN # that starts with a zero when traveling overseas. I don't know if that applies in the UK, but better safe than sorry. Maybe a British poster can address that.

Its a good idea to have a backup to the ATM and/or debit card. This could be VISA or Mastercard (credit cards) w/PINS. Even if the ATMs are non-funtioning or out of sight, the plastic can still be used as a last resort INSIDE banks or exchange desks.

As clarified already, ATM's in the United States don't dispense pounds (or I sure don't think they do!) but you could use an exchange booth at the airport. But if you are going to pay those fees/rates, you might as well get a small amount on order from your own home bank before the trip IMO.

Otherwise simply wait until the first ATM you see at Heathrow.

That's too bad about the 5 hours layover at JFK, quite a long wait & not my favorite airport.