# Mind the Guide

> A guide for people moving to London, written from first-hand experience.

## Moving to London
Steps in order. Each step unblocks the next.
- [Get a phone line](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/get-a-phone-line/): How to get a UK phone number when you arrive in London, and which network to pick.
- [Get a proof of address](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/proof-of-address/): What counts as proof of address in the UK, and how to get one before you have a flat.
- [Open a bank account](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/open-a-bank-account/): Fun app banks vs serious high-street banks in the UK, and which to open first.
- [Find a flat](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/find-a-flat/): How to rent a flat in London, what renters' rights changed in 2026, and how deposits work.
- [Moving in](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/moving-in/): What to set up when you get a London flat. Council tax, TV licence, energy and water.
- [Build your credit score](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/build-your-credit-score/): How to build a UK credit score from zero when you are new to the country.
- [Get your first credit card](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/your-first-credit-card/): Getting a UK credit card without credit history, and why I use the British Airways Amex.
- [Save money](https://mindtheguide.london/moving-to-london/save-money/): Supermarket loyalty cards (Nectar, Sparks, myWaitrose, Clubcard, Lidl Plus), Boots Advantage and the Greggs vs Gail's guide to London.

## Points & travel
Collecting and spending Avios from London. Read in order.
- [Avios in 2 minutes](https://mindtheguide.london/points-and-travel/avios-in-2-minutes/): What Avios are, which airlines use them, and the 1p rule I use to decide if a flight is worth it.
- [Link everything](https://mindtheguide.london/points-and-travel/earn-avios-for-free/): Free ways to earn Avios in London by linking Uber, Nectar, Heathrow, TodayTix and more to your British Airways account.
- [Spend smarter](https://mindtheguide.london/points-and-travel/earn-avios-when-you-spend/): Earn Avios on what you already buy with the BA Amex, the Avios eStore, BA Holidays, Avis and eRewards.
- [Boost and move](https://mindtheguide.london/points-and-travel/boost-and-move-avios/): Multiply recent Avios with Balance Boost, move Avios between BA, Iberia, Finnair and Qatar, and when a Household Account helps.
- [Spend them well](https://mindtheguide.london/points-and-travel/spend-avios-well/): Where Avios are worth the most (long-haul business, Iberia to South America, Reward Flight Saver) and where they're wasted.

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