Leaving in 3 days -- Forgot to Make Money Transfer Plans

So I'm a procrastinating idiot, and I'm first realizing that having money to indulge in the Vegas cash games will actually require me to withdraw/transfer some money. Anyway, I'm leaving Thursday morning, which leaves me with the following few questions...

1) If I play to bring ~$3-5K, is it even necessary to plan any workaround to simply carrying the cash on the plane with me? Should I wire? Traveller's checks?

2) If I do need to wire, is there more lead time required than just 3 days in order to have the money waiting for me? Can wires be done over the phone?

3) Worst case scenario, if I don't take any money with me, will I be able to withdraw $3-$5K from a casino ATM machine without getting charged up to wazoo?

Help me salvage my vacation.

[kutuz_off]

Can't you write a personal check to yourself and go cash it in a bank in Las Vegas?

[ohkanada]

I will be bringing similar amounts on Thursday and I plan to go to the bank and get the cash earlier in the day.

Ken

[Superfluous Man]

What's up, procrastination buddy! I've also completely forgotten to do any such planning!

I was actually just planning on taking $3-5k in cash, as, if it's not an international flight, I don't think you'd catch any [censored]. I would just plan on keeping it on my person (or in my carry-on, which would never leave my sight). Secure pockets (like, ones that can be velcroed/zipped/buttoned shut) should work. So should putting it all in a condom and shoving it up your ass, if you're really paranoid.

I don't know the answer to #2, but I'd imagine the answer is to #3 is a solid "no," and your bank/the ATM probably limits withdrawals to make this inconvenient, if not impossible, to do in 1-2 days.

[Todd]

If you use a national bank like Bank of America, you should be able to go to any branch in Vegas, and transact your business.

I have done this, tho not for the same level of cash.

T

[TripleQ]

1) I have carried similar amounts on flights, across international borders to boot - no problem really

2) The whole idea of a wire is that it's instantaneous. Now whether you have the appropriate account/routing numbers might be subject to your planning ability. I'd call your bank for details on this one before leaving.

3) I have withdrawn similar amounts from ATMs in a casino... yeah, the game I was playing in was so good I had to withdraw so much :P Got charged pretty obscene amounts in fees though so I'd avoid this if possible.

[Temp Hutter]

[ QUOTE ]
So I'm a procrastinating idiot, and I'm first realizing that having money to indulge in the Vegas cash games will actually require me to withdraw/transfer some money. Anyway, I'm leaving Thursday morning, which leaves me with the following few questions...

1) If I play to bring ~$3-5K, is it even necessary to plan any workaround to simply carrying the cash on the plane with me? Should I wire? Traveller's checks?

2) If I do need to wire, is there more lead time required than just 3 days in order to have the money waiting for me? Can wires be done over the phone?

3) Worst case scenario, if I don't take any money with me, will I be able to withdraw $3-$5K from a casino ATM machine without getting charged up to wazoo?

Help me salvage my vacation.

[/ QUOTE ]

On domestic flights, cash is not a problem even over $10K. Wires can be done over the phone and in my experince the money is available within hours. Most ATM's have daily limits.

Speaking of carrying cash on an airplane - my last Vegas trip I had $17K in cash in the two front pockets of my shorts. I forgot about my cell phone and set off the alarm going through security. The security officer made the usual speel about "do you have any other metal in your pockets" and I said "no it must have been my cell phone." She kept insisting that I had something in my pockets because she could see it and I was reluctant to say out loud in front of a lot of people that it was cash. After a brief exchange of her pointing at my pockets and me saying "its nothing" she leaned closer to me and asked if it was cash and I said "yes" and she waived me through without a problem.

Anyone else use BofA? I seem to recall them not allowing over phone wires.

Seems that most people think brining ~$5K on a plane won't be too big of a deal anyhow, so I'll probably just go down that route. I'll certainly look into the wiring option though.

I seem to recall there being a thread devoted to the logistics of wiring to a casino cage. I'll search, but if anyone finds the link, please post.

[integrate]

Wasn't there a woman while back to was either flying into or out of Texas carrying $45K and was detained/questioned? I believe they only detained her for the only reason that she was carrying quite a sum of money.

[AcesUp]

[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't there a woman while back to was either flying into or out of Texas carrying $45K and was detained/questioned? I believe they only detained her for the only reason that she was carrying quite a sum of money.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anything under $10K shouldn't be any problem at all. I regularly carry $10-20K on planes to Vegas, and the couple times I've been questioned, it took about 20 seconds to resolve the issue...


-Aces

Yeah, for the record, the risk with carrying a lot of money on a plane is ultimately just hassle, right? In the end, there is now law being broken by carrying $100K on a plane, correct? I assume you are just running the risk of being detained and questioned indefinitely (not saying this is fun, obv).

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't there a woman while back to was either flying into or out of Texas carrying $45K and was detained/questioned? I believe they only detained her for the only reason that she was carrying quite a sum of money.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anything under $10K shouldn't be any problem at all. I regularly carry $10-20K on planes to Vegas, and the couple times I've been questioned, it took about 20 seconds to resolve the issue...


-Aces

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume you're just upfront about what the money is for ans this works fine?

[NYWalker]

1. carry any amount of cash on domestic fly is legal and you DONT need to report.
2. There are citibanks in Vegas, either drive there or take cab.
3. casino's ATM charges $4 and $500 limit applies.

[billyb]

go to AAA and get travelers checks.
that way you can replace them if lost.

peace
billyb

[CanIPlayII]

I went to my bank which is fairly small and got $5000 of American Express Travelers checks. I pointed out my balance and they did not charge me. Then I am carrying $4000 in cash. Hopefully will not need the Traveler's checks. Also Mirage yook a $1000 personal check at the Main Cage last time I was in Vegas.

[Yuv]

Don't you people have ATM cards?

[ QUOTE ]
Don't you people have ATM cards?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but I am pretty sure you get ripped a new one when you try to withdraw from a casino ATM. And if not, they at least charge you a whole lot.

[stan1541]

If you do take cash, try travlers checks, at least there is some insurance if you lose them. I don't know the details, but if you get robbed at least you have some recourse.

ABOUT TO GO TO BANK SO NEED QUICK RESPONSE:

Regarding the people who suggested traveler's checks, I assume that it's real easy to cash these in Vegas (i.e., do you just go up to the cage and say "here?"

[mliew]

According to the lady I talked to at the Ballys cashier cage, you can cash a personal check up to $2k as long as you have a major credit card and a valid drivers license. I would assume that you could do this at other casinos as well, so if you went to 2-3 casinos you would be able to withdraw $5k no problem.

Seems like this is the best way to go for small amounts of money since it's free and instant.

[NCAces]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't there a woman while back to was either flying into or out of Texas carrying $45K and was detained/questioned? I believe they only detained her for the only reason that she was carrying quite a sum of money.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anything under $10K shouldn't be any problem at all. I regularly carry $10-20K on planes to Vegas, and the couple times I've been questioned, it took about 20 seconds to resolve the issue...


-Aces

[/ QUOTE ]

I fly alot -- 100K - 250K miles per year -- and I can't imagine how anyone would even know that you have 5 dollars or 5K on you. If you are flying domestic there is no requirement to declare how much money you have, and you should never have to take it out of your pocket.

I'm curious ... why were you questioned? How did they even know you had the money?

As to the OP, I think travellers cheques are the way to go for low risk. If you have a nice bank balance, you should get them for free, or for a low cost. If you are AAA you can get them for free, too.

Good luck.

NCAces

[Ditch Digger]

Just take enough cash to tie you over for 1-2 days of poker. Then, if you end up needing more go visit one of the many BofA's in Vegas.

[ QUOTE ]
Just take enough cash to tie you over for 1-2 days of poker. Then, if you end up needing more go visit one of the many BofA's in Vegas.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, just looked this up: BofA ATMs near Monte Carlo (http://bankofamerica.via.infonow.net/locator/atmbranch/ResultsDisplayAction.do)

Didn't realize there were so many that were so close. I just assumed that all the ATMs would be no-name branches that would charge you a pound of flesh to withdraw.

[Foucault]

[censored], i read this thread and then completely forgot the AAA thing and paid Bank of America 2% juice for my cheques.

http://www.planetunreal.com/expectations/pwned.jpg

[ QUOTE ]
[censored], i read this thread and then completely forgot the AAA thing and paid Bank of America 2% juice for my cheques.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhhhh... como se wha?

Is this 2% BS standard for all BofAs, because I definitely just got my traveler's from there.

[Foucault]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[censored], i read this thread and then completely forgot the AAA thing and paid Bank of America 2% juice for my cheques.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhhhh... como se wha?

Is this 2% BS standard for all BofAs, because I definitely just got my traveler's from there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Shrug. That's what they charged me, and I had about 20K in my accounts before withdrawing. You didn't get charged anything?

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[censored], i read this thread and then completely forgot the AAA thing and paid Bank of America 2% juice for my cheques.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhhhh... como se wha?

Is this 2% BS standard for all BofAs, because I definitely just got my traveler's from there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Shrug. That's what they charged me, and I had about 20K in my accounts before withdrawing. You didn't get charged anything?

[/ QUOTE ]

They certainly didn't mention anything. And my receipt indicated no such charge. I'll check my bank statement also.

[uclabruinz]

That reminds me of Wells Fargo popping me for DEPOSITING cash in my account. Lovely. I have to pay them for the pleasure of them taking my money.

[CaryDarling]

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone else use BofA? I seem to recall them not allowing over phone wires.

Seems that most people think brining ~$5K on a plane won't be too big of a deal anyhow, so I'll probably just go down that route. I'll certainly look into the wiring option though.

I seem to recall there being a thread devoted to the logistics of wiring to a casino cage. I'll search, but if anyone finds the link, please post.

[/ QUOTE ]
They have BofA here in Vegas...just go to a local branch and withdrawl the cash

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone else use BofA? I seem to recall them not allowing over phone wires.

Seems that most people think brining ~$5K on a plane won't be too big of a deal anyhow, so I'll probably just go down that route. I'll certainly look into the wiring option though.

I seem to recall there being a thread devoted to the logistics of wiring to a casino cage. I'll search, but if anyone finds the link, please post.

[/ QUOTE ]
They have BofA here in Vegas...just go to a local branch and withdrawl the cash

[/ QUOTE ]

Looks like they have an ATM either in or right next to Monte Carlo.

Hello increased withdrawl limit...

[Jurollo]

I HATE BofA. They are evil!
~Justin

[Foucault]

[ QUOTE ]
I HATE BofA. They are evil!
~Justin

[/ QUOTE ]

Story?

[locutus2002]

most of the hotels have an inroom safe.

I'd carry the cash like a 20 year old poker player, even if you're older.

[BDHPlayer]

Just came back from Vegas. I hate carrying cash.

First of all, from what I can tell, there are no Citibanks in Las Vegas. I had to go to 7-11 to use a ATM.

Bank of America and Wells Fargo are all over. Both are within one mile of the Rio.

Check with the Rio to see if you can establish a credit line. I would assume that you can go to the cage and get a check cashed this way. I would think that most ATM's have pretty small limits as to what can be withdrawn per day.

You might also consider getting a credit line set up at other casinos.

[GrannyMae]

i don't know if you found a solution, but i want to unload some cash. up to $10k. i'll do a stars xfer if the site will facilitate.

pm me


edit: and let me withdraw without playing.

[Soulman]

How are the casinos not accepting debit cards to get chips? Isn't this totally last century?