How Should We Transport $2,000-$3,000 in Cash to Las Vegas?

We typically come to Las Vegas with a modest gambling bankroll a between $2,000 and $3,000. In your opinion, based on the tools that are now available in the financial community, what is the best way to transport that amount of money? And your link to the results of the poll on day trips is at the bottom of this answer.

Though a couple-three grand isn't exactly walking-around money to us, it's not so much that we wouldn't simply stick 20 to 30 hundred-dollar bills in our wallet. Of course, we'd be continually conscious of it being there and alert to possible problems, but flying domestically, the chances of getting pickpocketed or robbed, or having the cash confiscated at a checkpoint, are pretty slim, in our estimation.

An alternative if the wallet idea doesn't sit well is to stash the cash in a money belt. However, this could draw attention to it at airport security. We doubt that TSA would be too concerned about a few thousand, but it's safer from other prying eyes than in a wallet.

Other tools are possible if that much money makes you nervous; we covered those in a QoD a couple years ago. We've also answered a question about taking a lot of cash through U.S. airports and one about how to access cash in Las Vegas without having to travel with it.

Here's the link to the most recent poll on your favorite day trips from Las Vegas.

What's the best way to transport $2,000-$3,000 in cash to Las Vegas?

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Don the Dentist Oct-05-2019

Cash

Put it in your left front pocket. Very hard to have it stolen.

Pat Higgins Oct-05-2019

Pat H

The wife and I do not really like using casino credit. A couple of years ago my wife hit a jackpot and we had several thousand dollars in cash for the trip home.  I purchased a money belt, put it around my waste and headed to the airport. No problem there or so I thought. But the machine detected that I had something around the front front of my hips.  They wanted to know what it was.  I told them we had hit a jackpot and it was some money.  He said the he had to see.  I said OK but I wanted it in privacy.  Two TSA agents went with me, I took out the money belt, he said no problem.  He smiled and said "you know you aren't suppose to take home any money."  We all laughed and I was on my way. Now I put the money in a pocket in my wife's purse and after security I head to a stall in the bathroom put it back under my clothes.  Problem solved.

Dennis Chartier Oct-05-2019

Safe bankroll

Few years ago my wife hit substantial jackpot. By mistake was paid in cash.  The same bank we have at home, Chase, was two miles away.  It was still open and we made the deposit into ur account.  If you have over $9,999 to deposit you have fill out a disclosure how you obtained the money.  Split the deposit if you have more than that.
Also, when we arrive, I bring so much and can make withdrawal if we need more.  Obviously make sure not a holiday or after hours.  Many different banks throughout Las Vegas area.

Steve Oct-05-2019

Wire it to me

Wire the coin to me pleas, trust me I will meet you in LV and pass it off.

steve crouse Oct-05-2019

Shared Banking

Most Credit Unions belong to the "Shared Branch" program, making any of their banks your bank if you deal with a credit union that belongs.

https://www.thebalance.com/can-i-make-a-deposit-at-any-credit-union-315398

Dave Kamsler Oct-05-2019

Deposits to bank

Do NOT break up a large cash deposit to avoid filling out the form.  Deposit the cash, fill out the form, and pay the taxes on it like you’re supposed to.   Breaking up a large cash deposit into smaller deposits in order to circumvent the $10,000 threshold is itself a federal crime.

Doug Bergman Oct-05-2019

Why miss out

... on precious gambling opportunities? If the cabbage is in your pocket or in the bank, you can't gamble with it. I suggest holding the wad in your hands for immediate access so you can bet on airplane arrival times a la Kramer.

rokgpsman Oct-05-2019

Casino credit works fine for me

Setting up casino credit isn't hard to do and makes life so much easier and safer. I don't have to carry much cash on me, never have that worry of losing it or having it stolen. When I arrive in Vegas I stop by the casino cage, ask for a marker and sign for the money, can be a few hundred dollars or up to your credit limit. At the end of the trip I pay off the markers or tell them to run it thru the bank. Nothing could be easier. To get your casino credit setup you fill out a form, can do it online at many casinos. Less hassle than buying a car, the paperwork is no big deal and well-worth getting rid of the headache & worries when carrying lots of cash.

Roy Furukawa Oct-05-2019

Get Taller

If you’ve ever seen the Richard Dreyfuss movie Let It Ride, you’d know the best place to put your money is in your shoes. :D  Best line in the movie is when Jennifer Tilly walks up behind him, covers his eyes and asks in that mousey voice, “Guess Who?” And Dreyfuss replies, “A football salesman!”

Norman Braverman Oct-05-2019

Norm

Just have an account at a major bank (BofA, Wells Fargo, etc.) and go to a branch in Las Vegas for withdrawals/deposits.  Then you can do whatever you want with it when you get home.

Bridgett Way Oct-06-2019

deposit

FYI-It is NOT illegal to make several deposits in your account.

Jerome Sinkovec Oct-07-2019

Safe handling of cash

I used to have the best way possible to take money to Vegas and back. Triple A used to offer no fee traveler's checks to members. Got them before I left and if I won big there are at least a half dozen AAA locations in LV, easy to find if you picked up free AAA maps before you went there. Alas, tis is a great deal forom the past, because a few years ago they stopped issuing traveler's checks.

Question of the Day - 05 October 2019

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