Traveling to Vegas with Cash

AFAIK, all US bills $5 or larger have a security strip. But in US that strip is plastic not metal.

But even so, I use multiple money clips put in different places in my carry ons. Will also use wife’s carry ons as well. Plus my money clips are either metal or have a magnet clip. So they show up as rectangle. But I also will have a battery, might put some bills into the book I am carrying. Put some in with my cable case full of metal wires. Put some in my over ear headphones case. Etc

Not saying the could not spot one or more of these money “packs”, but they are not the kind of thing they are actually scanning the X-ray for.

Remember TSA is seldom (ever?) the ones seizing cash. That is usually LEO or maybe Customs.

The only thing about a new account, until it ages dome, access to funds may be limited. This is especially true if you use a financial co CMA account. But once this account is set up and relationship established, it is easier, cheaper AND SAFER than a wire. (A typo can send your wire to the wrong place with no recourse)

If you ever get money seized through civil forfeiture, you're basically screwed unless it's like a high 10 figure amount as lawyers fees will be more than the money you're trying to get back. Agencies that seize have an incentive too as they get to keep the funds seized. It's on you to prove that the money was legitimate. This is in contrast to when you are accused of a crime and it's on then to prove that you were guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

That being said, going to Vegas, I wouldn't be as worried about it going through TSA and the airport. I'd be more worried if I were on road trip and driving though some of these known drug routes (and also know areas where authorities are using/abusing civil forfeiture). Certain interstates in Oklahoma and Arizona come to mind off the top of my head.

I'd either pack my cash deep in my bag or opt out of the scanner and carry in on me (if it's a smaller amount) and hold it in my hand during the pat down. (If you have precheck, you can go through the metal detector with it).

This is the correct answer.

So, it's only worth getting it back if you get an amount in the high billions siezed? Baller! (10 figures is a billion, no?)

As pointed out, the claim is ridiculous.

Personal anecdote, several years ago I assisted in a local seizure that was resolved with a simple, direct letter with clear supporting documentation. The amount was about $5k but the cost was less than $1. The time was a couple of days.

Obviously this situation was unique and clear cut. But the point is that when there is clear cut, certain evidence the funds are legit getting them returned can be easy sometimes.

This situation was a local senior resident and the seizure was by sheriff dept. it should never have happened. The seizing officer was disciplined. Ofc it probably helps that the sheriff is elected. He certainly did not want this to become a show at the next election. That made it cheaper and faster but the clear evidence of legitimacy made it inevitable.

But the reality is that if the amount is life altering, don’t carry cash. Even that is not perfect protection since bank accounts and property can be seized. But cash is obviously the easy target.

or you could just take a reasonable amount with you and if you need more just hit the ATM and deal with the ATM fee

The problem with this may be daily withdrawal limits. If OP needs $25-$50k, he may reasonably need to take out more than his bank is willing to let him take out every day. But I agree this is a decent option if he can get a pretty big daily withdrawal limit.

FWIW, I think anyone that either travels abroad or spends time in a casino with any regularity would benefit from an account that reimburses all ATM fees. I bank with Charles Schwab, which both grants me a very high daily withdrawal limit (never had any trouble getting $2,500, and could probably get more if I asked), and reimburses all ATM fees anywhere in the world, including crediting any fees charged by the ATM itself. The casino benefit is obvious. The less obvious travel benefit is that the best way to obtain the true market exchange rate is to just use an ATM at your destination, and you can take out local currency as you need it instead of guessing how much you will need and getting stuck with a bunch of leftover Euros or whatever.

So I came across this Reddit thread—

https://www.reddit.com/r/tsa/comments/1c...

It makes me feel a lot safer about bringing 10-50k through TSA. It looks like you just put the cash at the bottom of your backpack carry-on. It goes through the scanner. If they want to screen you, ask for a private screening.

It sounds like they rarely ask or care where the money's from (especially traveling to/from Vegas). But if they do ask, just be straight up. It's for poker or from poker winnings in Vegas.

After reading this thread (thank you for all the replies!), y'all got me a little scared again. I might just take 10k with me to Vegas and plan on leaving with no more than 25k.

Wiring 10k into several player's banks is probably the easiest option. But I'd prefer not to have to set up player's bank accounts at Aria, Wynn, AND Rio. Or deal with bank accounts at all.

Rio?

Clearly a time traveler, undeniable proof… he still plays WSOP at Rio ;-)

A lot of scared poker players, LOL. You guys really think flying with $25 or even $50 is potentially going to get confiscated? Come on, high rollers come and go all the time with more cash than that. As the old saying goes "if you are looking for trouble it will find you." If there is no reason to suspect you of illegal activities, they wont.

People then say I dont want to wire to the casino cause its to expensive, kind of like buying a big boat and then asking how much the dock slip costs.

Another option is simply open an account at a major bank and when you get to Vegas swing by and withdraw cash.

my question is why do you need to bring so much cash with you? what stakes are you playing and how many buy-ins are you bringing?
seems like one of those "if you have to ask how then you probably shouldn't"

Maybe it's for the Spearmint Rhino.

Some people sure do love to Make it Rain.

Mikey D needed 3 stacks of high society to go to Vegas so he figured 25k is close enough...

I travel with 10-15k pretty often, both in and out of Vegas. I like keeping a big bankroll, and taking cash out or being short is super annoying not to mention ATM fees. Most of the time I sell what I win or have over to friends travelling to Vegas/US. I also play bigger occasionally (5/10 at Bellagio) and it’s good to have a couple of buyins.

That being said people overestimate how easy it is to move cash in and out of US and Vegas both internationally and domestic. I have friends who travel with 100k or more at a time and no issue at all.

Another option, but it's been a while since I've done it, the cage at a Harrah's property would cash a personal check for up to $10k with just a drivers license and a player's card.

you're allowed to travel with as much money as you'd like within the continental USA without any kind of notice or declaration, but be aware that certain government agents at airports may tip each other off about someone travelling with large amounts of cash for the purposes of civil asset forfeiture. (e.g. taking your money without any reason, and most of it going into the pockets of the agencies responsible for the forfeiture and a small cut to the snitches)

As above stated, when traveling with cash, you are not required to disclose the fact that you are carrying cash when traveling within the US, TSA can kiss my buttocks. I usually carry $5-10k secured with a broccoli rubber band in the lower pocket of my cargo pants. Don't ask don't tell, no one has ever questioned me about the big bulge in my pants.

😵

broccoli has rubber bands? I have a lot of asparagus wallets.

good old Amazon has them. Visit the Deekin store for silicone rubber bands. $8 for 24 heavy duty bands.