Traveling with cash

[Reluctant Daddy]

How do you guys handle traveling with larger amounts of cash?

 

Even at my top ATM daily withdrawal limit, I can't withdraw at enough to cover an escort's fee plus daily pocket money. I had planned on taking the fee in cash, but it's a bit substantial. Walking around with that much and removing and placing my wallet through airport security makes me nervous - I'm afraid of one of those "Oops, where's my wallet?" moments. I get distracted by shiny things easily these days.

[maninsoma]

You don't bank at an institution that has ATM access where you are going? Granted, I don't travel that much and I don't travel off the beaten path, but I have never had trouble accessing cash all over the U.S. and also in Mexico, usually at in-network ATMs where I am not paying any fees.

 

Another idea: If this is a trusted escort you've hired before, how about simply paying him in advance so you don't have to pay him at the time of the trip?

[AdamSmith]

Even at my top ATM daily withdrawal limit, I can't withdraw at enough to cover an escort's fee plus daily pocket money.

Most banks let you temporarily raise your daily withdrawal limit with just a phone call to them.

[Reluctant Daddy]

You don't bank at an institution that has ATM access where you are going? Granted, I don't travel that much and I don't travel off the beaten path, but I have never had trouble accessing cash all over the U.S. and also in Mexico, usually at in-network ATMs where I am not paying any fees.

 

Another idea: If this is a trusted escort you've hired before, how about simply paying him in advance so you don't have to pay him at the time of the trip?

 

I do have ATM access in the city I'm traveling to, but I can't withdraw enough to during the time there to cover both the fee and pocket money. I plan to use my credit card for daily expenses when I can. My bank has a ceiling on the daily ATM withdrawal amount, and at that it won't be enough. Would a check or money order for the amount, or part of it, cause problems for the escort because of the amount being deposited?

[jawjateck]

Cash retrieval and carry for this hobby is a pain. I would not leave home on a trip without the necessary cash to complete the adventure. While I have numerous cash advance/withdrawal opportunities wherever I travel, I don't depend on any of them. And I have noticed bank tellers seem to sneer more now whenever I withdraw a few thousand in cash....like "what do you need this for, huh?" Damn nosy people! The most I ever paid for a single adventure was 4500, but 2-3k is common.

 

Fortunately, I have a few guys with whom I have developed mutual trust, and they will accept an electronic payment from me. Unless you know the guy really well and have discussed payment terms/options, you should be prepared to pay it all in cash.

[jawjateck]

I do have ATM access in the city I'm traveling to, but I can't withdraw enough to during the time there to cover both the fee and pocket money. I plan to use my credit card for daily expenses when I can. My bank has a ceiling on the daily ATM withdrawal amount, and at that it won't be enough. Would a check or money order for the amount, or part of it, cause problems for the escort because of the amount being deposited?

 

Ask him if he will take a postal money order as partial payment. That's 1k right there.

[+ Truereview]

Great question. here are the things I do:

• I have an account with a couple of large global banks. As @maninsoma suggests, I prefer to take the cash out at the point of sale (city I'm visiting) instead of traveling with it. So for example, if I'm in the Northeast, I know I'm probably gonna be able to find a Chase Branch whereas in the West Coast, it will be WF branch. I do my homework to make sure there is a brick and mortar presence for my bank of choice in the city I'm visiting. I could care less what the tellers ask me when I withdraw large amounts of cash. If they do ask, I tell them I'm headed to Vegas.
  
• I luv Chase bc their Teller machines give you the option to dispense large amounts in 100s or 50s. Less hassle.
  
• If I must travel with cash, I don't place my cash in my wallet when I travel. Too obvious. I have a special pocket in my travel bag that requires unzipping two enclosures and then digging for the cash.
  
• I always inspect my travel bag after going thru security bc if my money was missing, I could make a big stink right there and then.
  
• I never lose sight of my travel bag and if it is selected for inspection (hardly ever) I stand right in front of the agent and memorize his name and call him by that name a couple of times.
  
• I do not pay in advance ever. I do not like having a trail via checks, money orders, or electronic transfers. Call me distrustful or conspiracy theorist, but if I can avoid it, I do.
  

[MikeBiDude]

And I have noticed bank tellers seem to sneer more now whenever I withdraw a few thousand in cash....like "what do you need this for, huh?" Damn nosy people! .

I tell the nosy tellers I'm going to the racetrack or Las Vegas...then they all say "lucky you!"

But yeah, keep my biz private and give me my money.

[jawjateck]

And I never carry all/most of the cash in my wallet. I place much of it in an envelop and tuck it in a hidden zip pouch on the inside of my carry on bag where it is difficult to access. Of course, the risk is my bag is lost or stolen, but that kind of theft is more difficult than someone slipping away with my wallet.

[+ glutes]

[Reluctant Daddy]

Cash retrieval and carry for this hobby is a pain. I would not leave home on a trip without the necessary cash to complete the adventure. While I have numerous cash advance/withdrawal opportunities wherever I travel, I don't depend on any of them. And I have noticed bank tellers seem to sneer more now whenever I withdraw a few thousand in cash....like "what do you need this for, huh?" Damn nosy people! The most I ever paid for a single adventure was 4500, but 2-3k is common.

 

Fortunately, I have a few guys with whom I have developed mutual trust, and they will accept an electronic payment from me. Unless you know the guy really well and have discussed payment terms/options, you should be prepared to pay it all in cash.

 

I'm doing this over a weekend, and my arrival is timed such that I think most banks will be closed. To complicate matters, my bank doesn't have a branch in the state I'm traveling to. I considered checks/money orders but frequently read in comments that large check deposits sometimes raise eyebrows for the depositor. I don't want him to have any problems with this type of thing.

[MikeyGMin]

I sure wouldn't expect an escort to take a check or money order. If you expect that amount of trust from him, you should be able to prepay him and you probably aren't considering that.

 

When I travel with a large amount of cash, I make sure that it is all in $100 bills so the wad is as small as possible, and then I choose a pair of pants that has a button back pocket that I never use. (Left side for me.) I fold it, tuck it in, and never touch that pocket again until I get to my destination.

 

I know that airport security is telling people to remove everything from their pockets, but it's never a problem going through a metal detector. If you have to go through one of the full body scanners, I take it out and jam it into one of my shoes. That forces you to check for it right away and put it back in your safety pocket.

 

This has always worked for me, but I will admit that I'm not easily distracted by shiny objects when I have several grand in my pocket.

[bigvalboy]

I just slip the money in my sock, but this works also. (and yes...$100 dollar bills)

[MiamiLooker]

Hide it in your underwear.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IBVPgalgRAk/TAE1LZ6t5wI/AAAAAAAABVk/IVKLCvbgOIw/s1600/fake+soiled+underwear+briefsafe.jpg

[+ Topseed]

Perhaps your escort uses the Venmo app?

[+ Keith30309]

Hide it in your underwear.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IBVPgalgRAk/TAE1LZ6t5wI/AAAAAAAABVk/IVKLCvbgOIw/s1600/fake+soiled+underwear+briefsafe.jpg

 

Wow - THIS is brilliant.

[gallahadesquire]

A major surprise was with an escort who I met for the first time in Boston (flew him in). I handed him his weekend fee and he said, "Next time, make it a check."

 

Alternatively, I made several payments to someone's phone. I don't know if other companies do that, but Bank of America does.

 

As far as getting "sneered" at: I have two teller-occupied branches of my bank within my normal stomping grounds. I make several trips so I don't take out more than, say, $2000 per withdrawl, and not at the same bank. I do have the advantage of being able to go there all times of day.

 

GO CUBS!

[+ sync]

Wow - THIS is brilliant.

 

Among other things. :o

[rvwnsd]

How do you guys handle traveling with larger amounts of cash?

 

Even at my top ATM daily withdrawal limit, I can't withdraw at enough to cover an escort's fee plus daily pocket money. ...

 

Bank of America allows its customers to withdraw up to the available balance in their accounts and I believe Citibank does as well. Citibank also subscribes to an ATM network that provides no-fee withdrawals at 7-11's and at other institutions, including US Bank.

 

I'm doing this over a weekend, and my arrival is timed such that I think most banks will be closed. To complicate matters, my bank doesn't have a branch in the state I'm traveling to.

 

Here's the things about ATM withdrawal limits: they reset at the end of the calendar day. Let's say your withdrawal limit is $500.00 and you have a playdate on Saturday that will cost $800. You could withdraw your "pocket money" on Thursday, $500 on Friday, and another $500 on Saturday. If you are traveling across time zones you have to make sure you don't make a withdrawal in LA at 10:30 PM Pacific time Thursday (which actually occurred at 12:30 AM Friday Eastern time) and expect to make another one at 5:00 PM in NYC the next day.

 

Here's another tip: ATM withdrawal limits are typically set at the account level, not at the card or customer level. Using the $500 limit as an example, if you have two checking accounts and a savings account, you could withdraw $500 from each account per day for a total of $1,500.

 

Regarding handling wallet and keys at security, that's an easy one. Simply put your wallet, keys, watch, and so forth in a pocket of your carry-on bag. Regarding the cash, do as @Truereview said and put it in an envelope.

[Reluctant Daddy]

;):););)

Great question. here are the things I do:

• I have an account with a couple of large global banks. As @maninsoma suggests, I prefer to take the cash out at the point of sale (city I'm visiting) instead of traveling with it. So for example, if I'm in the Northeast, I know I'm probably gonna be able to find a Chase Branch whereas in the West Coast, it will be WF branch. I do my homework to make sure there is a brick and mortar presence for my bank of choice in the city I'm visiting. I could care less what the tellers ask me when I withdraw large amounts of cash. If they do ask, I tell them I'm headed to Vegas.
  
• I luv Chase bc their Teller machines give you the option to dispense large amounts in 100s or 50s. Less hassle.
  
• If I must travel with cash, I don't place my cash in my wallet when I travel. Too obvious. I have a special pocket in my travel bag that requires unzipping two enclosures and then digging for the cash.
  
• I always inspect my travel bag after going thru security bc if my money was missing, I could make a big stink right there and then.
  
• I never lose sight of my travel bag and if it is selected for inspection (hardly ever) I stand right in front of the agent and memorize his name and call him by that name a couple of times.
  
• I do not pay in advance ever. I do not like having a trail via checks, money orders, or electronic transfers. Call me distrustful or conspiracy theorist, but if I can avoid it, I do.
  

 

I have a messenger bag I take while traveling. It has a zippered compartment where I throw my watch, etc. while going through security. Do you think an envelope with a large amount of cash would trigger any questions or problems if it's pegged for inspection? I know the restrictions on cash between countries, but I'm not familiar with similar restrictions on domestic travel. Conceivably it could be earmarked for hotel, car rental, etc.

[rvwnsd]

;):););)

 

I have a messenger bag I take while traveling. It has a zippered compartment where I throw my watch, etc. while going through security. Do you think an envelope with a large amount of cash would trigger any questions or problems if it's pegged for inspection? I know the restrictions on cash between countries, but I'm not familiar with similar restrictions on domestic travel. Conceivably it could be earmarked for hotel, car rental, etc.

There is no restriction on the amount of cash that can be carried domestically.

 

Quick question: how much cash are you taking?

[Reluctant Daddy]

There is no restriction on the amount of cash that can be carried domestically.

 

Quick question: how much cash are you taking?

 

Around $3,500-$4,000

[coriolis888]

• If I must travel with cash, I don't place my cash in my wallet when I travel. Too obvious. I have a special pocket in my travel bag that requires unzipping two enclosures and then digging for the cash.
  
• I always inspect my travel bag after going thru security bc if my money was missing, I could make a big stink right there and then.
  
• I never lose sight of my travel bag and if it is selected for inspection (hardly ever) I stand right in front of the agent and memorize his name and call him by that name a couple of times.
  

 

If you travel by air often, have you (or anyone else reading this response) considered Global Entry or TSA precheck?

 

If you obtain membership in either of the two (or some others) programs, you can bypass the need to place currency (and other valuables) in your bag that goes through screening.

 

You leave your money in your pocket or in a money belt or any other place on your body. You will not be going through the "nude-o-scope" (body scanners) like passengers must do if they do not have Global Entry or TSA precheck. Instead, you go through the "old fashioned" metal detector.

 

The membership is valid for five years and costs - for Global Entry - $100.00 and for TSA precheck, $85.00. Again, this is for five years of membership.

 

Being able to keep your valuables with you when going through security is a form of comfort and security.

 

Here is a link to some basic information about TSA precheck - If interested, Google for Global Entry and more for TSA precheck:

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/tsa-precheck

 

-

[+ purplekow]

I just put the money in my suitcase right next to my gun. Just a joke.

Money in an envelop. Envelop in the inner pocket of my jacket. I usually try to arrange for the escort to accept a check. Sometimes a bit of a check cashing bonus is enough to persuade the reluctant.

[mike carey]

I know the restrictions on cash between countries, but I'm not familiar with similar restrictions on domestic travel.

There is no restriction on the amount of cash that can be carried domestically.

There is, as I understand it, no restriction of the amount of cash that you can carry in or out of the US, only that you must declare if you are carrying more than USD10,000 in cash and financial instruments. Other countries have different rules. (Travellers to and from Australia must declare physical cash of AUD10,000 and above. Financial instruments, which technically even include blank cheques, must be declared regardless of value but only if you are asked by customs.)