How much cash can you bring on plane?

runningaces

Well-Known Member
#1
My bankroll has increased enough for me to ask this question now. I know I'm not going to get any heat over carrying 10k at my local airport but what can I bring on the plane in Vegas? I will be alone so I will not have the opportunity to give a wad to a friend til we get through the screening area.

Thanks in advance.
 

shadroch

Well-Known Member
#2
If you don't expect eat at your local airport,why would you expect it in Vegas,where they are used to cash?
Why not just open an accoun at a Wells Fargo bank and then just transfer the money in and out of your regular account.
 

KenSmith

Administrator
Staff member
#3
Carry it through screening on your body. Cargo pants will allow you to carry a quite large bankroll.

Your question is of course more relevant if the cash is discovered or inquired about by the screening personnel. Be completely honest about what you are carrying if asked. You might be interested in a recent article by Bob Nersesian in All In magazine. He describes a case where cash was confiscated. It was only around $30K or $40K if I recall correctly. After lots of legal wrangling, the cash was finally returned about a year later, and all 'charges' dropped.

However, in that case there were other factors including an international flight and a one-way ticket. If at all possible, avoid booking one way fares if you are carrying your bankroll. Also be careful about booking multi-carrier connections, since those flights often look like one-way fares. Pay a little extra for airfare if needed, in order to avoid those fares.

It's really a shame that honest citizens have to be concerned about carrying legal tender, in any amount. But, that's the world we live in.
 

runningaces

Well-Known Member
#4
Thank you Ken, you hit the nail on the head for me, the last thing I want is 30-40k confiscated for a year that is legally my hard earned money. The most I've went through the screeners with is 15k on myself, 7500.00 in each pocket (kinda like the cargo pants theory).

And Shad, the reason I asked this question is because the last thing I want to do is put that much cash into my bank account, especially at once as you have to fill a form out for anytime you deposit more than 10k in cash. I don't want to fill out that form, it only could have a negative effect.

The reason I won't get heat about a bankroll at my local airport is because everybody knows me, I could carry 50K on and they wouldn't bat an eye, but in Vegas? Thats why I asked.
 

runningaces

Well-Known Member
#6
I don't have a fake id, but I wouldn't want to carry one after 9/11. If I get to the point of being 86'd at all the casino's then I'll just quit because that would mean I've taken enough money away from them.
 

vonQuux

Well-Known Member
#7
21forme said:
Any concerns about carrying false ID on you at an airport?
To be blunt, unless I wanted to wind up in Cuba, wearing an orange jumpsuit and a matching set of ankle and wrist restraints, I wouldn't have a fake ID on my person within 50 miles of an airport.

Well, unless the name on the ID read "McLovin." =)

vQ

PS: Scratch that -- they'd probably think you were IRA...
 

shadroch

Well-Known Member
#8
vonQuux said:
To be blunt, unless I wanted to wind up in Cuba, wearing an orange jumpsuit and a matching set of ankle and wrist restraints, I wouldn't have a fake ID on my person within 50 miles of an airport.

Well, unless the name on the ID read "McLovin." =)

vQ

PS: Scratch that -- they'd probably think you were IRA...


You talk about Club Gitmo as if it were a bad thing.
 

Frankie

Well-Known Member
#9
runningaces said:
My bankroll has increased enough for me to ask this question now. I know I'm not going to get any heat over carrying 10k at my local airport but what can I bring on the plane in Vegas? I will be alone so I will not have the opportunity to give a wad to a friend til we get through the screening area.

Thanks in advance.
You can legally bring any amount of money when traveling domestically. The only issue is potential for someone to think the funds are drug proceeds. I don't think anything under $25k is a risk at all, and $25-$50k is probably okay if you have a good story. On a plane to Vegas (or even connecting to Vegas on your next flight) probably equals a good story automatically. #1 rule if questioned is tell the truth -- not necessarily the whole truth, but don't lie. "Gambling proceeds or gambling funds" should be sufficient if you have a Vegas flight or connection, and we are talking $50k or less in $100s. It would probably also help to have proof of a stay in Vegas (e.g., hotel details, etc.). Telling them you are an AP is irrelevant, I would avoid it.
 

Cardcounter

Well-Known Member
#10
KenSmith said:
Carry it through screening on your body. Cargo pants will allow you to carry a quite large bankroll.

You might be interested in a recent article by Bob Nersesian in All In magazine. He describes a case where cash was confiscated. It was only around $30K or $40K if I recall correctly. After lots of legal wrangling, the cash was finally returned about a year later, and all 'charges' dropped.

Only around $30,000-$40,000 you say it if it is like $40 or something. That is a ton of money to be carrying around with you. What if you get held up and somebody steals your cash? Why in the world would you not just put the money in a checking account that has branches all over the place such as a bank of america, or a wells fargo, or a bank of the west and then pick up your money when you arrive. Anything over $10,000 can cause you trouble.
 

bj bob

Well-Known Member
#11
runningaces said:
And Shad, the reason I asked this question is because the last thing I want to do is put that much cash into my bank account, especially at once as you have to fill a form out for anytime you deposit more than 10k in cash. I don't want to fill out that form, it only could have a negative effect.
If you have $10 Large in a BofA account, you automatically qualify for a safe deposit box. Take the $10K out of the account and hit the SD Box for the rest. No plane, no forms for withdrawl, no carrying around piles of cash. Anonimity=priceless!
 
#13
runningaces said:
My bankroll has increased enough for me to ask this question now. I know I'm not going to get any heat over carrying 10k at my local airport but what can I bring on the plane in Vegas? I will be alone so I will not have the opportunity to give a wad to a friend til we get through the screening area.

Thanks in advance.
It is not illegal to carry money on any flight within the USA. They don't ask you how much money you have when you board the plane. I remember one time comeing back from LV with $60,000 stuffed in my pants and shirt but that was before 911. If you are leaving the country thats a differnt story anything over $10,000 has to be declared.
 

QFIT

Well-Known Member
#14
Legally you can carry any amount. But, this is a complex question. Rick Blaine discusses it briefly in Blackjack Blueprint (excellent book) and has discussed it more deeply in private forums. A few comments garnered from his long experience:

1. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. (that one’s obvious.)
2. If you must, carry a letter from your lawyer or attorney stating the amount of cash that you have and its purpose. Return trips are a bit more complex but can be handled.
3. Remember that it’s not just that you might have your funds temporarily confiscated, but that when they are returned – they may have been skimmed.
4. Carry past income tax returns to indicate that you are in fact a pro gambler.
5. In extreme cases, explain the situation to security personnel in advance.
6. Don’t hide the cash. This is something I always agree with. Never act like a criminal.

In my mind, the most important concept of getting through airports quickly is to look natural. The same concept that aids you in casinos.
 

bj bob

Well-Known Member
#15
QFIT said:
Legally you can carry any amount. But, this is a complex question. Rick Blaine discusses it briefly in Blackjack Blueprint (excellent book) and has discussed it more deeply in private forums. A few comments garnered from his long experience:


In my mind, the most important concept of getting through airports quickly is to look natural. The same concept that aids you in casinos.
Hey Norm, I'm trying to PM you but can't find a link. Could you help me out here Sir?
 

GeorgeD

Well-Known Member
#16
Having cash on domestic sounds right to me, but they can hassle anybody these days. I believe you can be in big trouble not declaring anounts in excess of $10K either leaving or returning to the US. They may expect you to declare it leaving the US, so they know it's not earnings you are bringing back to the US.

They have been known to confiscate cash at both ends of border crossings.

InPlay said:
It is not illegal to carry money on any flight within the USA. They don't ask you how much money you have when you board the plane. I remember one time comeing back from LV with $60,000 stuffed in my pants and shirt but that was before 911. If you are leaving the country thats a differnt story anything over $10,000 has to be declared.
 
#17
Frankie said:
You can legally bring any amount of money when traveling domestically. The only issue is potential for someone to think the funds are drug proceeds. I don't think anything under $25k is a risk at all, and $25-$50k is probably okay if you have a good story. On a plane to Vegas (or even connecting to Vegas on your next flight) probably equals a good story automatically. #1 rule if questioned is tell the truth -- not necessarily the whole truth, but don't lie. "Gambling proceeds or gambling funds" should be sufficient if you have a Vegas flight or connection, and we are talking $50k or less in $100s. It would probably also help to have proof of a stay in Vegas (e.g., hotel details, etc.). Telling them you are an AP is irrelevant, I would avoid it.
That's exactly what I would do. "I'm going to/coming from the casino." If you are coming from, you have proof you were there because you're on tape. Going there might be a little harder to sell, especially if you are going from Nevada to some little casino someplace else with $50K. But never lie because once you get caught in that you can plan on having the money confiscated. Also if anyone is stupid enough to carry a joint or an E on them with their bankroll, they deserve to lose it.

Myself, I usually do the BofA method because my play doesn't require me to transfer more than $10K per day. If I had to do more than that, I'd probably have to do a lot more planning.
 

Kasi

Well-Known Member
#18
Frankie said:
You can legally bring any amount of money when traveling domestically. The only issue is potential for someone to think the funds are drug proceeds.
Especially when a federal appeals has ruled that police are justified confiscating large amounts of cash found in a routine traffic stop under the presumption it may be related to drugs despite no evidence of a crime being committed. God forbid one of those bills might cause a dog to alert on it. Or something in a rental car even though it's been driven by hundreds of people. Kiss it all good-bye.

So, if you get thru airports OK, be careful driving home and to your hotel.
 
#19
GeorgeD said:
Having cash on domestic sounds right to me, but they can hassle anybody these days. I believe you can be in big trouble not declaring anounts in excess of $10K either leaving or returning to the US. They may expect you to declare it leaving the US, so they know it's not earnings you are bringing back to the US.

They have been known to confiscate cash at both ends of border crossings.
Upon entering another country you have to fill out a custom decelaration. Right on the form it ask you if you are carrying in access of $10,000. It is not against any law as long as you declare it and state your reason.
 
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