atLAS, aLAS

Elaborating on what Jiejie said, if you see that the casino uses a ticket in ticket out system, which is the vast majority of casinos these days, you can stuff all your ratty bills into a machine and then hit cash out without playing a hand, receive a bar coded ticket, and take that ticket to the cashier. There you can explain to the cashier your need for all mint conditioned notes, and since you are such a high roller (your ticket will be much bigger than average) they should accommodate your request.

atLAS, aLAS

The most common counterfeit is the color photocopy. If you learn to recognize these you will be fairly safe.

Moneychangers work on small margins. And if you don't look like a local, you are a more likely target. In my experience, they try to slip in just one fake bill.

manneca

It is an unbelievable hassle to round up $5000 or more in new bills. I have a stash right now, but I'm off to a dive place that wants cash (well they'll take cc but it's an extra 5%).

I'll have to check out the casino idea. It might be faster for me to drive 45 minutes to Tunica than to drive to banks all over Memphis. Last time I went to four or five banks.

atLAS, aLAS

A big wad of notes seems suspicious to the bankers in Memphis. But you have a built in reason to have lots of cash in a casino, so everything is OK.

Mandira

Asked the receptionist at my guesthouse in Rangoon if it was OK to fold my crisp USD notes so I could keep them in my wallet. She said no and made me a container out of paper to keep the notes in (cardboard seems like the best solution). That was a stack of $5-$20 notes. I had no problems paying some entry fees with well used $1 bills though. For future record: they had no tears (well, maybe a microscopic one on one of them) or stains, but had been folded and one was even a bit faded. Hope someone will report back if they try to change or pay with larger notes in less-than-perfect condition.

There are different rates for different denominations of USD in Burma, but even $1 notes can be exchanged if you are willing to accept a slightly lower rate. At the time of writing, USD, EUR and SGD can be exchanged by official money changers, e.g. at Rangoon Airport.

Most things can also be paid in kyat nowadays. Some people even said they paid their accomodation in kyat. Several ATMs (dispensing kyat) that accept foreign cards have sprung up in Rangoon. Haven't tested any myself, but I have heard about people using them successfully when there is power. Better bring some USD in cash as backup for the time being.

jiejie

I've always gotten the nicest 100's at the casinos down here at Vicksburg and the Pearl River Resort at the Choctaw Reservation! Surely Tunica would be similar.

Jaimito Cartero

Yes, Myanmar is worse than Indonesia, if that's possible. Mostly in Indonesia it's when dealing with banks. If dealing with exchanges, they're quite a bit better, but still no rips and marks is the best way to go.

I used to take high 4 figures to Asia a few times a year. I'd spend hours trying to get acceptable bills, and always come up a bit short. My bank, in particular said they couldn't get any new currency in. Too bad they have delayed the new $100 bill, as their would be lots more newer stuff out.

MSPeconomist

When I needed money in good condition for a trip to Argentina, I phoned a couple suburban bank branches to see where had just received some new currency. Then I went at a less busy time and they let me inspect and pick the notes I wanted.

jiejie

This is a good strategy. Call ahead + less busy time + pick through notes. Near my family's USA home, there is a bank branch with a Filipino teller, and we always try to get her since she knows exactly why we need the pristine bills for Asia travel!

tentseller

IME you can negotiate a better rate for your Filipino Piso with a stack of brand new B Franklin portraits.

Mccauleybil

As long as you are headed to the bank for clean / crisp / fresh / new Hundreds, pick up some $2 bills (need not be clean / crisp / fresh) but many Asians believe them to be lucky. I carry several for tipping, and I am convinced they are more appreciated than a $10 or a $20 would be. Gifting them around CNY is especially appreciated.

CrazyInteg

Are there a lot of Asians in Utah?

laspvg

I haven't seen any $2 bills for years. So I can request them from the bank?

dsquared37

Where are you tipping $10 or $20 in Asia?

atLAS, aLAS

Crazy, CNY clearly refers to Chinese New Year, not Moab UT