Vegas trip

Jon5321

Im planning on going on holiday to vegas in April and would like to know what is best to use for the casinos? would my visa debit card be ok. Do I have to imform my debit card company im going abroad? Would a pre paid card be better or may be travlers cheques?

thanks for advise

NoodleDoodleMan

Can I suggest a Chase card - they are a US bank with a UK arm.

They have a significant presence in the USA - branches and ATMs - ideal for drawing currency commission/fee free.

https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/

You might just have enought time left to apply.

A debit card is OK in principle - but some are not "user friendly" when used abroad - best check up your card fees before travelling.

This link is a few years out of date - but a decent general guide.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2014/06/debit-cards-worse-than-credit-cards-for-summer-holidays/

bazdvd

i always take USD when going to Vegas but ATMs are plentiful but you might get a transaction charge for using them.

michele-p

The casinos like you to use cash in Vegas, I'd take some dollars as well as a good card. I have a Halifax Clarity, and a Barclaycard which have no fees to send or withdraw cash.

The cash machines in Vegas have high charges, the whole place is about making them money!

If you've not booked your hotel yet, we stayed at Horseshoe in June (used to be called Ballys). Its directly opposite the Belagio, we saw the fountains from our room. It was very good value compared to other hotels. I signed up for a Ceasars account, unsing the address of the hotel we stayed at in Denver when we arrived, this gave us quite a discount when booking the room.

I also booked a refundable room, and kept checking prices. I cancelled and rebooked twice at better price each time before we arrived.

Neil49

Forget about travellers cheques, they are from a different century.

Get a Chase debit card if you have time as you can use their atms without additional fees. Hotels like you to register a card when you arrive to cover extortionate resort fees, Internet charges etc (you name it!) so a suitable credit card (as mentioned in posts above) would be advisable.

It's a great place but everything costs a lot of money! 

StuieUK34

I go twice a year, as others suggested, Chase card is good.
However, Chase card is good at the Chase ATM's only (which are nowhere near the strip/tourist area, but if u have a car, then its handy, due to the currency rate being that of the mastercard rate, super spot on.
IE:  No ATM fee's using Chase card in a Chase ATM.

Another note is: You can make a max withdrawal at the Chase ATM with your Chase card, for max $500.
You can make a total withdrawal for $1500 within the money.   ( i have to jump through many hoops to get the limit raised to $3k...)

Casino = Cash, just do cash, its simple, easy, cant go wrong, Cash.....  (and hotels have Safe's in the rooms).
Just take cash.

Dont use ATM's (unless using a Chase card in a Chase ATM), as your looking at almost $5 in atm fee's, and never use the ATM in the casino, unless u have money to burn.  Just take cash, simple   

Also, with the Chase card, u use that to pay for stuff (shopping, food, etc), there's no fee's , it generally is a good UK bank card to get (and to use in the US).

retiredbanker1

For Gambling - take cash with you - when its gone its gone!

For everything else Hotels, Meals, Entertainment take a credit card with no Forex charges such a Halifax Clarity etc.

(When doing your budgeting whatever figure you think you will need  - double it and have a great time)

Jon5321

I have a few more questions if thats ok . I have not been on holiday or trip for well over 10 years so out of the loop a bit.

All booked up Esta complete, hotel booked,travel insurance and flights. Flying from heathrow because of direct flight.

Thing of taking 5k cash I shouldnt have any problems at the airport will I ? I read you can take up to 10k before you need to declare it.

What documents do you need to take with you to the airport? Just passport? Do you get boarding pass when you check in on the day?

If I do win big say over 10k do they bank wire it over or cheque as I wil have problems at airport.

thanks for help again.

400ixl

Who are you flying with?

Typically you have a booking reference which you can access via their app or website. You check in 24 hours before online and get your boarding pass which you can print out or use in their app (or download).

Whilst you shouldn't need a printed copy, having one for your booking and the ESTA is worth having just in case. Ther than that just your valid passport for the airport itself.

Vegas side you go to immigration and clear that (you may get asked about funds and £5k in cash they won't typically bash an eyelid at). Once through there you collect your bags and head out of the airport.

Jon5321

Im flying with KLM.

bazdvd

you have a 99.99% of losing your cash but having fun and hardly any chance of winning 10k unless you are betting 100$ per spin or hand. I have have been lots of times and never came home winning but had a lot of fun each time. Just take what you are happy to spend and you cant go wrong.