ATM's on the Strip

I plan to take a prepaid currency card when I visit in July. I feel it will be safer than having all my cash in dollars however will it be a hassle trying to find ATM's to withdraw cash? The card I have does not charge for cash withdrawals which is normal but not always the case in UK so what can I expect in Vegas?
I am staying in Caesars Palace.

 

You will have no issue finding any ATM's on the strip. Many are combined with the Bill Breaker/TITO machines.

Although your card does not charge a withdrawal fee, you will be charged a fee by the ATM's. How much varies, but on strip expect roughly $5, maybe even more. So account/budget for that, depending on how many times you think you may withdraw on your visit. If your card has a daily withdrawal limit (some do) consider raising it, so you can withdraw more at the ATM and arent stuck going there every day and paying that fee every time.

 

the 7-11 on the strip has the lowest fee, from what I've found. I actually pay no fee there since my CU is a member of the network its on.

 

May I suggest you simply use your own ATM card to withdraw funds, just as you would at home? I recently traveled to London and Paris from the US, and had no issues withdrawing funds from my US-based bank. By using your own ATM card, you will receive that day's interbank-exchange rate. (Visit xe.com for current exchange rates.)

Unlike in Europe, almost all ATM's in the US charge a fee to the person that uses the ATM, if they do not have an account with that bank that owns the machine. However some banks have reciprocal agreements that allow other users to access funds without paying a fee. I may be wrong, but Barclay's/Bank Of America, for example.

Be aware that the ATM's on the Strip are not bank-owned, but are third-party owned. They charge enormous fees to use them. They are pure profit centers. I have seen fees as high as $5.95 USD for their use. However, getting away from the Strip and using an ATM at a local bank will almost always result in a lower fee, sometimes as low as $2.00 USD.

Also, check with your bank to see what they will charge you to withdraw funds from an ATM that they do not own (if any). My bank does not charge a fee, but many do. When I was in London I found that there was no fee from my bank or the from the bank that owned the ATM there. And the exchange rate was favorable, especially when compared to purchasing GBP from home or exchanging dollars upon my arrival.

Hope this helps.

 

The casino ATMs used to charge $4.99, but I think it had gone up to $5.99 last time we were there.

The cheapest ATM on the strip is inside Casino Royale which is just up the street from Caesars Palace and is $1.

 

I'm sure that what you are doing is a tested option...but I wouldn't do it.

One more step/person/company for things to go wrong with.

I'd rather pay the fee and use my own bank card - therefore if there is an issue I can call my bank.

I would also suggest that if you are going to make a withdraw from an ATM that you do it while you still have unspent cash on hand - actual cash in Vegas. That way if something goes wrong you're not left putting in time - or waiting till the next day (to get a hold of a person) - and still have spending money.

 

Thanks for the info and tips,appreciated!

I think my two son's will still work with the pre-paid card for security reasons however my Wife and I will stock up on currency for the fun things and will use my credit card for the more expensive purchases.

 

Worth knowing, I have used the pre paid card on my last 3 visits and find it easier to keep track of what I'm spending although the ATM's don't give you a balance so I have to keep my receipts so I know how much I have withdrawn, I always have a bank card as well just in case.

 

Are there any bank owned ATMs in the big shops like Forum, Miracle Mile, Fashion Show, etc?

 

Curious about the "security" issue? What would that be?

 

There used to be a Bank of America atm in the bottom level of the forum shops- when you went to the Forum from the casino you would take the first escalator down and the machine was near the little gift/sundries shop. If I remember correctly it was gone when we checked last August. Maybe someone else can chime in...

 

It's really about them not having to carry a large sum of cash when lots of drinking is involved!

 

Where are you staying? Will you have a safe? There are better ways to manage money than a prepaid debit card, including travellers checks if you have access to the real deal.

 

Citibank has one in the 7-11 on the strip by the hawaiian village. That's the only bank owned one I know of on the strip.