TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Re: Cash amount to the BVI

I don't know if this is still happening or if anyone else has had a similar experience, but I will relate something that we ran into some years ago. In order to keep the amount of bills in the wallet down, I carried some hundred dollar bills as part of our cash. I mean, a hundred equals five twenty dollar bills, or ten ten's, or twenty five's, so I thought it was a great idea. Wrong! When I tried to pay some bills with a hundred dollar bill, whether mooring, or at a grocery, restaurant or bar I was given a look of suspicion and turned down. Some people said they didn't have the change for the bill, other people just said they didn't take hundred dollar bills. I had to find a bank and have them broken down and even then there was repeated ink testing of the bills. A friend who lives part time on Virgin Gorda told me that the hundred dollar bill is the most often forged bill and that no one will take them. I don't know if that is still the case, but I now have a handful of five's, ten's, twenties, and a few fifties. Anyone with recent info, please chime in and keep the new folks carrying cash down to de ilon's informed and up to date. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Agreed. I generally carry 50's and 20's.

We take $100 bills and have never had a problem with using them. We try to break them on larger purchases like dinner out. Have never had anyone not accommodate us. We also take smaller denominations but the bulk is in larger bills.

Great advice, thanks!

$50s are okay though?

Suzanne

I bring 100s and they work fine - never had anyone refuse to accept one. But I also bring 20's and 50's and only use the 100s when the purchase is such that I might be getting back in change less than 50 bucks. I bring the 100s because I'd rather have a smaller stack of bills to deal with.

I have had them refused but worse I ended up with a fake 100 from an establishment in CGB..and they would not refund it. I tore it up. There were a lot of fake 100's coming in from PR for a while and I'm sure that is why many won't take them..despite the bulk I stick to 20's..

Which is why your wallet is wider than most barstools! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I've never had a problem anywhere in the BVI using 100s. In the US, it's usually a problem but never here.

I carry hundreds and a couple of 20s. I've also started bringing smaller bills for tips. On other trips I have had the old style 100s refused, so I ask for only new design 100s when I pickup cash for a trip.

Cheers, RickG

I carry some of 100s, 20s(400)(, 10s(200).
I carry some in my wallet and have remainder in bank envelopes in secure pocket of my carry on.
Haven't had any issues with 100s being refused (past 4 years).

Hundreds work for us at places like Roadtown Wholesale and anywhere else when the bill is more than $100. Bring smaller bills for anything $50 or less <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

The newer design is definitely harder to counterfeit and more easily accepted - this trend will continue to increase.
last month I had a customer pay with a 1928 Gold Certificate $100 bill -It looked so different, I was pretty skeptical but took it and it turned out to be authentic and highly collectible.