Breaking large bills in NYC

July 25, 2019 11:53 AM

I'm going to New York City shortly and I have a stupid tourist question. I have a few $100's I'd like to have broken into smaller bills. Are there any banks that I'd be able to do this at in NYC?

Are there specific banks which are more willing to do this than others? If so, which ones?

It seems as if this might be possible, depending on the bank I go to, according to other online travel forums. However, well-known travel forums have been pretty useless regarding answers. Most seem to chastise the asker for not using a credit card that has free international transactions, so they've been very unhelpful. I'm not about to apply for a new credit card lass than a week before I travel.

Do places like Starbucks take $100's? Other travel forums advise going somewhere like that and making a small purchase. Here in Canada, I tried to make a purchase with a $50 at a Starbucks and they told me they don't take bills that high. Is it the same in the US? I don't want to buy a bunch of junk I don't want to break a few $100's.

I know my Canadian bank has an agreement with a US bank, but I'm not sure if this is something that would be applicable. I'm hoping to have a back up plan.

posted by VirginiaPlain to Work & Money (14 answers total)

All banks will do this for you. They will also give two rolls of quarters for $20 if you ask them. That's what they do.

Most places, especially in touristy places, will accept $100 bills if your purchase is ~$40 or more.
posted by Melismata at 11:57 AM on July 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

There are ATMs in New York that by default only give out 50s and 100s, so easy is it to spend large sums here. Having trouble making change is really not a problem here - almost any/every corporate owned or chain shop will take your large bills, even most street vendors (assuming food and not nick-nacks) do enough business to have change.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:12 PM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

Check your memail.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:25 PM on July 25, 2019

Basically everywhere I have been in the US, banks will do this, it's literally part of their purpose. I've walked in with $60 in cash and walked out with 6 rolls of quarters - I do that regularly since I use a laundromat that doesn't take cards.

I have heard that some chains - Bank of America for one - will only do certain cash-based transactions for their own customers. I don't know if that is true in NYC and I've never experienced it myself. But you can always ask, nobody will think it's an odd question.

If you're in Manhattan and not in the outer boroughs I'd be amazed if most of the places you'd go to, especially in touristy areas like Times Square, couldn't break a $100 for you. Big chains and busy tourist stores can almost usually make change, some street vendors and smaller operations can't. To your example, the Starbucks in my small town can't, but one in Manhattan probably can. Again, you can always ask, nobody will mind. If one place says no, the next will probably be fine.
posted by epanalepsis at 12:26 PM on July 25, 2019

I've enountered more places that wont take cash (of any kind) than places that wont take a $100 bill (but do generally accept cash) in the last year.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:27 PM on July 25, 2019

I am a NYer that carries 100s. I prefer to get 2 or 3 from the atm than 15 20s. I cannot recall the last time I could not use a 100 in a transaction. I have been asked to use my debit card when I was the first person at a bagel store because they did not start the day with a lot of change due to the regular manager being out. One time I tried to buy a bottle of water at a cart with a hondo and the guy just gave me the bottle rather than break the bill. Either privilege or I looked like i really needed it.

If I were coming to NY for the first time and I had 100s, I would not be concerned.
posted by AugustWest at 12:53 PM on July 25, 2019

It's a little antisocial to use a hundred in small shops (also, you may draw extra scrutiny; if I were Not White, I'd be more reluctant to try this). Any bank should be willing to break one for you.
posted by praemunire at 1:10 PM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

I just ask beforehand if the shop can break a hundred, this is something I do regularly as I am partially paid in cash. I have no trouble with this in the Bay Area and busy places in NYC should also be no problem. It's not like you're going to a sleepy cafe in a small town where you can dine for under ten bucks, and asking them to accept a hundo. Alternatively any bank will make change.
posted by oneirodynia at 1:37 PM on July 25, 2019

I couldn't even get a hot dog vendor in midtown not far from Times Square to break a $20, so just be aware that street vendors might not to be the best place to break a $100 bill.
posted by limeonaire at 1:45 PM on July 25, 2019

I had this issue recently in NYC as well, I never thought to try a bank because where I live (Canada) lots of banks will not do this for non members.
posted by Cosine at 2:23 PM on July 25, 2019 [2 favorites]

Farmer's markets and cash-only restaurants are often happy to do this, since they get rid of bulky and numerous bills that they'd have to count and deposit. Definitely hit or miss.
posted by wnissen at 2:53 PM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

That seems like a perfect amount to start with for a really good dinner.
posted by bendy at 9:02 PM on July 25, 2019

I was this tourist and I walked into a bank on the upper west side (can't remember which bank) and they were happy to help me.
posted by kitten magic at 9:42 PM on July 25, 2019

TD Bank is exceeding customer (and non-customer) friendly. They go out of their way to do what they can for whoever crosses their doorstep.
posted by Neeuq Nus at 6:27 AM on July 26, 2019