Are $2 bills appreciated for tips?

[ShillyShally]

My late mother loved $2 bills and I inherited about $400+ in them when she passed and I have carried them on trips and forget to use them, for tips or for spending, lol! So now I want to make an effort to unload them, but would they be appreciated as tips for drinks or a few for other service? I can convert them to standard bills if they’d just be received as a nuisance. Would love to know any experience from others who have used them?

[d9704011]

Exchange them for $1 and $5 notes.  

[ShillyShally]

4 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Exchange them for $1 and $5 notes.  

I’m thinking that may be the best thing, and likely why I haven’t used them yet. She never cared how they were received as she always gave them to children as a novelty, I’m not particularly fond of giving something that someone can’t really use.

 

now, any chance I could convert them on board? Or just blow in the casino? Lol!

[joeyancho]

It's US cash. If you can't figure out how to use them,  send them my way

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

6 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

I’m thinking that may be the best thing, and likely why I haven’t used them yet. She never cared how they were received as she always gave them to children as a novelty, I’m not particularly fond of giving something that someone can’t really use.

 

now, any chance I could convert them on board? Or just blow in the casino? Lol!

 

Are they new or old? Old ones have some value to collectors.  New ones?  Not.

 

Some cruisers will tell you how much the servers LOVE $2 bills.  That's nonsense.  Servers love ANY tips.  But they will certainly accept your bills and turn them in and get the money in their accounts on board.

[Ret MP]

When I can, I exchange about $200.00 to $2.00 bills just before a cruise, 7 or 8 day cruise.  Sometimes, the bank can't do it.  I find that the crew has mixed feelings about them.  Some really like them as they are different from what they are used to and others don't show any feelings for or against them.  Some people will say that some crew don't like them because their financial institutions back home won't accept them.  That's hard to believe but if that is true and the crew members know about it, they can spend them in ports of call or at the ship's crew stores (if they take cash), and/or exchange them in the casino's cashier. I like using them because it standardizes what cash I'm carrying in my pocket while on the ship.  I reach into my pocket and pull out a $2.00 bill or two or three, every time, no mistakes, no second guessing what I just did, etc. But, I've never had a crew member complain about receiving them, not even a hint of dissatisfaction.  

 

 

[DaKahuna]

 We find them very convenient and use them to tip wait staff instead of two $1. 

 

[lenquixote66]

I got a $2.00 bill in change in a store in St. Kitts in 2019.

I attempted to use it to buy groceries in NY later that year.The Cashier rang a bell and the store Manager approached .She said that I was trying to use a fake bill because there is no such thing as a $2.00:bill.

[taglovestocruise]

Two Dollar bills given as tips are for the sole benefit of the giver. Makes them feel special. A total PIA for the crew member. 

[ShillyShally]

17 minutes ago, joeyancho said:

It's US cash. If you can't figure out how to use them,  send them my way

 

 

Ha, it’s more I just keep forgetting I have them with me!

[ShillyShally]

2 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Two Dollar bills given as tips are for the sole benefit of the giver. Makes them feel special. A total PIA for the crew member. 

That’s what I figured, I’ll convert or use in the casino, though not even sure I can use in casino!

[reallyitsmema]

32 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

My late mother loved $2 bills and I inherited about $400+ in them when she passed and I have carried them on trips and forget to use them, for tips or for spending, lol! So now I want to make an effort to unload them, but would they be appreciated as tips for drinks or a few for other service? I can convert them to standard bills if they’d just be received as a nuisance. Would love to know any experience from others who have used them?

 

The crew appreciate the tips but the dollar coins that some like to give and the two dollar bills are not something they can easily use in port.  I wouldn't go out of my way to buy two dollar bills at the bank for a cruise but if I have them, like you do, I wouldn't hesitate to use them as tips.  If I happened to be going to the bank, I would likely change them into ones and fives.

[cruiseguy1016]

I have read that $2 bills often create confusion at foriegn banks because they are not common and some banks don't recognize them as being official currency. I don't know how true that is but it makes sense to me. Give out $1 bills so the receiever won't have an issue converting it to whatever currency they choose.

[ShillyShally]

1 minute ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

The crew appreciate the tips but the dollar coins that some like to give and the two dollar bills are not something they can easily use in port.  I wouldn't go out of my way to buy two dollar bills at the bank for a cruise but if I have them, like you do, I wouldn't hesitate to use them as tips.  If I happened to be going to the bank, I would likely change them into ones and fives.

Thanks, I don’t use a local bank so I’ll have to see if I have easy converting options - otherwise they may just be the forever traveling $2 bills! They’re take up such little room I just forget them easily!

[ShillyShally]

18 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

When I can, I exchange about $200.00 to $2.00 bills just before a cruise, 7 or 8 day cruise.  Sometimes, the bank can't do it.  I find that the crew has mixed feelings about them.  Some really like them as they are different from what they are used to and others don't show any feelings for or against them.  Some people will say that some crew don't like them because their financial institutions back home won't accept them.  That's hard to believe but if that is true and the crew members know about it, they can spend them in ports of call or at the ship's crew stores (if they take cash), and/or exchange them in the casino's cashier. I like using them because it standardizes what cash I'm carrying in my pocket while on the ship.  I reach into my pocket and pull out a $2.00 bill or two or three, every time, no mistakes, no second guessing what I just did, etc. But, I've never had a crew member complain about receiving them, not even a hint of dissatisfaction.  

 

 

Good to know!

[ShillyShally]

20 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Are they new or old? Old ones have some value to collectors.  New ones?  Not.

 

Some cruisers will tell you how much the servers LOVE $2 bills.  That's nonsense.  Servers love ANY tips.  But they will certainly accept your bills and turn them in and get the money in their accounts on board.

Not likely old enough to be collectible value, not new either since she passed a few years before the pandemic.

[DaKahuna]

8 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Two Dollar bills given as tips are for the sole benefit of the giver. Makes them feel special. A total PIA for the crew member. 

 

How so?  What evidence do you have that it is an inconvenience to the crewmembers? 

[Ret MP]

15 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

She said that I was trying to use a fake bill because there is no such thing as a $2.00:bill.

The epitome of ignorance for sure!

[cruiseboy89130]

11 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Two Dollar bills given as tips are for the sole benefit of the giver. Makes them feel special. A total PIA for the crew member. 

+1 They have to jump through hoops to exchange them - they will not be accepted in their country - many banks outside the US will not accept or exchange those!

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by cruiseboy89130

[rpp77]

Like Merion_Mom stated earlier, you might want to look into them, as some might have way more value then $2! Alot of it depends on the condition, but if it has an unusual serial number or is a "Star" note, it might be worth more money. I collect them as well, usually 1976 and earlier notes.

 

[ShillyShally]

Just now, rpp77 said:

Like Merion_Mom stated earlier, you might want to look into them, as some might have way more value then $2! Alot of it depends on the condition, but if it has an unusual serial number or is a "Star" note, it might be worth more money. I collect them as well, usually 1976 and earlier notes.

 

I’ll double check them but I’m fairly certain they were all within the past decade or so. But hey, would be awesome if so!!

[lenquixote66]

1 minute ago, Ret MP said:

The epitome of ignorance for sure!

My wife wanted to ask her where she went to school

[smokeybandit]

I've been told on a couple occasions by crew members that they don't like $2 bills. 

Edited March 12, 2023 by smokeybandit

[Langoustine]

Merchants at the ports will often refuse to take them. Even within the U.S. they are sometimes rejected because they are so out of the ordinary that people think they aren't real currency.

[rpp77]

3 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

I’ll double check them but I’m fairly certain they were all within the past decade or so. But hey, would be awesome if so!!

Is My Star Note Rare? (mycurrencycollection.com)

 

Here's a site you can look "Star" notes up on.