$2 bills

[Alicatt]

Good morning! I read a post that said that people really enjoyed receiving tips in $2 bills because it was fun and different. I have no problem saving some up if it will bring a little extra joy to these hard working men and women. I later read a post that said not to do it because $2 bills are uncommon and might be mistaken for fake money. Does anyone one have any experience with this? I just want to make the CMs happy....

 

[lanejudy]

US $2 bills are uncommon and easily get mixed in or confused with $1s. Or surprising as it sounds, they are unusual enough that many people honestly don't know they are real currency. My DD gets them from a relative occasionally, and I always exchange it for 2 separate $1s for her. When using one I find that I always need to inform the cashier that I've included a $2, they rarely recognize it without a reminder.

While I can see the "novelty" value of receiving a $2, I personally would not bring them to use for tips. That novelty wears off quickly when trying to keep it separated from $1s or when using it.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[xlxo]

If you are on an Alaska cruise. For the Canadian segments (Vancouver & some Skagway excursions), they use a currency called "Loonies". The $2 is called a "Toonies". Yes the retailers welcome them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you are on an Alaska cruise. For the Canadian segments (Vancouver & some Skagway excursions), they use a currency called "Loonies". The $2 is called a "Toonies". Yes the retailers welcome them.

In Canada, yes. As that's been part of their monetary system for a while. US $2 bills - not so much. I worked in retail for a number of years, and we were trained, when we received the $2 bills (which wasn't often), to just put them aside with the big bills and not reuse them for change.

I've often read on other forums that US $2 bills are not well received in foreign countries.

 

[MUN]

Good morning! I read a post that said that people really enjoyed receiving tips in $2 bills because it was fun and different. I have no problem saving some up if it will bring a little extra joy to these hard working men and women. I later read a post that said not to do it because $2 bills are uncommon and might be mistaken for fake money. Does anyone one have any experience with this? I just want to make the CMs happy....

Yes, the bigger the bill you give them, the happier they will be. If you "just want to make the CMs happy" you should tip with $100 bills.

MUN

 

[bumbershoot]

I won't even use them in the States let alone give them to people who don't live here and have no access to American banks.

As for toonies, that's Canadian and is totally normal. A $2 American bill is legal but not normally used.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Funny enough, 2 dollar bills were rare in Canada until we got rid of our 1 dollar bill. Then they were all the rage. The government realized they had transferred the paper problem from one bill to the next and then got rid of the 2 dollar bill in favor of a coin. By the way, the Loonie, has a loon on the back and we all thought it was a loonie idea to get rid of paper so we could put more change in our pockets. When the 2 coin came along with a bear on the back, calling it a bearie just didn't have the same social statement, hence toonie.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Personally, I think they should get rid of the US $1 bill (in favor of a coin), and while they are at it, get rid of the penny and the nickel. From a practical standpoint, these three currencies make no sense anymore.

 

[MissMet]

If you want to give them something to smile about...use singles & wrap them around "fun size" candy bars. That's always a hit and a safe bet.

 

[JW9DVC]

Use them if you would like. Most cast on the cruise from my understanding use USA banks. $2 bill for tipping is perfect for your kids to give. Seeing smiles both ways. Works well for our family.

JW

 

[MUN]

Personally, I think they should get rid of the US $1 bill (in favor of a coin), and while they are at it, get rid of the penny and the nickel. From a practical standpoint, these three currencies make no sense anymore.

With all due respect, what does your post have to do with the OP's question?

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

With all due respect, what does your post have to do with the OP's question?

Fair enough. I almost didn't post it. The topic was $2 bills and whether people wanted them. I was trying to light-hearted. Sorry.

 

[Dug720]

If you want to give them something to smile about...use singles & wrap them around "fun size" candy bars. That's always a hit and a safe bet.

And a much safer bet is to mention them by name on the comment cards. That means infinitely more than a $2 bill or a candy bar.

 

[DCLSailing]

I think it is a pretty classy and unique move. The staff will definitely remember you and most likely take extra special attention. Go for it!

 

[MUN]

Fair enough. I almost didn't post it. The topic was $2 bills and whether people wanted them. I was trying to light-hearted. Sorry.

I forgive you.

 

[DLM1980]

I'm doing $2 bills this Sunday for room service it's legal tender and it's fun. Because it's unique and something that isn't in high circulation people remember who gave them it which opens the relationship between you and the CM more

I work in retail and as I get the half dollar and dollar coins and the 2s I hand them out as change. I would rather have less amount to carry and take a 50 cent piece over two quarters or a 2 instead of two singles, although it amazes me the number of people that come in with a purse full of change and instead of digging for exact they give me a bill more resulting in them carrying more change

 

[kiapepito]

I've always provided $2 bills for tips for room service and even the bank teller when I took the money out thought it was an awesome gesture since it is unique. I hope the CM's don't have trouble using them... We always receive big smiles when the CM's receive them and it's lighter on my wallet instead of carrying a bunch of one's!

 

[tinkerone]

The cm's don't care what you give them however the more the better. I agree a $2 is novel and some cm's may find it very interesting as they are uncommon. Its always nice to see different currencies from other countries. Having said that, at the end of the day most of the cm's money goes to the purser who banks it for the cm and does a transfer to the cm's bank, I think its once a month. Cm's are requested not to keep a lot of money in their rooms, just enough for odds and ends. If you can get a lot of $2's it certainly would not be frowned on so if you think its something you would like to do then I would encourage it.
This information about banking their cash I found out from a friend of mine who was a cm himself.

As a side note @Anchors Away 2016 , we no longer have a penny currency in Canada. Its still legal tender but when the banks take them in they are returned to the Mint and not given back out to clients. There was a huge fuss when the loonie first showed up but we have all gotten used to it. They are looking at eliminating the nickle as well and we will have our first $5 coin this year. Things they are a changing.