You’re standing at a register or maybe you're getting ready for a trip where "cash is king," and you realize your wallet is looking a bit thin on the heavy hitters. We’ve all been there. You need the big blue notes. Whether it’s for a high-stakes Craigslist transaction, a wedding gift that needs to look substantial, or just because you like the feeling of Benjamin Franklin tucked into your pocket, knowing where to get 100 dollar bills shouldn't feel like a secret mission.
It’s actually kinda funny. Even in our digital-first world, the $100 bill remains the most widely circulated denomination of U.S. currency. According to Federal Reserve data, there are more $100s out there than $1s. Most of them are overseas, though. People use them as a global store of value. But back here at home, if you walk into a random gas station and ask for a "C-note," they’ll probably laugh you out of the building.
The Local Bank Branch: Your Safest Bet
The most obvious answer is your own bank. If you have an account at a major institution like Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo, you can simply walk up to a teller. It's the path of least resistance. You don't even need to withdraw thousands; you can walk in with twenty $5 bills and ask to swap them for a single $100.
Most tellers won't blink. However, there’s a small catch you might not expect.
Banks aren't bottomless pits of specific denominations. If you’re looking for a massive stack—say, $10,000 in crisp $100s—you really should call ahead. Smaller "boutique" branches or credit union outposts in suburban grocery stores often keep a limited amount of large bills in their drawers for security reasons. If you show up unannounced asking for a huge amount, they might tell you to come back in two days after their next armored car delivery.
Why Some ATMs Are Better Than Others
Gone are the days when ATMs only spat out $20 bills. Technology changed. Now, many "smart" ATMs or enhanced Lobby ATMs at big banks allow you to choose your denominations.
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I’ve noticed that Chase and PNC are particularly good about this. When you start the withdrawal process, look for a button that says "Choose Denominations" or "Select Bills." If you don't see it, you're likely getting the standard $20 or $50 mix. Be careful with independent ATMs in delis or bars. They almost never carry $100s because the risk of theft is too high and the "restocking" cost for the owner is annoying. Plus, those fees? Absolute highway robbery.
The Grocery Store "Workaround" That Usually Fails
People often wonder if they can get $100s through cash back at places like Walmart or Kroger.
Honestly? Don't count on it.
Most retail registers have a hard cap on cash back, usually around $50 or $100 total. Even if you "buy" $100 in cash back, the cashier is almost certainly going to hand you five $20s. They need to keep their large bills in the "drop box" under the drawer to minimize loss in case of a robbery. If you really need a $100 bill from a retailer, you’d have to go to the Customer Service desk. Even then, they might refuse if they haven't had enough cash sales that day to cover it. It's a gamble.
Check Cashing Stores and Currency Exchanges
If you don't have a traditional bank account, check cashing places like PLS or various local "Money Marts" are reliable spots for where to get 100 dollar bills. They deal in high volumes of cash daily.
But you're going to pay for the privilege.
These businesses make money through fees. If you're cashing a paycheck, they’ll happily give you $100s, but they'll take their 1% to 5% cut first. It’s an expensive way to get "the Benjamin." If you just want to swap smaller bills for a larger one, some might do it as a courtesy, but many will charge a small service fee because they have to pay to have that cash picked up and processed by security firms like Brinks.
The Casinos: The Secret $100 Goldmine
If you live near a casino, you’ve found the motherlode.
Casinos are built on $100 bills. You can walk into any "Cage" (the cashier window) and exchange smaller bills for $100s with zero hassle. They won't charge you a fee. Why? Because they want you to have large bills. It’s a psychological trick—it’s much easier to put one $100 bill into a slot machine than it is to feed in five $20s.
You don't even have to gamble. Just walk in, hit the cage, get your bill, and walk out. Just watch out for the buffet on your way out; that's how they get you.
Spotting a Fake (Don't Get Scammed)
Since you're hunting for $100s, you need to know how to verify them. The U.S. Treasury hasn't made a major design change since the "Blue Note" was introduced in 2013, but there are still plenty of older "Big Head" and "Small Head" bills floating around.
First, look for the 3D Security Ribbon. It’s that blue vertical strip. If you tilt the bill, the bells inside the strip change to 100s. It’s not printed on the paper; it’s woven through it.
Second, check the Color-Shifting Ink. The copper-colored inkwell on the front has a bell inside that turns green when you tilt it. If these things don't happen, you're holding a piece of expensive stationary, not currency.
Dealing with Older $100 Bills
Occasionally, a bank or an older relative might give you a "Series 1996" or "Series 1990" bill. They look different. They lack the blue ribbon.
Are they still legal tender? Yes.
Will people accept them? That's the tricky part. Many younger retail workers have never seen a $100 bill from the 1990s. They might think it's fake simply because it looks "old." If you’re getting $100s for a trip abroad, specifically request the new blue notes. Many currency exchanges in Europe, Asia, and South America flat-out refuse to take older U.S. hundreds, or they will give you a significantly worse exchange rate for them. It's a massive pain. Always aim for the newest Series possible.
What About Post Offices?
A lot of people think the Post Office is like a bank. It’s not.
While you can buy a Money Order with cash, they are notoriously "cash poor" at the windows. They generally won't swap bills for you, and their ATMs (if they have one) are usually standard bank-affiliated machines that follow the same rules as any other kiosk.
The Reality of Large Cash Transactions
If you are gathering $100 bills because you’re buying a car or a boat for cash, remember the "10k Rule."
Any transaction involving more than $10,000 in cash triggers a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) that banks must file with the IRS. This isn't a "gotcha" and it's not illegal, but it's a piece of paperwork. Don't try to "structure" your withdrawals (taking out $9,500 one day and $600 the next) to avoid this. That actually is a federal crime. Just take the money out, let them file the form, and go about your day.
Actionable Steps for Getting Your $100s
- Check your bank’s app first. See if there is an ATM locator that specifies "Denomination Selection." This saves you a trip inside.
- Call the branch. If you need more than five $100 bills, call 24 hours ahead to ensure they have "new" bills in stock, especially during the holidays.
- Bring ID. Even if you’re just swapping bills, many banks require you to be a customer or show ID for large bill exchanges to comply with "Know Your Customer" (KYC) laws.
- Inspect the Blue Ribbon. Always do a quick tilt-test when receiving a $100 from a non-bank source. If the bells don't move, don't take the bill.
- Request "New Series." If traveling internationally, insist on the post-2013 blue-ribbon design to avoid headaches at foreign exchange desks.