[tacticalogic]

Reason why he was carrying cash, according to the story, was that he's experienced problems withdrawing cash on an out of state bank account. I would expect there to be similar issues cashing a $10,000+ money order.

How about Traveler's checks? Aren't they supposed to eliminate that problem?

[kingu]

Only Los Angeles got flooded with fake traveler's checks a few years ago; finding anyone to cash them is a problem. Even at Disney World, if you want to cash one, you have to go to a bank off property, and there's a fee to cash more than $100 worth at once.

[Chickensoup]

There are no more travelers checks.

However he could have converted into one of those debit cards that one can buy.