Canadian Currency

v10superduty wrote:

Orion wrote:

Yes, make sure you insist that every merchant use these rates!
And of course insist that you get US as change.

Orion..
I don't think anyone has a right to "insist" when they are in any foreign country, that a merchant give them a certain exchange rate and change in their own countries currency. :h

That merchant may very well not have US money in his till, and the exchange rates change by the minute so he does not really know what he will get till he takes it to his Canadian bank.
So for sure "if" merchant agrees to accept foreign currency, they will use rate to their advantage.

The correct answer to the OP is to use credit cards and/or Canadian cash.
Many stores along border will accept US but there is a cost.

I was being satirical! It is such a ridiculous statement, I thought everyone would get that, especially when I mentioned to make sure you comment on the pretty colours . I was responding to a post that quoted rates and said "carry US and do the math" !!!
I still cannot believe that people come to our country and expect us to accept their currency. Can you imagine European tourists arriving in New York off a cruise ship and expecting the cabs & restaurants to accept their Euros!

Orion wrote:

Yes, make sure you insist that every merchant use these rates!
And of course insist that you get US as change.

Orion..
I don't think anyone has a right to "insist" when they are in any foreign country, that a merchant give them a certain exchange rate and change in their own countries currency. :h

That merchant may very well not have US money in his till, and the exchange rates change by the minute so he does not really know what he will get till he takes it to his Canadian bank.
So for sure "if" merchant agrees to accept foreign currency, they will use rate to their advantage.

The correct answer to the OP is to use credit cards and/or Canadian cash.
Many stores along border will accept US but there is a cost.

If you end up with some money of the "other" country before crossing the boarder to go home and don't want it, just give the money to a charity before crossing.

Navy ships do that in foreign ports. Before leaving, the sailors all drop off their remaining local money into a "pot" and it gets sent on shore to a local charity.

Make sure that you alert your credit card company that you will be traveling, with approximate dates and locations before you leave the US. We use our credit card rather than a debit card due to the reduced liability if there is a problem. VISA has been terrific in those situations.

We frequently travel internationally, and a passport or enhanced driver's license (probably not available in CA?) is usually required to exchange money, and certainly to cross the border.

We have a business that gets many Canadian visitors. We allow customers to use CDN money and exchange it at the official rate. We give change in either USD or CDN (if it is available). We will often give US coins back in change at par. We get nice comments about that service. Some businesses near the border may also provide that service for you.

Know the exchange rates (and fees) to see what works best for you. If you are staying in a CG or RV Park near the border, other campers may have money to exchange as they leave the country?

Have fun.

When I travel to a foreign country I take the coin of the realm to use. Canadian money in Canada and US currency in the US.
Taking US money in Canada is done so as a courtesy. For a retailer, a form of business I was in for 40 years, exchanging foreign currency can be costly unfortunately, making for some not so amicable verbal exchanges at times.

On both sides of the border we start off with a few dollars, generally left over from a previous trip. Then on our first shopping trip we will get cash back. This avoids service fees at the ATM and use a debit or cash card that gives you the best rate of exchange.
That seems to work the best for us and I have heard of lots of folks doing on both sides.

Poor Canada. You really get treated like some 3rd world backward country by your brothers in that much smaller country to the south of you don't you. Most down there don't even know what you capital city is, never mind find it quickly on a map. TWC does not even acknowledge that you exist.

Canada is another country. At least have the respect to carry a little of their currency for cash needs. Canadians better not try to spend their currency in the US. It is a simple matter to stop in to a bank, either side of the border, & exchange for the local currency.

I'd advise that you stop at a Canadian bank as soon as you cross from the lower 48 and get some Canadian cash. You'll get the best exchange there. It will be very useful for small items such as staying at Provincial or Yukon campgrounds (highly recommended), laundry, and even for your deposit for the grocery cart, etc. :)

When you near the end of your trip use any excess for a meal or whatever.

It's smart to carry some funds from the country you are visiting - some (very few) small places may not use credit cards or debit cards at all - and I've always felt better about leaving a tip in cash rather than putting it on the card. American funds will usually be accepted at any business - but you can expect to pay a premium exchange rate.

Get your Canadian funds at any bank or ATM - the bank will offer you the best rate.


Jay

I have found it helps to have some Canadian money. You will need the coins for laundry and I have found that I usually need to laundry at least once either going or coming. On one of our trips were were on our way out of Canada and had very little Canadian money left. We stopped at an ice cream store near our campground and found we did not have enough cash left and they did not take credit cards or US money. So no ice cream. I have had places take US money but they don't bother with a exchange rate, just give you even exchange. I lost money on those deals. But since I asked a favor, so I didn't complain.

holy cow,don't ever leave your card with a cashier.thats the most reckless advice i've ever heard someone give.your just asking for id theft or worse,a cleaned out bank account and a whole lot of cc hassle.bc is pay at the pump.give the attendant cash or insert your card at the pump and you'll only get charged for the amount you put in.