Planning on going to Alaska in 2017.My Visa CC has a foreign currency charge of 2% per transaction. My Discover CC has no charge.The plan, today, is to stop at an ATM once over the border into Canada to get some Canadian currency. We would rather not have a lot of cash on hand and so use a credit card for any fuel and food purchases.I only have an account at a local CU and they can't/won't/don't deal in foreign currency.The major question is is Discover Card widely accepted in BC and YT or will I probably need to use my Visa? ARRGH, the fees!!

I don't think it's accepted all over.Google search....Discover

The Capital One Visa card doesn't have foreign transaction fees. Is It time for a different card?

The Capital One Visa card doesn't have foreign transaction fees.Nor does TD Bank. However, the same is not the case for ATM withdrawals. Fees on those are astronomical, so use your ATM card for cash withdrawals. Your strategy is correct (assuming no fees)-use your CC for as much as you can (especially if you have a good rewards plan) and get cash via the ATM.

Most currency conversions have fees embedded in the exchange rate, be it CC or ATM.

Most currency conversions have fees embedded in the exchange rate, be it CC or ATM.Correct. Most banks do as well-you never get what the true market rate is. However, some credit cards/ATM cards charge you a conversion fee on top of the discounted rate.

Discover Card in Canada | Good Sam Community

bsinmich
Explorer
Nov 27, 2016
For cash I have found Credit Unions are very reasonable on exchage rates. I went to a ATM in Toronto and got 6 languages as my choice. Canadian Cash is accepted all over. Their new money was supposed to be impossible to counterfeit. Within a week the banks were inviting their business clients to show them how to spot the counterfeit money.
atreis
Explorer
Nov 27, 2016
Pumps usually only take chip cards, so we always had to go inside. I haven't been to Canada since my cards were changed to chip cards so don't know if they'll now work at the pump.
loggenrock
Explorer
Nov 27, 2016
IIRC, Wal-Marts in Canada will take Discover. That's what I used to get cash back. Otherwise we just suck up the fees... 2 years ago in Newfoundland we just pre-loaded one bank account that we tied our Debit card to, which is a Mastercard, and that was accepted at gas stations, etc., but not usually at the pump - had to go inside...
Crowe
Explorer
Nov 26, 2016
Get yourself another Visa card.

It's advisable to have multiple credit cards in the event that one gets compromised while you are traveling.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2016
No. Discover is not recommended.

Get yourself another Visa card. There are many with no transaction fees and with cash back. Here's a good site that gives you comparisons on all credit cards.

http://www.creditcards.com/

As soon as we crossed into Canada we went to a bank to convert cash - no fee.

We used the Provincial parks a lot and most only accept cash.
CardinalRule
Explorer
Nov 25, 2016
I have a Chase/Amazon Visa card. No transaction or annual fee and works great as a backup. Exchange rate is comparable to other cards. Go to Amazon and check it out.
bsinmich
Explorer
Nov 25, 2016
My experience with Discover is that even when they have a Discover sign on their door it won't get accepted. AAA has a Visa here in MI. that has no foreign transaction fee. The Master Card from sam's Club has eliminated the fee. I have only been in Canada for 3-4 weeks this year so far so that is my experience.
Scottiemom
Nomad
Nov 25, 2016
When we went to Alaska in 2013 we were pleased to find our Discover Card did not have fees. However, NO ONE took Discover in Canada. No problem, we were prepared, but I was surprised. One would think the Discover people I talked to would have told me that. Nope. Plan B.

Dale
atreis
Explorer
Nov 25, 2016
Orion wrote:
I wonder if the difference is that our Debit Cards do NOT have the Visa or Master Card symbol on them?

Probably. Most vendors can only process those.
The_real_wild1
Explorer
Nov 25, 2016
My debit card draws from with my chequing or savings accounts. My Visa or when I had a MC is a credit card. My one new debit card also has a Visa mark on it as well. Draws from my bank accounts.

Forum Discussion

Discover Card in Canada

About Bucket List Trips

Related Content

Sim card for Canada

U.S. credit cards in Canada

Credit card/cash questions for travel in Canada

TELCEL Sim Card

Nexus cards