Money in Canada

You can check typical exchange rates here:

http://www.vbce.ca/rates/major-currencies

Trevor

With all the counterfeit bills going around it would be almost impossible for merchants to except foreign bills without knowing what to check for.

Congrats on the gold!

I just hope those submarines get fixed so we don't some day have to worry about Russian-US exchange rates if we go far enough north from Montana.

Well today in Sochi, Russia the exchange rate is 1 Canadian Gold medal to 1 USA (possible) Bronze medal. :-)

The visit I mentioned was just a day trip and it was the second time I have been in Canada. The last time was about 1946 at Niagra Falls. To be fair, before going I didn't have a thought about the currency. Occasionally Canada coin shows up in my hand from local stores and I save it for no reason whatsoever perhaps because I used to be a numismatist.

I found all the people I met to be wonderful people and the gardens were terrific. I wouldn't hesitate to visit some more.

On the other hand, (on the other hand I have some warts, but I digress) we used to visit Mexico several times a year. I doubt we will ever go again in this lifetime.

Gonzo42 wrote:
OK, I can accept that they don't want to stock US currency or coin. Then why don't they refuse to accept USD for payment? As I said, it wasn't a big deal, just a curiosity. Actually I think it is more about the exchange rate.

It'd be virtually unheard of if any gas station or corner store in Canada refused US currency. However, I'd also be surprised if their offered exchange rate was very good (in fact, I'd expect it to be accepted at par). Also, as has been mentioned above, change will always be given in Canadian; its the law. So, yes, in an emergency US cash can be relied upon in Canada.

Gonzo42 wrote:
OK, I can accept that they don't want to stock US currency or coin. Then why don't they refuse to accept USD for payment? As I said, it wasn't a big deal, just a curiosity. Actually I think it is more about the exchange rate.

Canada is a country visited by more than just Americans. So retailers would have to have a separate cash register for every single country. Individual retailers have to decide if they will accept foreign currency and at what exchange rate won't cost them more than accepting Canadian funds. If they do accept US funds they will usually give a less favourable exchange rate (think of it as an inconvenience fee). You will always get a better deal by using your debit or credit cards and you won't have to worry about how much to get and how to get rid of it when you get home.

Try this: Come to Canada, bring back some Canadian money to the USA, try to spend it at a local store. *If* they take it, ask for change in Canadian funds. What do you think would happen?

When we travel to the USA we get about $200 in US funds and rely on our credit cards and debit card. I have Ziploc bag of US coins that never seems to get smaller.

Gonzo42 wrote:
OK, I can accept that they don't want to stock US currency or coin. Then why don't they refuse to accept USD for payment? As I said, it wasn't a big deal, just a curiosity. Actually I think it is more about the exchange rate.

They take US money as a courtesy to their US customers, It's simple for them to print a piece of paper with what $20 US is worth in cad dollars. It's not so simple to have a separate register for the US currency.

Not necessarily the best answer, but my chipped cards worked in Australia Sept - Dec. 12.

Just make sure to tell your card co. that you're travelling.

:C

Everywhere I have been in Canada will gladly take US. It will cost more. Cheaper to just exchange it at the border.