In planning an Alaska trip for 2014 I have studied "Milepost" to select a route. However, I could find no mention as to what currency is accepted. Given that most credit cards charge a 2 to 3% foreign transaction fee the most economical thing would be to carry a wad of cash. Should I plan on converting my $US to $CA?Thanks,JIM

After many trips over the Alcan I have learned to take a little Canadian cash for little things and use my plastic for gas and larger items. I guess a lot would depend on how long you will be in Canada, will you do the 4 day trip or the 10 day trip? Lots to see there, esp. northern BC and the Yukon.

It's been a while but I found the exchange rate on my credit card to be better than the cash for cash approach. Can anyone address the ATM approach?

I would get a credit card that charges no foreign transaction fee. See:http://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards.aspxhttp://www.comparecards.com/compare-credit-cards?category=47There are other comparison websites. Use Google. -Tom

I would recommend having a couple of hundred in cash, just to be safe. Then use your credit card for gas etc. and a debit card for everything else.

JayBea wrote:In planning an Alaska trip for 2014 I have studied "Milepost" to select a route. However, I could find no mention as to what currency is accepted. Given that most credit cards charge a 2 to 3% foreign transaction fee the most economical thing would be to carry a wad of cash. Should I plan on converting my $US to $CA?Thanks,JIMYou really should have some Canadian cash for the incidentals. Just imagine a Canadian visiting your part of the World and trying to spend Canadian dollars there!FWIW most border crossings have a currency exchange facility, otherwise you could draw cash from an ATM using your debit card.Failing that, find a bank during business hours and exchange a couple of hundred there.

$US in Canada? | Good Sam Community

rbrand
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
I would recommend having a couple of hundred in cash, just to be safe. Then use your credit card for gas etc. and a debit card for everything else.
Tom_N
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
I would get a credit card that charges no foreign transaction fee. See:

http://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards.aspx

http://www.comparecards.com/compare-credit-cards?category=47

There are other comparison websites. Use Google.

-Tom
DougE
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
It's been a while but I found the exchange rate on my credit card to be better than the cash for cash approach. Can anyone address the ATM approach?
AK49er
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
After many trips over the Alcan I have learned to take a little Canadian cash for little things and use my plastic for gas and larger items. I guess a lot would depend on how long you will be in Canada, will you do the 4 day trip or the 10 day trip? Lots to see there, esp. northern BC and the Yukon.

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