Border crossing Detroit

One of the stores that I shop at has a LOT of Canadian customers, and I've heard the cashier say that they would accept the card as long as it had either a Master Card or Visa logo on it. Those that are strictly backed by a Canadian bank alone, without the endorsement, were not accepted.

I've never had a problem using a Canadian Debit card in US.

Would be interested in others experience as well. Snowbirding for 7 years and bring some cash as well though I used credit cards for most things. Never had a problem with the cash I bring. With exchange etc and potential problems with debit card I have never tried to use it in the USA. Credit card info has been stolen often while in USA and it has been zero hassle to get charges reversed....not sure about hassle with debit card fraud.....your bank acct could be emptied.

I don't understand the hassle about a few thousand dollars crossing the border. I'm always asked if I have more than $10,000 and say no, and that's the end of it. Never been asked how much I do have and I never volunteer any info. Can you elaborate??

Have crossed many times (not at Detroit but Port Huron, Niagara, and mostly out west) and everytime I have been asked how much cash I have. After telling the border service personnel the exact amount, it has been no problem. I have never been asked a yes or no question about cash I have. (eg. do you have more than $10000.)

I've never had a problem at the border at Detroit regarding my cash. I always have around 3K because I prefer to pay cash when I arrive at my winter digs. Re my debit card I never use it at retailers...last year hundreds of accounts were hacked in Arizona after a pay system was hacked. I checked with my debit card online for banks in the US that were recommended. I found one near my winter home where I use my card to draw cash for the weeks expenses. In other words I pay cash for everything leaving credit cards for emergencies.

We have not had any problems using our RBC debit cards in the U.S. For cash, we have found that the easiest to go Walmart, make your purchase, usually groceries and as in Canada, the debit machine asked if your want cash back, process as normal and collect your cash $100 max per transaction. The only limits we have found are what your bank has attached to your account, usually $500 per day.

Yes the debit card works at US bank ATMs, usually with a fee$$ that Walmart and other stores do not charge.

Our bank statement shows the US amount charged/debit plus the exchange rate of the day processed and the total against our account.

Last two times that we have crossed at Detroit, we were asked about cash, and when we told them about $40 US, ??. When I told him that we had access to our bank accounts through debit with cash back, he was satisfied and sent us on our way.

Beverley and Ken

Detroit is broke and they need the money.

Snowbird banking

Thanks all for your answers.
BusyBees, your way is the same thoughts as mine. I always pay cash except for an emergency where I do not have enough on me.
I guess where it started was about 3 yrs ago they asked for an amount and I was not able to give an exact amount as wife had some and I more. Gave them a figure and they pulled me over and they had to count every dime Canadian and US.
We had about 3500 and then they let us go.
The last 2 times they ask and we tell them and then they have to count money each time. They Do not appear to have other issues just money.
It is just a real hassle and you lose about 1.5 hrs there.
I may have to try another crossing like Sarnia.

sparkplug wrote:
Thanks all for your answers.
BusyBees, your way is the same thoughts as mine. I always pay cash except for an emergency where I do not have enough on me.
I guess where it started was about 3 yrs ago they asked for an amount and I was not able to give an exact amount as wife had some and I more. Gave them a figure and they pulled me over and they had to count every dime Canadian and US.
We had about 3500 and then they let us go.
The last 2 times they ask and we tell them and then they have to count money each time. They Do not appear to have other issues just money.
It is just a real hassle and you lose about 1.5 hrs there.
I may have to try another crossing like Sarnia.

You must have made some remark they didn't like. Now it's in the computer and they know about it every time you go thru.