Ready cash

cmarkj wrote:
Dumb question but.....where do I get money when I cross the Canadian border? I will just be passing thru and staying 2 nights in Canada. I had always been told by my mother and stepfather not to exchange money at the border because I will pay an arm and a leg for the privilege. The whole time thru Canada we will be on the highway going from Michigan (Sarnia border crossing) to New York (Cornwall crossing) so trying to head into a town while towing a 30 ft trailer, to find a bank or credit union, seems like an odd thing to have to do. But now, you guys have me scred half to death that I will stop at an oasis for gas and I won't be able to use a debit or credit card for gas or a snack.
Thanks for any info.

I have used the one at Sarnia but if you want a bank you are in Sarnia and you will find every Canadian bank there. One of my next stops is usually Strathroy at the bakery to get some butter tarts. The bakery there is great.

Exchange rates for ATM are not that different, it is like driving all over the place to save $1 while spending $5 on fuel.
I travel extensively and normally just use a credit card. Primarily for the consumer protection if you are using cash if it is taken it is gone. If someone takes your card number Bank America places a fraud alert and supplies you a new card. The only down side are the foreign transaction fees. Capital One does not have the foreign transaction fees, but still has the fraud protection, just not the miles on my Airline.
Down side of the ATM card it is cash, in Mexico people are sometimes forced to withdraw to the max limit before being released.

pappcam..It happens often enough, certainly in BC and I don't believe I am doing anyone a dis-service in directing a visitor to a recognized banking institution or major store. Just the opposite, actually.

http://bc.cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=87&languageId=1&contentId=1680

(scan down to ATM)


Gary Haupt

Gruffy wrote:
In Arizona this year Chase switched to chipped cards. Canadian cards were rejected. We moved on down to Great West. No problem, no fees.

That's odd, I've been using chipped cards in ATM's all over the world for years.

garyhaupt wrote:

cmarkj wrote:
Dumb question but.....where do I get money when I cross the Canadian border? I will just be passing thru and staying 2 nights in Canada. I had always been told by my mother and stepfather not to exchange money at the border because I will pay an arm and a leg for the privilege. The whole time thru Canada we will be on the highway going from Michigan (Sarnia border crossing) to New York (Cornwall crossing) so trying to head into a town while towing a 30 ft trailer, to find a bank or credit union, seems like an odd thing to have to do. But now, you guys have me scred half to death that I will stop at an oasis for gas and I won't be able to use a debit or credit card for gas or a snack.
Thanks for any info.

As a general rule, any border crossing has a town/city close by. Go find a bank/credit and access their ATM's. Also many large grocery stores offer cash back. I would advise against gas station, small grocery, private liquor store ATM's. Any private ATM is to be avoided. They are often the source for skimming info and they charge a bunch more for the service.

Gary Haupt

I understand the higher fees to withdraw money from those small ATMs at stores and gas stations but your assertion with the skimming thing sounds like regular old paranoia.

You sure aren't helping diffuse all the incorrect info in this thread regarding the Canadian banking system which is, in my opinion, much further ahead than our neighbours to the south.

cmarkj wrote:
Dumb question but.....where do I get money when I cross the Canadian border? I will just be passing thru and staying 2 nights in Canada. I had always been told by my mother and stepfather not to exchange money at the border because I will pay an arm and a leg for the privilege. The whole time thru Canada we will be on the highway going from Michigan (Sarnia border crossing) to New York (Cornwall crossing) so trying to head into a town while towing a 30 ft trailer, to find a bank or credit union, seems like an odd thing to have to do. But now, you guys have me scred half to death that I will stop at an oasis for gas and I won't be able to use a debit or credit card for gas or a snack.
Thanks for any info.

Call the number on the back of your card, tell them that you will be in Canada and dates when you will be there. That is all there is to it...most of the time. Do that and your cards should work just fine.

cmarkj wrote:
Dumb question but.....where do I get money when I cross the Canadian border? I will just be passing thru and staying 2 nights in Canada. I had always been told by my mother and stepfather not to exchange money at the border because I will pay an arm and a leg for the privilege. The whole time thru Canada we will be on the highway going from Michigan (Sarnia border crossing) to New York (Cornwall crossing) so trying to head into a town while towing a 30 ft trailer, to find a bank or credit union, seems like an odd thing to have to do. But now, you guys have me scred half to death that I will stop at an oasis for gas and I won't be able to use a debit or credit card for gas or a snack.
Thanks for any info.

As a general rule, any border crossing has a town/city close by. Go find a bank/credit and access their ATM's. Also many large grocery stores offer cash back. I would advise against gas station, small grocery, private liquor store ATM's. Any private ATM is to be avoided. They are often the source for skimming info and they charge a bunch more for the service.


Gary Haupt

ATM machines are just as plentiful in southern Canada, where 90% of the citizens live, as in the populated areas of the US. All Canadian banks will have one, most large supermarkets, malls, etc it is not a problem finding one. I will just keep an eye out at the first town/city I come to after crossing the border, park, go to the machine and withdraw the funds I need in Canadian currency. Have never noticed any big difference in the fees charged. Give your debit card company a call before the trip to see if they have any agreements with any of the Canadians to give you a lower rate on fees.

When you cross into Canada, just ask the border guard where you may find an ATM nearby so you can get some CAN cash. The guards are usually quite friendly and do their best to make you feel welcome.

Dumb question but.....where do I get money when I cross the Canadian border? I will just be passing thru and staying 2 nights in Canada. I had always been told by my mother and stepfather not to exchange money at the border because I will pay an arm and a leg for the privilege. The whole time thru Canada we will be on the highway going from Michigan (Sarnia border crossing) to New York (Cornwall crossing) so trying to head into a town while towing a 30 ft trailer, to find a bank or credit union, seems like an odd thing to have to do. But now, you guys have me scred half to death that I will stop at an oasis for gas and I won't be able to use a debit or credit card for gas or a snack.
Thanks for any info.