Canada - Currency

[Nithin]

Or do I need to get Can $?

thanks,
N.

 

[PowerMacG5]

When I've been there, they will take American money, but you usually end up paying more for something than it actually was in play (aka canadian) money.

 

[iamwiz82]

Some will, some will not. Expect to be royally screwed on exchange if you give them American dollars, though.

 

[Nithin]

where can i get Can $? At the airport? What about ATMs there? Will my washington mutual card work there?

 

[imported_LoKe]

Any bank will exchange your colourless money.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Nithin
Or do I need to get Can $?

thanks,
N.

The larger stores will take American money, but they give a crappy exchange rate and they only give Canadian money back for change.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Nithin
where can i get Can $? At the airport? What about ATMs there? Will my washington mutual card work there?

Never exchange currency at a travel port. They have jacked up exchange rates. Prepare for your trip ahead of time and get money changed at your local bank.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Credit Card ftw

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
Credit Card ftw

Don't a lot of credit card companies charge a little extra for foreign purchases?

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
Credit Card ftw

Don't a lot of credit card companies charge a little extra for foreign purchases?

Yup. They now charge a % of purchases I believe. When they used to the exchange for free, it was awesome.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
Credit Card ftw

Don't a lot of credit card companies charge a little extra for foreign purchases?

Not mine (Citi Mastercard, and Amex). When I was in Europe, I got much better exchange rates on my credit and debit cards than I could have wished for out of a cash exchanger. In the UK, cash exchange was 2 dollars for a pound. On my debit card, it was more like 1.70 for a pound.

 

[xanis]

Yes, you can use American currency at some places, but be prepared to get ass-raped on the exchange rate.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
Don't a lot of credit card companies charge a little extra for foreign purchases?

No matter how you exchange the money, you have to pay a fee. It may or may not be a hidden fee. The credit card is no different. But usually you'll get a better exchange rate with the credit card than by any other method and the fee is often lower than any other method. Plus you don't have crappy loose change after your trip that you can't exchange back anywhere.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: Nithin
Or do I need to get Can $?

thanks,
N.

The larger stores will take American money, but they give a crappy exchange rate and they only give Canadian money back for change.

More than likely with the exchange rate being so close.. they will take the currency at par. And yes.. you will only get canadian change back.

Just use your atm card at a bank machine while you are there or use your credit card.. youll get better rates that way. Also some standalone atm's wont accept foreign debit cards.. so try to use one attached to a bank

 

[WobbleWobble]

I think you'll get about $1.05 Canadian for each US dollar at a retail store in Canada.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

River Rock Casino gave us $1.075 Canadian per US dollar last month, but they only exchanged back the same amount, so we had to "eat" our winnings at the restaurant before leaving.

Edit: In Vancouver BC. Still have some coins and gave a five to my sister-in-law in Bellingham WA.

 

[KMFJD]

Just use your debit card, almost every business has them now.

 

[aircooled]

I used an ATM with my debit card. Exchange rate was automatic.