Canadian rip-off!

[reddogadventures]

If any of you plan on traveling through Kakabeka Falls, Ontario, beware that the Shell Oil station will charge you 20 cents on the dollar exchange rate.

[delcecchi]

Use a credit card?

[Ed Carlson]

Canada has no point of sale (POS) or "SWIPE Fee" charges on Debit Cards or credit cards.

It's smarter now to use a Debit or a Credit for most things up north. The exchange rate is automatic then with no fee.

However, they can charge you whatever they wish for exchange and currency conversion fee's on cash.

[Down Deep]

One other point ----- you will also get your change back in Canadian $$. Canadian currently has more value than US currency.

[Ed Carlson]

Last I looked the Canadian Dollar vrs the US Dollar was about even, the Canadian was rated at .99 to the $1.00 US.

You end up getting charged to convert that money back latter to US Funds at customs or at the bank, so you loose there too.

I used to do Canadian Cash up North and found I lost money every trip just in the conversion fee's...so now it's 100% debit to avoid this. If I use cash, it's US Funds and I closely watch the US/Canadian value. You loose converting it to Canadian, then you loose again converting it back to US funds.

Travelers Checks are a good and safe option. They are often far less costly than the exchange rate and you never worry about the need of converting them once back stateside.

[BobT]

We just returned from our annual Canada fishing trip. Every year when I organize this trip I send out a reminder to buy Canadian currency before we go because the local retailers are not shy about making sure they get their costs covered, if you know what I mean. I'm sure the Canadians have the same problem spending money in the US.

Many banks have it on hand. There are some additional fees still charged by banks for debit and credit cards. It's about 4% give or take (the fees are itemized separately on my account statement) so using your credit/debit card still costs you a little extra.

[Down Deep]

When traveling in Canada don't rely on the fact that you will be able to use your credit and debit cards. Once you travel north of the more populated areas of Thunder Bay or Fort Francis many of the ma and pa retail, gas and bait stores don't take cards of any type and are cash only businesses. Most of the resorts catering to the US fisherman are also cash only and usually in US currency. The resorts are pretty good about informing customers in advance about their payment policies. Most of the bait stores that accept cards will require cash for the purchase of licenses and permits. So make sure you have adequate cash resources when traveling.

[MN Mike]

I don't know if it is something new but the last time I used my credit card for a larger purchase in Canada, I was charged a $35 ' International Processing Fee ' by my credit card company ( Visa ) that was something new to me, I've done it many times before but never saw that charge until now.

Mike

[Moose-Hunter]

A bit of cash exchanged, enough to pay the camp and some in reserve for emergency... Then it's debit card all the way.

[reddogadventures]

Thanks for the debit card tip. I will use it in the future....just not at Shell Oil stations. I realize there are service charges for handling our exchanges, however, 20 cents on the dollar is obscene when the actual exchange was 2-3 cents/$.

The banks in my area do not have Canadian money on hand. It takes a two week notice for them to provide it.

I will say that this is the only time in the six years that I've been going up there that we've had this type of problem and we still love Canada.

Thanks again for the good tips, especially the debit card idea.

[BobT]

I've never looked into it but I wonder how well traveler's checks work. Anyone have any experience with these?

[itchmesir]

Last time i went to canada.. bout 10 years ago.. I found the best exchange rates at liquor stores.. would get 0.50 USD to 1.00 CAN

[LightningBG]

I dont necessary "convert" cash in other country's, but once in the other country I'll get cash from an ATM, in the local currency. Normally the rate is pretty good. Then I try to make sure I spend it all.