2hams2alaska
Quincy, Illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
We traveled to and from Alaska both in 2009 and 2010. Never had a problem using either Visa or Master Card in Canada for purchases. The only places we found where local currency was necessary was at some provincial campgrounds. Cash or check only, no credit cards.
Mike NA9Q and Arlyce NB9Q
Memories Of Pookie Sue, Our Beloved Shih Tzu, 10/26/1992- 04/27/2010
2000 Coachmen 285QB
|
Grey Mountain
On the rez somewhere in Indian Country
Senior Member
Joined: 08/25/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We use a Capital One Visa when in Canada. There is no transaction charge (as far as I know). I told them I would be in Canada and also had an international transaction alert notice activated. With this feature, when the card is used in Canada, I get an email alert that will show how much in US dollars was charged against the card. Makes bookkeeping easy.
On our last trip, I exchanged $3000 US to Canadian in White Rock, BC. The bank (don't remember which one) said I could get a better exchange rate at a money changer and even told me how to get there, walking distance from the bank. Now that's service.
In Campbell River, BC, I needed to exchange some more, and there was a small fee since I did not have an account at that bank.
I'll give ya fifty bucks American for that Canadian stuff you have left over if you want...
GM
Discovery 39S Tin Teepee
Honda CR-V Toad
Southwind Storm 34N Tin Teepee
Jeep Cherokee Toad
Enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe
English Bride
Bichon Frise bear killers:
Lord Shonefeld von Reginald-Friese IV.
Lady Annabelle von Lichenstein-Friese III.
|
Roadpilot
Lakes Region of New Hampshire
Senior Member
Joined: 09/16/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
We just returned from a month in Canada. MC/Visa were accepted readily at Bank ATM's, but US credit cards didn't work at non-bank owned ATM's. These are the ones you see in grocery stores, gas stations etc. We didn't use our main credit cards, because the fee was:
1. The exchange rate
2. Plus 3% of the purchase
3. Plus $1.50
4. The ATM fee (if using an ATM)
Instead we used our Schwab Bank Visa Card. They ONLY charge the exchange rate. They reimburse us if there are any add on fees from the ATM machine.
2006 Millennium Prevost
2009 Honda CR-V and 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500
2009 HD Electra Glide CVO Screaming Eagle - mine
2009 HD Street Glide - DW
Rampage in Chevy
|
Lots of Stuff
WA. USA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/18/2003
View Profile
|
We have our Credit Union issued Master Card, Visa and Debit cards.
We have used them in Canada, Mexico, Germany, All of Scandinavia and Russia. They've worked everywhere its wonderful getting the local currency at a good rate everywhere. Just love bank ATM's.
A call to the Credit Union before you leave the country telling them where your going is a good idea.
DG
03 Chevy Silverado Regular Cab 2500HD 4X4 Duramax
04 Lance Lite 915
|
Fizz
Ottawa, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 07/28/2003
View Profile
|
Nobody mentioned WalMart.
We use it as our bank when on the road. They accept all debit cards and let you take out cash at no fee.
|
|
|
TowHaul
Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 06/23/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
Essentially your Yankee dollars are useless in Canada - so just mail 'em all to me and I'll dispose of them for you - in fact I'll even exchange you, dollar for dollar, with Canadian Tire coupons which are good anywhere (there is a Canadian Tire) 
2009 Cikira Classic Cruiser 21R
2007 Jeep Commander Hemi
Trailing Away... our travel blog
|
docj
Fulltime--Home is where we park it
Senior Member
Joined: 07/13/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
On both of our recent trips to Canada we noticed that our B of A VISA debit cards worked fine at stores if we used them as credit cards but not if we tried to use the debit mode. This was a consistent problem in several provinces so I don't think it had anything to do with a specific store or bank. When used as ATM cards they worked fine at bank ATMs but not at the small ones found in grocery stores, Walmarts, etc.
Sandie & Joel
2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2009 Chevy Malibu LTZ with ReadyBrute tow bar/braking system
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels
|
BelleisleNB
Kiersteadville New Brunswick, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 07/03/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Bank of America is affiliated with Bank of Nova Scotia, so if you
use ATM machine at Bank of NS, you will not have an atm fee.
For left over Canadian $'s, I'm sure your home bank would exchange
them. We can go to a Canadian bank and get US $'s........
|
Crackerssouth
Fenelon Falls, Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 07/26/2010
View Profile
|
Our Toronto Dominion Bank has recently opened branches in the US, called TD BankNorth. You might want to consider opening an account with them, just used specifically for travelling in Canada. I think you will find some interesting perks.
* This post was
edited 09/03/10 11:15am by Crackerssouth *
Experience is the result of too many mistakes
2008 F350 6.4L 4x4
1999 Jayco 3610 Designer
|
bee_46
Jarrettsville, Md
Senior Member
Joined: 02/03/2005
View Profile
|
We are currently in Canada and have used our Bank of America Visa Card. We haven't seen a bill so I don't know if there is a fee. We did exchange some American currency for Canadian at RBC and with the current exchange rate came out on the short end after the exchange fee. Washing machines and dryers do not take credit cards. The only place we have not been able to use the Visa is Tim Horton's. They take MC. Don't even bother to bring your Discover card to Canada. Nobody takes that. We did call our credit card company to let them know we were traveling in Canada. Now I just hope Hurricane Earl misses us as we are sitting on PEI and he is expected to arrive tomorrow.
Bobbie
Alaska 2008
|
|
|
