TEO
Inverness, FL, USA
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Joined: 08/07/2003
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We got burned earlier this year with Chase Visa. In one week, we incurred $49.00 in fees. Since I check my account frequently on-line I saw the situation and stopped using the Chase card completely. After that,I used my bank card at the ATMs to get cash. There would be a transaction fee of $1.50, but my bank would rebate that amount each time and I got a very good exchange rate. At the recommendation of someone on RV.NET, I looked into a Capital One card and had one delivered to me in Alaska. I've used nothing else since.
Paul
Paul & Helen
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
1999 Jeep Cherokee toad 
Yellow Lab, Jodie, Chocolate Lab, Coco  , and Lab/Golden mix, Sandy.
FMCA 98905
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John&Betty
Alberta
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Joined: 07/29/2007
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Jesse624 wrote:I just returned from a 5 week trip in Canada, and used my Visa credit card almost exclusively. Every place takes Visa. I found I always got the best exchange rate on Visa, and the service charges were negligible. I was initially concerned that some places wouldn't take Visa, so I got some Canadian $, and now I'm stuck with about $75 Canadian that I can't exchange. I would definitely recommend going with your Visa Card for the majority of your purchases.
Jesse< I can exchange that for you...from your hand to mine.......lol...seriously though, why can't you exchange it at your bank?
John & Betty
2007 Dodge Ram 1500
2010 Keystone Bullet 246RBS
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drenjoey
Gray, Maine
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Joined: 06/25/2008
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We just came back from Nova Scotia. No problem using credit card, but debit card was another thing.
We went to buy groceries and they wouldn't take debit cards. They said that because there's the little Visa logo at the bottom, it is considered a credit card. I went to an ATM machine (the ones you find in stores) and the same thing there. I couldn't make a withdrawal. I finally went to a bank ATM and finally made the withdrawal.
All this to say that in Canada, if you use a debit card with a credit card logo at the bottom, it is considered a credit card.....and if stores don't take credit card, they won't take that type of debit card.
(Geezzzzzzzzzz, I'm reading my last paragraph and it sounds confusing)
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revrnd
Apsley, Ontario
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Joined: 09/10/2003
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AKsilvereagle wrote:
Went down the street to CIBC in Whitehorse and they only would exchange $100 USD maximum...
There must be more to that story.
I bank w/ the CIBC in southern Ontario & have never had problems exchanging US currency back to CDN $.
1986 Monte Carlo SS
2011 Chevrolet K2500HD (P3 controller, Husky WD hitch)
2009 Rockwood 2106 Mini Lite
Retired GM of Canada Oshawa Truck Assembly Plant
Opened 1965 Closed 2009
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hokeypokey
xxx
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Joined: 05/14/2009
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I am still wayne_tw wrote:Canada is very modern country with all the amenities you are used to in the States. You should call your credit card provider regarding fees and usage in another country. Be especially aware that many will charge you a 3% fee for foreign purchases and will suspend the card if they are not notified you will be using it in another country.
Even if you notify them about using a CC in Canada, they will put on a block. I talked to them TWICE before leaving the USA and it still happened on our way to Alaska. We called, got it straightened out the first time. Used the CC for 3 weeks in Alaska with no more trouble, then on our way home, another block was put on so we called in again. This time they were questioning the charge at the gas station 3 miles from our home (new set of tires purchased 5 weeks earlier before we left !) It wasn't a huge inconvenience, and we really should be glad they are watching.
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TKW
Vancouver, BC Canada
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Joined: 05/09/2003
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Crackerssouth wrote: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.
I would like to point out, with 1st hand experience, that these two are separate entities and they operate as so. I have accounts in both of these banks thinking that transfer money would be easier. But the reality is that TD CanadaTrust debit card couldn't even draw money from TD BankNorth ATM machine. You have to use a TD Visa to get cash advance and of course credit card interest rate charged.
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Joined: 07/16/2003
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if you plan on frequently doing trips to canada, say at least once a year, the best thing to do would be to open a canadian cash acount. my parent opened a US account so they only pay exchange rate when the put money into it and they have a seperate debit card for use in the US. they use it as a savings account when they are in canada putting money in when the canadian buck is worth more to maximize the amount of US money.
Steve
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