Question for my Canadian friends

cactusjack · 07-16-2011, 07:52 PM

My wife is traveling to Canada next week for a family get-together in Lethbridge, AB for 3 days. I have only been to your lovely country once and I was maybe 13, so I don't remember the currency situation. Please, forgive my ignorance.

Is US currency valid in Canada? What about debit or credit cards? Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated by Mrs. Jack!

**Top Cat** · 07-16-2011, 08:22 PM

Scott, yes our money is valid in Canada. There is an exchange rate in some areas but not all. It seems to be at the whim of the merchant ::)
My credit card was also valid. I did let my card company know I would be traveling in Canada so no red flags came up when I used it. I also got a number to call just in case the card was put on hold for some reason.

usranger74 · 07-16-2011, 08:26 PM

CJ - it's been 10 yrs but I use to travel to CA a lot (wifes family is from there). At the time, I was told that using my Master Card was the best way to get the best exchange rate.

Netnorske · 07-16-2011, 09:17 PM

Use your credit card as much as possible to get the best and fairest exchange rates, but US currency is accepted most places. Definitely let your card carrier know you are traveling (where and when) to prevent any disruptions. I ride up in BC quite often and that is the best way I've found.

cactusjack · 07-16-2011, 09:28 PM

I pose a question to the Canucks and 3 Americans answer up. ::) Thanks guys, I figured she wouldn't have any problems.

**Top Cat** · 07-16-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I pose a question to the Canucks and 3 Americans answer up. ::) Thanks guys, I figured she wouldn't have any problems.

Well, Trip said he wanted this forum to be like a bunch of friends sitting around a table talking.
The Canadians are here at the table but they are, as usual, busy drinking their beer, Eh.

AlabamaNomadRider · 07-16-2011, 09:48 PM

Good one TC.

Netnorske · 07-16-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I pose a question to the Canucks and 3 Americans answer up. ::) Thanks guys, I figured she wouldn't have any problems.

Well, Trip said he wanted this forum to be like a bunch of friends sitting around a table talking.
The Canadians are here at the table but they are, as usual, busy drinking their beer, Eh.

TC,
I was thinking the very same thing... ;)

!

usranger74 · 07-16-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I pose a question to the Canucks and 3 Americans answer up. ::) Thanks guys, I figured she wouldn't have any problems.

Well, Trip said he wanted this forum to be like a bunch of friends sitting around a table talking.
The Canadians are here at the table but they are, as usual, busy drinking their beer, Eh.

They are still in mourning over losing the "Cup"

**voyager** · 07-16-2011, 10:31 PM

Okay, the " losing the cup" comment woke me up. Scott, tell your wife to either bring a hat or not to worry about her hair because Lethbridge is one of the windiest cities in Alberta. Yes, we take credit cards in Canada ever since late last year when we evolved from the barter system

. Since the Canadian green back is worth more you'll end up with a little less in your pocket when you exchange. I echo the advice of others to let your credit card vendor know where and when you'll be traveling. One last thing, all Americans are tagged at the border to make sure you don't take advantage of our free health care....................... ;)

usranger74 · 07-16-2011, 10:37 PM

"..free health care" Really? Free?

anchornomad · 07-16-2011, 11:00 PM

All is well in Canada and especially Alberta. Cleanest oil anywhere, great people, lots of jobs and we do keep the economy rocking! Jab, Jab!!! Cash is good anywhere. Same as when we head to our great neighbours to the south, get some cash from the local bank and no problems using green backs. The credit card related above is as good as it gets. Make sure you have your ID / Passport, check make sure you got the documents you need to enter Canada. Right now we cannot get into the USA without a passport and I suspect it is the same the reverse way. Leave the six shooters at the border, Gatling guns accepted at par as is gold. Hope you have a great trip, awesome area and you can see the mountains, good old rockies are not too far west! Enjoy! Den

**Top Cat** · 07-16-2011, 11:28 PM

We can get into Canada without a passport or enhanced license, but we can't get back into the USA without it. ::)

anchornomad · 07-16-2011, 11:52 PM

That is an interesting concept. So do you have a passport or enhanced licence to get back in ?

**ringadingh** · 07-16-2011, 11:58 PM

We need a passport here, not sure if Americans need one yet for sure. Its best to exchange your cash at your bank for the best rate, but you can do it at the duty free shop when your crossing.
I imagine you can also exchange it at the airport also if your flying. Other than that credit cards are the same as you use at home.
I would think that a lot of places would accept US currency, but not all, when we were in MV no place would touch Canadian currency, not even some loose change, but thats the south.

07-16-2011, 07:52 PM	#1
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Question for my Canadian friends My wife is traveling to Canada next week for a family get-together in Lethbridge, AB for 3 days. I have only been to your lovely country once and I was maybe 13, so I don't remember the currency situation. Please, forgive my ignorance. Is US currency valid in Canada? What about debit or credit cards? Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated by Mrs. Jack! __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-16-2011, 08:22 PM	#2
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Question for my Canadian friends Scott, yes our money is valid in Canada. There is an exchange rate in some areas but not all. It seems to be at the whim of the merchant ::) My credit card was also valid. I did let my card company know I would be traveling in Canada so no red flags came up when I used it. I also got a number to call just in case the card was put on hold for some reason. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

07-16-2011, 08:26 PM	#3
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Question for my Canadian friends CJ - it's been 10 yrs but I use to travel to CA a lot (wifes family is from there). At the time, I was told that using my Master Card was the best way to get the best exchange rate. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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07-16-2011, 09:17 PM	#4
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	Question for my Canadian friends Use your credit card as much as possible to get the best and fairest exchange rates, but US currency is accepted most places. Definitely let your card carrier know you are traveling (where and when) to prevent any disruptions. I ride up in BC quite often and that is the best way I've found. __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016
	0

07-16-2011, 09:28 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Question for my Canadian friends I pose a question to the Canucks and 3 Americans answer up. ::) Thanks guys, I figured she wouldn't have any problems. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-16-2011, 09:48 PM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Question for my Canadian friends Good one TC. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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07-16-2011, 10:31 PM	#10
voyager Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stony Plain, Alberta Posts: 694	Question for my Canadian friends Okay, the " losing the cup" comment woke me up. Scott, tell your wife to either bring a hat or not to worry about her hair because Lethbridge is one of the windiest cities in Alberta. Yes, we take credit cards in Canada ever since late last year when we evolved from the barter system . Since the Canadian green back is worth more you'll end up with a little less in your pocket when you exchange. I echo the advice of others to let your credit card vendor know where and when you'll be traveling. One last thing, all Americans are tagged at the border to make sure you don't take advantage of our free health care....................... ;) __________________ Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.........Mark Twain.
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07-16-2011, 10:37 PM	#11
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Question for my Canadian friends "..free health care" Really? Free? __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
	0

07-16-2011, 11:00 PM	#12
anchornomad Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Evansburg, Alberta Canada Posts: 293	Question for my Canadian friends All is well in Canada and especially Alberta. Cleanest oil anywhere, great people, lots of jobs and we do keep the economy rocking! Jab, Jab!!! Cash is good anywhere. Same as when we head to our great neighbours to the south, get some cash from the local bank and no problems using green backs. The credit card related above is as good as it gets. Make sure you have your ID / Passport, check make sure you got the documents you need to enter Canada. Right now we cannot get into the USA without a passport and I suspect it is the same the reverse way. Leave the six shooters at the border, Gatling guns accepted at par as is gold. Hope you have a great trip, awesome area and you can see the mountains, good old rockies are not too far west! Enjoy! Den __________________ FREEDOM ISN'T FREE *2007 Nomad Black & Titanium - Dennis -Evansburg, Alberta Canada KawaNOW #01721
	0

07-16-2011, 11:28 PM	#13
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Question for my Canadian friends We can get into Canada without a passport or enhanced license, but we can't get back into the USA without it. ::) __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

07-16-2011, 11:52 PM	#14
anchornomad Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Evansburg, Alberta Canada Posts: 293	Question for my Canadian friends That is an interesting concept. So do you have a passport or enhanced licence to get back in ? __________________ FREEDOM ISN'T FREE *2007 Nomad Black & Titanium - Dennis -Evansburg, Alberta Canada KawaNOW #01721
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07-16-2011, 11:58 PM	#15
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Question for my Canadian friends We need a passport here, not sure if Americans need one yet for sure. Its best to exchange your cash at your bank for the best rate, but you can do it at the duty free shop when your crossing. I imagine you can also exchange it at the airport also if your flying. Other than that credit cards are the same as you use at home. I would think that a lot of places would accept US currency, but not all, when we were in MV no place would touch Canadian currency, not even some loose change, but thats the south. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

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