Questions about US Dollars and Canada

[misskitty100]

DH is going to Whistler this weekend and not sure if I should send some cash with him? We haven't been to Canada in about 5 years but in the past, we have always been able to use US dollars very easily. Is this still the case? Or should he just plan to use his CC?

[badunnin]

I usually refrain from using US currency in a foreign country - it just seems rude. He can always go to an ATM in Canada and withdraw money - it will dispense in Canadian dollars.

[misskitty100]

Rude, really? I never thought of it that way. When I was in college and worked in retail, Canadians would use their money all the time but just not sure if that is still done in the border areas.

You are right about the cash machines - good idea! I am sure Whistler has plenty of those!;)

[Laura]

Hmmm.. I thought I had heard that Canadians liked getting American dollars because it was stronger, but I guess that isn't the case so much anymore. Anyways, I never exchanged money before hand, but used my ATM card up there no problem.

[Valerie226]

I guess I always considered it rude too. I had the unpleasant experience of once traveling with people who acted like the currency of the country they were in was "phony" and they couldn't be bothered to learn the denominations etc. I found it disrespectful of the people and the country. In Canada I always get some cash from an ATM and/or use credit cards. The exchange rate varies constantly & you'll see on your credit card statements that show the charge & the adjusted charge. It would be pretty tough for merchants to do the calculation constantly.

[Kristilyn1]

as far as cash goes---I thought you were better off exchanging ahead? I mean, does every store and restaurant know how to instantly make the exchange correctly? I've twice had stores in Canada treat my US dollar like it was a canadian dollar---no thanks! I know the cc company does this easily, but cash is different.

For the record, I always try to use the currency of the country I'm in.

Kristi

[Kayaksoup]

I think you are better off either using an ATM, credit card, or exchanging money before you go. You will get a better exchange rate for a start! Also, places that accept US currency will not give you the same in change ~ you will get Canadian dollars back.
In the last five years, I have never been able to spend Canadian currency south of the border (not that I tried on purpose, the occasional Canadian coin slips in though). I am sure that has changed though, due to the drop in the exchange rate.

ETA as a former retail person, I only found the use of USD rude when people assumed without question that we would take it AND also assumed they would get the same in change. OR if they asked but in a totally condescending way (Customer:"Do you take dollars?" Me:"Ummm, Canadian currency IS dollars" Customer:"I mean REAL dollars!")

[1MegMeg]

I was just in Calgary and Banff National Park last week. :) You can use US dollars just about everywhere (and you will get Canadian dollars in return). Some places will calculate an exchange rate and some places will give you par. If your DH exchanges ahead of time/at an ATM or uses a credit card he will get the best exchange rate. However, the Canadian dollar is pretty strong right now and the exchange is just about par anyhow.

[lonetree1353]

I agree with Linda about using your interact, credit card or taking Canadian money with you. We just returned from the US and after Bellingham they don't accept Canadian cash....not that we used it but have had previous experience of running out of US and only having Canadian cash in our wallets. :D

Hope your DH has a wonderful time in Whistler.

[Laura]

Just for the record, I never expected to get American dollars back. I found that exchange rates at my bank here were much worse than what I was getting on credit cards.

[badunnin]

I've twice had stores in Canada treat my US dollar like it was a Canadian dollar---no thanks!


These days, the two currencies being discussed are about par - $1USD = $1.04CDN.

Just don't try to pay in Canadian TIRE dollars. ;) Ok, leaving now....

[1MegMeg]

These days, the two currencies being discussed are about par - $1USD = $1.04CDN.

Just don't try to pay in Canadian TIRE dollars. ;) Ok, leaving now....

A quick hijack - what *IS* a Canadian Tire store?! :p I saw them all over in Calgary, but could never figure out exactly what all they had hehe!

[badunnin]

A quick hijack - what *IS* a Canadian Tire store?! :p I saw them all over in Calgary, but could never figure out exactly what all they had hehe!

Similar to a KMart/Walmart. :)

[Kristilyn1]

These days, the two currencies being discussed are about par - $1USD = $1.04CDN.

Just don't try to pay in Canadian TIRE dollars. ;) Ok, leaving now....


obviously when it happened to me, the difference was much bigger.

Kristi

[badunnin]

obviously when it happened to me, the difference was much bigger.

Kristi

Yes, I realised that. I wanted to point out, however, to those who may not be aware of the current exchange rate, that if this happens, they are not getting totally ripped off.

[misskitty100]

Yes, I realised that. I wanted to point out, however, to those who may not be aware of the current exchange rate, that if this happens, they are not getting totally ripped off.

Oh well..... there goes my argument of justifying to DH that he should go to Whistler and not worry about the cost of the condo since the prices are in Canadian. :D :D

Thanks to everyone for weighing in on this. Sounds like the cash machine and credit card are the way to go.

[ClaraB]

Similar to a KMart/Walmart. :)Actually, I think of Canadian Tire as more of an automotive store with a whole bunch of other household/sporting goods for sale too (they don't sell any clothing or health/beauty items). I'm not sure there is any American equivalent, but they're a Canadian institution, particularly the Canadian Tire money :) .