Canadian money, eh? (business, pay, place)

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by AKStafford

Last time I went through they all accepted debit/credit. But be sure & call your bank and let them know you'll be using them in Canada. One time my bank's fraud department shut the cards down. It was a Friday afternoon and they were closed for the weekend.

I also agree 10000% with this statement. Wells Fargo is notorious for shutting off your card once you enter Canada. It' makes for a real pain in the Arse to get them to fix it.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Nephler

I still have about 50 loonies and what ever the $2 is called, that the bank wont take.
Though I live close to the border, so I'm sure I'll use them sometime.

over our way in Quebec they are still called Loonies and they want them as they are worth a heck of a lot more now!...I still have about 30 of 'em plus some old paper moneys that each time we go into Canada I check what the value is....gonna hang onto them...still got some bears that were made wrong where the center pops out! they were paying big to get those back years ago....

[stewnsue]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I will stop and exchange some money at a bank in Canada once we cross the border. Great idea about using up the last of it to pay for gas before crossing over into Alaska!
I will DEFINITELY let our bank know of our travels. We have been shut down using our debit cards more than once in our travels! (Once even after calling them and letting them know we would be out of town!)

[bthorn31]

I had made the mistake of traveling with travelers checks, not every place in Canada would take them and when I went to the bank to exchange them, I had to pay a fee. I really lost money on that whole deal, but live and learn. Also, I was able to take money from an ATM in Canada, but was charged an extra fee.

Good luck and enjoy the travel. It's a wonderful adventure! I think I will do it again next summer.

[akck]

The easiest way to exchange money is to use an ATM on the Canadian side. Also, be aware that U.S. credit cards don't always work at the pump. We had to go inside to pay for gas at some locations.

[warptman]

All of the Shell stations consider US Credit Cards as foreign, you'll have to bring the card inside to pay. Most of the FAS stations take cards, they have a little cash back deal.

Litre Log

[Dakster]

I have used Amex in Canada without any problems. And my one mastercard. Funny thing is that Mastercard charged fees and had a worse exchange rate than the Amex card... I did find in Ontario that everplace I went took US Currency.

[nwcountrygal]

Also check your bank. My wonderful bank charges now (take over) 2% in fees for use in Canada. I have found a majority of gas stations you have to go inside to pay. So if after hours don't plan on going any where. Especially if on Cassier. In past they gave change in Canadian for US dollars. Be interesting to see what they do this time. Going opposite same time see you on your way.

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by nwcountrygal

Especially if on Cassier.

True that!! I hate sleeping in the back of my truck just cause the gas station closed 25 minutes before I got there.

[stewnsue]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

True that!! I hate sleeping in the back of my truck just cause the gas station closed 25 minutes before I got there.

We are not planning on taking the Cassier route this time, just staying on the ALCAN. Definitely going to get money exchanged though. Sounds like the banks and the credit card companies are making out like bandits!