Amount of Local Currency to Have

[cyclenut]

There really is no need to carry cash. Maybe a few dollars to tip a bellhop, but I rarely use cash for anything anymore. Even small purchases.
1) use a card with no foreign transaction fees
2) credit card companies always use the exchange rate for that day
3) when you pay cash and use USD, there should be a an exchange rate applied. If they don't, ask them to do it. A lot of places in Vancouver will have a sign showing the exchange rate. Some have it built into their registers. You will always get change in CAD
4) Carry small bills in USD to use for tips
5) Try Uber or Lyft instead of a cab. No exchange of money with the driver. Easy.
6) Most cabs accept credit cards these days if you do want to take a cab.
7) Carrying limited cash reduces risk of loss or theft
8) Call your credit card company to tell them you will be traveling internationally to be sure they don't place a hold on your card due to suspected fraud
9) Most credit cards have a cashback bonus of some type. Using the credit card for EVERYTHING really accelerates the cash back bonus.
10) Check card benefits. Often using a credit card comes with additional safeguards. Some offer insurance benefits for rentals cars, extended warranty for some purchases or even some limited travel insurance. Check out the web site for your credit card company to learn about the benefits.

BONUS TIP: Download the app to help manage your vacation budget. See what you are spending on your card as you spend it. Keep track of purchases and even make payments. Must be set up ahead of time.

I carry a Capital One Venture Card. (https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/benefits/)

 

[MillauFr]

The biggest problem with getting Canadian money is you can't really get rid of the cash you have left over after the trip.

 

[cruiser21]

I don't know if there doing you a favor by taking US dollars their making a profit off it.

 

[cruiser21]

The biggest problem with getting Canadian money is you can't really get rid of the cash you have left over after the trip.

You can exchange it at your bank. You'll lose money off it, but you can get rid of it.

I also love the Capital one Venture card. The app is great and I get an alert to my phone everytime I charge something.

 

[MillauFr]

You can exchange it at your bank. You'll lose money off it, but you can get rid of it.

Most banks won't take change or small bills. In fact many banks don't bother with currency exchange any longer.

 

[MillauFr]

I don't know if there doing you a favor by taking US dollars their making a profit off it.

They are hardly making any money and it really isn't worth the hassle for them.

 

[cruiser21]

Most banks won't take change or small bills. In fact many banks don't bother with currency exchange any longer.

I exchanged some at Wells Fargo in 2015. There is also the airport. They will not except change.

 

[cruiser21]

They are hardly making any money and it really isn't worth the hassle for them.

They don't seem to mind doing it. It can't be that big a hassle.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

5) Try Uber or Lyft instead of a cab. No exchange of money with the driver.

I thought Vancouver didn’t have Uber or Lyft. Did that change?

 

[MillauFr]

I exchanged some at Wells Fargo in 2015. There is also the airport. They will not except change.

Do you have to be a customer of the bank? My issue is that I don't have a bank account.

 

[MillauFr]

I thought Vancouver didn’t have Uber or Lyft. Did that change?

That was my understanding. They don't have Uber or Lyft. You are stuck with taxis.

 

[cruiser21]

Do you have to be a customer of the bank? My issue is that I don't have a bank account.

I would assume so. Where do you put your money under the mattress? None of my business really. I've just never heard of anybody not having a bank account or credit union.

 

[cruiser21]

That was my understanding. They don't have Uber or Lyft. You are stuck with taxis.

They do have a very good public transportation system. The sky train is 30 minutes airport to port. They also have a good bus system. The bus'es only take Canadian coins or cash. Vancouver is so walkable you really don't need taxi's unless you have mobility issues.

 

[MillauFr]

I would assume so. Where do you put your money under the mattress? None of my business really. I've just never heard of anybody not having a bank account or credit union.

i never use cash. All my money is at Fidelity

 

[Lilygm]

The biggest problem with getting Canadian money is you can't really get rid of the cash you have left over after the trip.

Just get a small amount in case you want a coffee or a snack. Leave the money you do not use for your room steward, you might not be back to Canada but the ship will be.

 

[cruiser21]

i never use cash. All my money is at Fidelity

My husband has a account at Schwabb. I guess that's similar. The only time I ever walk into my bank is if I need something notarized. They do it for free. It's about the only perk I use.

 

[kiford]

The biggest problem with getting Canadian money is you can't really get rid of the cash you have left over after the trip.

Just hang onto it. You never know if you will be back. You may think you won't but you don't know what the future holds unless you are at a place in your life where you simply can't ever travel again (even then, maybe someone you know will). We always hang onto small US bills/change and Euros and pull them out when we travel or give them to family or even exchange with friends (we give a better rate than the banks ). I find that we lose too much on the exchange unless we're exchanging a large amount which we haven't done for years since we usually use credit cards. Since we normally make purchases with credit cards, it's nice to be able to just grab a few small value bills or coins for miscellaneous things when we travel - like tips, coffee, snacks, etc. - than having to load up again with large bills. If you get to a point where you have a lot of change and small bills, when you next travel to that country, you can go to the bank and exchange for larger bills which you can then exchange when you get home.

 

[kickash]

I’m taking the Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver next summer, flying in the day before departure and leaving the day after getting off the ship. I’d like to have some amount of Canadian dollars on me when I arrive. Any idea what would be a good amount to have for a taxi to/from the hotel downtown, meals for those two days, etc.? Thanks.

Slightly off topic but I noticed you said taxi. Good choice as there is no Uber in Vancouver. I didn’t see many taxis around, but I wasn’t looking. We either walked, biked, or took a shuttle to our destination.

 

[wassily]

Exchange money via Disney cruise. For any bills you have leftover, they will convert it back to your original currency at the same rate that you bought it at.
I don't believe they will exchange back coins though, only bills.