Best place to get USD

[StalCA]

Heading on a Disney cruise in a few weeks and wanted to get some US cash for tips. Where do people find gets the best rate? Bank, currency place, somewhere else?

 

[eey777]

Local currency exchanges tend to have the best rates in my area (Greater Vancouver). The independent one downtown (Charlie's or Charley's Currency) was always extra handy as they'd do direct conversions if you were changing from (eg) Yen to GBP or something like that, but the multi-branch one (VCBE) had a special "member rate".

Having said that, for convenience, I tend to just use my bank (I have a USD account that I can transfer into from my CAD account, and they have ATMs that dispense US $20 bills) even though the rate is quite a bit worse.

 

[Lesverts]

Best is banking packages with a US account that offer preferred rates. Second best is dedicated currency exchanges (I'm in Ontario, we have continental currency exchange)

Also, not sure where you are from but traditionally the casinos have better rates than banks. (Fallsviews, Niagara, Caesars Windsor).

 

[hdrolfe]

For convenience I use my bank, they will send me the cash in registered mail (have to sign for it) so I don't have to get to the bank during their hours (since I work from home often I can be there to meet the delivery). Rate is obviously not the best around.
For Disney trips, I don't use a lot of cash, and just buy disney giftcards since the exchange rate is whatever it's trading at that day when you spend it, saves the extra fees etc. So it's the best rate I can get. However, obviously not everything can be paid for by a giftcard.

 

[StalCA]

Best is banking packages with a US account that offer preferred rates. Second best is dedicated currency exchanges (I'm in Ontario, we have continental currency exchange)

Also, not sure where you are from but traditionally the casinos have better rates than banks. (Fallsviews, Niagara, Caesars Windsor).

I’m in Ontario too so I’ll check out the currency exchange. Thanks!

 

[Lesverts]

For convenience I use my bank, they will send me the cash in registered mail (have to sign for it) so I don't have to get to the bank during their hours (since I work from home often I can be there to meet the delivery). Rate is obviously not the best around.
For Disney trips, I don't use a lot of cash, and just buy disney giftcards since the exchange rate is whatever it's trading at that day when you spend it, saves the extra fees etc. So it's the best rate I can get. However, obviously not everything can be paid for by a giftcard.

I get very nervous buying the gift cards. You get weird looks buying 500$ Disney gift cards. Especially now that gift cards are known to be used for scams and money laundering. And its like no, I am just a Disney nerd that is trying to save 5% on exchange.

My Disney strategy is also charge to room, pay off room with cash and gift cards.

 

[hockey mom]

Continental exchanges in all big malls .

 

[ElCray]

We use Knightsbridge online.

 

[KCMA]

I can second the continental currency exchange at the local mall… consistently beats any local banks in my area

 

[AdamsMum]

We use Knightsbridge online.

How does that work? Do you need to have a U.S. $ bank account? or can you get cash from them? When I had a U.S.$ bank account my bank charged me $5.00 per withdrawal.

 

[ElCray]

Yes you need a USD bank account to send the money to after it's converted and then withdraw from there. Yipes at the $5 fee! But I guess depending on the amount you exchange, you might still be ahead by getting a better conversion rate with Knightsbridge. It was easy to use.

I'm not sure of all the USD bank account options out there. Might be worth it to look and compare terms!