Canadian currency question

[Kesohio63]

We're planning to spend 2 days in Vancouver before our cruise (and maybe one day after). How much Canadian currency might we need and what would we need it for that we couldn't pay for with a credit card? We have a card with no foreign transaction fees, so we would plan to use that for most things. Where is the best place to get currency changed if we need to?

 

[cmph]

Great question! And as an addendum - is tipping culture more American or European style?

 

[Pkltm]

Great question! And as an addendum - is tipping culture more American or European style?

American, we generally tip-15-25%

 

[cmph]

American, we generally tip-15-25%

Sounds easy enough! Credit card charge slips will be the same as the US, I assume - with the line to add a tip to your charge?

 

[suomyno]

Sounds easy enough! Credit card charge slips will be the same as the US, I assume - with the line to add a tip to your charge?

There will be a line to add your tip on the receipt and/or the tip can be added on the card reader when you pay. (The latter is more common now where I live, I'm not sure which is more common in BC.)

 

[Kesohio63]

A question about using credit cards in Canada: do you sign or input your PIN when you charge something? Here in the US we only sign; I don't even know what my credit card PIN is, so if I need it, I guess I'll need to figure that out!

 

[dclpluto]

Get the money from your.bank. My bank takes about 48 hours to get foreign currency. Don't wait until you need it get it before you go.

 

[Pkltm]

A question about using credit cards in Canada: do you sign or input your PIN when you charge something? Here in the US we only sign; I don't even know what my credit card PIN is, so if I need it, I guess I'll need to figure that out!

Pins, other than that it is pretty much the sames as the US. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, some places mainly small business wont take AMEX as the fees were high.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I guess if you have to tip someone, like a porter, you'd need cash. I doubt most would say no to American dollars, though. If you can't use a credit card for something, there's an excellent chance you can use a debit card. Still, I guess I'm in the camp of wanting some 'mad money' cash whenever I travel. $20CAD, maybe? It'll only cost you $15USD.

Oh yeah. Don't be surprised if the prices sound higher than you expect. Remember that when that number is translated into your USD cost it'll be lower.

 

[Kesohio63]

Thanks for the info and advice!

 

[hcox31]

We're planning to spend 2 days in Vancouver before our cruise (and maybe one day after). How much Canadian currency might we need and what would we need it for that we couldn't pay for with a credit card? We have a card with no foreign transaction fees, so we would plan to use that for most things. Where is the best place to get currency changed if we need to?

You'll be able to exchange currency at any bank. Or in the airport. Tipping is 15-25% generally as it is in the US. Most credit cards here have a chip and we use a pin but the machines will swipe if needed too and then you'll sign.

Canada is just like the US when it comes to shopping tipping etc. Biggest difference is Our money is a lot more colourful and easier to distinguish between denominations.

 

[Kesohio63]

You'll be able to exchange currency at any bank. Or in the airport. Tipping is 15-25% generally as it is in the US. Most credit cards here have a chip and we use a pin but the machines will swipe if needed too and then you'll sign.

Canada is just like the US when it comes to shopping tipping etc. Biggest difference is Our money is a lot more colourful and easier to distinguish between denominations.

Exactly what I wanted to know! I haven't traveled outside the US very much, and the last time I was in Canada was in the early 1980s, so I feel like there is a lot I need to know! Thank you for your help!

 

[Westcoastwild]

Pins, other than that it is pretty much the sames as the US. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, some places mainly small business wont take AMEX as the fees were high.

My pin doesn't work, but I have a chip and signature card because I'm US.

Almost always, they bring the card reader to your table and you add tip to it then. Rarely a tip line on the receipt.

You can get cash at an ATM. If you have a chip and pin card, you can get cash back at the grocery store (which you can't do in Vancouver if you have a chip and sig debit card). Almost Nowhere accepts US dollars, and if they do, it's a rip off- $1 CAD does not equal $1 USD.

I'm trying to think of somewhere other than the Christmas market I've needed cash for...maybe some places at Granville Market? Or food trucks or the night market? Little counter service places like bakeries won't let (or discourage) you from using your card for something less than $5

Usually I withdraw $20 when I get there and break it to use for parking meters, then use the rest for snacks.

 

[FigmentSpark]

A question about using credit cards in Canada: do you sign or input your PIN when you charge something? Here in the US we only sign; I don't even know what my credit card PIN is, so if I need it, I guess I'll need to figure that out!

Canadian cards are all chip and pin. When a U.S. card is presented, I believe it will be whatever you are used to... chip and sign or chip and pin. But merchants are most familiar with chip and pin.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Canadian cards are all chip and pin. When a U.S. card is presented, I believe it will be whatever you are used to... chip and sign or chip and pin. But merchants are most familiar with chip and pin.

Mostly they don't understand how chip and sig works so it's helpful if you know before hand how your particular card is supposed to work. And make sure your bank knows you're in Canada!

 

[anricat]

We used our Southwest card for most things in Vancouver because it doesn't have a foreign transaction fee. I was concerned about the whole chip and PIN business because I don't have a PIN. Before leaving, we called and I set up a PIN, but later discovered that's a PIN if you want to get money from the ATM, not for transactions. Since you don't have a PIN here, you won't use one there. It's no big deal.

In terms of cash, you won't need much. We really only used cash a couple of times. The only time we really needed it was at the airport when trying to take the Sky Train, for some reason the ticket machine wasn't accepting our credit card. We used some cash there. I recommend just grabbing some out of an ATM when you get there with your bank card. You will get charged a fee, but it will be less than the hit you'll take if you use any of the money changers there.

 

[Westcoastwild]

We used our Southwest card for most things in Vancouver because it doesn't have a foreign transaction fee. I was concerned about the whole chip and PIN business because I don't have a PIN. Before leaving, we called and I set up a PIN, but later discovered that's a PIN if you want to get money from the ATM, not for transactions. Since you don't have a PIN here, you won't use one there. It's no big deal.

In terms of cash, you won't need much. We really only used cash a couple of times. The only time we really needed it was at the airport when trying to take the Sky Train, for some reason the ticket machine wasn't accepting our credit card. We used some cash there. I recommend just grabbing some out of an ATM when you get there with your bank card. You will get charged a fee, but it will be less than the hit you'll take if you use any of the money changers there.

Oh, right, thanks for clarifying that. If you have a pin, it means it works in atms. It won't run as a pin transaction in a store unless it's chip and pin. It will run as a credit transaction.

 

[rcchello]

An ATM machine will usually give you to the best exchange rate.

 

[MillauFr]

No reason to get any cash when going to Canada. Just use your credit card.

 

[bcwife76]

If you want to try a Japadog (and I encourage you to try one!!!) their carts only take CDN cash

http://www.japadog.com/