Canadian currency question

[xlxo]

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?

Thoughts...

• hope the credit card is a Visa or MasterCard. Amex is not accepted by smaller retailers and Discover card is rarely accepted.
• McDonald's welcomes American Excess cards.
• The local currency is often called the "Loonie".
• smaller restaurants may want cash only
• public transit would be the main reason why you want local currency.

 

[Marc D]

Thoughts...

• The local currency is often called the "Loonie"

Not the currency but the 1 dollar coin. And the 2$ coin is known as a Toonie.

 

[Kesohio63]

Thoughts...

• hope the credit card is a Visa or MasterCard. Amex is not accepted by smaller retailers and Discover card is rarely accepted.
• McDonald's welcomes American Excess cards.
• The local currency is often called the "Loonie".
• smaller restaurants may want cash only
• public transit would be the main reason why you want local currency.

Thanks! Our card is a VISA, so no problem there. We are not planning to rent a car, so we probably would want to use public transit. I really appreciate everyone's input!

 

[anricat]

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

It's always a good idea to have a little back up cash in local currency. Our credit card wasn't working in the skytrain machine to get a ticket to take the train! If we didn't have any cash, we would have been stuck!

 

[saxmangeoff]

Regarding Loonies and Toonies, for those unfamiliar with the Canadian coins, it's worth explaining that the Loonie is so called because it's got a loon on the back.

The Toonie is worth two Loonies.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Regarding Loonies and Toonies, for those unfamiliar with the Canadian coins, it's worth explaining that the Loonie is so called because it's got a loon on the back.

The Toonie is worth two Loonies.

Or twice as loonie an idea as the first coin was, if I recall.

 

[NAB]

We also do not take pennies any more . We round up and down so we get a lot of nickels now.

Credit cards should be fine and if you are tipping for bags etc. they will take your American dollar too. Actually your dollar is worth more then ours right now.

You also might be shocked at our prices compared to yours . McDonald's here is totally different too and we don't have a dollar menu.

Enjoy our colourful money. $20 is green $10 is purple , $5 are blue , $2 is our toonie coin , $1 is the gold looking loonie.

 

[tink1970]

e also do not take pennies any more . We round up and down so we get a lot of nickels now.

That's a great reminder...when we were in Winnipeg a couple of years ago that sort of threw me off at first! Headed to Vancouver this summer so glad you brought that up It's not a big deal but nice to know not to expect pennies.

 

[Mil leech]

We also do not take pennies any more . We round up and down so we get a lot of nickels now.

Credit cards should be fine and if you are tipping for bags etc. they will take your American dollar too. Actually your dollar is worth more then ours right now.

You also might be shocked at our prices compared to yours . McDonald's here is totally different too and we don't have a dollar menu.

Enjoy our colourful money. $20 is green $10 is purple , $5 are blue , $2 is our toonie coin , $1 is the gold looking loonie.

We went last October. Yes many people took American, however some gave change in Canadian (at not a very good exchange rate). Also, stopping for ice cream required cash.

 

[tinkerone]

You can use American money and you will not get a second look. US money is not new to us and we get it all the time especially places like Vancouver which are import cities. The exception to this would be, as mentioned above, some public transportation. ANY store or restaurant will take US funds. You may not get the best exchange however if your only using a few dollars cash and mostly using your credit card, you will not break the bank. Even our vending machines take credit cards. Bring lots of smaller US bills and you can use them for tipping, again the value is more to us so we are very happy to get it. Myself, I seldom have any cash on me at any given time, not so much as a Loonie. I use my credit card for everything. That's how cashless Canada is becoming.
Also, keep in mind, again as mentioned above, we have no bills smaller than the $5. Our $1's and $2's are coins and if you get those and take them home you may have a hard time exchanging them back to US. Banks usually only want rolls of coins, they will not deal in one or two and some US banks will not deal with them even then.
Don't bog yourself down with to much Canadian if your only going to be in Vancouver for a few days, your credit card will work just fine along with your US. Just make sure your bank understands you will be traveling so they don't put a hold on it. Have a great time!!