Canadian US$ Credit Card question

[CindyCan]

Thanks to all with the wonderful advice about the BMO no-fee US$ credit card. I now have one.

Here's my question: How much cash do I need to take? The idea of the card was that I'm not doing traveller's cheques at all, so I want to minimize how much cash I carry. We're driving, so it's not a case of going right to the All Stars & putting it in the safe in the room.

I had read on another thread that you can't use a Cdn card at some US gas stations, although it also sounded like maybe that's just the pay-at-the-pump option (you must be able to pay with a VISA or MC inside, always, right? what if you're from Europe & rented a car?).

So, what kind of places do I need to count on for having cash? And, if I use all the cash, can I use one of my bank cards to withdraw US funds from my Cdn acct? I've never tried that...always done traveller's cheques.

Thanks!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Many gas stations will not accept Canadian credit cards at the Pay-at-the-Pumps because validation requires a US ZIP code. These gas stations will happily take your Canadian credit card inside the store.

You are able to withdraw money from your Canadian bank account through US ATMs. Your bank's website will be able to give you more information on which
ATM system you should be looking for -- however, I have never had a problem using my President's Choice Financial bank card at any US ATM, and I wasn't looking for any particular banking system.

It's always good to have some cash on hand. Murphy's Law dictates that you will definitely need US cash at some point prior to finding an ATM.

 

[son3disfan]

CindyCan....

I too just recieved my BMO US account credit card, thanks to the wonderful advice on this forum.

I was thinking of bringing around $500 in cash. We are on the dining plan, and on a cruise, so we don't really need too much. I'll use the card for everything I can. We are driving as well.

I DO know that you can't use your interact at alot of places ( for purchases). I have tried at Walmart , Target, etc. with no luck.

 

[rjan67]

Whenever we travel to Florida for 9 days vacation we bring about 200-300 dollars and use our card for everything. We always come back with money left over. We only use cash for dollar amounts at a convenience store etc.

 

[CindyCan]

Thanks for the info. We used traveller's cheques 2 years ago & almost ended up in trouble because we couldn't find anywhere to cash them (including our hotel prior to Disney, where they had our home address, etc!).

I was thinking in the range of $300. Does anyone know if McD's, etc. takes credit cards?

Another question that came up after I posted: I got a pin today in the mail for this CC. I've never had a pin before for a CC. What does this allow me to do? Withdraw like a cash advance (which I wouldn't want to do), or do I need the pin to use the card sometimes?

And, I just remembered, we had a problem in one super-store (can't remember if it was WalMart) where we were using our normal Cdn CC & it required a zip code. After much discussion the cashier overrode it somehow.

 

[Kurby]

I had read on another thread that you can't use a Cdn card at some US gas stations, although it also sounded like maybe that's just the pay-at-the-pump option (you must be able to pay with a VISA or MC inside, always, right? what if you're from Europe & rented a car?).

just wanted to touch this part - we drove down last spring and on the way home went through Virginia Beach and filled up at all kinds of stations - both local and national named stations and never had a problem with our visa.

plus wherever there is a bank machine or pay via interact you can use your debit card so we were safe either way.

 

[son3disfan]

"plus wherever there is a bank machine or pay via interact you can use your debit card so we were safe either way.[/QUOTE


Again, not our experience. We we NOT able to use interact in Florida or Buffalo .( I tried at a couple of places and it did not accept the card...) I have a Presidents Choice account as well, so maybe that is why, ( not a major bank ) but the cashiers all told me that a Canadian interact card will not work in some places.
Just be prepared!

 

[son3disfan]

Another question that came up after I posted: I got a pin today in the mail for this CC. I've never had a pin before for a CC. What does this allow me to do? Withdraw like a cash advance (which I wouldn't want to do), or do I need the pin to use the card sometimes?

.

I received a pin as well. Keep it in a safe place. This is for security purposes ( I believe). Any account information/change they will require your pin #.

 

[AndyMcV]

Many gas stations will not accept Canadian credit cards at the Pay-at-the-Pumps because validation requires a US ZIP code. These gas stations will happily take your Canadian credit card inside the store.

Neil, this is good advice. I was in Colorado last August and found this out on my way back to the airport. At first I couldn't figure out how to actually get gas even with the help of the person working at the cash. We finally did get it going as you said. One thing I thought was odd too was that she had to debit my credit card an amount I thought would fill my tank first. Then I had to fill my tank and go back in the store and have her credit my card.

So my advice to everyone is don't get gas if you're in a hurry to get to the airport.

Andy

 

[iluvflorida]

I am amazed that people have trouble using debit at Walmart etc in US. We or friendshave never had a problem with main stream bank cards ie. Scotia, BMO, CIBC, TD etc. One friend could not use a bank card from a credit union but had a main stream bank one used with no problem. I also use main stream credit cards with no problem at pay at pump with no problem. I usually use traveller cheques (I do not cash them, simply make a small purchase and use the cheque and they have to give change back) repeat for as much actual cash as you want. Also I find that denominations no greater than $50 works best for this but use $100 for motel etc.

 

[hematite153]

I DO know that you can't use your interact at alot of places ( for purchases). I have tried at Walmart , Target, etc. with no luck.

The Canadian interac system does not extend into the US. However, there are similar systems that work basically the same way in the US and the interac system has linkages to these systems.

I have known people to have trouble accessing this when they have older bank cards that don't have the right security info to access these newer systems. Look at the back of your card. Does it have icons for 'mac', 'nyse' etc.? If not, or if you know that your card is old, go talk to your bank about replacing it with a newer one with greater access.

Thanks for the info. We used traveller's cheques 2 years ago & almost ended up in trouble because we couldn't find anywhere to cash them (including our hotel prior to Disney, where they had our home address, etc!).

Traveller's cheques are legal currency and they are not supposed to be allowed to refuse them if the signatures match and you sign it in their presence.

Nonetheless, most places seem to fight this now and I have essentially given up. I still have a few hanging around but I probably won't buy any new ones.

Check out the service fees for withdrawing US cash at a US bank machine with your CDN card. Sometimes they are excessive. I've considered using traveller's cheques in large denominations only and preplanning locations to cash them. However, I think that most banks have an option where if you withdraw from specific machines the fees aren't so bad.

 

[son3disfan]

The Canadian interac system does not extend into the US. However, there are similar systems that work basically the same way in the US and the interac system has linkages to these systems.

I have known people to have trouble accessing this when they have older bank cards that don't have the right security info to access these newer systems. Look at the back of your card. Does it have icons for 'mac', 'nyse' etc.? If not, or if you know that your card is old, go talk to your bank about replacing it with a newer one with greater access.



Thanks for the info!
No, the back of my card does not have any of those icons. Just the INTERAC icon.( And I just got a new card a few weeks ago)
I guess Presidents Choice is not a very accessable bank.( Only in Canada)

 

[hematite153]

Thanks for the info!
No, the back of my card does not have any of those icons. Just the INTERAC icon.( And I just got a new card a few weeks ago)
I guess Presidents Choice is not a very accessable bank.( Only in Canada)

Hmmn...

Then you probably won't be able to use it for interac-like transactions in the US. Most US interac-like systems will also take VISA (they have something called cheque-cards where they can use it like a VISA but it's actually a debit system).

I also have a Petro-Points Citi-bank mastercard and it has a "Cirrus" icon on the back which I think means I can use it to withdraw cash from certain US banks. And my Aeroplan VISA has a "plus" symbol which should mean it will work from other banks. There's often another fee for withdrawing cash from a credit card (and interest usually starts accumulating immediately). But, I'm not certain that these fees are actually any greater than the cost of purchasing cash from a bank.

If your credit card will allow it you could make a pre-payment to cover the cost of anything you might withdraw.

 

[minnie56]

There are also some RBC branches in Fla. Called RBC-Centura, same logo, easy to spot!! We were in Sarasota last Summer before WDW and were happy to stumble upon one. Withdrew $$$ with no fees!!!!

http://www.rbccentura.com/personal/snowbirds/floridamap.html

 

[trivial]

You are able to withdraw money from your Canadian bank account through US ATMs. Your bank's website will be able to give you more information on which ATM system you should be looking for -- however, I have never had a problem using my President's Choice Financial bank card at any US ATM, and I wasn't looking for any particular banking system.

This is very interesting, because I tried to use my President's Choice Financial bank card at an ATM at the BoardWalk (beside the Screen Door General Store), and it wouldn't work. This ended up being a significant inconvenience, so definitely bring some cash with you to WDW, just in case.

 

[hematite153]

This is very interesting, because I tried to use my President's Choice Financial bank card at an ATM at the BoardWalk (beside the Screen Door General Store), and it wouldn't work.

son3disfan pointed out that the PC card doesn't show any of the icons that allow reciprocity for banking withdrawals.

You'll probably need to check with PC directly to see if they have a way to get international access.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Traveller's cheques are legal currency and they are not supposed to be allowed to refuse them if the signatures match and you sign it in their presence.

Could you please provide a reference showing that traveller's cheques are legal currency? I sincerely doubt that they are. No business or invididual is required to accept Traveller's Cheques for payment.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

You'll probably need to check with PC directly to see if they have a way to get international access.

I have used my PC Financial bank card in New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York State, Virginia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France without any issue at all.

 

[hematite153]

Could you please provide a reference showing that traveller's cheques are legal currency?

See point 4 at: http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/RBC:R2WoQI71A8UANuBA7w4/travel/cashalt.html

I know I have read this in many places and I have used traveller's cheques successfully all over the world--the only place I run into trouble is in the US! (There are some countries that have laws prohibiting currency exchange outside of banks, but in the US I am using US dollar TCs.)

I have used my PC Financial bank card in New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York State, Virginia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France without any issue at all.

Okay. So, that means that there is a way to use a PC card. The posters who have been unsuccessful should contact PC to ask what they need to do in order to have the same success as you have had.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

See point 4

I see your point -- and only wish it were so. I gave up on using TCs on our 2004 vacation to England and France. In many cases I was able to cash them only at American Express offices and the hotel clerk in Paris was only going to accept them if the hotel got to "keep the change." That bill went on the credit card, instead.

Okay. So, that means that there is a way to use a PC card. The posters who have been unsuccessful should contact PC to ask what they need to do in order to have the same success as you have had.

I made a similar phone call to President's Choice Financial about the possibility of using my PC Financial ATM card out of country. They warned me that I might not be able to use it -- but said I might be able to use it. There was no guarantee on its acceptance at ATMS outside of Canada simply because PC Financial is not a part of the Cirrus or Maestro ATM systems.