Canadians! Please help - money question

[2Bnºoºt2B]

Oh ... another thing ... Canadians are pretty now "penniless" ... lol ... Even though the penny is still legal currency in Canada, for cash transactions, we round up or down ,,, all other transactions (credit card, debit etc) the exact amount goes ...

Here's a link that helps describe what goes on ...
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/lmntnpnny/menu-eng.html

 

[Shanti]

Actually, I work in finance and I am originally from the US and had this exact problem. The US debit cards are not the same as Canadian debit cards at all. Interac does not work with US debit cards, only ATM's will withdraw money from a debit card that is strictly a US debit card. Most American banks have a credit card sponsor on the debit cards that will allow the money to come directly from the account, but it swipes as a charge in the Interac machines. I use both American and Canadian debit cards on a weekly basis... American banks do not use the Interac system.

But I can use my debit card, which has a Visa logo on it, to pay at a hotel & retaurant in Vancouver, right? I do not work in finance so find the details a bit confusing. Just want to know that I'm prepared for the day and a half we'll spend in Vancouver around our cruise. Will that card be okay for making payments? I don't have a regular credit-only credit card, just a debit card with Visa logo. Thanks.

 

[minniebeth]

Raya, I hope this question doesn't hijack your thread, its'a little OT, but relates a little to the topic...
Since there's such great info. from you all here, this may be a silly question, but can I use giftcards purchased in the US in Canada? For example, from places like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, etc....
Thanks!!

 

[P&L@WDW]

But I can use my debit card, which has a Visa logo on it, to pay at a hotel & retaurant in Vancouver, right? I do not work in finance so find the details a bit confusing. Just want to know that I'm prepared for the day and a half we'll spend in Vancouver around our cruise. Will that card be okay for making payments? I don't have a regular credit-only credit card, just a debit card with Visa logo. Thanks.

Yes, if your debit card has a visa logo, you can use it to pay at the hotel and restaurant.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I can't speak for other gift cards, but I know the Apple ones bought in the U.S. must be used in a device that is registered in the U.S. It may be different for other cards like store cards, as they don't go into devices that are registered to a home country. But the store gift cards would be purchased in U.S. dollars, so that might be a problem. You want to read the back to see where they are accepted, I would think.

As for the Visa debit only U.S. card (or Mastercard for that matter), if you have the Visa (or Mastercard) logo on your card, you can use it anywhere in Canada that you can use those credit cards. The merchant (or hotel, etc) will treat your card as if it's a credit card, but your bank at home will receive the charge as if it's debit. If you have a PIN, which you should, you should know it.

 

[bcwife76]

Raya, I hope this question doesn't hijack your thread, its'a little OT, but relates a little to the topic...
Since there's such great info. from you all here, this may be a silly question, but can I use giftcards purchased in the US in Canada? For example, from places like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, etc....
Thanks!!

For sure you can use a Starbucks card purchased in the US at Canadian stores ( I know because I'm in Canada and I use my Starbucks card in the US all the time).

Apparently you can do the same with Tim's cards too:

https://timcard-us.prepaidaccess.com/consumer/resources/timcard/terms/faq.html

 

[antlawn]

We have roughly 24 hours in your country (never been before). Should we buy Canadian currency to bring with us or is it easy to exchange money?

Will taxi drivers expect Canadian dollars or be willing to take a credit card?

Do credit cards need a chip and pin?

Other than Tim Horton's and ketchup chips is there some Canadian specialty we absolutely have to try?

Most places are willing to take US funds, but not many offered a fair exchange. There is an Exchange booth in the main lobby area at YVR. We did find that when we took taxi to port, once they drop down into "drop off" area, their pos readers for credit cards wouldn't work. Or at least that was the story we got. We did use cards everywhere else we traveled around town.

 

[Imahikergirl]

Hmmm ....

• Nanaimo bars and Butter Tarts as others have mentioned - found in the bakery section
• Lays Ketchup Potato Chips, Hostess Hickory Sticks, Hawkins Cheezies, Ruffles All Dressed Chips
• Crush Cream Soda Pop
• Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwiches
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar (main ingredient is milk vs sugar in America)
• Canada Dry Ginger Ale
• Smarties (as opposed to M&M's)
• Timbits @ Tim Hortons
• Dare Maple Leaf cookies
• Cadbury Crispy Crunch Chocolate Bar ... or Eatmore Chocolate Bar (beware of peanuts!)

And probably quite a few more ...

As well:
- Mr. Bigs & Wunderbars & Aeros
- Donairs
- Bic's pickles
So much to miss from home.

 

[TheGryphonsDen]

But I can use my debit card, which has a Visa logo on it, to pay at a hotel & retaurant in Vancouver, right? I do not work in finance so find the details a bit confusing. Just want to know that I'm prepared for the day and a half we'll spend in Vancouver around our cruise. Will that card be okay for making payments? I don't have a regular credit-only credit card, just a debit card with Visa logo. Thanks.

You absolutely can. Because your card has the visa logo, it will still pull the money from your account. The simple explanation for it is that Canada has a system called INTERAC and most placed in the US do not use that same debit card system. Visa will process your debit transaction instead so that it can go through. My parents often use theirs here without a problem. Walmart has recently decided not to take Visa in Ontario. I'm not sure about other provinces. That would be the only place that you would possibly need to take money out of an ATM in order to make a purchase. It is quite simple. I would agree with the other posters that it is better than just paying with US cash while you are there because they are likely to take the cash at a bad exchange rate or at par (which is not in your favour right now).

 

[TheGryphonsDen]

For sure you can use a Starbucks card purchased in the US at Canadian stores ( I know because I'm in Canada and I use my Starbucks card in the US all the time).

Apparently you can do the same with Tim's cards too:

https://timcard-us.prepaidaccess.com/consumer/resources/timcard/terms/faq.html

Applebee's works too. Claire's jewelry stores do not transfer. We use our Starbucks on both sides of the border too. It depends on the chain, but we had some that took the money at par instead of the exchange.