How are we all finding the exchange rate?

[Skjhjb]

Back in September I gave my TA $1000 towards the trip, and I think it ended up in the $970 ballpark towards the trip after exchange. In January, I gave her another $1000 and it worked out to $880 and change.

I've heard it is a little better these days, so I'm breathing easier about the drive down and paying for gas.

Here's hoping it improves even further before we go next month! Lol

 

[minnie mum]

Are you asking how to find the current exchange rate (CAD/USD), or are you asking what we think about the current rate?

1. I just look in the paper. We get the Toronto Star, and the current value of the Dollar vs several other currencies are listed daily. You could also go to your bank's web site (I use RBC) to use their currency converter.

2. Today's rate seems just a tad better than what you got on your second cash exchange. But that can change hour by hour. We got spoiled for a couple of years when our dollar was above par with the US. I'm glad we put a fair bit of money into our USD checking account while that was the case. According to what I've been reading, I doubt that we'll be seeing our dollar rising substantially for quite a while.

 

[Gigi22]

I can live with it. Of course I would prefer to have it at par or better, but right now we are planning a trip to Europe and purchasing Euros: the exchange rate Can.$ to Euros is hitting us worse than Can.$ to US$ rate of exchange.

 

[bankr63]

Not that I like it, but it is what it is.

I use a credit card that charges no forex (and gives an additional 1% cash back) so I fell pretty good about my effective exchange rate. That knocks about 4% off what most people pay. I think the fundamentals of the C$ remain strong, so I don't expect it will take a precipitous drop anytime soon.

And I always look forward to gassing up in the US. With gas under $1/litre everywhere (and WELL under $1 in the Southern US states), driving is a joy no matter how much the exchange. My normal C$85 fillup was US$56 (C$65) in Myrtle Beach last month.

 

[Skjhjb]

Are you asking how to find the current exchange rate (CAD/USD), or are you asking what we think about the current rate? 1. I just look in the paper. We get the Toronto Star, and the current value of the Dollar vs several other currencies are listed daily. You could also go to your bank's web site (I use RBC) to use their currency converter. 2. Today's rate seems just a tad better than what you got on your second cash exchange. But that can change hour by hour. We got spoiled for a couple of years when our dollar was above par with the US. I'm glad we put a fair bit of money into our USD checking account while that was the case. According to what I've been reading, I doubt that we'll be seeing our dollar rising substantially for quite a while.

Sorry... I should have specified! Just wondering what we are all thinking of it these days!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

My DH works for an auto parts manufacturer, and his company gets paid in US dollars from their customers. A weaker Canadian dollar means more profitability. That means more job security.

The Canadian dollar's current value (just above the 90 cent mark) is almost the best of both worlds for us. Its good for DH's company but not horrible for us as travellers. We still come out ahead shopping-wise, as most stuff we like to buy down south (like clothing) is still a huge savings even when the exchange and conversion fees are factored in.

 

[Skjhjb]

Not that I like it, but it is what it is. I use a credit card that charges no forex (and gives an additional 1% cash back) so I fell pretty good about my effective exchange rate. That knocks about 4% off what most people pay. I think the fundamentals of the C$ remain strong, so I don't expect it will take a precipitous drop anytime soon. And I always look forward to gassing up in the US. With gas under $1/litre everywhere (and WELL under $1 in the Southern US states), driving is a joy no matter how much the exchange. My normal C$85 fillup was US$56 (C$65) in Myrtle Beach last month.

True...gas is always cheaper there! But this time we are driving a van, not the little Mazda 6 we took last time. So that is going to increase costs for sure. But it will be a heck of a lot more comfortable!

 

[dis_guy]

As far as I'm concerned, it's manageable.

We were at WDW over the first week of April and used an ATM to get some cash and got $200US for, I think, $235-ishCAN, including the $2 ATM fee from Chase.

We certainly had more concern with the Euro last summer for our trip to Europe.

 

[PensFan]

My DH works for an auto parts manufacturer, and his company gets paid in US dollars from their customers. A weaker Canadian dollar means more profitability. That means more job security.

The Canadian dollar's current value (just above the 90 cent mark) is almost the best of both worlds for us. Its good for DH's company but not horrible for us as travellers. We still come out ahead shopping-wise, as most stuff we like to buy down south (like clothing) is still a huge savings even when the exchange and conversion fees are factored in.

Same here ... I'm paid in USD so I have been loving the exchange rate lately, though its still nothing like it once was years ago but its a nice change after years of LOSING money on the exchange!

So with having to pay a bit more to go to Disney because of the exchange rate reversal I'm okay with it as I clearly get paid more now too!