Money questions for Vancouver/Alaskan cruise

[disnee9]

What type of payment do services such as fast food restaurants, busses, taxis, shops, etc. require ?? I assume they take credit cards, but for small purchases will they want paper money instead ?? Will we need Canadian money or will they accept American dollars ?? How does the rate of exchange affect all this ?? Where will we get Canadian money??

As you can see, we are mystified by all things money related to our pre-cruise time in Vancouver.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Pretty much everywhere will take ccs and they won't care if it is a big transaction or a small transaction. Many places will accept American money and they will tell you what their exchange rate is (it will vary from business to business and will be different from the official exchange rate of the day)

You can get Canadian cash at the airport (probably your home airport and definitely Vancouver airport) but you won't need it. I never ever have cash on me and I use either my debit card or my credit card for pretty much everything.

 

[disnee9]

So are you saying that if something cost $12 in Canadian, the sellers will tell you that you need only pay $10 in US ?? They will tell you how much they want in American money to equal their Canadian money ?? Sorry if my lack of knowledge is showing. Just have never had any experience dealing in foreign currency.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

So are you saying that if something cost $12 in Canadian, the sellers will tell you that you need only pay $10 in US ?? They will tell you how much they want in American money to equal their Canadian money ?? Sorry if my lack of knowledge is showing. Just have never had any experience dealing in foreign currency.

Yes, exactly. They may even have a sign at the counter telling you the current exchange rate.

For example I worked at a hotel in Calgary, Alberta and we offered to exchange cash for our guests at the front desk or they could pay their bill upon departure in cash. If the exchange rate of the day (set by the hotel) was $1.25 CAD per $1 USD. so if your bill was $125 CAD you could pay me $100USD.

Or if you wanted some walking around cash you could give me $100 USD and I would give you $125 CAD. Please note if your hotel allows money exchange they most likely won't exchange in reverse (CAD back to USD) as they will have to drop any US currency at the end of their shift.

 

[Capt_BJ]

suggestion ... put a currency converter app of your phone! I use GLOBECONVERT .. it pulls current rates if you have data access. (and remembers last rate if you don't so pull while you have WiFi)

right now $1C = $0.76 US or US$1 = C$1.315

you probably won't get the best or current rate on the street but good to know what it SHOULD be!

(with the app and your example I put in $12 Canada and it tells me that's $9.13 US)

it's one of the most handy apps I have! Used in England, Hungary, Germany, Norway, Cayman ....... it also does conversions like foot / metric, temp F to C, weights and much more.

 

[disnee9]

What do you mean by drop any US currency at the end of their shift ?? So if you owe $8 CAD and only have a $10 US bill, they will give you back your change in CAD ??

 

[disnee9]

Where would you get the best rate of exchange should we decide to convert some money ??

 

[MillauFr]

Where would you get the best rate of exchange should we decide to convert some money ??

Just use an ATM in Canada. However you won't need any Canadian currency. The only place I've needed it in the last 5 trips I've taken to Victoria and Vancouver is at the Udder Guys ice cream stand in Cowichan Bay. Every other place has taken credit cards.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

What do you mean by drop any US currency at the end of their shift ?? So if you owe $8 CAD and only have a $10 US bill, they will give you back your change in CAD ??

Most front desk employees have a set float of money they are issued by the hotel. Say $1000, at the end of the night any money over $1000 is put in a drop box or safe to be deposited to the bank. Any US cash could not be left in your float and had to be dropped as an overage. If you were under you submit your receipts as to why and basically get an IOU in your till to even out to $1000.
As the businesses are located in Canada and we use Canadian dollars you can expect to get Canadian back when you pay in cash whether with USD or CAD, they don't have USD on hand to use as change.

Best exchange rate may be banks or currency exchange businesses, you would have to do some research. I would personally just use a credit card everywhere unless your card has a very high foreign transaction fee.

 

[Tikibear]

We’ve stayed at the Fairmont at Vancouver International. All the shops and vendors in the airport accepted CCs. There is also n currency exchange storefront in front of the ticketing counters. Make sure your CCs are cleared for international spending. Just call them and give them your travel dates plus one or two days in case of emergency. That way there won’t be any fraud notifications.

 

[disnee9]

Everyone has been most helpful Thanks. I am feeling much better about the whole money thing. LOL

 

[otten]

What type of payment do services such as fast food restaurants, busses, taxis, shops, etc. require ?? I assume they take credit cards, but for small purchases will they want paper money instead ?? Will we need Canadian money or will they accept American dollars ?? How does the rate of exchange affect all this ?? Where will we get Canadian money??

As you can see, we are mystified by all things money related to our pre-cruise time in Vancouver.

Almost everywhere takes cards especially in the tourist areas. Taxi drivers can get whiney about accepting cards but they are required to do so (and I am crossing my fingers that we will FINALLY have Lyft and Uber by the summer).

Businesses in the big tourist areas MIGHT take US cash but the exchange rate is unfavourable and you are definitely better off getting Canadian money. You can get cash using your atm card or at money exchange places. Some US banks have Canadian counterparts and the fees will be less using those atms. Ask your bank.

I am local (can see the port from my office) so if you need any information feel free to DM me. Also, little tip there is a great shawarma place on Dunsmuir Street called Pita Wrap cafe. Great food, really good value. It's about a 10 minute walk from the port area.

 

[ironz]

What type of payment do services such as fast food restaurants, busses, taxis, shops, etc. require ?? I assume they take credit cards, but for small purchases will they want paper money instead ?? Will we need Canadian money or will they accept American dollars ?? How does the rate of exchange affect all this ?? Where will we get Canadian money??

As you can see, we are mystified by all things money related to our pre-cruise time in Vancouver.

Just for another option: you can get Canadian currency through your bank at home if you want some to take with you. We just got a bit of Canadian money (maybe $100) for incidentals and tips. Took our bank a couple of days to get it. We like to have a little cash on hand.

 

[Mathmagicland]

not sure if If you are traveling with kids - if so, it can be fun for them if you do get a bit of Canadian money, so they can see how the dollars are different in another country. Adds a bit to the international aspect of being in Vancouver, vs using CC or US dollars.

 

[otten]

not sure if If you are traveling with kids - if so, it can be fun for them if you do get a bit of Canadian money, so they can see how the dollars are different in another country. Adds a bit to the international aspect of being in Vancouver, vs using CC or US dollars.

Yes money is fun and colour-coded.

 

[disnee9]

Almost everywhere takes cards especially in the tourist areas. Taxi drivers can get whiney about accepting cards but they are required to do so (and I am crossing my fingers that we will FINALLY have Lyft and Uber by the summer).

Businesses in the big tourist areas MIGHT take US cash but the exchange rate is unfavourable and you are definitely better off getting Canadian money. You can get cash using your atm card or at money exchange places. Some US banks have Canadian counterparts and the fees will be less using those atms. Ask your bank.

I am local (can see the port from my office) so if you need any information feel free to DM me. Also, little tip there is a great shawarma place on Dunsmuir Street called Pita Wrap cafe. Great food, really good value. It's about a 10 minute walk from the port area.

 

[disnee9]

No kids going but I wouldn't mind having some souvenir money for my scrapbook.

 

[pangyal]

I live in Toronto and have been to Vancouver (absolutely adore it) many times and have been really trying hard to think of any situation where you might need cash. I can’t remember the last time I carried cash on me for anything, or any reason, in either city. I would suggest maybe bringing around $40CDN for tips in the hotel (porters, etc.) plus maybe the porters at the terminal, though they will gladly take USD as well. I don’t think you need to worry about having cash as everywhere will take credit cards. I suppose you could want cash on hand just in case there is an issue with the payment terminal (like anywhere else) but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary.

Please, anyone with more knowledge, do feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that the businesses that might offer USD exchange would be located by the port and in heavily touristy areas, along with any hotels. Most businesses elsewhere in the city would not be set up to use another country's currency.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

What do you mean by drop any US currency at the end of their shift ?? So if you owe $8 CAD and only have a $10 US bill, they will give you back your change in CAD ??

Yep - we used credit cards everywhere with the zero currency exchange fees. Even in cabs

 

[otten]

I live in Toronto and have been to Vancouver (absolutely adore it) many times and have been really trying hard to think of any situation where you might need cash. I can’t remember the last time I carried cash on me for anything, or any reason, in either city. I would suggest maybe bringing around $40CDN for tips in the hotel (porters, etc.) plus maybe the porters at the terminal, though they will gladly take USD as well. I don’t think you need to worry about having cash as everywhere will take credit cards. I suppose you could want cash on hand just in case there is an issue with the payment terminal (like anywhere else) but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary.

Please, anyone with more knowledge, do feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that the businesses that might offer USD exchange would be located by the port and in heavily touristy areas, along with any hotels. Most businesses elsewhere in the city would not be set up to use another country's currency.

I live in Vancouver and never carry cash. There are a couple of food trucks that are cash only but with square I think even those are unusual.