Strange question regarding Vancouver

[lwilliam]

Does Vancouver accept American dollars? TIA

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does Vancouver accept American dollars? TIA

Do you mean in shops and such? Some places will, but the exchange rate will not be good.

 

[lwilliam]

Meaning in shops and restaurants. Are u better off charging in Vancouver? Sorry for the confusion.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Meaning in shops and restaurants. Are u better off charging in Vancouver? Sorry for the confusion.

A credit card is a good idea, especially if it's one with no foreign transaction fees. You can also use ATM cards to get Canadian funds.

 

[PalmettoPath]

Does Vancouver accept American dollars? TIA

You can also exchange your USD for CAD at a bank in Vancouver once you arrive. Probably better than doing so with each transaction in a shop. Most Canadian shops in big cities will happily take USD but not at the best rate for you, as others have noted.

 

[HeatherLassell]

I mean you're going to another country you really should be bringing that counties currency. Or use debit/credit. I go to the US all the time and Americans wont even accept a freaking Canadian quarter! They will give it back to me and say I need to use US currency.

 

[Kwami]

I mean you're going to another country you really should be bringing that counties currency. Or use debit/credit. I go to the US all the time and Americans wont even accept a freaking Canadian quarter! They will give it back to me and say I need to use US currency.

Yeah, because then we can't use those Canadian quarters for anything else! I always hated it when I took a bunch of change out to buy a soda or something and found a Canadian quarter. No soda!

Maybe you all should just give up and use real money up there.

Anyway, on topic, be careful with your bank/debit card in Canada. I've traveled to many countries and my ATM card has always worked, but Quebec was the one place where I couldn't use the ATMs. I have no idea why. I'm not sure if this applies to the rest of Canada (e.g. Vancouver) or if this is another one of those Quebec is Different things.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Maybe you all should just give up and use real money up there.

Our money is way cooler than yours!

 

[Kwami]

Our money is way cooler than yours!

Your money still has the queen all over it!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I can't think of a reason to bring any cash whatsoever on a US-to-Canada-to-Alaska trip.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

You can also exchange your USD for CAD at a bank in Vancouver once you arrive. Probably better than doing so with each transaction in a shop. Most Canadian shops in big cities will happily take USD but not at the best rate for you, as others have noted.

Any decent American bank will allow you to use Canadian ATMs to get Canadian currency at market rates, and everyone should have at least one credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

 

[Doingitagain]

I can't think of a reason to bring any cash whatsoever on a US-to-Canada-to-Alaska trip.

We are going to bring some for our one day prestay in Vancouver -- tips, shopping, taxi from airport (in case credit card doesn't work). I keep a small stash of foreign currency left over from trips (Although that backfired when the UK updated their currency and now I have to find a bank in the UK to exchange it on our next trip).

 

[beckicnm]

I was in Vancouver yesterday, used my Visa everywhere with no foreign transaction fee (i.e. my $3CAD soda was $2.31US on my statement.) I have a US debit Mastercard card that I didn't need as a backup. I see little reason to have more than $10 for something like tips to a driver if you can't do it with the card transaction. My debit card only charges the usual $2 fee for a non-affiliated ATM.

 

[lanejudy]

I go to the US all the time and Americans wont even accept a freaking Canadian quarter! They will give it back to me and say I need to use US currency.

We take Canadian coins here, accepted at face value - less than $1 no loonies or toonies. Just looked and I have several mixed in with my change, I even have some pennies which I know aren’t used up there anymore.

 

[Dug720]

Our money is way cooler than yours!

And the bills smell like Maple Syrup!!

 

[PalmettoPath]

Any decent American bank will allow you to use Canadian ATMs to get Canadian currency at market rates, and everyone should have at least one credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

Yes, but they charge a hefty service fee for each transaction -- at least they do for us as Canadians using US ATM. $3 tacked on the transaction, so far more economical for us to get cash vs credit cards or ATMs.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, but they charge a hefty service fee for each transaction -- at least they do for us as Canadians using US ATM. $3 tacked on the transaction, so far more economical for us to get cash vs credit cards or ATMs.

I guess it depends on the bank. Mine charges a minimum $7.50 transaction fee to exchange US$ for foreign currency at my local bank (in the US), but if I use my ATM card at a designated bank machine in Canada there is no fee.

 

[tvguy]

I can't think of a reason to bring any cash whatsoever on a US-to-Canada-to-Alaska trip.

How do you tip?

 

[tvguy]

I was in Vancouver and Victoria in October 2019 and every place took U.S. Dollars at face value. Of course they are going to take the money. The U.S. dollar is worth over 25% more by taking it. But I don't think we spent more than $25 in two days.
When my mom passed away I discovered she had about $50 in Canadian currency for emergency trips on short notice to Canada, she was from Canada. Most was in $1 and $5 bills, which I believe have been pulled from circulation.

 

[PalmettoPath]

I guess it depends on the bank. Mine charges a minimum $7.50 transaction fee to exchange US$ for foreign currency at my local bank (in the US), but if I use my ATM card at a designated bank machine in Canada there is no fee.

Yeah, definitely bank dependent. And somehow I feel US banks may not gouge their customers as much as Canadian banks do That's a good setup with the no fee ATM for sure.