**** Vancouver FAQ Thread **** A few updates in main post!

[richmo]

Thank you for this tip. Does anyone know how you can find a card that does not charge a fee? Do I call the cards I have. I mostly use AMX but I do remember them charging us a fee on our cruise when we purchased something in Cozumel.

I believe Amex still charges fees, at least they do for the lower end cards. Maybe if you have gold or above they might not. I think one that does not charge is Capital One, but if you Google "Credit card international fees" you can probably find a link to cards that don't charge.

 

[wallawallakids]

I believe Amex still charges fees, at least they do for the lower end cards. Maybe if you have gold or above they might not. I think one that does not charge is Capital One, but if you Google "Credit card international fees" you can probably find a link to cards that don't charge.

Thank you!

 

[for my family]

Can anyone recommend a good restaurant near Canada Place for families ?
Also, other than Fly Canada, what's there to do at night ?

My family enjoyed walking down some of the main streets: Robson Street (lots of shopping and people), Granville Street and the Coal Harbour area which is on the waterfront. Vancouver is a very clean city that appeared to be very safe. The Granville Street area in downtown is a bit grungy (think East Village) but it has a lot of shopping and restaurants.

 

[ahain]

Well I'd recommend starting here: http://www.yvr.ca. It is one of the best airport web sites out there. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is the only hotel directly attached to the airport, and is very nice (and commensurately expensive).

There are courtesy shuttles from many hotels in Richmond, found here: http://yvr.ca/en/getting-to-from-yvr/courtesy-shuttles.aspx at a lot of different price points.

The airport also happens to be on a Rapid Transit line (Canada Line), so downtown hotels are very doable if you don't have tons and tons of luggage. The first train to the airport leaves downtown at 4:48am (and takes about 20min). More information here: http://www.translink.ca

Thank you!

 

[Jrsy Boy]

Which brings up a minor thing that has probably been covered several times in this thread, but there's 170+ pages at this point. Be aware that when you use a credit card in Canada, it is considered an international transaction. Most, but not all, credit cards have some kind of fee for international transactions. I think most are around two or three percent, but some may have a fixed charge for smaller amounts. If you are staying in hotels, renting cars, buying gas,etc., from locations in Canada, that surcharge can add up. If you have sufficient time before you leave, you might want to acquire a credit card that doesn't charge the fee...they do exist. (And a comment on gas: if things haven't changed since I was there, gas in Washington is significantly less expensive than British Columbia)

Also be careful with ATM's. Your financial institution may well have a surcharge for cash obtained in a foreign country.

Another thing to note, too, if you have prepaid Visa or Amex gift cards...some of those are not accepted outside of the US. We found that out before our cruise while in Vancouver. The vendor will only know that it was rejected, not why. Read the fine print.

 

[shanhop]

FYI - Target Visa has no international fees.

 

[Tenkawa]

Some quick tips:

Check if your bank has an arrangement with a bank in Canada. eg: Bank of America is partnered with Scotiabank, so you can use Scotiabank's ATMs to pull out Canadian money without extra fees (Normally if you use an ATM there are several additional fees)

While Canada has debit cards, they are not tied to credit cards, so don't expect to see the credit or debit prompt on the terminal like you do in the US at some places.

 

[peachygreen]

I would hope gas was < $100 each way! It's only 150 miles or so.

Which brings up a minor thing that has probably been covered several times in this thread, but there's 170+ pages at this point. Be aware that when you use a credit card in Canada, it is considered an international transaction. Most, but not all, credit cards have some kind of fee for international transactions. I think most are around two or three percent, but some may have a fixed charge for smaller amounts. If you are staying in hotels, renting cars, buying gas,etc., from locations in Canada, that surcharge can add up. If you have sufficient time before you leave, you might want to acquire a credit card that doesn't charge the fee...they do exist. (And a comment on gas: if things haven't changed since I was there, gas in Washington is significantly less expensive than British Columbia)

Also be careful with ATM's. Your financial institution may well have a surcharge for cash obtained in a foreign country.

Sorry that was less than $100 total. It was $48 cad when we returned it in Vancouver. It cost less than that coming home

 

[wallawallakids]

FYI - Target Visa has no international fees.

Really? That is good to know. Are they accepted pretty much everywhere? I guess I just assumed they were a store card and could only be used in Target. Might have to look into that one.

 

[richmo]

Really? That is good to know. Are they accepted pretty much everywhere? I guess I just assumed they were a store card and could only be used in Target. Might have to look into that one.

Nope, the Target Visa is a regular Visa card that can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. I believe Target also has (or had) a store card which is not Visa branded, and of course, could not be used anywhere else.

If you apply for a Target Visa card, be sure to read the fine print on the international usage fees. It may be that they still don't have a surcharge, but I believe Target recently switched the card provider to TD Bank, so the rules may have changed.

 

[laceltris3]

One benefit of the United Airlines card (in addition to the free checked bags and priority boarding) is that it does not charge any foreign transaction fees. (all of those benefits together make the annual fee well worth it in checked bag fees alone or you could just cancel it with a year and not have a fee). All of my other cards charge the fee. May be worth it for those of you who live in or near United hubs. I will also be able use miles for 3 out of 5 of us to go to Vancouver, so it worked for us.

 

[dsnydaddy]

One benefit of the United Airlines card (in addition to the free checked bags and priority boarding) is that it does not charge any foreign transaction fees. (all of those benefits together make the annual fee well worth it in checked bag fees alone or you could just cancel it with a year and not have a fee). All of my other cards charge the fee. May be worth it for those of you who live in or near United hubs. I will also be able use miles for 3 out of 5 of us to go to Vancouver, so it worked for us.

I just wrote a post about this on my wife's travel blog. The recent changes in United's FF program is causing me to abandon it altogether. I, too, hold the United Card and I will be closing it promptly after our planned trips. Since, I am no longer incentivized to stick to United, I can now feel free to try the competition, some of which offer free luggage as a standard perk. The Card will no longer pay for itself for me.

 

[laceltris3]

I just wrote a post about this on my wife's travel blog. The recent changes in United's FF program is causing me to abandon it altogether. I, too, hold the United Card and I will be closing it promptly after our planned trips. Since, I am no longer incentivized to stick to United, I can now feel free to try the competition, some of which offer free luggage as a standard perk. The Card will no longer pay for itself for me.

Don't get me started on the United bashing. I was a loyal Continental person pre-merger. United offers poor service at much higher prices and has no regard for the customer experience. And I agree their new ff policy is terrible (which is why I am using my 150k accumulated miles on this Vancouver trip). After this, I will have to see whether it makes sense. Unfortunately, with 3 young kiddos I put a premium on direct flights and from Houston there aren't many non-United options. I would be interested in reading your post if you PM me the link.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Anyone have a recommendation for a casual sit down restaurant with awesome food that would be good for a group and have gluten free offerings?

 

[Tenkawa]

Anyone have a recommendation for a casual sit down restaurant with awesome food that would be good for a group and have gluten free offerings?

This is Vancouver. You can get GF anywhere pretty much. Heck, even the Old Spaghetti Factory does Gluten Free.

You'll need to refine your query for what kind of food.

My personal thoughts are:

In downtown:
Dunn's (Seymour and Robson st.) - Montreal Smoked meat is their specialty
Shabusen (Burrard & Robson) Japanese hot pot restaurant
Carderos (Hastings and uhm... I forget, but like 2 blocks from port) West Coast Seafood. Slightly more upscale, but they won't blink about jeans and t-shirts.

There are tons and tons more options, both in downtown and outside of it.

 

[DizDragonfly]

This is Vancouver. You can get GF anywhere pretty much. Heck, even the Old Spaghetti Factory does Gluten Free.

You'll need to refine your query for what kind of food.

My personal thoughts are:

In downtown:
Dunn's (Seymour and Robson st.) - Montreal Smoked meat is their specialty
Shabusen (Burrard & Robson) Japanese hot pot restaurant
Carderos (Hastings and uhm... I forget, but like 2 blocks from port) West Coast Seafood. Slightly more upscale, but they won't blink about jeans and t-shirts.

There are tons and tons more options, both in downtown and outside of it.

Thanks! I think part of why I'm having trouble is that there are so many options. We're going to end up at Cathedral Square after dinner. If that makes any difference to your recommendations?

 

[DizDragonfly]

Looks like the first two suggestions are a pretty short walk. Thanks!

 

[maburke]

Thank you for this tip. Does anyone know how you can find a card that does not charge a fee? Do I call the cards I have. I mostly use AMX but I do remember them charging us a fee on our cruise when we purchased something in Cozumel.

I just got a message in the last couple of months that my Amex (Delta Skymiles Platinum) no longer charges international fees. So it's worth checking if yours has changed, too.

 

[jofo]

Can anyone recommend a good place to try poutine that's walking distance from Canada Place? Looking for basic poutine, not the pastrami/chicken/whatever ones. Thanks.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Can anyone recommend a good place to try poutine that's walking distance from Canada Place? Looking for basic poutine, not the pastrami/chicken/whatever ones. Thanks.

Tenkawa mentioned Dunn's above. They have poutine on their menu and are about a 16 minute walk from Canada Place.