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Open Roads Forum > RVing in Canada and Alaska

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jim behr

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Posted: 05/04/12 06:47pm

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We are going to AK in June passing through Canada both ways. Is it best to exchange US for Canadian currency in the US or Canada? It would be easier to put it on plactic but at a 2-3% charge by the credit card company per transaction in Canada (for US citizens), that get pretty pricy.
Jim

Jim Shoe

Amelia, OH

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Posted: 05/04/12 07:07pm

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I found the best exchange rate on this side of the border was at an American Express office. Once I entered Canada, I went to a local bank and got a favorable exchange rate. At the time (2006) CN banks weren't open on Saturdays. That may have changed by now.

Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.

skipnchar

Topeka or somewhere else

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Posted: 05/04/12 07:08pm

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We carried $50.00 each direction through Canada and everything else was on plastic with zero fees and automatic exchange rate at the rate in effect when the transaction was processed. We stayed one night in an RV park where we needed the cash but that was the only place.

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SidKaye

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Posted: 05/04/12 07:38pm

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ATM Easiest and BEST rate.

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GrandmaCarol

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Posted: 05/04/12 07:47pm

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Capital One (or Discover if you can find someplace that will take it!) charge no transaction fee.

Orion

Pacific South West

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Posted: 05/04/12 07:52pm

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skipnchar wrote:

Unless you have a Capital One Card (Us only- the Canadian one does charge) the 'fee' is an extra 2-3% added to the exchange rate, you will never see it on your statement as a separate item.
As for cash, buy it when you get to Canada, the volumes here are far greater than in the US, so the rates are better.

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IDman

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Posted: 05/04/12 09:15pm

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I recently charged some provincial campground fees on an L.L.Bean Visa card and their "foreign fee" was 3%. I called my Cabela's Signature Visa and it is only 1%. Shop around.

Mootpoint

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Posted: 05/04/12 10:51pm

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We use a no fee visa on both sides. had to look around for it but not too hard.

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PackerBacker

Montreal (Qc) Adirondacks (NY) Myrtle Beach (SC)

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Posted: 05/05/12 05:35am

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Here in the east we often travel back and forth across the border sometimes 2-3 times a week throughout our May/October camping season. It is just easier to use my Visa card for everything. For cash I usually carry $50-$100 of both currencies for convenience of buying things under $10-$15 such as milk, bread, ice etc... I always try get my cash during a store purchase, i.e. Walmart, or a grocery store and I use an ATM as a last resort.

Eric
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