My question do I get Canadian dollars before I go or are we Okay using USA dollars? Credit cards use?

Thinking of going thru the north end.
Always did Prairie portage for decades.

Paying with American cash many times ends up with you losing on the exchange, especially the farther away from the border you get. Credit card is always the current exchange rate and equal.

I exchange my cash at home thru AAA whenever rates are good or my stash gets low. I keep a pile of Canadian in my gun safe and usually take a fair amount in case of vehicle troubles. Cash is king in the northwoods.

We head quite far into northern Quebec for some of our fly-in trips. I don’t consider Quetico trips very far north at all, and really, the north side of the park isn’t that remote and credit cards are readily accepted.

For Northern Q entry I always just use a CC. The CC does the exchange rate for you.

Normally we aren’t purchasing much. Maybe an extra canoe at an outfitter, dinner, place to sleep, soda/candy bar on the way out?

Load up on gas before crossing the border…I just looked and gas in Ontario is $5.50 US per gallon or $7.32 Canadian.

T

Agree with the above. We get fuel in International Falls, then drive to Atikokan. We use a CC at the ranger station and hotel. We might have some Canadian dollars with us for when we stop for snacks on the way home. Otherwise, the transactions are as straight-forward as what one might do at home.

I only pick up Canadian dollars for a trip to Ontario if I am going to need to tip the float plane pilot or shuttle driver. Otherwise, I use a credit card.

Make sure your card will work in Canada. Not all do unless you call first. My Capital One Venture does, my CITI, Costco card does not. A preliminary call is recommended and then you really won’t need much cash. Know that many Canadian outfitters transact in US Dollars.

Most of my tripping since 2007 has been in Canada, at least one and sometimes two trips per year. In NW Ontario and Manitoba, merchants have always taken USD, however, they can give you whatever exchange rate they care to. And it seems we are encountering more merchants who want par. Using a cc w/o a foreign exchange fee is your best bet. On this year’s trip next month I will bring the Canadian cash I have and my credit cards.

deerfoot: "Most of my tripping since 2007 has been in Canada, at least one and sometimes two trips per year. In NW Ontario and Manitoba, merchants have always taken USD, however, they can give you whatever exchange rate they care to. And it seems we are encountering more merchants who want par. Using a cc w/o a foreign exchange fee is your best bet. On this year’s trip next month I will bring the Canadian cash I have and my credit cards."

I think with all going on many in Canada will want par,and maybe it is just me I feel funny that the U.S. dollar is worth more. Like I am slighting them?

Pinetree: "

deerfoot: "Most of my tripping since 2007 has been in Canada, at least one and sometimes two trips per year. In NW Ontario and Manitoba, merchants have always taken USD, however, they can give you whatever exchange rate they care to. And it seems we are encountering more merchants who want par. Using a cc w/o a foreign exchange fee is your best bet. On this year’s trip next month I will bring the Canadian cash I have and my credit cards."

I think with all going on many in Canada will want par,and maybe it is just me I feel funny that the U.S. dollar is worth more. Like I am slighting them?"

its definitely just you.why would you feel funny.our dollar is worth more because it has more value compared to theirs.therefore it has more purchasing power.the people who feel funny should be the Canadian merchants ripping people off with incorrect or no exchange rate.they will take your U.S. dollars,give you incorrect change(due to incorrect or no exchange rate)and exchange it for their dollars and make even more money off of you,and they won’t feel bad at all.just happy that they profited on your lack of fiscal planning.

Pinetree: "

deerfoot: "Most of my tripping since 2007 has been in Canada, at least one and sometimes two trips per year. In NW Ontario and Manitoba, merchants have always taken USD, however, they can give you whatever exchange rate they care to. And it seems we are encountering more merchants who want par. Using a cc w/o a foreign exchange fee is your best bet. On this year’s trip next month I will bring the Canadian cash I have and my credit cards."

I think with all going on many in Canada will want par,and maybe it is just me I feel funny that the U.S. dollar is worth more. Like I am slighting them?"

Just by spending in Canada you our helping the Canadian export market and strengthening the $Cdn. Don't feel bad. If I haven't assuaged your concern you could always insist your US dollars be exchanged at par with local merchants. They won't complain but may look at you awkwardly.

deja vu… :)

We’ve been down this before and posts have already been deleted…

T

timatkn: "deja vu… :)


We’ve been down this before and posts have already been deleted…


T"

no reason to delete unless we need more computer space and whitewash every topic and start new.
99% of topics are rehash once before.

If you want cash in Canadian dollars (or any currency while in another country) you will get the best exchange using a Candian ATM with your US debit card. Use an ATM only at a legit bank for the best rate, lowest fees and for security. Put a travel alert on your account/let your bank know in advance you are traveling.

In my experience, the ATM exchange rate is always better than inside a bank (here or there), at a hotel/retailer or at a currency exchange like in an airport or a border-area shop. Like here, the Canadian bank ATM may charge you a non-customer fee; a cost factor if you are getting a small amount of cash. Finally, always go with "without conversion" when asked by the ATM. This means you technically are taking out $USD (even though Canadian cash comes out of the ATM) and the exchange is made in the US (by Visa/MC/your bank) using a better exchange rate and no fee for the exchange itself.

KawnipiKid: "If you want cash in Canadian dollars (or any currency while in another country) you will get the best exchange using a Candian ATM with your US debit card. Use an ATM only at a legit bank for the best rate, lowest fees and for security. Put a travel alert on your account/let your bank know in advance you are traveling.


In my experience, the ATM exchange rate is always better than inside a bank (here or there), at a hotel/retailer or at a currency exchange like in an airport or a border-area shop. Like here, the Canadian bank ATM may charge you a non-customer fee; a cost factor if you are getting a small amount of cash. Finally, always go with "without conversion" when asked by the ATM. This means you technically are taking out $USD (even though Canadian cash comes out of the ATM) and the exchange is made in the US (by Visa/MC/your bank) using a better exchange rate and no fee for the exchange itself. "

Thanks I was wondering if it makes a difference between a Visa debit card or regular card. You answered that.

KawnipiKid: "If you want cash in Canadian dollars (or any currency while in another country) you will get the best exchange using a Candian ATM with your US debit card. Use an ATM only at a legit bank for the best rate, lowest fees and for security. Put a travel alert on your account/let your bank know in advance you are traveling. "

Agree 100% ATMs work well. I can't ever remember showing up in a foreign country with local currency. That's from China, Japan, Peru, England, France, Germany....
Do alert your bank and have two different cards as the bank may still block the card, they are idiots. Be aware, fees can be a bit, not exhorbitant, so try and get what you expect to need in a single transaction.