Comments on: Where do Canadians get US currency when cross-border shopping?

By: Karen C

Karen C — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I have not worried about the currency since debit cards came into being. I used to travel south quite often and always came back with odd bits of US cash - I just put them in a piggy bank for future trips. US coin is used up here - if something costs fifty cents two quarters regardless of whether they are American or Canadian are accepted at par. When I get any as change up here, I just add them to my US piggy bank - even pennies. Maybe especially pennies. I had one American retailer throw - not hand me back - two Canadian pennies once. Had someone not come to my rescue, she would have cancelled my purchase - over two cents! That is what I call cutting of your nose to spite your face! Fortunately, I know a lot of Americans who are not like that and have a bunch of relatives who live there or I would really wonder about the sanity and lack of manners. Well I sometimes DO wonder about the sanity and lack of manners but of individual Americans. :o)

Short answer - My debit card and my own little stash of Yankee money.

By: Jim B

Jim B — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I just spent a week at a conference in Atlanta, and I paid for everything with my CIBC debit card.

I carried some Cdn bills, but that was for conversation starters at the bar. Most Americans have never seen our Cdn coloured bills and one and two dollar coins, so it was a fun way to get people involved in a conversation, with me.

Jim B. Toronto.

By: Canadian Connection

Canadian Connection — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

The major banks in Canada usually keep a healthy supply of U.S. currency on hand (Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust, CIBC, Scotia Bank, Bank of Montreal - otherwise known as ‘the big 5′).

These are the only places you’ll be able to easily exchange Canadin coins for U.S. cash.

As mentioned in other answers, most Canadians are able to obtain U.S. cash from American ATMs at low rates. This is because our five major banks have struck deals with the large American banks (like Bank of America) to allow us preferential currency exchange rates.

There are smaller currency exchange places available but they are only a good deal if you are exchanging a large amount of cash.

As an aside, if you’re using U.S. cash in Canada, you are very likely being ripped off. You can expect a 5-15% price increase once the currency exchange is calculated. Best to use the local currency from the get go.

By: Karen L

Karen L — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

To the bank before you go, to the ATM while you’re in the US. I have never tried to spend a loonie in the US. There may be places near the border that take Canadian money but I’d never want to count on it.

By: Randy B

Randy B — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Any bank or currency exchange of course. Also, depending upon where you are most places will accept Cdn money at par anyways since it’s almost there now again. Loonies and Toonies are never an issue since we don’t tend to use them when shopping in the States. If we are shopping there it’s for bigger items then something a couple of bucks.