Izjezted Posted July 12, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 12, 2017 We will probably pay for hotels and restaurants for our Vancouver stay with a card. But, for taxi trips and tips, do you exchange before landing in Canada? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Milhouse Posted July 12, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Sorry, not really answering your question but if the concern is about acceptance of cc's and US dollars... Most (all?) taxis take credit cards (though you have have to do the swipe and sign if you don't have a pin'ed card). And I don't think service industry staff would complain if you tipped in US greenbacks, though keeping in mind 1USD ~ 1.30CDN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare martincath Posted July 12, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Much as locals anywhere appreciate when visitors use local currency, if it's a brief pre/post-cruise stay then there is very little that you cannot spend USD on. Taxis all take credit cards (it's always possible that there's a broken machine but informing the cabbie that all you have is a CC almost-always results in it magically starting to work again...) and many stores do likewise. With the proximity of the US to Vancouver, tipping people in USD is also not a problem - especially if you give them as much in US as you would have in CAD, effectively giving a ~30% bump even after allowing for cost of exchanging it for folks who don't cross-border shop. Public Transit requires payment in CAD (you can buy Day Passes and SkyTrain tickets with credit cards, but buses are strictly cash only) otherwise it's the small cash purchases like snacks/drinks while out & about sightseeing you'll have problems with - small mom&pop stores might take neither cards nor USD at all, and often cards only for purchases over $5/10. Personally, unless you have arranged a tour which requires CAD cash payment, I'd be inclined to just break a US$20 on a small purchase the first place you find showing a reasonable unofficial exchange rate (many tourist stores will have a sign at the checkout saying e.g. US80c=$1CAD, and Tim Hortons displays the current USD exchange on their screens). Unless you have a bank which refunds foreign ATM charges, this is the cheapest way to get a small amount of CAD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted July 13, 2017 #4 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Before boarding a cab... warn the driver a credit card will be used to avoid awkward moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted July 14, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 14, 2017 We do get Canadian money for small purchases. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted July 15, 2017 #6 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Before boarding a cab... warn the driver a credit card will be used to avoid awkward moments. Not sure how using a credit card would cause an awkward moment - unless you mean in case the cab doesn't accept them. Most cabs these days do Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted July 16, 2017 #7 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Very true.... you still get the excuses that the machine is broken. Otherwise, it lets the driver know he needs to plan additional time for the plastic transaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted July 16, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 16, 2017 True, but if that's the case, the onus is on them Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted July 16, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 16, 2017 I always carry some Canadian money with me for small transactions and public transit. Larger amounts I use my credit card which has a good exchange rate. I keep any left over Canadian money in with my cruising stuff, for the next trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timkatmom Posted July 24, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 24, 2017 The dollar is strong, but the Canadian dollar is gaining ground 2 weeks ago $300 USA dollars got you $400 Canadian. today, it is about $377. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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