Going to the states

[TheNewGirl]

When I go down and plan to spend more than my credit limit on my card I buy $500 ones at Royal Bank and it only costs me $4.

My sister who has no credit cards at all buys them all the time for online shopping and for going down to the states. At $4 on $500 it's still WAY cheaper than exchanging money at the bank. You pay Visa's exchange rate (which is usually +2.5%). So for $504 you get $487.80 US when we're at par. The bank would give you closer to $475 if you did straight up cash.


I suggested is as an alternative if you don't have a CC that will carry the amount you plan to spend though. CC is still the best option.

[InvisibleSoul]

The best place to get cash exchanged is probably the VBCE...

http://www.vbce.ca/

It should always be at last a couple points cheaper than using your credit card.

I know that both my PC Mastercard and MBNA Mastercard both explicitly state that they charge an extra 1.5% fee on currency conversions.

However... if you're not dealing with large denominations, it's not that big of a deal... maybe the convenience of using plastic is worth the extra fee.

[MG1]

+1 for Vancouver Bullion and Currency Exchange.

I've exchanged other currencies there and never thought to exchange US. It should be basically at par right now, yes?

[cho]

went to the bank
203.46 cad for 200 usd