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[Goofy'sGal]

We are traveling to Canada in early August (Montreal and Toronto area). It's been a while since I've been anywhere outside the US (although I love Epcot's World Showcase, that doesn't count, does it? LOL)

Anyway, wondering about changing money there or bringing travelers checks. Someone had told my MIL that people don't use travelers checks much anymore or that they're not accepted as universally as they once were.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks for your help!

[chezp]

I have to admit we've not used travellers' cheques for about seven or eight years now. We found that everywhere in Disney accepted them, but outside of Disney, we did run into problems. I'd get some cash and put the rest on a card. Over here, we can load money on to a card, which is a travel money card - mine currently has $40 (American) on it. I then use it at ATMs to get any further money out, should we need it. I don't know if you have the same thing over there?

[Pris]

When we travel to other countries, we have found the best exchange rate is to withdraw at an ATM in that country or to use a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees. Just be sure that you notify your bank and cc companies that you are traveling. They will probably make a notation of exactly which countries and what dates. I don't believe people use traveler's checks much any more.

[Goofy'sGal]

Thank you both for your advice and information! Honestly, I hadn't thought much about this at all - thank goodness my MIL is on the ball!
Thanks again!

[Starwind]

Most people no longer use traveler's cheque's and many places no longer accept them, though some still do.

Your best options are probably:

- get cash from a local bank ATM (actually go into a real bank branch and use their ATM, as opposed to using so-called "white label" ATMs that you will find in all kinds of places that are NOT banks, including your hotel) (so you don't have any surprises, find out in advance from your bank the following: (1) what fee they charge for you using an ATM in Canada to do a withdrawl; (2) what your daily and weekly cash withdrawl limits are in Canada) (also, the bank you are making the withdrawl from may also have a transaction fee for using their ATM since it is not your bank; if they do they will tell you what it is during the transaction or by signs) (also, find out from your bank what ATM network your debit card with work with in Canada and what major Canadian banks are part of that network; e.g. PLUS is one system)

(if the reverse was the case, here is an example of the info that the Royal Bank of Canada provides for its customers who are traveling outside Canada, which also has useful info for foreigners traveling in Canada: Interac and Plus ATM Networks - RBC Royal Bank Accounts & Services )

- you can use a foreign credit card in Canada (Mastercard and Visa are most widely accepted); your bank will usually charge you a foreign exchange fee on top of the currency exchange; ask your bank what the exchange fee is; a typical exchange fee might be 1 to 3% but it can be higher. It is usually a good idea to inform your bank before the trip when and where you willl be traveling so that you don't get declined charges (I have found sometimes the first charge gets declines anyway -- a quick call to my credit card company usually resolves that and then the charge can be processed through again and it works).

- sometimes you can take foreign cash (e.g. US $) into a Canadian bank and exchange it for Canadian cash, even if you are not a customer of that bank

- another option is to use US cash to pay for things, but the exchange rate you will get is usually pretty bad compared to the actual exchange rate, so I suggest only doing this if you have no other option

SW

[feonag]

The cashier at my job took a travelers check from someone the other day(why I have no idea we do not take any checks) anyway, the manager took it to the bank with the deposit money and they bank would not take it. The other manager called and talked to the supervisor who then said to bring it back. The young teller had never seen one and thought it was fake. LOL

[Disneybine]

I agree with what's been said, travelers checks are a thing of the past. We usually just get a bit of cash ($50 to $100) in local currency and then use our regular credit cards as we go. MasterCard and Visa are accepted virtually anywhere.