graham1710

Oh, and 'sweeties' - love it! :-) Don't hear that term much since we've moved here, except when we say it :-)

ninaDGBCA

We always pay by credit card at the border and in most shops. Some shops near the border even take Canadian debit. But it's never wrong to take a bit of cash. Just to be safe.

orly

Fairly likely your local McDonalds or Tim Hortons will have some USD on hand. Might convert it for your CAD if you ask nicely

graham1710

Oh well, will see when we're there if they accept card. If not, will make sure I have some cash.

Never thought about the Tim Horton's / McDonald's idea. Could certainly give them an ask.

Thanks,

Graham.

BTJ

Also make sure they are bills. I tried paying with a $5 US bill and $1 US coin, and that did not fly - had to ask someone to swap a $1 coin for a $1 bill.

graham1710

Wow, this sounds like paying is the most difficult part!

We do have some USD, but only $50 bills, lol. Certainly don't want to lose the change from that.

There will be my wife and I, so I assume we can pay the $12 together, via a $10 and two $1's (all bills), rather than splitting it out? Worst case I wan't to get my hands on $15 and accept the loss of $3 if necessary!

So will my local bank carry bills as low as $1? Typically for FX transactions back in the UK, they'd only give $10 or $20 bills minimum.

We stay in Ajax - do you think the Tim's round the corner will have USD as someone suggested, or would I be better asking my wife to go to the MCD's or Tim's in downtown where she works?

This is a pain!

Thanks,

Graham.

Almost Canadian

Why is US legal tender not valid in the US?

dbd33

It's not complicated. You go to the bank. You say "$50 US in small bills, please". They give you the money. You pay them in Canadian or UK money. If the first bank doesn't have the right change try the one across the road.

At the border they will have change for $10, perhaps $20, they won't want to deal with fifties or hundreds; just like any shop or other cash transaction. They won't want weird shit Susan Bs and the like so just give them approximately the right money in reasonably appropriate bills. If you can buy a Mars bar you can pay for an I94.

graham1710

Thanks.

All good. Just called my local bank who will swap my $50's for smaller notes. Shall see if I can go today.

Graham.

Beaverquest

yet again it astounds me how our forefathers made the transatlantic crossing to a new life without internet support

Piff Poff

We have usually paid by credit card at border control and not bothered about getting US dollars until over the border and at the first ATM we happen to stop at. Not ever had a problem with using our Canadian credit or debit cards

MarylandNed

And remember that the "them" on the way back are the Canadian customs/immigration officers - not the US ones!

graham1710

Thanks Piff Poff - we've got all bases covered now anyway. Will try use my card(s) first, out of interest. If not, have USD as backup.

Thanks MarylandNed as well - shall make sure not to get them confused! They may take offence :-)

Linlaz

I've been reading the thread, picked up some good tips thanks! Just one question if anyone can help, I heard recently that some friends had difficulty getting across because they didn't have a certain passport, I think it's the one with the chip or has reference to finger print or eye laser ID. Do you know anything about this?

graham1710

My wife has the biometric passport as hers is newer. I just have the normal one, ie not biometric. No issues with either.

Graham.