Money Exchange

[ocean976124]

I'll be driving up to Toronto in early May. I'm just curious about how best to exchange money. ATM option is out because my ATM card doesn't allow for much daily withdrawls (I have a cheap checking account!). My credit cards have high interest rates for cash advances.
I was hoping to exchange US$ for Can$ but wasn't sure if I should do it before entering Canada or after.
Also, how much of a problem would it be for me to enter Canada with say a few thousand in cash on me? If I got searched would the border guard actually go through my suitcase and then have his suspicion raised by the amount of cash I have on me?

 

[papasmerf]

the worst possible exchange is at the cash level.

Is your ATM card also a VISA or Mastercard Check card?????

If so you can use it just like a credit card and pay with that.
Put the lions share of your cash in the account and have a ball.

 

[papasmerf]

I use mine all the time in Canada
it is the VISA or MASTERCARD logo they see.

 

[anon1]

Can the VISA or Mastercard Check card be used in canada?

NO!!
All our transactions are done with beaver pelts as the medium of exchange.

 

[elaine]

I do prefer the martin to the beaver, exchange rate is good: two martins for one beaver unit. It's a winner

But seriously, you can come to canada with 5000$ CDN, and return to the USA with any amount under tenthousand. I have returned with oodles some pounds some euros and some american stuffed in my purse and they stopped me for drugs, I dont do any so wasn't concerned. After the swab tests of my bags came back clean, they let me go, with no question or a raised eyebrow to my money clip.

Just bring your Birth certificate/passport. Worst excuse I heard was last week, "sorry Elaine, they wont let me in the country with copy of my birth certificate" lol like I'm going to believe that excuse.

 

[m91us]

Why not make some arrangements with someone on TERB to trade some Canadian money for your Green backs?

I"m sure there are folks on TERB who would like some American money for investing or trading U.S. stocks and options at a fair exchange rate.

 

[elaine]

Whois your daddy,

Nope, I know the swab for explosives, thats common you dont even get a seperate room for that. Just off to the boring side. Especially in Baltimore. lol

The drug dog came at me and sat six times. I laughed my head off, kept saying "oh your so cute, oh just look how nice your being"

They escort you to the back, use a spray which which turn brown under some funky light. Two hours, one test came back negative. They seen my medi card/alert that says I am allergic to THC so they thought someone was statshing something in my purse without my knowledge.

Asked what I was doing in the US, I said "I went to a Clapton concert" They all chuckled and said, "well thats why the dog was getting it all over, go on, get home, sorry about this"

Two bottles of alcohol, two catrons of smokes, and way over my limit in shopping, and the money. That is the least of their concern.

 

[ocean976124]

Online I found Visa prepaid cards that someone can buy and then use and ATM or bank to withdraw cash from. This seems like the best way to go.
Anyone have any experience with these?