Just wondering with an upcoming Allentown trip-
Is there anyone here who dosen't exchange their dollars at the bank?
Where is the cheapest place to get US dollars?
Has anyone tried one of those currency exchange places?
Tim

I've been told to use Interac once in the US, that's what i'm planning to do.

Called my bank to let them know i *could* get a lot of money out and to raise my daily limit  

Just to make sure the fraud system doesnt freeze my card...

I didn't know Interac works in the US, I usually just use my Credit Card

You can use your interact at the bank machine and it takes out $ in US and converts at the bank rate (decent) Most credit cards use the bank rate and add 2-4% fee on top of that for purchases in foreign funds and you lose that if you get a return credit put on the card I bank with TD and opened a US funds account with them. I can transfer $ into it from my normal accounts anytime online when the exchange rate is good and the rate is 1- 1 1/2 % better than the standard bank rate at anytime. Only hassle is you can't access the US Funds acct in the US (figure that one out!  ) so I just take the cash with me from here especially for pinball shows .

ME

Quoted from Vengeance

I didn't know Interac works in the US

you don't travel much do you?!

Quoted from Alienagent

Just wondering with an upcoming Allentown trip-
Is there anyone here who dosen't exchange their dollars at the bank?
Where is the cheapest place to get US dollars?
Has anyone tried one of those currency exchange places?
Tim

Exchange places tend to be worse (really bad at the airport) .. banks are okay but if you know anyone who works at one they get a better deal (RBC gives the best deal to its employees that I know of) Otherwise pool funds and buy a bigger amount which could give you a better rate.

You can get it right at the border before going over at a good rate.

Quoted from Coors

You can get it right at the border before going over at a good rate.

I'd be curious what the rate is at the border ... currently the mid is 1.0059 so if at the border are buying below 1.025 you are doing pretty good.

If you take money out using Interac in the US you get charged fees, once by the ATM and once by your bank. It's probably less than $10 overall though.

If you can figure out ahead of time how much you need, I recommend a place like Accu-rate. They're Ottawa only but they have amazing rates, maybe there are similar places in other cities.

Just sent $1k USD via Paypal as a gift.. cost me around $30 because of their one-sided exchange rate, + a service $10 fee  

Quoted from machine.slave

Just sent $1k USD via Paypal as a gift.. (

I didn't receive it...  send it again please !    


Steph

It cost me 1020$CDN to get 1000$Us at the bank... so no biggie there.

Quoted from Sparky

It cost me 1020$CDN to get 1000$Us at the bank... so no biggie there.

So that was about 1.02 which is a good retail rate (2 cents above mid .. and I would assume 2 cents the other way when you exchange back that is good average is closer to 2.5-3.5 cents on the dollar.

Quoted from jonny_eh

If you take money out using Interac in the US you get charged fees, once by the ATM and once by your bank. It's probably less than $10 overall though.

If you can figure out ahead of time how much you need, I recommend a place like Accu-rate. They're Ottawa only but they have amazing rates, maybe there are similar places in other cities.

Actually Sparky's rate at the bank (assuming it was exactly 1.02 was better than the accu-rate rate)