Ordering Currency by Mail

Aunt Bea

Aunt Bea

SF VIP
Location
Near Mount Pilot
A friend has asked me to think about a trip to Canada this summer and I started thinking about the need for some Canadian currency.

I noticed that my bank’s online banking app requires me to order the currency in advance for pickup at the local branch or by mail.

It’s simple enough for me to go to the branch but I’m thinking about trying the home delivery option using the USPS.

In my situation there is no fee for this service, due to my relationship with the bank, but the exchange rate is not as generous as it could be.

My little experiment is to see how I might acquire some US currency in the event that I ever become home bound.

I’m wondering if any of you have used this type of banking service and what your experience has been.
 
GoodEnuff said:
On a road trip through Canada (from US), I went into a WalMart and used the ATM to get Canadian cash with my debit card. Easy. Don't know what the exchange rate was. Did the same in Guatemala.

In Italy, I used my credit card to make purchases. The bank charged an exchange rate fee that, to me, seemed high.
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That reminds me of an old trick I used to do for gold diggers at clubs in my younger days. When I got my Saturday night money from the ATM, I would get the receipt in pesos. When a girl asked for my phone number I wrote it on the back of the ATM receipt. It worked perfectly as long as they didn't know Spanish.
 
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Aunt Bea said:
A friend has asked me to think about a trip to Canada this summer and I started thinking about the need for some Canadian currency.

I noticed that my bank’s online banking app requires me to order the currency in advance for pickup at the local branch or by mail.

It’s simple enough for me to go to the branch but I’m thinking about trying the home delivery option using the USPS.

In my situation there is no fee for this service, due to my relationship with the bank, but the exchange rate is not as generous as it could be.

My little experiment is to see how I might acquire some US currency in the event that I ever become home bound.

I’m wondering if any of you have used this type of banking service and what your experience has been.
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Ive ordered on line before, both from the Post Office and a major bank. I was tempted to get the money delivered, but thought it might be too risky.

I'm curious about the exchange rate they are giving you. For example, in the UK £104.12 ($140.92 US) will buy me $180 Canadian. It seems that often it is better to take a relatively small amount of foreign cash, and pay mostly by debit card once you get there. Or at least it does with UK bank debit cards I use.
 
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Aunt Bea said:
A friend has asked me to think about a trip to Canada this summer and I started thinking about the need for some Canadian currency.

I noticed that my bank’s online banking app requires me to order the currency in advance for pickup at the local branch or by mail.

It’s simple enough for me to go to the branch but I’m thinking about trying the home delivery option using the USPS.

In my situation there is no fee for this service, due to my relationship with the bank, but the exchange rate is not as generous as it could be.

My little experiment is to see how I might acquire some US currency in the event that I ever become home bound.

I’m wondering if any of you have used this type of banking service and what your experience has been.
Click to expand...
Wait until you are IN Canada, go to ANY ATM, and use your Visa or Mastercard to make a cash withdrawal in Canadian currency. Your credit/debit card company will automatically do the currency conversion calculation instantly. American Express is NOT nearly as accepted in Canada, as Visa or Mastercard is. SOME Canadian retail stores MAY accept US currency, BUT they are under no legal obligation to do so.

Why? Try buying anything IN the USA, using Canadian currency. JIMB>
 
I used to order currency, years ago, and it was all fine. But as stated, use a debit card when you get there. Better, put everything you can on credit card and get that good exchange rate. Like all foreign travel, if you are asked if you want to pay with a cc in local currency or U.S., always pick the local. We go to Canada regularly and the only cash we have ever used is for laundry.
 
retiredtraveler said:
I used to order currency, years ago, and it was all fine. But as stated, use a debit card when you get there. Better, put everything you can on credit card and get that good exchange rate. Like all foreign travel, if you are asked if you want to pay with a cc in local currency or U.S., always pick the local. We go to Canada regularly and the only cash we have ever used is for laundry.
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Some Canadian coin laundries, especially the ones near a University campus, have payment by credit card now, no coins required. This means no money in the machines, and no reason for somebody to try to break into them, either. Each washer and dryer has a credit card slot on the front of the machine. You tap your card on the card reader, to pay for the use of that individual machine.

Canada is increasingly becoming a cashless economy. The Toronto Transit buses, street cars, and subway stations no longer accept cash payments, just debit or credit cards. JIMB>
 
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