lianat

can you use debit in seattle or do they charge me a fee?

i don't want to bring a lot of cash when i go to the states..

does anyone know?

West Coast Gurlee

The banks might charge you a higher currency conversion rate if you use credit or debit. Using cash is the best way to go.

JU!CYY

it depends on which bank you are with.
and there's always some kinda of transaction charge if you use any type of debit or credit card
it's best u call your bank and ask

West Coast Gurlee

Juicy's right. You have to weigh in the transaction fees. I always use cash. It's the easiest direct payment without weighing any fees.

JU!CYY

yah same here
i have a TD visa, and they charge a 2% for each transaction in the US, and the exchange rate is kinda shietty...
i always use cash..
and besides if certain items u don't want to declare at the boarder, they can't trace the transaction if you paid cash, but they can check your credit card history

lianat

^ ohhh really

okay thanks for the tip
i think im just going to bring cash then -_-

summerheaven

I'm also going to Seattle soon and I ahve some questions ^^;; I dont' wanna make a new thread...

Would bringing Canadian cash be okay or should I get some US cash now...? I dunno how much I'll need though =T
My phone would probably have no service there, right? I use fido prepaid cards.

jennifer m

Your cell phone will probably work but you'll be charged pretty heavily because of the roaming charges; your provider has to pay the American companies money to use their towers, I think. At least that's how it is when you've got a plan...but I would assume that it's the same case for prepaid too.

JU!CYY

There's no point of exchanging Canadian money or using canadian money in the US, because their exchange would NEVER be at par.... i was at Target it was still $1US for 93cents Canadian... soo u're just getting ripped off. It's always better to exchange the US money here. How long are you going for? on average i just bring $200 - $300 for 1 day shopping trip. If i don't use it call i can save it for next time. I rather bring more than not enough, and resorting to use my credit cards

Cellsphones there are in service, but u are on roaming fees if u make a phone call it's considered as long distance

summerheaven

It's going to be for 3 days, but I dunno how much shopping I'll do 'cause we're going to this festival thing =P I doubt I'll go to the US again any time soon, so I can't really 'save' it...
Where do I go to exchange money? Bank?

Should I just buy a prepaid credit card from Vancity or something? I wouldn't be charged, would I? And then, back in Canada, I can use it again...

tiny t

u can get ur money exchanged at the bank or for ur last resort u can always get it exchanged at duty free which is pretty much the last place u'll actually get a good deal. Dont exchange in the states unless u absolutly have to! And oh just keep in mind that not a lot of stores actually use debt/intact like we do here, but they do have atm machines from where u can withdraw money but im sure its going to cost u a bit more. The vancity prepaid visa card would prob be a good idea, since u can use wutever u have left when u get back. Oh and when u use credit cards they charge u the current exchange rate for that exact second.

hope that helps!

juicybrat

yeah i withdrew money from some atm in seattle downtown for parking in one of those towers since they only take cash!!! grrrr.....i took out $20 US and it ended up being about $23 Canadian when i looked at my bank statement.

summerheaven

So would getting a prepaid credit card be better? At vancity I always have to pay a $2 fee 'cause i don't have an account there... but I think I saw in a gas station you can buy a prepaid mastercard but it said $100 on it... I want to choose the amount I want... should I do this instead of getting some US cash?

JU!CYY

I just checked my visa bill..
i went to the states last week, i was forced to make one purchase on credit card because i ran outta cash... so this was on my TD visa..
The receipt showed that the totally purchase was $54.21, then on my visa statement w. the exchange rate, and service charge the total of the purchase $54.92

summerheaven

Oh yeah, this is kind of on topic I hope, is there a place where I can get a list of things I cannot bring into the US? I don't want my stuff to be taken away from me... or does that only happen in airports?

annasus92

u can't bring meat or fruits lol

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