sandy

<BR>I realize this isn't really a travel question, but I hope someone here will be kind enough to help me. And I didn't know how to title this - but can you tell me the best way to do this?<BR><BR>I want to send a gift of cash to my friend in Canada who is having a terrible time financially. What is the best way to do this, so that she can get the most out of it?<BR><BR>Should I go to an American bank here and get Canadian currency or a money order? Or should I send an American Check.......I know its not wise to send cash of ANY kind.<BR><BR>Please advise! Thanks so much!

Jim Rosenberg

Sending checks denominated in U.S. funds can be a hassle and an expense to the recipient that will diminish the value of your gift. I believe you can get traveler's cheques in Canadian funds and that might be a way around it. I would recommend asking about this at an American Express-affiliated travel office, if there is one convenient to you.<BR><BR>U.S. currency is readily exchanged in much of Canada and although it is never recommended to send cash through the mail, a lot of us have done it safely. Depending on where you are, making an exchange for CDN cash with your local bank might involve fees and spreads that significantly bite into your gift.<BR><BR>It would SEEM like something that could be done electronically since the major card issuers are doing it all the time, but you might need more cooperation from the recipient to get that done than you were planning to solicit for this. <BR><BR>Any bankers out there with a cost-effective approach to this?<BR><BR>

Denise

Sandy:<BR>Send a cheque. If your friend has a bank account they will gladly exchange it and if there are any fees the sum will be substantially less than the exchange rate. Your friend will be delighted in receiving a gift in American dollars from a thoughtful friend.

sandy

Thank you both for your replies. <BR><BR>I hadn't thought of travelers cheques.....i will call American Express tomorrow and see what they say..... but will most likely just send a good ole american check, one with a National Park pictured on it, in fact! <BR><BR>Any other ideas from anyone? Thanks again, Jim and Denise!

jim

The best way is an international money order purchased at any bank, made out to the recipient. It is useless to anyone but the intended receiver.<BR>Remember, as the ad says, travellers cheques are "as good as cash". That is someone else could intercept them and cash them.<BR>Personal cheques are ok, but there is often a lengthy delay cashing them while the Canadian bank "clears" the cheque through your bank.<BR>Do not, under ANY circumstances, send cash through the mail. I have a friend who used to work at Canada Post, and he told me stories about unscrupulous postal workers that would curl your socks.

Paula

Sandy, I strongly agree with the advice provided by jim@telus. IMO, the purchase of an international money order is by far the best option.

sandy

<BR>Ok! An int'l money-order it is! What can I expect to pay for this?<BR><BR>Thank you all for your replies!

Leslie

You can purchase international money orders at the post office. I don't recall them costing more than a couple of dollars. Also check with the larger banks -- the fee should be approximately the same. Otherwise, you could purchase an American Express gift check in Canadian funds or a Visa gift card for your friend in US funds.