We are off to Niagara this weekend. I don't know if we should get out currency at an ATM there, or if it's more common now for places to take US cash on a 1:1 ratio. I know in the past they would charge a higher fee to use US dollars, so we never did.

Anyone been recently?

Use an ATM there

Most places are taking US cash at even rate in Canada and your best exchange rate will be at the Casinos (it was even this week)... Depending on the rate charged by the ATM the Casino might be the best bet... there are also ATM machines IN the Casinos and you could change back there at the Cashier window....... your worst bets are the Banks and Exchange booths in the tourist areas...

Thanks garyt22, so inside casino has an actual currency exchange desk, besides just ATM's?

I used to always try to find actual banks to get our ATM withdrawals from, but I just went over my bank statements from last year comparing the non-bank ATM we used at the Marriott Fallsview to an actual bank branch in Toronto and the fees were the same (about $6 on $200 withdrawal).

oh! you just do it at the cashier window...

yup...

Unless you are out in the country they accept credit cards EVERYWHERE. ATM's will generally give you a good exchange rate as well but for the most part they accept us dollars or canadian dollars. If you ever get a chance look into going to the iguazu falls in s. america, they are incredible and put niagara to shame!

-marcello
http://www.wanderingtrader.com

um okay, but we go to the falls yearly because it's only a 3 hour drive!

Credit cards charge fees, so we find it's better to get what we need out of the ATM and only get charged one fee once.

Amelie, if you have a Bank of America card, you can go to any ScotiaBank ATM here and there will not be any fees. They have an alliance with each other.

Really? I do have a Bank of America card.

There may be a catch:
"For transactions in currencies other than U.S. Dollars when using a Bank of America ATM card or debit/check card, Bank of America may charge its account holders an International Transaction Fee for purchases or ATM cash withdrawals regardless of whether the transaction occurs within the Global ATM Alliance or outside the Global ATM Alliance.["

You are much better off bringing some $100 bills and exchanging them at the Casino... How much can you spend in a weekend???

exactly, probably only 300 at the MOST. Just going for one night.

off we go, man its early

Amelie,that clause stinks! I've used this alliance many times, in the US, Britain, New Zealand, and never been charged anything by ScotiaBank.
If B of A is going to start charging in a round about way, that is just wrong! I'm glad you spotted it.. and I hope my ScotiaBank does not start that. so far, so good.

The casino was giving 98 cents Canada, for 1 US dollar. The machines all over the place convert it too, not just the cashiers.

FYI, I just talked to Bank of America TODAY and they assured me that there are no fees at ScotiaBank except for the 1% they charge for cash from an ATM. (vs 3% for charges)

BLN, that's good to know. IT's nice to know they are honouring the alliance.