Canadian Currency/Bills
Oct 5, 2023 | 1:24 pm
#1
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Canadian Currency/Bills
I'm a cash guy and just picked up some Canadian bills from my bank here in the U.S. (where you order online and they ship to a branch so you get what you get). The stack included a CAD$50 and CAD$100 bill. I don't really like getting those bigger bills in the U.S. unless going to Vegas (and never a $50); any difficulty in getting places to accept them in Canada (Quebec City and provinces) as a matter of routine? Or should I ask first hotel just to break them?
Oct 5, 2023 | 1:42 pm
#2
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Hopefully the currency you have is the plastic ones with a clear window and braille(?) embossing, and not paper notes?
$50s are generally fine as are $100 in most cases, but some smaller establishments won't take the $100s.
$50s are generally fine as are $100 in most cases, but some smaller establishments won't take the $100s.
Oct 5, 2023 | 1:43 pm
#3
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Yes, they are. Thanks for the quick reply.
Oct 5, 2023 | 4:39 pm
#4
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I've seen a handful of people use these larger banknotes in a variety of setting and have not seen anyone being turned down.
Oct 8, 2023 | 6:35 am
#6
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I would as you may find $100 bills hard to break at some stores who may have signs saying due to counterfeits they aren't accepted.
At others it may depend more upon what you're buying as trying to break a $100 bill for a bag of ketchup chips at a convenience store, for example, may be refused but may not be if you're purchase is higher, like $40 or $50, at a restaurant.
Canada has one of the highest usage rates of plastic payment - CC & debit - in the world so some stores just don't have as large a cash float as they used to meaning breaking bigger bills becomes that much harder.
At others it may depend more upon what you're buying as trying to break a $100 bill for a bag of ketchup chips at a convenience store, for example, may be refused but may not be if you're purchase is higher, like $40 or $50, at a restaurant.
Canada has one of the highest usage rates of plastic payment - CC & debit - in the world so some stores just don't have as large a cash float as they used to meaning breaking bigger bills becomes that much harder.
Oct 8, 2023 | 9:41 pm
#7
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For many years the ATMs in Canada only really gave out 20s so 50s were rare and 100s were almost unheard of. Since most machines are more advanced (and have choices of bills including 100s) many 100s can now be seen. You only now have to address that many places don't take cash at all - but these are quite rare.
Oct 13, 2023 | 7:48 am
#8
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Adding my data point. $50's are generally accepted at all but the smallest convenience stores/local shops. $100's will get a bit more scrutiny especially, as someone mentioned, if it's being used to make a small purchase (under $20).
My advise is to convert the $100's down smaller bills if you can.
My advise is to convert the $100's down smaller bills if you can.
Oct 17, 2023 | 8:17 pm
#9
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Well, to report back. Had a dinner that was about 100 dollars with tip so just used the big bill there. The next day, the front desk of my hotel was able to change the 50 bill . . . with ten 5's. Which was a little surprising but worked out fine.
Nov 13, 2023 | 6:27 am
#10
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Do you not have a fee-free debit card? The rate you got from getting the cash in advance in the US is probably far worse than what you'd get from pulling cash out with a Schwab card from an ATM (or even just exchanging USD north of the border).
In any event, as already noted upthread, Canada is very card-centric. Although some places only take Interac, which is the local debit/POS network.
EDIT: How are the leaves in Quebec City? That's one of my favorite places. I love going in the middle of winter, never actually been in the fall.
In any event, as already noted upthread, Canada is very card-centric. Although some places only take Interac, which is the local debit/POS network.
EDIT: How are the leaves in Quebec City? That's one of my favorite places. I love going in the middle of winter, never actually been in the fall.