So here's my game plan. Open a US$ bank account in parallel with a US$ Visa card for myself with my wife holding a supplementary card.

At face value the TD Visa seems to be the better bet since the monthly fee is less than RBC and there is no charge for supplementary card holders (RBC levies a fee).

Now if I'm prepared to maintain a minimum monthly balance in my bank account then it seems that TD will waive the monthly Visa fee whereas I'm not sure RBC will do the same. I also hold a corporate AMX card which covers stuff such as lost baggage, missed flights, car rental insurance, etc., so the frill relating to those items with either RBC or TD are of little value to me.

So, why is it not a no-brainer to go with TD??

You mean, a personal cheque drawn on your Canadian checking account in CAD? And they accept that? Checks are even more baffling :)

No. I get paid sometimes in USD for various things, so I send those down.

You could also mail in money orders. You can use a wire or EFT also (many exchange firms will do wires / EFT's at no charge, just not the banks).

US $ credit card in canada
 

I am looking to find a credit card in US $ (personnal) or for business. the only one I can find is the RBC OR US $. its good because I can link the points to my AVION card and, build more rapidly in order to trsft more points to AA or BA. here is my question: is there others cards giving airlines points available ni canada ? I have also a TD AA but, there do not seems to have this card available in canada in US $. thanks to let me know

To be sure we understand correctly, you are looking for a card:

1. Issued in Canada
2. Billed in US Dollars
3. Offering airline rewards

Yes "..................

Not issued in Canada, but American Express issues a range of International Dollar Cards which are billed in US Dollars and participate in Membership Rewards.

Start here:

http://www.americanexpress.com/lacid...lar_card.shtml

Read carefully, the Membership Rewards partners are not the same as in the USA or Canadian versions.

https://global.americanexpress.com/m...age&Face=en_EU

Offering actual airline rewards? None.

Here are all the US$ cards currently issued in Canada:

• TD US$ Visa
• RBC US$ Visa
• BMO US$ Mastercard
• CIBC US$ Visa

In addition, BMO, RBC, TD and Desjardins have subsidiaries in the US. I know that both BMO (Harris Bank) and RBC will open accounts for Canadians without all the usual necessary documents or residency required for US accounts. I have heard, but cannot confirm, that both TD Bank (US) and Desjardins (US) will do so as well. Of these, I know Harris let's you do all of it online, whereas RBC requires you to go in person to a branch in Canada.

edit: Oh yeah, RBC is the only one that gives you seamless integration in online banking between your Canadian and US cards and accounts. All the others tend to be a little more bureaucratic in how things work.

The only Canadian-issued US$ card that offers points that are transferable to airline points at a reasonable ratio is the one you mentioned - RBC US$ Visa in combination with a RBC Avion.

The other options available to Canadians to accumulate airline points on a US$ card are:

- the Amex International Dollar card, that mia mentioned
- opening a US-based bank account and getting an airline-branded Visa/MC debit card (I believe all the major US airlines offer one with a 1 mile/$ earning ratio). Depending on the bank, this may require a visit to a branch in the US.

What is the best reward credit card for Canadians to use when making over $50,000 per year in U.S. online purchases?
1. we are a canadian business
2. about 60% of our customers are U.S.
3. We use Square now for most of our credit Card payments for Canadian and U.S customers.
4. We presently use CIBC Aventura and SPG Amex personal and business cards.
5. none of these cards offer foreign fee transaction break.

Thanks and warm regards
donna

Just so you know, two years on BMO and Harris still won't offer transfers across the border without incurring fees. I tried.