Withdrawing Cash in Canada

[SydneySwan]

Are there any fee-free ATMs in Canada? Mrs SS is visiting Toronto and will be withdrawing cash with Macquarie card. All advice welcome.

 

[SYD]

Canada should be pretty cashless but we did hunt down cash last visit - can’t remember exactly why, maybe some pubs/bars were still cash only (or charging surcharges).

I can’t answer for Toronto, but pretty sure we used Vancity ATM in Vancouver.

Montreal was impossible (from memory) but pretty sure we mostly used card anyway.

Post in thread 'Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.'
Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

 

[RooFlyer]

some pubs/bars were still cash only (or charging surcharges).

And for encouraging tips!

 

[RB]

Looking at the ATM Saver app it appears Scotiabank may be an option-. Shows as 0 or $3 or also possibly Vancity

 

[SYD]

Looking at the ATM Saver app it appears Scotiabank may be an option-. Shows as 0 or $3 or also possibly Vancity

The app is very unreliable. Scotiabank was at least $3 across the country.

As above, Vancity was working last time I was there (except Quebec - where we couldn’t find one).

 

[aerotravel]

My last trip to Canada was 2014, and back then I withdrew cash with TD Bank with no fees charged on my Citibank Plus Debit MC (no longer exist).

 

[SYD]

My last trip to Canada was 2014, and back then I withdrew cash with TD Bank with no fees charged on my Citibank Plus Debit MC (no longer exist).

Pretty sure TD was going to charge ~C$3.00 two years ago, but I do recall using them fee free a long time ago.

 

[aspro2]

The basic answer is extremely few. When I researched this last August, the only ones reliably reported to be free in Toronto were a small bank called Alterna Bank. I recall there being a reasonably up-to-date Reddit thread. But basically, your options are few and far between for no-fee ATMs for foreign cards.

 

[SYD]

The basic answer is extremely few. When I researched this last August, the only ones reliably reported to be free in Toronto were a small bank called Alterna Bank. I recall there being a reasonably up-to-date Reddit thread. But basically, your options are few and far between for no-fee ATMs for foreign cards.

Did you try Vancity? As reported upthread it worked for us - albeit in Vancouver.

 

[Aeryn]

IME you do not need cash in Canada, cards widely accepted, even by the hotdog vendors on the streets of Vancouver.

 

[SYD]

IME you do not need cash in Canada, cards widely accepted, even by the hotdog vendors on the streets of Vancouver.

Agree. It’s possible to go cashless for probably 99% of peeps.

There are some places that are cash only. If you have choice you can go elsewhere but if it’s something you specifically want to go to, then have cash.

Some other oddities were places only accepting Canadian DCs. Again, you’d go elsewhere. This place clearly showed it on the menu before ordering!

Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

 

[Jenya]

Last December I run into a problem in Canada with Costco not accepting Visa cards, Only Mastercard.
Cash was only option for me as all our cards were Visa.
Can anyone suggest Australian bank issuing Mastercard debit cards currently?
preferably with no foreign fees....

 

[Aeryn]

Can anyone sagest Australian bank issuing Mastercard debit cards currently?

Macquarie Bank

 

[GDSman]

Not Australian but I use Wise (virtual card is Mastercard debit) everywhere - was in Montreal and Eastern Ontario a couple of weeks ago and everywhere was 'tap' - no fails....

 

[Jenya]

virtual card is Mastercard

 

[GDSman]

In the app I see this:


and:

 

[SYD]

Macquarie Bank

and it’s free and simple to get.

They also pay decent interest on the transaction account (unlike parking you’re money in a pre-paid).

 

[Jenya]

and it’s free and simple to get.

Confirmed, just applied on Macquarie website and its Mastercard, already in my ewallet. No foreign transaction fees it says.
Will be using it for my US /Canada World Cup trip in June!

 

[Jenya]

In the app I see this:

Hmm, must be issued in other country., mine both Visa, digital and physical