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**dbolier** · 08-31-2022, 11:52 AM

I have experience with a couple you asked about. Travel to Canada frequently in the past and always use my Capital One, have never had a security issue once notifying them. With Chase, I had tons of issues with security and getting it turned back on. Chase fees were much higher than Cap One. Capital One has much better rewards as well. Hope this helps.

**wygieman** · 08-31-2022, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Yoda View Post

OK I hope this is appropriate if we keep it camping/travel related. I am hoping to help others before they travel to Alaska or elsewhere, so they don't have the issues we had.

We all use CC's for travel and making camp ground reservations as we travel. I usually carry 2, (Discover and a BOA Visa). Both are simple no fee cash rewards cards. BOA has at several times frozen mine when I have not used it for a while and then traveled. In the US its not a problem as they text my phone an alert to free it up and if necessary a code so I can talk to them and then it ist easy to free up. In Canada it was a huge issue as our US phones did not work. While I commend thier security efforts it was a Major issue getting it freed up even though I had notified them of my travel plans. That information did not get into thier system. Discover, while widely accepted here in the US is virtually unknown in Canada and will not work at fuel pumps. I was not aware of this before I went.

So I am looking for a second CC - probably a MasterCard from a different place. I had one several years ago, but when I retired I canceled it.

I have found the following places offer what I am thinking of getting. A simple no annual fee cash rewards card - hopefully with a higher reward on fuel.

Wells Fargo, Capital One, US Bank (had them previously was OK), Chase , and Citi (wife had them for her business and had issues) along with my local TBK bank. Am I missing any I should look into?

Has anyone had any customer service issues with any of these? How about thier security set up and methods to free up a card? Dispute resolution? What about foreign country transaction fees. BOA has them Discover does not.

Please keep this specific to travel use. I plan a return trip to Alaska someday - this time with a bit more planing and more boon docking / primitive campgrounds.

Thanks
Keith

I recently added a Verizon card. I don’t know if you need to be a verizon customer or not but it is Visa with an affiliated bank. No fees and 4% back on fuel purchases. No problems so far.

**Jlawles2** · 08-31-2022, 04:32 PM

I wonder how hard it would be to open a bank account in Canada for travel only with a debit card? https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-c...k-account.html

**Yoda** · 08-31-2022, 04:36 PM

Thanks everyone
I am looking at the Capital One Quicksilver 1.5% on everything, no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. My BOA is 3% ftf - made a boatload off of me.
Any others I might consider?

Keith

**Guest** · 08-31-2022, 04:41 PM

The Amazon Visa will pay 2% on fuel.

For around home, our Kroger points will transfer to Shell for fuel and then to use the Amazon card will combine discounts.

Jim

**Cate&Rob** · 08-31-2022, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post

I wonder how hard it would be to open a bank account in Canada for travel only with a debit card? https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-c...k-account.html

The big stumbling block for setting up a bank account in the other country (going either way) is usually not having an address and a Social Insurance/Social Security number in the other country. There is one bank with operations in both countries that understand this better than most banks. The TD Bank is established in the US but has its origins and still operates in Canada. (originally the Toronto Dominion Bank of Canada).

Rob

**Yoda** · 08-31-2022, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post

The big stumbling block for setting up a bank account in the other country (going either way) is usually not having an address and a Social Insurance/Social Security number in the other country. There is one bank with operations in both countries that understand this better than most banks. The TD Bank is established in the US but has its origins and still operates in Canada. (originally the Toronto Dominion Bank of Canada).

Rob

Thanks Rob - They charge 3% on foreign transactions too based on the US web page

However as SWMBO does not want to go back anytime soon, this can probably wait. So I am looking at flying to a fishing camp (Sitka?) now for next year or later.

Keith

**Jlawles2** · 08-31-2022, 08:26 PM

Yoda Cate&Rob

Rob, are rechargeable prepaid debit cards readily available in Canada?

Keith, I wonder if it would be possible to pick up a card when you cross the border, load it up with cash, then use and recharge as needed. Say something like one of these: https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/credit...id-credit-card

The hardest thing is usually availability and the recharge process.

Likewise, using a credit card that has ties on both sides could also work: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/club

**Guest** · 09-01-2022, 07:03 AM

The Amazon Visa can be used anywhere and with an Amazon Prime account there will be no fees from outside the US. There is cashback on every purchase and of course my Amazon purchases need to be reeled in. Keeping a zero balance on this card returns cash to the DW and I each month with no interest.

https://wise.com/us/blog/amazon-prim...ransaction-fee

Jim

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 09-01-2022, 08:04 AM

Visa and Mc work in both countries. Anything else would be hit and miss. For security, just make sure your listed phone works where you are going.

**familytruckster4** · 09-01-2022, 08:39 AM

Didnt the Canadian Govt interfere with credit transactions during the trucking protest ? Possible the problem was a carryover from that ?
(I tried to state this as apolitical as possible)

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 09-01-2022, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by familytruckster4 View Post

Didnt the Canadian Govt interfere with credit transactions during the trucking protest ? Possible the problem was a carryover from that ?
(I tried to state this as apolitical as possible)

I can't talk about this one without getting in trouble with the rules.....

other than I'll say...maybe...

But there are rules and paperwork that needs to be done when citizens of one country are in or buying from the other. For instance, I wanted to buy a car part from a business in Florida recently. But processing my MC was a problem for them because I'm in Canada so I was unable to purchase from them. Not sure if the root cause is banks or gov'ts but end result is the business was not concluded.

**Yoda** · 09-01-2022, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by Scott'n'Wendy View Post

I can't talk about this one without getting in trouble with the rules.....

other than I'll say...maybe...

But there are rules and paperwork that needs to be done when citizens of one country are in or buying from the other. For instance, I wanted to buy a car part from a business in Florida recently. But processing my MC was a problem for them because I'm in Canada so I was unable to purchase from them. Not sure if the root cause is banks or gov'ts but end result is the business was not concluded.

That's interesting as my American Visa and Discover when accepted worked in Canada and I have ordered tool's from Canada with my Visa and not had an issue - except for Customs shipping delay. I wounder why your MasterCard did not work over the phone. Does it work here when traveling? Did you ever contact MC as to why? Just curious.
It amazing what we learn when we travel or shop outside our home country - but one thing stays the same wherever you go - politicians are all still rated below used car salesman

I will say this - somehow your Canadian markets have a better selection of fruits/vegetables than I can find locally and some interesting jerky flavors. Also pickle flavors too. Even potato chips and pretzels were different brands. I did find some sourdough pretzels in Edmonton (best I have had) - wish I could remember the brand - cant find sourdough pretzels here. I was supersized to see Hatch green chilies in Whitehorse though.

Thanks everyone - I am finding a few Card option now that I know what to look for and what questions to ask. I am also finding out how each card customer service works - a horror story for later on some of the fancy automated ones.

Keith

**Cate&Rob** · 09-01-2022, 08:42 PM

Sometimes the problem with using a US card in Canada or a Canadian card in the US comes down to the inability of one system to accept the zip code (or postal code) of the other. The US uses 5 numbers. Canada uses 3 numbers and 3 letters. This used to be a commonly used form of confirmation. Canada has used a PIN as verification for many years. The US is just catching up to this. As PIN verification becomes more common in the US this should solve the zip code format problem . . . except when making a purchase online or over the phone where you cannot (or should not) use a PIN.

Rob

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Credit Cards for fuel and travel - Issues?

Credit Cards for fuel and travel - Issues?

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