Will my Debit Card work in Canada?

[SHRED]

My ATM card doesn't have a chip in it.
I have heard conflicting reports that it will and it won't work in ATM's in Canada.

Will it work?

[Agschmid]

1. Mine worked as recently as last month.

[Orrex]

2. I'd say that you have aboot a 50/50 chance.

[Skittles]

9. LOL

I see what you did there

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Can you get one with a chip in it?

[SHRED]

8. We did for our credit card but not debit card

Our credit union doesn't have chip cards for atm debit cards yet.

[sharp_stick]

4. The last time I tried using it

I was successful but it passed as a credit card. The terminal at the theater wouldn't let me use it as a straight up debit card and enter my PIN.

All of the terminals that I encountered allowed you to use non chip credit cards with a signature.

Keep an eye on fees too, you can get screwed by some banks for using their stuff in foreign countries.

[Pakhet]

5. Most banks have "sister" banks in other countries.

Don't know who you bank with, but check global alliance banks on your banks website. Those will be the the ones you can use without non-bank withdrawal fees or foreign transaction fees.

[peacefreak]

6. Let your bank

Know you're going. Where & for how long

[SHRED]

7. We've got that covered thanks

[SCantiGOP]

20. ^^^^^ this is correct

Always call your credit card company/bank ahead of time before leaving the country. And, a credit card is safer, since federal law requires them to remove fraudulent/excessive charges from you bill immediately, while a debit card is basically you and your bank deciding how to handle it.

I was in Quebec Province last summer and had no problems, but I did call ahead. And, all of the places I used my credit card did have the new chip readers.

[Chan790]

10. Turn your card over.

On the back you should see one or a series of logos...one says Visa, one says Mastercard or Cirrus, and one probably says Maestro (MasterCard and Maestro are the same company...one is used internationally and one is used primarily in English-speaking countries.). You might see one that says Discover or AmEx or ABN-AMRO or Plus or Star*. Sometimes the logo, usually the logo of the main card-processor, is on the front. These are just some, there are about 8 different networks and most cards are on two-or-more. Visa is the most common globally. It really does work anywhere.



Generally, as long as your bank knows you're going so they can flag the account to not reject transactions outside of expected locations...your card will work anywhere who is on at-least one of the same networks...usually indicated by a sticker on the door or register.

[SHRED]

11. Mine has no chip

That's what I was wondering about...if it would work in Canada.

[Chan790]

12. Doesn't matter usually.

If they have a card reader, it has both a strip reader and a chip reader. Even if they don't have a strip reader...virtually any register today will allow transaction key-in. The worst that comes of that is that the processor might put a hold 2 or 3 times the size of the transaction on the available credit until the transaction clears, as a safety measure.

Not only will it likely work in Canada...it'll work in rare corners of the the lonely planet like rural Cambodia. Nobody only uses chip-readers...it's a condition of being permitted to accept cards. What is permissable is that you may be forced to use the chip on any card with a chip. (That is, if the card has a chip...they can refuse stripe transactions.)

[SHRED]

13. Coolness ...thanx

[Chan790]

14. That said...

I'd avoid using your debit card in Canada as much as possible, some banks including the one I used to work for, will take that for an opportunity to charge you conversion fees from USD to CND on every single transaction. They can add up fast.

If you do plan on using one for convenience, it might make sense to buy a pre-paid reloadable at the duty-free, making the currency exchange and then loading the card with the exchanged currency...or talking to your bank and asking them for a recommendation on how to approach this. (They'll know how they handle foreign-currency credit/debit transactions.)

[SHRED]

15. Oh thank you for this

[SCantiGOP]

21. last summer in Quebec

I had not yet received a card with the chip, but everywhere had chip readers and I never had a problem.

[CBGLuthier]

16. I used my chipless debit card in Italy, France, Switzerland and for the last year in Mauritius. I am

certain it will work in Canada.

[hedgehog]

17. You may want to let your bank know you'll be in Canada

or else they may get suspicious and block any transactions.

[Major Nikon]

18. Both me and the buddy I was traveling with got our CCs blocked in CA

His got denied even AFTER he told them he was taking a trip.

[Yavin4]

19. If you don't have the chip, you'll have to listen to a Justin Beiber song before you get your money.

It's their way of encouraging saving.

[Enrique]

22. yikes

it used to be Celine Dion, I guess that wasn't enough.

[Yavin4]

24. They tested this.

And yes, Beiber is just that bad.

[KamaAina]

23. I thought it was Nickelback.

[KentuckyWoman]

29. You win the internet today.

[lindysalsagal]

25. Yes, but the clerk will smile for no reason at all. You'll be suspicious the first few times, ay?

Love Canada. My U.s. cards have always worked.

Avoid the poutine at all costs!!

And, don't give them a large U.s.bill unless it's close to the total amount: your change will be in Canadian. OK if you'll be able to spend it before you return.

The large coins are either 1$, aka loonies, or trickier, $2. Careful!

Be careful at duty free: It's not necessarily a bargain. Plus, their domestic beer is better than the Canadian export, so bring a case back. The border can be a looooong wait!!

[SHRED]

26. Gracias

[HEyHEY]

27. Canadian here

It'll work, you'll just have to swipe it rather than insert or tap it.

[SHRED]

28. Thanks