Using Discover Card in Vancouver

We will be spending two nights in Vancouver prior to our Alaskan cruise. I am trying to figure out how to handle purchases while we are there. Our hotel is prepaid, but we will need to pay for a taxi, restaurant meals, HOHO trolley tour, shopping, etc.

Do businesses readily accept Discover credit cards for payment? If not, will a Visa card be OK?

We are arriving by Amtrak from Seattle. Where would be the best place to get Canadian currency?

We will be spending two nights in Vancouver prior to our Alaskan cruise. I am trying to figure out how to handle purchases while we are there. Our hotel is prepaid, but we will need to pay for a taxi, restaurant meals, HOHO trolley tour, shopping, etc.

 

Do businesses readily accept Discover credit cards for payment? If not, will a Visa card be OK?

 

We are arriving by Amtrak from Seattle. Where would be the best place to get Canadian currency?

I would stay with the Visa card in Vancouver . The Discover card isn't very known in Canada .

Any chartered bank (RBC, BMO, Scotia, etc.) will exchange your currency (US$ - CDN$). Discovery cards are not commonly accepted here.

As mentioned, Discover cards aren't widely accepted here. Use your Visa card and I'd suggest getting cash from an ATM with a bank card for incidental purchases. Check the fees for your particular card first, so you don't have any surprises.

Everything above is sensible advice. The only thing I'd add is check with your local bank at home what rates they offer - ATMs are great for $100+ withdrawals, but the two or three buck charge is very poor value if you only need a small sum.

Also, if your Visa doesn't have a free/small Foreign Transaction Fee, you might want to look into picking up a new credit card that offers no FTF - many US providers offer those now - and ideally Chip & PIN. Almost everywhere in Canada is Chip & PIN now - though manual transactions allow the vendor to override a PIN request and get your signature instead, it's an extra hassle, and Europe is almost 100% Chip & PIN cards now in case you're considering any travel there in the future.

Personally I'd go for a Chip & PIN Mastercard to round out your suite of payment options - MC is as or more ubiquitous than VISA in Canada, and then for future travel you have both of the majors. All Citi-issued MCs in the US have Chip & PIN available on request as well as some Chase cards.

Also, if your Visa doesn't have a free/small Foreign Transaction Fee, you might want to look into picking up a new credit card that offers no FTF - many US providers offer those now - and ideally Chip & PIN.

That's why I was asking about Discover Card. They just sent me information saying that there are no foreign transaction fees. Doesn't do much good if a business doesn't accept the card however. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the info about the chip & pin. I will check about getting a MasterCard.

The chip and pin is new to me. I have just recently acquired cards with no international transaction fee but do jot have this and do not want to apply for any other cards right now. Where might I have trouble using this card?

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After a lot of searching I've decided I'm not going to find a card with everything I want...no foreign transaction fees, no annual fee, and chip & pin...and rewards would be nice as well. ;)

Actually just finding a chip and pin card is tough. We won't be spending that much in Canada so I think I will just pay the 3% fee and not worry about trying to get a new card.

After a lot of searching I've decided I'm not going to find a card with everything I want...no foreign transaction fees, no annual fee, and chip & pin...and rewards would be nice as well. ;)

 

Actually just finding a chip and pin card is tough. We won't be spending that much in Canada so I think I will just pay the 3% fee and not worry about trying to get a new card.

Might be just as easy to exchange some USD for CAD if you are planning on spending much ;)

The chip and pin is new to me. I have just recently acquired cards with no international transaction fee but do jot have this and do not want to apply for any other cards right now. Where might I have trouble using this card?

As long as you're buying from a person, you shouldn't have any trouble. All terminals are being changed, and almost all have been by now, so that they *can* use chip & pin (most are also able to read RFIDs too). But no terminal *must* use chip & pin - so a clerk who knows that can override it and get you to sign a slip instead. You may be asked for supplementary ID like a driving license, but that's unusual - heck, someone actually comparing the signature with the one on the back of your card is unusual these days in my experience!

Really the only place you may have problems will be automated systems that insist on Chip & PIN, and they will be few & far between at the moment. Automated Parking machines already ignore my PIN - just swipe the card and it's billed without any more data being entered.

It's possible that transit may be an issue as we change over to the Compass system - ticket machines may need Chip & PIN to accept debit/credit cards. Given the modest price of transit tickets I would guess they'll be an acceptable risk for continuing to allow non-Chip transactions unless you try to buy a lot of tickets in a single transaction...

NB: if any cards you already have are from an issuer that offers C&P technology, there is no additional credit check required - it's not a new account, just a new card. Call the customer service line, ask if they have C&P cards available and if they do explain you're planning travel to C&P-norm countries so you'd like one.

Don't have to worry about the fare gates and the odious ticket system. The system is buggy, overbudget, and no time line for implementation. In addition, the manufacturer/contractor is the target of 3 class action lawsuits in Chicago where its system is being used.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/translink-compass-card-system-facing-questions-over-cost-1.2607759

http://globalnews.ca/news/1266618/company-behind-translinks-upcoming-compass-card-system-being-used-in-u-s/

Info on Vancouver from a local!

My favorite must do attractions are

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

8) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

9) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

10) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

11) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

12) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

13) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

14) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

15) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

16) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

17) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from Africa, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

19) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

20) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out http://www.offtheeatentrack.com this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

http://bigbus.ca/home/