What about money in Canada ?
If you haven't visited Canada before you may be wondering how things are done there when it comes to cash, cards and paying bills. Do I need cards or cash, or both ? What will I be expected to do about tipping ? What should I do before I leave home ?
After traveling to the wonderful Canadian ski resorts for many years, we can make the following comments and recommendations.
Before leaving home
Before you leave home, it is very important that you notify your bank that you are going overseas. You don't want them to suddenly see foreign transactions on your cards and assume that they might be fraudulent, resulting in suspension of the cards.
Since you won't have easy access to replacement cards if one is lost, damaged or stolen, we suggest that you always travel with at least two cards.
Consider taking both a credit card and a debit card (with a positive balance). Credit cards are accepted everywhere and the debit card will allow you to access cash as well as be a backup for your credit card.
Please be aware that most ski hire outlets and hotels (when checking in) will only accept credit cards, not debit cards (just as car hire places won't).
If you need cash in Canada, you can easily get some from an ATM when you arrive in Canada and each resort has a number of ATMs available. You don't need to take a whole lot of cash from home.
Cash cards can be obtained before leaving home if you want to lock in a favourable exchange rate before you go, but remember that these cards charge load and unload fees, which debit cards do not.
Sometimes you may find that large department stores in large towns may ask for ID when you use a credit card. Apart from your passport, your Australian or NZ drivers licence will come in handy in this situation. Your driver licence will be accepted in both Alberta and BC as valid ID in stores as well as when hiring a car, or driving.
Cards or cash at ski resorts ?
Credit cards are accepted at all outlets at the ski resorts, whether they be coffee shops, retail outlets or restaurants, both in the villages or out on the mountain. You can even pay for a $2 cup of coffee with your card (without any extra fees). Cash is happily accepted everywhere as well.
Don't worry about bill sharing because restaurants are always happy to split bills in whatever way you want with everyone paying separately with their own card.
When it comes to taxes, you should remember that, unlike in Australia or New Zealand, prices will be displayed or quoted to you without the sales tax (the GST or whatever). They will be added when you go to pay. Sales taxes will vary according to which Canadian province you are in and what merchandise you are purchasing. There are different taxes for food, liquor, etc. In BC, you will usually be faced with a total tax bill of around of about 16% on top of the "price".
If you prefer to carry cash, there are ATMs at the resorts. You will be charged a withdrawal fee (of about $2 - 5) by the ATM owner.
What about tipping ?
Tipping is not mandatory in Canada but is generally expected when you are receiving services, such as from wait staff, hairdressers, cab drivers and hotel employees as well as in restaurants and bars, you are expected to give an extra bit of money in addition to the stated cost. It is something you will need to get used to but please bear in mind service providers receive a lower base pay rate than we are used to down under, so they rely on tips to earn a decent rate.
In restaurants and bars, a tip of 15% (on the pre-tax amount) is appropriate. Don't forget to check your bill before you pay. If they have added a "Service Fee", that's the tip, so you don't have to add a separate tip. Do not be intimidated by a 18%, 20% or more prompt on the machine because there's always an option where you can input what you wish.
The tip for taxis is usually about 10%, but coffee shops and the various lunch outlets at the resorts as well as shops and department stores will not expect you to tip.