Page 324 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest
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322 SUR VIV AL GUIDE
Banking and Currency money from ATMs or to pay for
services in shops and restaurants.
Banks and foreign currency exchanges are plentiful These cards are available through
through out the Pacific Northwest, with many banks several providers, including
extending their opening hours during the evenings and on Thomas Cook and Travelex,
but look for one that offers fair
weekends. ATMs (automated teller machines) are the most exchange rates, no ATM fees,
useful, though, allowing visitors to make cash withdrawals and no charges for purchases.
24 hours a day. Credit cards are a more common form of
payment than hard currency, especially at hotels or car rental Currency
companies, but keep some local cash on hand for tipping,
public transport ation, and the food trucks that are common Both in the US and Canada the
unit of currency is the dollar,
in the cities of Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. which is divided into 100 cents.
Coins include denominations
of 1 cent (penny) – US only, as
accept your bank card, and what Canada has discontinued the
fees and commissions will be penny – 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents
charged on each transaction (dime), 25 cents (quarter), and
made outside your home country. $1 (buck; in Canada it is often
called a “loonie”). In Canada,
there is also a $2 coin, a “toonie.”
Credit Cards Bank notes, or bills, are printed
The most widely accepted credit in denominations of $5, $10, $20,
An ATM, common throughout the cards are Visa, MasterCard, and $50, and $100. In the US, a $2
Pacific Northwest Diners Club, which can be used bill is also in circulation, but it is
to pay for just about anything, uncommon. Plan to arrive with
Banks and Foreign from a cup of coffee to a hotel $50 to $100 in local currency
Currency Exchange room. American Express and and get small change as soon as
Most banks are open from 9 Discover are also accepted in possible for tipping, transport
or 9:30am to 4:30 or 5pm, with some places. Credit cards are ation, and other incidentals.
many in downtown locations often required when checking
offering extended hours, espe into a hotel or renting a car – DIRECTORY
cially on Fridays. Some banks are many such places will insist on
also open on weekends, but all taking your credit card informa Banks and Foreign
are closed on statutory holidays. tion to use as a form of deposit. Currency Exchange
Exchange rates for foreign If your credit card company American Express
currency are posted in banks offers travel insurance, keep ∑ americanexpress.com
where exchange services a copy of the statement of
are offered (usually the main conditions and coverage with Thomas Cook
branches of large banks) as well your travel documents. Before ∑ thomascook.com
as at foreign exchange brokers, leaving home, be sure to note Travelex
American Express and Travelex all emergency contact numbers Tel (877) 4146359
being the most popular ones. connected with your credit card ∑ travelex.com
In an emergency, visitors in case of loss or theft.
can have cash wired from home Western Union
Tel (800) 2255227
by way of electronic money ∑ westernunion.ca
transfer services offered by Traveler’s Checks and
Currency Cards
American Express, Thomas Credit Cards
Cook, and Western Union. American Express, Thomas Cook,
and Visa issue traveler’s checks Diners Club
and it is advisable to purchase Tel (800) 3633333
ATMs them in US or Canadian currency. ∑ dinersclub.com
Automated teller machines A passport or other photo Discover
(ATMs, or ABMs – automated identification is required to cash Tel (800) 3472683
banking machines, in Canada) traveler’s checks. Keep in mind ∑ discover.com
can be found in bank branches, that, in rural areas and areas less
shopping centers, gas stations, geared to tourism, traveler’s MasterCard
grocery stores, minimarts, checks may not be accepted. Tel (800) 6278372.
transit terminals, airports, and An increasingly popular ∑ mastercard.com
some bars and restaurants. alternative to traveler’s checks are Visa
Consult with your bank, credit prepaid currency cards, which Tel (800 8472911.
union, or credit card company function like debit or credit cards ∑ visa.com
about which ATM systems will and can be used to withdraw
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