Tewster's Traveling Circus 2018 (Alaska planning stuff)

Same here. I love that Montana.

KR

Hey Tim, what US into Canada border crossing (on the way up) are you anticipating using? Do you get Canadian dollars before or after entering Canada?

@djroszina - I was in BC in July this year. I had no problem getting Canadian $ from ATM's at cash stations/stores, etc. in Canada, with my US bank debit card.

I notified my bank I would be in Canada and AK ahead of time. I also found that my debit cards did not work at the gas stations, I don't know why. I ended up paying cash each time I filled up.

We'll be using the small crossing near Glacier NP where US 17 turns into CA 6.

Yep easy to use ATMs in Canada to get money. I usually don't get more than $100 CAD on the way up and another $100 on the way back. I use my credit card for all fuel, lodging, and food that's more than a few dollars. I NEVER use a debit card for anything. I contact my bank before I leave each time and tell them when I'm leaving, where I'm going, and when I'll be back. I've been with Wells Fargo for a long time so they treat me pretty good. Plus I have over 200 million on deposit so that helps too. Never any problems.

Thanks for the info, CC it is and minimal Canadian dollars for incidentals... pretty much the same as my last trip. I did Going to the Sun road east to west last time and entered at Roosville, but am flexible with either since they are "in the neighborhood. Man this is going to be an excruciating 10 months...chomping at the bit, tell me to take a chill pill if I become too irritating.

Haha not a problem. I'm ready to go now! Half the fun of a trip is the planning.

Yep, here's proof he was in B.C. and Alaska in July. Ya' know what they say, "pictures or it didn't happen"

QUOTE="Tewster2, post: 33007641, member: 206767"]


. Plus I have over 200 million on deposit so that helps too. Never any problems. [/QUOTE]

I believe you have 200 million mites on deposit.

-Mark

I believe you have 200 million mites on deposit.

-Mark[/QUOTE]
Haha...yeah I was stretching it a bit

Current exchange rate is $1.00 Canadian to .79 cents US. I use Visa for all purchases where available and today would save .21cents per dollar spent. Visa converts to US dollars in their billings. Only found one gas place that couldn't process a credit card in 4 trips. Also most pumps can't process a foreign credit card (read lower 48). You have to go in and leave your credit card with cashier while pumping. Cashier can process these cards at the register. During last trip in 2016 some pumps could read the new card with the chip. I always pick up a few Loonies ($1 Canadian coin) and Toonies ($2 Canadian coin) for use in private campgrounds with coin operated showers.
Note: if you use ATT for phone be aware that turning off Roaming won't stop additional charges for texting if you leave LTE turned on. I had $150 in additional charges from 2016 trip. I called ATT and complained . They were kind enough to refund as I had made an effort to avoid charges. Apparently my iPhone makes 5 attempts to send a text and they charged .50 cents for each attempt. They suggested that I call them before the next trip and pay $30 for international service for 30 days and have normal use of my phone. I plan to do that.

Good info above ^. Thank you, Bacca.

On a recent ride that a couple of us made up through B.C., and over to Hyder, we found neither of our "clever" phones had service for phone calls in B.C., but we could easily use the WiFi at every motel in the evenings to utilize any online work we wanted to do. We even stopped at a Verizon store in Bellingham, just before entry into Canada, and asked if we could buy a SIM card, etc, blah blah blah, and...no go. The other rider eventually bought a pre-paid calling card from a Walmart in B.C., which allowed him to make calls from a land-line.

For me...not really a big issue. I can live without the need to have a phone at my disposal 100% of the time. For the rest of YOU....you may want to look into this earlier, rather than later, and do what needs to be done so that you have the ability to make calls...if needed.

(I just use my 1960's Cracker Jacks secret decoder ring, and the feds fly in a stealth 'copter to haul my ass home)

I had a misunderstanding with the $40 international charge last year and came home from my 7-week Alaska trip to a $400+ AT&T bill. They forgave about $100 but I was on the hook for the rest. This year, I put the iPhone 6 in Airplane Mode as soon as I entered Canada and enabled WiFi calling. We credit card camped so I used the hotels' systems to call and text for this year's ride. Worked perfectly and my phone bill was the same as always. I'm going back to Alaska next year and will do the same thing, again.

For my Canadian spending money, I went to my bank and requested the amount I needed. Three business days later, I had the Canadian cash in-hand. The exchange rate in June was around 74¢ US for $1.00 Canadian.

Mike

I put my phone in airplane mode also when I cross into Canada. Where there was wifi I would use the wifi phone app called Hangouts . It worked great in 2016 but this year I couldn't get it to work well. I am not sure if it was shitty wifi or something else. I was able to use its texting system though with no problem.

I like the idea of a 30 day international plan. What did you do that caused the $400 bill?

KR

Last year, I went to the local AT&T store to inquire about roaming in Canada. I signed up for the international plan but, something happened, and I was never charged for it. They had a record of me being there but, apparently, the AT&T clerk never charged my account. I was calling & texting for the entire trip and that ran up the charges. This year, the AT&T clerk told me he'd sure sell me the international plan but I could use WiFi calling for free. I told my wife if there was a problem during the day, I'd text her via my Earthmate app for the inReach. It worked out well.

Mike

I use an unlocked iPhone 6s Plus when I travel. I make sure cell dara is turned off when I get near and into Canada. The only thing I leave on is wifi. I make all my calls using wifi when available. Plus most of my friends use the "WhatsApp" app. The thing works flawlessly for making voice calls and text over wifi.

All my relatives and friends know I don't have my phone on when I'm riding during the day. After all I'm thousands of miles from home so I can't do anything anyway if there's a problem.

I check my email and make calls when wifi is good when I stop for the night. If not I may go for days without using the phone. I've never understood why some folks need to be in contact with other humans 24 hours a day....

I never buy a local sim...if I need to make an emergency call in Canada I'll make the call....ATT will charge me $2.50 for the call...if it's an emergency I don't mind the charge.

As far as using my credit card...I have a chip in mine...not once on the whole trip last time did I have to go inside and preuathorize any payments. The thing worked flawlessly eveywhere in the lower 48, Canada, and Alaska.

Tip; if you are out and about and HAVE to have wifi stop by any police station, fire department, etc ...explain your need to use their wifi and you'll never be refused if your request is proper. Also every small library in the world now has open wifi (well most of them)

This has been exactly my experience with the credit card. I was wondering if he didn't have a chip card? I also authorize the card as to the dates and where I will be traveling ahead of time. Some of the systems you talk to a person. One I was able to do on an automated phone system. So far, I've never had an issue.

Same thought on the emergency use of the phone. For me, most of the areas I am in, they don't have WiFi or any type of cell service. Many of the hotels or motels or campgrounds don't have any WiFi. Even when they do, it can be pretty crappy. And of course, the stealth campsites, don't have anything. But like you said. I have the inReach for check-ins and tracking and more than that, I don't need to be in contact 24/7.

I will check out the Whatsapp app for wifi calling. thanks.


KR

I use the Whatsapp thing for talking to my friends in Australia and texting over wifi all the time....easy to use and encrypted end to end so when we're talking about food and beer nobody can hear us....

I just downloaded it and tested it. It will go with me on the next trip instead of the Hangouts dialer.

Thanks,
KR

Sounds great. I'm on WhatsApp if you want to call anytime. I'll pm you my info