Crossing the Border

Made this discovery a couple days ago and thought of passing it on.

I thought Ft Erie Track was closed down but it is still open for off-track betting and open 7 days a week from around 11 am to 11 pm. Google and call them to confirm their hours of operation. There was a couple dozen race track fans in betting on races going on elsewhere.

USD was up 12% vs CAD that day and Ft Erie Track gave me 11% more when converting USD to CAD...they only took 1 point just like the Ft Erie Slots did in the past. Was in and out in a minute. Very convenient when using the Peace Bridge, fast and no need to go to any bank or casino. Originally Posted by Celso

Thanks Celso. Just read your post. Wasn't aware of the OTB activity after the season closed. Sounds real good. I've done currency exchanges there many times, and it is quick & convenient.

If you tell them you're going to a strip club and you encounter a female customs agent, some will get angry or jealous, and they'll send you for a secondary inspection and search your vehicle.

I get annoyed with banks taking a few % pts their way when they have easy access to currency markets. Originally Posted by funtimez3

US banks are the worst at ripping you off on exchanging money. Canadian banks used to be great but now they aren't as good as in the past. Same goes for most Canadian ATMs when you use your bankcard, which tack on extra fees now that they didn't in the past. Casinos always gave the best rates. I miss the Ft Erie Slots which always gave the best exchange rates, with free parking and was the most convenient to get in and out.

Wasn't aware of the OTB activity after the season closed. Originally Posted by BfloEd

I wasn't either, thought they were shutdown when the season ended. Decided to swing by them for a look see and decided to stop in after seeing a couple dozen cars in their lot. Found out then they are still open as an OTB operation and still giving great exchange rates. When our dollars were near par I didn't bother and most girls didn't care which dollar you used but now with the USD being 10% or more stronger it's time to convert to CAD again.

FWIW USD is up, 12% today...

www.xe.com

I am going across to see a provider outside of Toronto on Tuesday. I went on vacation with my g/f in July and exchanged my money (quite a bit, close to a grand) at a bank, got like 5% or so. Are you all saying I would get a better rate if I went to the casino prior to my session and exchanged money there?

Yes! Any casino will give you better exchange rates than banks. I stopped using banks for money exchange years ago.
I always check www.xe.com to see what the going rate is when heading North.