However, there may be fees or charges to be aware of.
There may be fees for buying things or using an ATM to withdraw cash in another currency. There are 3 charges you need to know about:
There's usually a fee to convert the currency if you use your card outside of Canada:
A fee may be added to the cost if you pay in the local currency - usually a percentage of the value of the transaction.
If you choose to convert to Canadian dollars at the point of sale, the conversion rate is set by the merchant. Fees can often be high, so it can be cheaper to pay in the local currency. Then the credit card provider will do the currency conversion at their current rate. You should always be able to select which currency to pay in.
You'll usually be charged a fee for using your credit card to withdraw cash, wherever you are in the world. This is typically a percentage of the amount you've withdrawn and there may be a minimum charge. This could be on top of a separate currency conversion fee.
Depending on the ATM you use, there may also be an ATM convenience fee. So check if there's a charge before taking cash out.
If you're paying for things outside of Canada with your credit card, or using it to withdraw cash, interest charges will apply in the same way they do at home.
You'll see the details of your international transactions, including a breakdown of any charges, on your bank statement.
It should include:
If you're an HSBC customer, you can view your statements through online banking. You'll also be able to view your transaction history and account balance to help keep on top of your spending.