Bank Accounts

I saw there was much talk about debt cards and which bankes to go to. But it was kinda confusing.

To people who are already there, what banks are you with? Which ones are good at having funds transferred to Canada? Which are easily accessed?

Thanks!!

 

Also what cellphone companies do you think I should go with? More for making Calls to Canada and texting to canada! If there is already a discussion for this can you give me the link. Thanks a bunch!

 

If you and a friend join bank of america you both get $25 and also for each friend you refer.

 

Personally, I'm with Royal Bank here and I know they have a bunch of branches in Orlando/Florida in general - plus they let you use a bunch of different kinds of atm's without a fee being applied (i.e. one in Publix - the grocery store right by the Commons). So I think I will probably open a U.S. account with RBC. That way I can transfer money over to my Canadian account a little more easily, and pay off VISA and what not, since it's tied to my account here. I don't know all the deets yet, still have to go in, but I'm 99% sure that's the direction I'm going in. Here's their site with a little more info just in case! http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/usbanking/florida-benefits.html

At the orientation they tend to push Vista Credit Union (though the name may be different now), a bank partnered with Disney. I used them during my ICP program in '06, but was a bit of a pain. Their only branch (at least that I know of) was by Disney University, so to get to it you'd have to take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, and then walk over. There were some atm's around property, but really, not many. More often than not I was caught getting some kind of surcharge. Boo urns!

As for cell phones, I've been looking into them quite a bit lately and as far as I can tell they don't do any kind of international or North American plans. They do for land lines, not for cells - boooo! So given that, seems to be better to just scope out what the charges are for international texting, and try to limit it a bit. Verizon seems pretty decent, especially since they have 1 year contracts (AT&T is pretty strict on 2 year contracts from what I can see). Plus T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile seems to offer some phones without contract. I know it's possible to sign up for Florida plans through Canadian cell companies, but these are usually an additional fee on top of everything else, and only covers a couple a months, or even certain phones. Instead of texting friends at home, you could try getting a smart phone and send messages via something like Blackberry Messenger, or log online with your phone and use MSN/AOL/etc.

Yeah, so I'm long-winded, but that's all I've got so far!

 

Oh wow thanks for all the info. I'm with RBC and I didn't know they have US branks. Thats cool. I knew TD did but not RBC. I saw that AT&T had a North American plan for calling just not including texts. I think I'm going to look when I'm in Buffalo shopping. Thanks for all the info though! Do they recomend having a credit card with you? Is it a good idea to get a credit card? Thanks.

 

When you start working here you'll get a debit card. You don't have to do a thing (only activating it). They transfer the money every week to your debit card. It's pretty easy.

 

Credit cards are the devil buttttt if u plan on visiting florida and you need to book a hotel room in advance or rent a car well having a 500$ limit credit card is the perfect thing. You could apply for that credit card with RBC here if you dont have one already and then just open a US RBC account because you can transfer money b/w both accounts free of charge since its the same bank.

 

Thanks guys. I opened an RBC one today. Its gonna be great. I love how u can transfer the money with no fees. And there are a bunch of RBC banks around Orlando and Kissimee. I might get a credit card not a 100% sure about it yet.

 

RBC woot woot!

As far as getting a credit card goes, I guess it really depends on how often you think you'd actually use it. It may come in handy more towards the beginning of the program when you haven't quite made a little cushion of money in the bank account yet, but then again, you could just take down extra cash for any expenses during that time. Could also be useful for bigger things that you'd rather not pay in full right away, but then again, that's dependent on the card limit. But things like say concert tickets, that would ordinarily take a little chunk out of the bank account, can be charged to credit and you can simply pay it off when you can do so more easily. Even at minimum wage, it's possible to stretch a dollar pretty far, but bigger expenses are always cringe-worthy! Even more so if you have a week or two with not as many hours as hoped. Alternatively, could even just have a card on hand for emergency purposes. If you have a Canadian credit card, you can use it down there, but will get some additional charges (exchange rate).

 

Definitely go with RBC! They can also help you apply for a US credit card and they will consider your Canadian Credit to make it easier. I'm in the midst of getting mine. Plus everyone at RBC is really friendly and helpful. Best bank in Canada, in my opinion!

Disney has a "Check Card", basically a debit card that you pay goes directly onto every Thursday. You can have it deposited elsewhere though, they just do that to make it easier for all the international peeps.

 

Bank of America is definately the best deal as when you open account with $500 in it they will give you $100 after the first month and you get $25 for each friend that you refer. Plus bank of america has got the most atm machines so thats a good thing as it charges you about $3 if you use another atm other than your own bank.

 

I think I'll probably try to get set up with RBC although I'm with CIBC in Canada which is kinda poopy because my debit card doesnt work in ABMs in the US.

As for cell phones, check out metropcs.com - they have some really good deals that include unlimited international long distance!! So for those of you like me who need a cell phone to live, its a pretty good deal...and its a good deal for family and friends at home because you'd be able to stay in touch more without the hassle of phone cards and sitting on the counter in your kitchen using the phone... thats what i was always doing when i did ICP in 06 haha

 

thanks a bunch jackattack. do they have good signal quality? the plans look super good online. Have you been with them before?

 

Ok I know the thread is about Bank Accounts, but I was looking at Cricket, and they have the plan that convinces me the most, text, voice and international minutes around $40 a month, and even tho the website won't allow u to check out all the plans with orlando's zip code (for some sort of wicked reason) while I was looking at the website i got one of those pop up windows with a chat with one of the people who work there, can't remember the name, and I asked if I could use it in florida and they told me yes, that I should get a plan that has premium coverage or something like it and you order it online with no signed contracts and all that stuff other companies ask, here's the link, check it out and hope it helps

http://www.mycricket.com/cell-phone-plans/plan/40planfg

And also I was checking on AT&T the pay as you go option and it's awesome coz u can enter a $100 card and they will only charge you a dollar on the days u use ur phone and it's unlimited calling and texts and it expires 365 days later, so we would be paying $100 dollars each 100 days so I think it's also a good option, tho the phones are nowhere near to be smartphones... AT&T sucks for other plans coz they all require a 2yr contract... so I guess no iphone for me

But I guess til I'm there I'll decide what to do, depending on what other people has and it's more convenient

 

Thanks FloFlo86. The only problem I have with cricket is they don't have international texting and for what you get with cricket I find that MetroPC offers more for my $$. Thanks though!!

 

Check it again, it says international texting!!

Additional Features
411 Directory Assistance - UNLIMITED
US Text, Pix & Video Messaging UNLIMITED
Voicemail UNLIMITED
Call Forwarding - available
Text Messaging to Mexico - UNLIMITED
International Text - UNLIMITED - including Mexico
Call Waiting - UNLIMITED
Mobile Web - UNLIMITED
Caller ID - UNLIMITED

 

I haven't been with metro pcs but I have heard good things. My gut tells me that the reason its so affordable is because the coverage is limited to Florida and a couple other states so I imagine if you travel in the continental US you may be charged additionally. For me it would probably be ok because i'll be spending most of my time in Florida. I also like the sounds of prepaid for 100, but does that include international texting or calling?

 

With any of these companies it's really best to research, research, research. Or, as far as MetroPCS goes, see what Matt has to say after a while! My main worry is that the coverage in general wouldn't be as good as some other companies - so some texts wouldn't actually be sent/received (and I'm told this is pretty much what everybody depends on down there since everybody has different shifts), calls don't go through, etc. My head keeps going to "if it's too good to be true..."

I'm not toooo concerned about international calls/texting; not sure how much I'd really use it when I already have a calling card. Just telling friends to get skype and what not Plus, if I get a phone that has instant messaging (i.e. msn, etc) on it, then that's just as good. Arg we'll see after I scope everything out some more

 

oh no, i have having dropped calls. The Metro pcs seems to have pretty good coverage in Orlando and Kissimmee. I`m still researching though. If anyone finds anything let me know. I was looking at virgin, they have some good stuff.

 

If accepted i'll get myself a pay as you go plan over there, but i'm curious to know if my cell (i'm with Rogers so it uses a sim card) will work over there or will I have to purchase another one?