A quick update for anyone who uses our send money to Mexico from Canada guide: funding your Wise CAD account just got free.

What Changed

Wise now charges $0 to add CAD by Interac e-Transfer — the same funding method that used to cost around $6 per transfer. Two ways to use it:

• Request Money: choose Interac e-Transfer in Wise’s “Add Money” flow, approve the request in your banking app, and the money lands in about 30 minutes.
• Autodeposit: register your email with Interac inside Wise once, then a plain e-Transfer to that email tops up your CAD balance automatically, usually in 10–20 minutes.

What This Changes in Our Stack

Interac e-Transfer is now the default funding method — free and near-instant. EQ Bank bill pay stays in the guide as the backup for large sums: it still costs a flat $0.31 and handles up to $25,000 per transaction, which matters once you go past your own bank’s daily e-Transfer limit (often ~$3,000/day).

A quick update for anyone who read our Canadian debit cards for international travel guide: while reviewing it this week, we found two ATM fee details that needed correcting. Both matter if you carry either card abroad.

EQ Bank: Reimbursement Is Canada-Only

EQ Bank still charges $0 in its own fees on foreign ATM withdrawals and still applies the mid-market exchange rate with no markup. What we got wrong: the ATM operator fee reimbursement only applies at ATMs in Canada. At a foreign ATM, whatever surcharge the machine’s owner charges is on you.

It’s the account that quietly pays our electricity and internet bills every month, earns us a genuinely remarkable savings rate, and never charges us a peso in annual fees. Here’s how we use it — and the honest answer about what our invitation link does for you.

Want to send money to Mexico without getting hit with bank fees and bad exchange rates? Here’s how I do it using Wise funded by a free Interac e-Transfer — with EQ Bank bill pay as the backup for large sums — to keep costs as low as possible.

Why This Combo?

The trick? Funding Wise the cheapest way possible. Wise now charges $0 to add CAD by Interac e-Transfer, which used to cost around $6. For amounts above your bank’s daily e-Transfer limit, EQ Bank bill pay remains the fallback at a flat $0.31.

The Essentials Checklist

Essential Documents

• Passport (valid 6+ months)
• Visas (if required)
• Driver’s license
• Travel insurance documents
• Flight confirmations
• Accommodation confirmations
• Emergency contact list
• Copies of all documents (digital & physical)
• International driving permit (if planning to drive abroad)

Health & Medical

• Extra batteries for medical devices
• Prescription medications (in original containers)
• Doctor’s note for medical supplies
• Basic first aid kit
• Pain relievers
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Bandages and antiseptic wipes
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
• Blister prevention, toe sleeves (Amazon)
• Water purification tablets or filter bottle (for destinations with unsafe tap water)

Electronics & Tech

• Phone & charger
• Travel router (Amazon)
• Universal power adapter (Amazon)
• Portable charger/power bank (Amazon)
• VPN subscription for secure public Wi-Fi
• Laptop/tablet & charger
• Camera & charger
• Headphones/earbuds
• Small surge protector
• Bluetooth speaker (optional)

Clothing

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Light jacket or shawl
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Underwear & socks
• Sleepwear
• Swimsuit (if applicable)
• Hat/cap
• Rain jacket/umbrella

Toiletries

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Soap/body wash
• Razor & shaving cream
• Hairbrush/comb
• Feminine hygiene products
• Contact lens solution/case
• Glasses/contacts
• Lip balm
• Travel-sized containers (TSA 3-1-1 compliant for carry-on)

Comfort Items

• Reusable water bottle
• Healthy snacks (nuts, dried fruits)
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Neck pillow
• Compression socks (for long flights)
• Quick-dry towel
• Tissues/wet wipes

Organization

• Clear toiletry bags (TSA-friendly)
• Packing cubes (Amazon)
• Dry bags for electronics
• Small day bag/backpack (Amazon)
• Zip-lock bags
• Laundry bag
• RFID-blocking wallet

Money & Security

• Credit/debit cards
• Cash (local currency)
• Emergency cash stash
• TSA-approved locks
• Money belt/hidden wallet
• Portable safe (optional)

Destination-Specific

• Beach: Beach towel, snorkel gear, waterproof phone case
• City: Comfortable city shoes, umbrella, city map
• Adventure: Hiking boots, backpack, first aid kit
• Cold weather: Insulated jacket, gloves, scarf, thermal layers

Pre-Trip Prep

• Check medication expiration dates
• Verify travel insurance coverage
• Research local medical facilities
• Download offline maps
• Install travel apps (translation, maps, currency converter, airline)
• Inform bank of travel plans
• Set up emergency contacts
• Research local customs
• Learn basic phrases in local language

On-the-Go Essentials

• Hand sanitizer
• Pen
• Notebook/journal
• Plastic bags (for laundry/wet items)
• Reusable shopping bag
• Portable laundry detergent sheets

Carry-On vs. Checked Bag

Not everything belongs in the same bag. Here’s what goes where:

The first time I crossed into the US with my regular Canadian phone plan, I got a $127 bill for three days in Maine. I used almost no data. The charges came from the daily roaming fee that kicked in the moment my phone connected to a tower.

The second time, I bought an eSIM for Mexico. It refused to activate. I spent two hours in a Puerto Vallarta café trying to make it work while the barista watched me restart my phone like a confused tourist. I eventually gave up and used offline maps for the rest of the day.

If you travel between Canada, the US, and Mexico, we recommend Public Mobile’s Canada-US-Mexico plan. It is $40/month for 75GB of 5G data that works in all three countries. No roaming fees. No daily charges. No surprises.

We have used it across all three countries, including a six-month stay in Mexico, and the coverage has been solid. You don’t think about roaming fees when you cross a border. You don’t do math. You just have data.

Wealthsimple Visa Infinite gives you:

• 2% cashback on everything — no categories to track
• 0% foreign transaction fees — no extra cost when you travel
• $240 annual fee — but it can be waived

When Is the Fee Waived?

You pay $0 if you have:

• $100,000+ invested with Wealthsimple, OR
• $4,000+/month direct deposit to Wealthsimple chequing

If neither applies, you pay $240/year. You’d need to spend $12,000/year to break even on the fee.

All figures are in CAD unless noted. Data based on American Express Canada published terms as of May 2026. A significant lounge access change takes effect January 1, 2027 — covered in full below. The Business Platinum is a charge card; all Due in Full charges must be paid monthly. Always verify current terms with American Express before applying.

1. Summary

The Business Platinum Card from American Express Canada is the business counterpart to the personal Platinum — a charge card carrying the same $799 annual fee, the same Centurion Lounge access, the same Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold automatic status, and the same Fine Hotels + Resorts program. What distinguishes it from the personal version is its business-oriented earn structure (1.25x MR on general purchases vs 1x on personal), employee card support, expense management tools, and travel coverage framed around business travellers rather than families. It is not an Aeroplan card — MR points must be transferred to Aeroplan to reach Air Canada redemptions. The same Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounge access changes taking effect January 1, 2027 apply here as well.