Originally Posted by
Middle_Seat
Is there a separate line for paying the reciprocity fee, and do they accept credit cards?
Before she leaves the States, the OPs daughter should have her smartphone unlocked, install Skype (or equal) and WhatsApp, possibly a universal SIM card like OneSimCard for use until she can get a local SIM, take an ATM card, etc.
Since Argentina has a weird currency situation, perhaps she should take a lot of crisp $20 US bills for exchange at one of the unofficial exchange sites?
The reciprocity fee MUST be paid in advance before she leaves the US. The airline will NOT allow her to board without proof of payment if she's travelling on a US, Canadian, or Australian passport.
A local SIM card is easily obtained once in Argentina - most probably the study abroad program will give advice about things like that before she leaves the US. However prepaid cell phone charges are outrageous in Argentina, so if she's used to using lots of data, continuous texting etc., she'll have to only do that when she's on WiFi.
The currency situation is such that using an ATM card or credit card is downright foolish given the exchange rate. Obviously there might be problems with her having significant amounts of currency in her probably shared accomodation, it will give the best rate on the blue market.
NOTE, only bring down US $100 dollar bills in good condition (no stains, tears, or defacement). The other option is to send money via Xoom from the US (with pickup in pesos), which will yield a lower exchange rate than on the blue market, but will allow her not worry about storing large amounts of cash.