Where/how to get dolar blue exchange rate?
Feb 18, 2014, 4:53 pm
#91
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Excellent report.... thanks for sharing.
Glad it all worked out for you....
^
Glad it all worked out for you....
^Hello Gaucho and friends. I ultimately waited until arriving in Argentina to exchange.
My results are as follows thus far:
13 Feb USD3000 @ 11.5 at "Exchange & Antiques" on Rodriguez Pena in Recoleta.
16 Feb USD1000 @ 10.8 at a place in La Boca, the name of which I don't recall. I am told that the rate is bad on the weekends.
17 Feb USD1500 @ 10.6057 via XOOM, plus a USD30 fee.
17 Feb USD200 @ 11.2, same place on Rodriguez Pena.
A few observations, some of which may have been made by previous posters:
Avoid weekend exchange - rates are much worse.
My hotel (Algodon Mansion) offered a 5% discount for paying in cash in ARS, which was a nice benefit on top of the Dolar Blue rate. Park Hyatt did not offer a similar discount.
My concierge thought it a bad idea to go to Calle Florida because of the risk of counterfeit currency and theft, but was more adamant about the former. She suggested the place on Rodriguez Pena and a few others. Perhaps they get some type of commission but others warned of counterfeit risks as well on Florida.
XOOM was a minor hassle but will be better next time with the help of my recent experience. Certainly a good option once you run out of cash. It was very simple to use electronically even for a first timer like myself. The cash pickup would have been better had I first visited to the "Central" location at Libertad 1057 entre Santa Fé y Marcelo T. Alvear. The branch location I went to first said that ARS ~16.000 was too much money for me to pick up at once.
My results are as follows thus far:
13 Feb USD3000 @ 11.5 at "Exchange & Antiques" on Rodriguez Pena in Recoleta.
16 Feb USD1000 @ 10.8 at a place in La Boca, the name of which I don't recall. I am told that the rate is bad on the weekends.
17 Feb USD1500 @ 10.6057 via XOOM, plus a USD30 fee.
17 Feb USD200 @ 11.2, same place on Rodriguez Pena.
A few observations, some of which may have been made by previous posters:
Avoid weekend exchange - rates are much worse.
My hotel (Algodon Mansion) offered a 5% discount for paying in cash in ARS, which was a nice benefit on top of the Dolar Blue rate. Park Hyatt did not offer a similar discount.
My concierge thought it a bad idea to go to Calle Florida because of the risk of counterfeit currency and theft, but was more adamant about the former. She suggested the place on Rodriguez Pena and a few others. Perhaps they get some type of commission but others warned of counterfeit risks as well on Florida.
XOOM was a minor hassle but will be better next time with the help of my recent experience. Certainly a good option once you run out of cash. It was very simple to use electronically even for a first timer like myself. The cash pickup would have been better had I first visited to the "Central" location at Libertad 1057 entre Santa Fé y Marcelo T. Alvear. The branch location I went to first said that ARS ~16.000 was too much money for me to pick up at once.
Feb 19, 2014, 12:42 am
#92
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Hello Gaucho and friends. I ultimately waited until arriving in Argentina to exchange.
My results are as follows thus far:
13 Feb USD3000 @ 11.5 at "Exchange & Antiques" on Rodriguez Pena in Recoleta.
16 Feb USD1000 @ 10.8 at a place in La Boca, the name of which I don't recall. I am told that the rate is bad on the weekends.
17 Feb USD1500 @ 10.6057 via XOOM, plus a USD30 fee.
17 Feb USD200 @ 11.2, same place on Rodriguez Pena.
A few observations, some of which may have been made by previous posters:
Avoid weekend exchange - rates are much worse.
My hotel (Algodon Mansion) offered a 5% discount for paying in cash in ARS, which was a nice benefit on top of the Dolar Blue rate. Park Hyatt did not offer a similar discount.
My concierge thought it a bad idea to go to Calle Florida because of the risk of counterfeit currency and theft, but was more adamant about the former. She suggested the place on Rodriguez Pena and a few others.......
My results are as follows thus far:
13 Feb USD3000 @ 11.5 at "Exchange & Antiques" on Rodriguez Pena in Recoleta.
16 Feb USD1000 @ 10.8 at a place in La Boca, the name of which I don't recall. I am told that the rate is bad on the weekends.
17 Feb USD1500 @ 10.6057 via XOOM, plus a USD30 fee.
17 Feb USD200 @ 11.2, same place on Rodriguez Pena.
A few observations, some of which may have been made by previous posters:
Avoid weekend exchange - rates are much worse.
My hotel (Algodon Mansion) offered a 5% discount for paying in cash in ARS, which was a nice benefit on top of the Dolar Blue rate. Park Hyatt did not offer a similar discount.
My concierge thought it a bad idea to go to Calle Florida because of the risk of counterfeit currency and theft, but was more adamant about the former. She suggested the place on Rodriguez Pena and a few others.......
What cross street is 'exchange & antiques' located on Rodríguez Peña?
Feb 20, 2014, 3:54 am
#93
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Feb 20, 2014, 4:30 pm
#94
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Feb 24, 2014, 6:48 am
#95
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Did another US$2500 @ 11.3 this morning, same place.
Also on Saturday I was coming back from Uruguay and was able to exchange @ ~10.2 @ PDP airport exchange booth by withdrawing Uruguayan Pesos from the ATM @ 21.89 UYU/USD and then converting the UYU to ARS.
Doesn't work as well if you try to exchange USD for ARS at PDP airport; I came up with about 9.2 going that route. But 10.2 at PDP airport at the exchange booth was closer to ~11.6 Dolar Blue than 7.8 official rate. And it was a weekend so ultimately not that much of a loss.
Also on Saturday I was coming back from Uruguay and was able to exchange @ ~10.2 @ PDP airport exchange booth by withdrawing Uruguayan Pesos from the ATM @ 21.89 UYU/USD and then converting the UYU to ARS.
Doesn't work as well if you try to exchange USD for ARS at PDP airport; I came up with about 9.2 going that route. But 10.2 at PDP airport at the exchange booth was closer to ~11.6 Dolar Blue than 7.8 official rate. And it was a weekend so ultimately not that much of a loss.
Feb 26, 2014, 8:26 pm
#97
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Few data points:
Late Jan/ 1st of Feb I was able to get 12 pesos to a dollar. I took $100 bills with me in advance thinking it would help, but the guy I use on Florida st gave me the same rate wether it was 20s or 100s.
Last week on the 20th the highest I could find was 11.5 / dollar but most of the other people on Florida St were offering 11.2 / 11.3. I got this rate from my usual guy, and then another random kiosk on a sunday when his office was closed.
Both times the prices were in line with what is posted online on the dollar blue website.
Late Jan/ 1st of Feb I was able to get 12 pesos to a dollar. I took $100 bills with me in advance thinking it would help, but the guy I use on Florida st gave me the same rate wether it was 20s or 100s.
Last week on the 20th the highest I could find was 11.5 / dollar but most of the other people on Florida St were offering 11.2 / 11.3. I got this rate from my usual guy, and then another random kiosk on a sunday when his office was closed.
Both times the prices were in line with what is posted online on the dollar blue website.
Feb 26, 2014, 9:40 pm
#98
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Few data points:
Late Jan/ 1st of Feb I was able to get 12 pesos to a dollar. I took $100 bills with me in advance thinking it would help, but the guy I use on Florida st gave me the same rate wether it was 20s or 100s.
Last week on the 20th the highest I could find was 11.5 / dollar but most of the other people on Florida St were offering 11.2 / 11.3. I got this rate from my usual guy, and then another random kiosk on a sunday when his office was closed.
Both times the prices were in line with what is posted online on the dollar blue website.
Late Jan/ 1st of Feb I was able to get 12 pesos to a dollar. I took $100 bills with me in advance thinking it would help, but the guy I use on Florida st gave me the same rate wether it was 20s or 100s.
Last week on the 20th the highest I could find was 11.5 / dollar but most of the other people on Florida St were offering 11.2 / 11.3. I got this rate from my usual guy, and then another random kiosk on a sunday when his office was closed.
Both times the prices were in line with what is posted online on the dollar blue website.
Mar 6, 2014, 1:56 pm
#99
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Coast
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Most changers were offering 10.8 or so. Seems like the hysteria has calmed for a bit now.
Mar 11, 2014, 9:14 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Thanks you all for you data points & input. Now that my trip was over, here is my feedback.
A week ago, I changed money on Florida St (week day), the blue rate was 11.0; on weekend, I got 10.6.
Old or new US$100 did not seem to affect the blue rate. If recalled correctly, the money changer was located at 780 on Florida.
At the same time, many restaurants accepted US$ at the rate of 10.0.
Some restaurants gave a cash discount.
A week ago, I changed money on Florida St (week day), the blue rate was 11.0; on weekend, I got 10.6.
Old or new US$100 did not seem to affect the blue rate. If recalled correctly, the money changer was located at 780 on Florida.
At the same time, many restaurants accepted US$ at the rate of 10.0.
Some restaurants gave a cash discount.
Mar 13, 2014, 7:49 pm
#101
Join Date: Jun 2011
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I found this week in BA that some restaurants will accept US bills as payment (with change delivered in pesos); I got 10:1 at a couple of places (one in Monserrat and one in Palermo) and 9:1 at another place (on Avda de Mayo). It's a bit hit-or-miss.
Since I'm on a business trip and not using my own money, I'm not going to run around the city rate-shopping, but I'll definitely seek to save my employer some cash if it doesn't take much work.
Since I'm on a business trip and not using my own money, I'm not going to run around the city rate-shopping, but I'll definitely seek to save my employer some cash if it doesn't take much work.
Mar 13, 2014, 10:39 pm
#102
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I found this week in BA that some restaurants will accept US bills as payment (with change delivered in pesos); I got 10:1 at a couple of places (one in Monserrat and one in Palermo) and 9:1 at another place (on Avda de Mayo). It's a bit hit-or-miss.
Since I'm on a business trip and not using my own money, I'm not going to run around the city rate-shopping, but I'll definitely seek to save my employer some cash if it doesn't take much work.
Since I'm on a business trip and not using my own money, I'm not going to run around the city rate-shopping, but I'll definitely seek to save my employer some cash if it doesn't take much work.
Mar 14, 2014, 7:18 am
#103
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
I found this week in BA that some restaurants will accept US bills as payment (with change delivered in pesos); I got 10:1 at a couple of places (one in Monserrat and one in Palermo) and 9:1 at another place (on Avda de Mayo). It's a bit hit-or-miss.
Since I'm on a business trip and not using my own money, I'm not going to run around the city rate-shopping, but I'll definitely seek to save my employer some cash if it doesn't take much work.
Since I'm on a business trip and not using my own money, I'm not going to run around the city rate-shopping, but I'll definitely seek to save my employer some cash if it doesn't take much work.
Mar 16, 2014, 8:27 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I did the cambio de Florida 3 times last week. I did $100/$100/$200, so smaller trades. The street quote remained $10.50 but I had no issue negotiating better, $10.70 and $10.80 for the $200.
Dolar Blue showed quotes of $10.80 to $11.05 so I feel I did pretty well.
Dolar Blue showed quotes of $10.80 to $11.05 so I feel I did pretty well.
Mar 16, 2014, 8:31 pm
#105
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
I did the cambio de Florida 3 times last week. I did $100/$100/$200, so smaller trades. The street quote remained $10.50 but I had no issue negotiating better, $10.70 and $10.80 for the $200.
Dolar Blue showed quotes of $10.80 to $11.05 so I feel I did pretty well.
Dolar Blue showed quotes of $10.80 to $11.05 so I feel I did pretty well.
Last edited by Flying Machine; Mar 18, 2014 at 12:53 pm