Currency Controls
Jan 29, 2023, 8:01 am
#241
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ILM
Programs: UA - G (mm), DL - DM, MM, AA - Plat
Posts: 414
Just a heads up. Something changed on Friday afternoon. All of my Visa charges from Friday afternoon and Saturday are showing “pending “ at the official rate (roughly 187). None have cleared yet but this is a change from earlier in the month when charges were “pending” and cleared at the better rate.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
Jan 29, 2023, 11:58 am
#242
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 865
In the perfect world, you will get 1000 notes.
But, normally you will get a mixture. Remember that almost all of the WU agents also work with Pago Facil and they receive piles of different denomination notes in payments of bills for gas, phone, electricity etc.
It all depends on luck.
Jan 29, 2023, 6:25 pm
#243
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVP Gold, BA Silver, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,619
Just a heads up. Something changed on Friday afternoon. All of my Visa charges from Friday afternoon and Saturday are showing “pending “ at the official rate (roughly 187). None have cleared yet but this is a change from earlier in the month when charges were “pending” and cleared at the better rate.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
[fwiw, the VISA Exchange Rate Calculator ([url]https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/travel-support/exchange-rate-calculator.html) is currently showing 1 USD=333.23 ARS]
Jan 30, 2023, 4:46 pm
#244
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: FB, Starwood
Posts: 66
Just a heads up. Something changed on Friday afternoon. All of my Visa charges from Friday afternoon and Saturday are showing “pending “ at the official rate (roughly 187). None have cleared yet but this is a change from earlier in the month when charges were “pending” and cleared at the better rate.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
https://www.mastercard.co.uk/en-gb/p...-currency.html
Jan 31, 2023, 3:21 am
#245
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ILM
Programs: UA - G (mm), DL - DM, MM, AA - Plat
Posts: 414
I will be curious to see as well. MC rates appear to be at the official government rate.
https://www.mastercard.co.uk/en-gb/p...-currency.html
https://www.mastercard.co.uk/en-gb/p...-currency.html
Just a heads up. Something changed on Friday afternoon. All of my Visa charges from Friday afternoon and Saturday are showing “pending “ at the official rate (roughly 187). None have cleared yet but this is a change from earlier in the month when charges were “pending” and cleared at the better rate.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
I will be using MasterCard today but of course I won’t know for a few days if they are still rebating back the difference.
I will update this after the visa charges actually clear and of course I will be reaching out to my bank if the rate seems wrong.
Jan 31, 2023, 5:18 pm
#246
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: FB, Starwood
Posts: 66
Jan 31, 2023, 5:44 pm
#247
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ILM
Programs: UA - G (mm), DL - DM, MM, AA - Plat
Posts: 414
I have seen no positive reports on Amex. MC was rebating the difference a few days later and I expect that they will for my charges over the weekend in a few days. Certainly Visa was easiest.
as others have noted, the best exchange rate remains cash either via a local money changer or via western Union.
as others have noted, the best exchange rate remains cash either via a local money changer or via western Union.
Feb 4, 2023, 1:54 pm
#248
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ILM
Programs: UA - G (mm), DL - DM, MM, AA - Plat
Posts: 414
Just one final post as I have now left Argentina. MasterCard did indeed continue to rebate the difference in exchange rates. So the net cost was almost the same as Visa. I did make a second cash withdrawal via ATM (only 10,000 pesos) and the net coast (after my bank refunded the ATM fee) was on par with what Visa credit charges were. A month in BA for two people netted out to just about USD100 per day for two people. Eating out almost every night. Wine or beer every night.
Feb 4, 2023, 3:17 pm
#249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,626
Feb 5, 2023, 2:03 pm
#250
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 865
Feb 8, 2023, 3:58 pm
#251
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
As others here are quick to point out, there are some seriously interesting arbitrage opportunities at the EZE Duty Free. This is related to the ForEx gap between the official and the Blue Market rate.
Feb 8, 2023, 4:35 pm
#252
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,134
Only perfume. It gives me a headache and makes me want to vomit. In airports that allow it, I will take the long way around. In airports that don't, I hold my breath as I run through.
Feb 8, 2023, 4:41 pm
#253
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA silver, Flying Blue gold, Marriott titanium
Posts: 71
FYI, I’ve made some test visa charges today and they are pending at ARS 398/1 GBP. This is not as good as the blue rate of ARS 355/1 USD I got at my hotel in Mendoza. However, If this holds, it will make more sense to charge my hotel to visa as I will save the VAT and the overall cost will be less. Just not sure the charges will clear before I check out and an official rate conversion would be very unfavorable.
Feb 11, 2023, 2:57 pm
#255
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,626