Currency Controls
Feb 16, 2023, 3:24 pm
#256
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Full time Nomad
Posts: 842
More updates.
We have been in Argentina for a month ( Buenos Aires) where we were in an AirBnB apartment. We are now in Patagonia. El Calafate is our 1st stop.
1. I booked this apartment on Booking.com
2. Choice when reserving, it was a "pay nothing now, pay at property". I've tried to book ALL of my lodging of this sort.
3. The apartment manager met us at the place and we paid her in ARS. We got a wad of them in Buenos Aires because all but one of our places I booked are "pay at property".
4. We are heading to Puerto Natales Chile tomorrow for a few days and will be in El Chalten next. The Bed n Breakfast I booked in El Chalten is also pay at the property. I'll update when we get there.
5. I have an estancia ( El Chalten ) booked that is the only place that was pre-paid.
6. Then Bariloche, where it is also pay at property. All, on booking.com and specifically chosen for the pay at property. Then Mendoza, but that is an AirBnB that was super cheap.
1. I booked this apartment on Booking.com
2. Choice when reserving, it was a "pay nothing now, pay at property". I've tried to book ALL of my lodging of this sort.
3. The apartment manager met us at the place and we paid her in ARS. We got a wad of them in Buenos Aires because all but one of our places I booked are "pay at property".
4. We are heading to Puerto Natales Chile tomorrow for a few days and will be in El Chalten next. The Bed n Breakfast I booked in El Chalten is also pay at the property. I'll update when we get there.
5. I have an estancia ( El Chalten ) booked that is the only place that was pre-paid.
6. Then Bariloche, where it is also pay at property. All, on booking.com and specifically chosen for the pay at property. Then Mendoza, but that is an AirBnB that was super cheap.
ALL of the places I booked on Booking.com that were "pay at property" we used Pesos. We rented a car 2X. Both rentals I booked on Expedia, while here in Argentina. Pay at pickup. Used Cap One Venture X. Final charges were at the favorable/tourist rate. We call it the tourist rate.
We leave for Santiago on Sunday. Trying to spend the Pesos we have left and time it just right so we have zero to none. The BIGGEST tip, is that we've hung onto our Sube bus cards!!! You cannot get a physical card anywhere I hear. We used it in El Calafate, here in Mendoza and in BA the 6 weeks before we got to Patagonia.
Side note... If anyone wants/needs help with their planning of Patagonia, just ask!!! One of the best trips, places we've ever been. And we've been to some great places.
Estancia Bonanza, EL Chalten
Last edited by stan1162; Feb 16, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Feb 17, 2023, 7:08 am
#257
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
As a data point, I just left Buenos Aires yesterday and all of my Mastercard transactions originally charged at the official rate have been adjusted close to the Blue Dollar rate. They were adjusted approximately 2 days after the post date. For reference I used a Capital One Mastercard Debit. This will make travel to Argentina VERY attractive for those holding a foreign card.
Feb 17, 2023, 7:23 pm
#259
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: 52,133
Feb 21, 2023, 8:47 pm
#262
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: SAN
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 48
This is a bit off topic. I will be going to Argentina towards the end of the year and had been asked by my traveling partner about Antarctica cruise cost if one was to pitch up at Ushuaia. With financial conditions as such, if there would be a considerable break in cost. Also, is this doable if we are patient? We are both experienced travelers, and have done many popular 'tours' this way over the years. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Feb 22, 2023, 3:26 am
#263
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 865
This is a bit off topic. I will be going to Argentina towards the end of the year and had been asked by my traveling partner about Antarctica cruise cost if one was to pitch up at Ushuaia. With financial conditions as such, if there would be a considerable break in cost. Also, is this doable if we are patient? We are both experienced travelers, and have done many popular 'tours' this way over the years. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Discounting is not too common and turning up in Ushuaia to try and get a deal is not to be recommended.
Remember that the target market is not Argentine tourists but retired Europans and North Americans.
Feb 22, 2023, 12:11 pm
#264
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinium
Posts: 1,334
We are in the last week of our current trip to Patagonia. Currently in Mendoza.
ALL of the places I booked on Booking.com that were "pay at property" we used Pesos. We rented a car 2X. Both rentals I booked on Expedia, while here in Argentina. Pay at pickup. Used Cap One Venture X. Final charges were at the favorable/tourist rate. We call it the tourist rate.
We leave for Santiago on Sunday. Trying to spend the Pesos we have left and time it just right so we have zero to none. The BIGGEST tip, is that we've hung onto our Sube bus cards!!! You cannot get a physical card anywhere I hear. We used it in El Calafate, here in Mendoza and in BA the 6 weeks before we got to Patagonia.
Side note... If anyone wants/needs help with their planning of Patagonia, just ask!!! One of the best trips, places we've ever been. And we've been to some great places.
Estancia Bonanza, EL Chalten
ALL of the places I booked on Booking.com that were "pay at property" we used Pesos. We rented a car 2X. Both rentals I booked on Expedia, while here in Argentina. Pay at pickup. Used Cap One Venture X. Final charges were at the favorable/tourist rate. We call it the tourist rate.
We leave for Santiago on Sunday. Trying to spend the Pesos we have left and time it just right so we have zero to none. The BIGGEST tip, is that we've hung onto our Sube bus cards!!! You cannot get a physical card anywhere I hear. We used it in El Calafate, here in Mendoza and in BA the 6 weeks before we got to Patagonia.
Side note... If anyone wants/needs help with their planning of Patagonia, just ask!!! One of the best trips, places we've ever been. And we've been to some great places.
Estancia Bonanza, EL Chalten
Quick question, when you booked on booking.com, did you choose Arg on the top or US/USD? because I keep seeing something like "is XXX u$s converted to AR$"
Feb 22, 2023, 4:06 pm
#265
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Full time Nomad
Posts: 842
I did chose ARG
I did click on the ARG and yes, it did give the USD amount. What I think happens is that it really doesn't matter when you pay them in pesos. As long as it says Pay at the Property, everyone obliged us paying in Pesos. They don't know where you got your pesos. At a cambia at the Blue Rate, or at an ATM at the official rate. They have the property priced in Pesos of how much they want the room to cost. How you obtained the pesos doesn't matter.
Feb 22, 2023, 5:39 pm
#267
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: 52,133
That would be a change. We went to Antarctica in 2015 and the ships definitely offered discounts to fill up the cabins. You really want to be on a ship with no more than 100 passengers because that's the legal limit for landings.
Mar 6, 2023, 7:46 am
#269
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 252
Does anyone have recent data points for Amex? Just called them, and was told that for purchases starting on Feb 26, they would start issuing a statement credit for the difference between the official exchange rate and the tourist rate. They said the credit should post within 1-2 billing cycles.
Mar 6, 2023, 9:28 am
#270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,621
Does anyone have recent data points for Amex? Just called them, and was told that for purchases starting on Feb 26, they would start issuing a statement credit for the difference between the official exchange rate and the tourist rate. They said the credit should post within 1-2 billing cycles.