So besides paying the 21% VAT you’re saving about half

$100 USD for a room, Equals $121 with the VAT included and at the blue rate it’s about $60

Am I getting the math correct?

Hotels are aware of the blue vs. official USD spread, so the better hotels which have good occupancy have adjusted their USD rates to take this into account. In any event, its probably a good bet to still book a post paid rate because given the recent volatility of the Blue rate there is a decent chance that you will be able to trade your Dollars for a nice rate and save some money... the only thing that is for sure is that the 21% VAT you save by paying with a foreign credit card does NOT offset the rate difference, so paying your hotel with a ccard is something to try to avoid at pretty much all costs.

I ended up canceling the trip to Buenos Aires and went to Singapore instead. I'm eager to get BA off my list sometime in 2023. It seems like a lot has changed, especially with credit card transactions being charged a rate similar to the blue rate? However, what's the Visa/MasterCard acceptance rate like? Is cash still king? If I want to stay at a Marriott, Hyatt, or Hilton, how should I book to get the lowest rate? Any other changes I need to be aware of?

​​​​​​Thx!

I'm not sure what you mean by cash being king in Argentina. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in the country; the question is what conversion rate you'll get with a foreign card. When I was last in Argentina in 2019, hotels were required to post their prices in pesos and accept payment in pesos. With the international chains, if you book through their international reservations system you'll almost certainly end up getting quoted a dollar price that will be rather less attractive than what you could get. I'd suggest checking the peso price online or with a phone agent, then calling the hotel directly and seeing if they'll quote you a better rate in pesos directly. Then you can get pesos however you want in Argentina.

What I meant was if most businesses accept cash only? Do even low-end restaurants accept credit cards? I thought all foreign credit cards are now charged the new rate? At least that's what I'm reading.

In my experience, most businesses you're likely to patronize will accept cards - restaurants, shops, supermarkets, whatever. The main exceptions would be probably kioscos/mini-supers (i.e., the small mini market-type stores where you can buy alfajores, candy, drinks, and the like.) If I remember correctly, it might also not be possible to use a card to buy/top up a SUBE transit card. And yeah, if you're buying food from a dude grilling meat on the street, he probably won't take cards either.

If you use a foreign card, you'll get whatever the rate is (and this being Argentina, maybe it'll change!) But cards are certainly accepted in most places - that's how locals pay!

All Visa cards and Mastercards go through at a rate just below the MEP rate.

No one is sure what Amex is doing.

What's the difference right now? Less than 2%? Given the inflationary pressure on the peso at the moment, I wouldn't mind accepting the MEP if it means I have as few pesos as possible. The currency is utterly worthless.

The difference on my most recent test was about 10%. Also note that some small establishments might give you a better cash price. You might also find it easier to get a ride (Cabify, Uber, etc.) if you choose the Cash payment option. You may also find that you can only leave gratuities in cash. Also, just because you believe the currency is "utterly worthless," and most residents of Argentina think the same, it is their currency, and for those other than those with real means (i.e., not the service people you'll generally be dealing with), it is their reality of life, and I politely recommend that you not engage discussion on the topic other than with friends and/or family during your visit.

If you end up with a small stack of bills when you get to the airport to leave the country (I assume you'll be flying out), you can always buy something at the Duty Free shop and top the purchase off with a credit card.

100% and I never engage in politics or controversial topics when I'm traveling.

I generally don't mind bringing foreign currencies home, but the Argentine Peso is constantly losing value. Whatever amount I have in cash is certainly going to be worth less the next time I return (whenever that is). That's why if the difference between MEP and the blue dollar is small, I rather use my credit card if the acceptance is high and minimize the amount of cash I'll have and use. Is there a tipping culture in Argentina? If so, what is the rate for restaurants, and should I tip for things like I do in the US or what?

Tipping is becoming more common but nothing like USA

Your tip has to be in cash - impossible to leave it on the card in Argentina

But dont tip more than 10% ! And thts if the service is good.

and thats in restaurants .

Small notes will work elsewhere

Taxi drivers are just happy when you round up the total to the nearest note and they don't have to give you coins.

And I'm just happy when I don't get coins, or 10, 20 and 50 disintegrating peso notes. My rounding errors now are to the nearest 100 or 500, and the drivers seem quite happy and surprised with the extra. When someone is driving in ridiculous traffic to get me say from San Telmo to Villa Crespo for about $2000 ($5 and change for a half hour plus ride), and the driver generally knows where he's going, it is the least I can do, which amounts to rounding up to the nearest quarter-ish, or dollar and some cents.

As for the small notes, I take them into the Rapipago type place nearby and put the money onto my SUBE card. The notes would never work in the Sube machines (and many won't take the smaller notes anyway).